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On October 23, 2025, the Office of Childhood received a complaint alleging that all kids and ages eat together in an unlicensed dining room. Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-300.090 (1)(A) - Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care.
AND
5 CSR 25-300.090 (2)(F)2. - A facility with a capacity of more than twenty (20) children or more than four (4) infants and toddlers shall have infant and toddler space separate from the older children. The space shall be separated by floor-to-ceiling walls with separate play, sleeping and bathroom space;
On October 27, 2025, CI Radney conducted interviews with Director Serina Fulp and Caregivers Avery Sexton, Nancy Long and Kenzie Palmquist. Serina reported the children eat in the dining room. The infants do not leave the infant room (1-year-olds and younger) for meals. The toddlers (1-2 year olds) do leave their room to eat in the dining room. The toddlers and preschool children do eat separately at different times. Sometimes their eating times overlap. The dining room is approved space, she believes. The dining room is inspected. Avery reported they eat in the dining room. They separate the groups of children most of the time. It depends on the number of children as to whether they eat separately or together. The toddlers sit in high chairs and the preschoolers sit at the table. The infants do not leave their room for meals. Nancy reported the infants do not leave their room for meals. The other children (preschoolers and toddlers) leave their rooms and eat in the dining room. Sometimes they eat together, sometimes they eat separately. Kenzie reported usually the toddlers (1-2 year olds) eat in the dining room first, followed by the preschoolers. Sometimes they overlap and are in the dining room at the same time eating. The infants do not go to the dining room to eat.
On October 28, 2025, CI Radney received the facility's physical plant section. On the physical diagram, signed by Compliance Inspector Angel Donson and Director Serina Fulp, the Kitchen and "Common Area" are listed as "not used space". The dining room is not listed in the calculation pages. The dining room is not mentioned in the physical plant narrative.
Based on the information provided, it appears that the facility was taking 1-2 year old children out of their classroom to eat in the dining room, not keeping them in their own space separate from the older children. Additionally, the facility is using space that appears to be unapproved for use by children for meals.
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