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On January 12, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that there have been ongoing issues with staff-to-child ratio violations. Classrooms are frequently left with more children than allowed by state licensing regulations. 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 25-500.112(1)(A), which states "The staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the below chart unless it meets an exception in subparagraphs (1)(B)-(G) below: Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds shall have one caregiver for every four children with no more than eight children per group; Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 5 years or older shall have one caregiver for every 16 children with no more than 32 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of no more than four children age 2 years, and at least one child older than 3 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of more than four children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group."
On January 13, 2026, CI West conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Designee Katrina Carol, Director Jennifer Curran, and Caregiver Bryanna Emery. Katrina, Jennifer, and Bryanna provided consistent information. They stated that they have combined the older infant/toddlers ages 15 months old to 23 months old into the 2-years-old classroom. The ratio is three caregivers to 13 children, with six children age 2 years old.
On January 13, 2026, CI West conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the 2-year-old classroom to have three caregivers with 13 children, ages 15 months to 3 years old, and six children age 2 years old.
On January 21, 2026, CI West received an email communication from CI Elaine Cox. On January 20, 2026, CI Cox observed seven children, ages 23 months old to 2 years old, with Brittany Clemensen.
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5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)5., which states "The facility shall be dry, temperature controlled, well-ventilated and free of drafts. Children shall not be overheated or chilled. The temperature of the rooms shall be no less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68F) and no more than eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85F) when measured two feet (2') from the floor."
On January 13, 2026, CI West conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the following temperatures inside the classrooms when measured two feet from the floor: 61 degrees Fahrenheit inside the 2-year-old classroom; 64 degrees Fahrenheit inside the infant/toddler's classroom; and 64 degrees Fahrenheit inside the preschool classroom.
On January 16, 2026, CI West received an email communication from CI Angel Donson. On January 15, 2026, CI Donson observed the following temperatures: The 2-year-old classroom (Cheetahs) was 55F, 56F, 63F, and 67F during the first check and 54F, 55F, 64F, and 67F during the second check. The preschool classroom (Giraffes) was 52F, 54F, 64F, and 65F during the first check and 51F, 54F, 63F, and 64F during the second check. The bathroom was between 59F and 63F. The Big Room (upstairs empty) was 56F, 57F, 58F, and 66F during the first check and 57F, 58F, 59F, and 67F during the second check. The after-school classroom (downstairs empty) was 52F, 61F, 61F, and 63F.
On January 21, 2026, CI West received an email communication from CI Elaine Cox. On January 20, 2026, CI Cox observed the following temperatures: The front classroom was 65F. The Cheetahs classroom was 64F and 71F. The school-age classroom (empty) was 58F and 61F. The Giraffes classroom (empty) was 56F and 64F. CI Cox observed water dripping from the ceiling in the office.
On February 2, 2026, CI West interviewed Robert Coody and Maintenance man Chris Brumlow. Robert stated that he was at the daycare on January 20, 2026, to inspect and repair a leak from the roof over the director's office. He spoke with CI Elaine Cox about a potential fire hazard. The drain tray on the furnace in the attic had clogged up and began to leak directly on to electrical wires. He was able to point out the problem to the maintenance.
On February 11, 2026, CI West received an email communication from CI Donson. On January 30, 2026, CI Donson observed the following temperatures: The Cheetahs classroom (empty) was 58F, 60F, 68F, and 69F. The Zebras classroom was 64F, 68F, 75F, and 76F. The Big Front classroom (right) was 60F, 60F, 65F, and 69F. The school-age classroom (empty) was 56F, 65F, 68F, and 78F. The Giraffe classroom (empty) was 58F, 60F, 69F, and 68F.
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5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)2., which states "Center directors and group child care home providers routinely shall be on duty during the hours of highest attendance a minimum of forty (40) hours per week. If the facility operates less than forty (40) hours per week, the center director or group child care home provider shall be on duty at least fifty percent (50%) of the operating hours."
On January 16, 2026, CI West received an email communication from CI Angel Donson. On January 15, 2026, CI Donson observed the director wasn't present. After speaking with the staff, CI Donson was advised that Jennifer, the director, is only present once or twice a week.
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