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On May 5, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that the reporter is not sure if the playground fence has been fixed since the last violation in 2025; there is still a six to 12-inch opening. 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 25-300.090 (4)(A) which states: "An outdoor play area available on or adjoining the child care property. Facilities with a capacity of more than ten (10) children shall have a fenced play area. Play areas in facilities with a capacity of ten (10) or fewer children shall be fenced when necessary for the protection of children from traffic, water or other hazards. Fences shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. Openings in fences shall be no greater than three and one half inches (3 1/2");"
On May 12, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins completed an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Alicia Johnson, who stated that she had observed a four to five-inch gap on the outside preschool playground near where the gate connects to the facility wall. The metal gate is less than three-and-a-half inches from the base of the connecting support pole, but as the pole rises, the gap widens to be over four to five inches apart from the wall.
On May 12, 2026, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the outside preschool playground fence to have five-inch gap near the top of the metal support beam near where the gate connects to the facility wall. The metal gate is less than three-and-a-half inches from the ground; however, the gap widens to five inches from the wall near the top of the support beam. CI Eddins observed that it could be possible for a child's arm/body to get caught in the gap.
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