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On March 27, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation of since December of 2025 the infant room had been cold. We were told to use heaters. Fans and heaters are plugged up but babies have been warm and or cold due to weather. On March 27, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and found the allegations to be substantiated based on the following information.
5 CSR 25-500.087(13)(A) which states: "Unvented fuel-fired room heaters, portable electrical space heaters, or floor furnaces shall not be used during child care hours. The provider shall sign a compliance letter verifying that such equipment will not be used."
On March 27, 2026, CI Hughes conducted in person interviews with director Carolyn Jones and caregivers Sheryl Cannamore. Carolyn stated that David locks the thermostats and she does not have control of them and with the Missouri weather it changes constantly and sometimes it gets chilly or hot. The space heaters help heat the rooms when it is really cold out. Sheryl stated that she does use the space heaters sometimes while the children are present, so it isn't so cold. The space heaters are always kept up away from the children. She did not know that they were not allowed to use the heaters when the children are present.
On March 27, 2026, CI Hughes observed the center to be free of space heaters in the childcare space. All space heaters were put away in closets out of the reach of children not being used. Classrooms were at appropriate temperatures.
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