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On October 24, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that older children (2-year-olds) play outside on the I/T playground at the same time as the toddlers. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Curtis West finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of a licensing rule violation that occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(B)1., which states "Outdoor play space for infants and toddlers shall be separate from that used for older children or the same space shall be used at different times. (This rule does not apply to group day care homes with a maximum of four (4) infant/toddlers or to day care centers licensed for a maximum of twenty (20) children, including no more than four (4) infant/toddlers.)"
On October 30, 2025, CI West interviewed Director Rekeshia Simmons and Caregiver Vanessa Foster. Rekeshia stated that there have been times when the infants/toddlers were on the playground at the same time as children aged 2 years old.
Vanessa stated that sometimes she will open the gate and allow the infants/toddlers to play with the children aged 2 years old.
On October 30, 2025, CI West conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the 2-year-old classroom that was separate from the infant/toddler unit. CI West observed the infant/toddler playground that was divided into two sections by a gated fence.
On January 6, 2026, CI West received an email with a copy the physical plant to include the playgrounds and the Child Care Calculation Page. The physical plant shows that inside the facility the children aged 24 months old to 36 months old have their own classroom on the preschool section of the facility. The infant toddler playground is separated by a fence line indicating that the playground is divided. The calculation page shows the 2-year-old room is labeled as Room E. Preschool/PreK classrooms are labeled as Rooms F, G and H. School age children when not in school also use Room F and/or the common area. These rooms are all down the hallway from the common area and are self-contained.
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