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On October 3, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging "The playground for the Daisy's classroom has a broken PVC pipe that has not been fixed. It is sharp, and the kids can reach it." After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence and rule violation:
5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)4 which states "The play area shall be safe for children's activities, well-maintained, free of hazards such as poisonous plants, broken glass, rocks or other debris and shall have good drainage."
On October 6, 2025, CI Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection and walkthrough at the facility. CI Mertz observed a small, quarter-sized hole with sharp edges in the PVC pipe under a small children's picnic table on the infant toddler playground. CI Mertz interviewed Caregiver Melody Knorpp and Director Holly Conner were interviewed. Melody indicated children have tried to put their fingers in the hole in the PVC pipe so she had placed the small children's picnic table over the pipe as a deterrent. Holly indicated she was unaware of the situation prior to CI Mertz's inspection.
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