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On May 5, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that there are ongoing ratio concerns in the infant room during morning drop-off, around 7:00-8:00 a.m. On May 5, 2026, the reporter observed seven infants with one caregiver. Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A) - 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 May 13, 2026, CI Heather Radney conducted interviews with Director Jessica Pitford and Managing Member Gloria Rush. Jessica reported that they had one issue on May 5, 2026, where they missed a message from the infant teacher and she was out of ratio for 45 minutes. Caregiver Ashley Ontiveros was their 7:15 a.m. person, and they didn't have anyone floating or checking message on May 5, 2026, because Ashley was training to be in the kitchen. Caregiver McKenzie Wilson was in the infant room that day. McKenzie messaged at 7:11 a.m. that she was over with five infants alone. McKenzie messaged again at 7:55 a.m. saying that she was over with 10 infants alone. Gloria reported there was an isolated incident on May 5, 2026. McKenzie had seven to 10 infants by herself for approximately 45 minutes because her message for help had not been missed by accident.
On June 16, 2026, CI Radney conducted an interview with McKenzie Wilson. She texted around 7:10 a.m. that she had five children, all infants under 1 year old. No one came to help her. Babies continued to be dropped off to her. She texted again around 7:50 a.m. saying she still needed help. She had 10 children under 1 year old at that point. Someone came immediately to help her.
Based on the information provided, there was one incident on May 5, 2026, where McKenzie Wilson was alone in ratio with between five and 10 infants for a period of approximately 40 to 45 minutes.
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