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On March 10, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that it is not uncommon for rooms to be slightly out of ratio, especially during the mornings. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which 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 March 12, 2026, CI Eddins attempted to contact Parent A. CI Eddins left a message.
On March 12, 2026, CI Eddins completed an unannounced inspection and interviewed Assistant Director Shanay Smith, Caregiver Zoe Anderson, Caregiver Mary Mooneyham, and Caregiver Victoria Ellis. Zoe stated that she had six infants in her room all by herself for over 30 minutes on March 11, 2026, some time in the early morning. She has had nine to 10 infants in her room with two caregivers a few times in the past two months early in the morning. She heard that Mary has had ratio issues in her classroom in the past few weeks, but she could not remember any of the details surrounding the ratio violation. Mary stated that she has had nine 2-year-olds in her room for over 30 minutes at around 7:00 a.m. a few times in the past few weeks. She could not remember the exact days she had ratio issues. They are short-staffed, and some staff members call in sick early in the morning, which hurts their ability to find quick coverage for full classrooms. The ratio issues are only in the early mornings. She had heard that other classrooms have had ratio issues in the mornings. Victoria stated that she had observed Mary's classroom with around nine to 13 children early in the morning. She has observed Mary's classroom more than once in the past month. The 2-year-old classroom had nine to 13 children for more than 40 minutes to an hour from around 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
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