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On January 27, 2026, the Office of Childhood received an allegation that on January 21, 2026, the preschool children were left unattended while the director gave a tour of the facility. After completing an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following rule violations:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states, "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)5. which states, "A caregiver shall remain in the room with preschool and school-age children while they are napping or sleeping and shall be able to see and hear them if they have difficulty during napping or when they awaken."
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5 CSR 25-500.112(1) which states, "Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times."
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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 28, 2026, CI Ruth conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed two preschool classrooms with no teacher present. CI Ruth observed, during naptime, zero caregivers present in a preschool classroom, with seven children, ages 3-years-old to 4-years-old. Caregiver, Azra Ahmed, was observed to be on her break, present at the facility, but in a separate space with no children. The second preschool classroom had zero caregivers present with six children, ages 2-years-old to 4-years-old. Caregiver, Azra Ahmed, returned to this classroom after Dejah Munson returned to the facility from her break. Pastor Lee Furnace answered the door and he and CI Ruth entered the infant/toddler classroom, where he stated he had been present the whole day with caregiver, Justice Chance, and six children ages 11-months-old to 23-months-old.
On January 28, 2026, CI Ruth held in person interviews with Pastor Lee, Justice, Dejah, and Azra. Pastor Lee first stated that he was an extra staff present on January 21, 2026, and all the classrooms were in ratio. He said a teacher, Toya Chatman, was out sick, Justice only had four children by herself and Dejah was in preschool. He said he did not provide a tour of the entire facility, just the infant/toddler classroom. He stated that they do not have cameras at this time. Justice first stated that she only had four infants and toddlers present out of her usual six, on January 21, 2026, and no other teacher was with her. Dejah stated that she did not leave her classroom unattended and there is a second preschool classroom that would have had Toya or Azra as the caregiver. She does not remember a tour coming to view her classroom. Azra stated that she was in her preschool room, but left it and went into the infant/toddler classroom when the tour was there.
CI Ruth observed the attendance records and staff schedule for January 21, 2026. There were a total of 18 children in attendance, with six of those children being infants and toddlers, and 12 being preschool-age children. The staff schedule showed that Justice, Azra, and Dejah were present on January 21, 2026, and Pastor Lee stated he was present but does not put his name on the schedule.
After observing the attendance, Pastor Lee stated that he was in the infant room with Justice all day. Justice stated that Pastor Lee was with her all day.
On February 5, 2026, CI Ruth conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed all classrooms to be maintaining the correct staff to child ratios and supervision.
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