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On May 21, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that the owner had to pull her high school daughter out of school to come work, because there weren't enough staff for the kids. 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 25-500.102(1)(C)1. which states: "A Junior Aide--" B. "Shall not have the direct responsibility for a group of children as the sole caregiver;" C. "Shall not count towards infant/toddler staffing ratios;"
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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 June 3, 2026, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Managing Member Brandi Staples, Caregiver Addison Staples, Junior Aide Alexa Staples, Junior Aide Alyssa Dunn, Caregiver Cheryl Class, and Caregiver Shelby Miller. Brandi stated that her daughter, Alexa Staples, is 17 years old and was working with Caregiver Lauren Battle in the infant and toddler room. Alyssa, who is 17 years old, was typically in the 3-year-old classroom by herself. Addison stated that sometimes, Alexa would work with infants and toddlers, but not often. Alexa stated that she is 17 years old, and she rarely works in the infant and toddler classrooms. Alyssa stated she had observed Alexa working in ratio with the infants and toddlers with another caregiver. She has always worked with 2 to 5-year-old children alone or with another caregiver since she started working at the facility earlier this year. Cheryl stated that she has observed Alexa sometimes working with the infants and toddlers. Shelby stated that she has observed Alexa occasionally work with the infants and toddlers. She has also observed Alyssa working by herself with the 2 to 5-year-old children.
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