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On June 12, 2026, the Office of Childhood received an allegation that the playground is unsafe causing an unknown child to be injured with a long scratch across their chest on June 11, 2026 at 1:54 p.m. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following rule violations:
5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(B)4. which states: "A total of at least one (1) hour of outdoor play for children in attendance a full day unless prevented by weather or special medical reasons. (Based on wind chill factor or heat index, children shall not be exposed to either extreme element. ) ;"
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5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)4. which states: "The play area shall be safe for children's activities, well-maintained, free of hazards such as poisonous plants, broken glass, rocks or other debris and shall have good drainage."
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5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)5. which states: "The fall-zone area under and around outdoor equipment where children might fall and be injured shall be covered with impact-absorbing materials which will effectively cushion the fall of a child. This material may include sand, pea gravel, tanbark, shredded tires, wood chips, rubber matting or other approved resilient material."
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5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)6. which states: "The provider shall be responsible for the type, depth and fall-zone area of resilient material necessary for the protection of children."
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5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)8. which states: "Concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil is not an acceptable surface under outdoor equipment from which children might fall and be injured."
On June 16, 2026, CI Ruth conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed multiple hazards in the outdoor play space. Within the preschool and school-age play area, CI Ruth observed two turtle sandboxes with cracked and broken lids, posing a pinching and scratch hazard. CI Ruth observed that there was no resilient material under a climbing structure with an attached slide, in the back right of the space. The structure was placed on the grass. CI Ruth observed stepping stumps in the grass with no resilient material underneath. CI Ruth observed a climbing bar structure that had resilient material that was not properly in place. CI Ruth observed that the resilient material under the largest climbing structure, located in the center of the area, had resilient squares that were warped and posed a tripping hazard, and were hard underfoot. Within the infant and toddler play area, CI Ruth observed additional stepping stumps that were placed on the grass with no resilient material underneath. CI Ruth observed two splintering wooden pallets that were leaned up against the fence. Within both the infant/toddler space and the preschool/school-age area, CI Ruth observed a broken Cozy Coupe riding car and broken plastic basketball hoop both with broken pieces that had sharp and jagged edges, and broken equipment that had collected standing water.
CI Ruth observed a posted notice outside the preschool/school-age classroom stating that the playground is currently under construction and will remain closed until all repairs have been made.
CI Ruth held in-person interviews with the director, Carmen McBride, caregivers, Jakita McBride, and Jamin McBride, and children, Child B (4-years-old), Child C (5-years-old), and Child D (10-years-old). Carmen stated that the playground has been closed since January of this year due to unsafe conditions. Instead, they do gross motor activities indoors. Carmen, Jakita, Jamin, and Child D stated that Child A (6-years-old) fell outside while playing with a truck.
CI Ruth observed an incident report that was written by Jakita McBride on June 4, 2026, at 10:10 a.m. It states that when Child A was playing with trucks outside, he tripped and fell on the truck he was holding. She called him over when she saw he was crying and asked if he was okay, but he would not respond. When they came inside, she noticed Child A messing with his shirt around his chest area. She checked on him and noticed a scratch on his chest. She immediately cleaned it up in the sink with a towel and cold water. It states that at 11:30 a.m. she checked on him again, and it was still red. At 3:42 p.m., she checked again and it was still red, so she applied Vaseline.
CI Ruth observed video footage of the outdoor area on June 4, 2026, from approximately 10:05 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. CI Ruth observed Child A (6-years-old) in the outdoor area, playing with two yellow trucks. CI Ruth did not observe Child A fall, but many there are multiple blind spots on the camera footage and it does not show a view of the entire area. CI Ruth was unable to confirm how Child A was injured.
On June 18, 2026, CI Ruth conducted an interview via phone with Parent A (parent of Child A). She stated that Child A received a scratch on his chest while at the facility. She was told that he fell on a truck while they were playing outside, however the playground is supposed to be closed due to unsafe conditions. She was told that they let the older kids go outside for summer camp on June 4, 2026, and that is when Child A fell. She disenrolled her children because she thinks it was unsafe.
CI Ruth observed a photo of Child A's chest, provided by Parent A. The photo was taken on June 18, 2026, at 1:49 p.m. CI Ruth observed a long, thin scratch from just below the collar bone, to the center of the chest. The scratch did not appear to red or bleeding.
CI observed a text message thread between Parent A and Carmen. Parent A asked if they let the kids go outside and play because they always complain that they do not go outside. Carmen replied that the playground is being renovated with upgraded mulch and rubber padding, and they are waiting on their contractor to complete the job. Parent A then asked how Child A got hurt with a truck outside if they do not go outside. Carmen replied that they let the school-age children go outside, only on the big climber, for one day and that is when it happened. Now they are not allowing anyone to go outside until the playground is completely renovated.
The following additional rule violations were cited because enrollment documentation for Child A could not be provided by the facility.
5 CSR 25-500.222(2) which states: "An individual file shall be kept to identify each child and enable the provider to communicate with the parent(s) , guardian or legal custodian of the child in an emergency. Records shall include:"
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5 CSR 25-500.222(3)(A) which states: "A medical examination report for each infant, toddler, or preschool child or a health report for each school-age child as required by 5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports;"
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5 CSR 25-500.192(4)(A) which states: "No child shall be permitted to enroll in or attend any day care facility caring for ten or more children unless the child has been immunized adequately against vaccine-preventable childhood illnesses specified by the department in accordance with recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP) . The parent or guardian of the child shall provide satisfactory evidence of the required immunizations. Satisfactory evidence means a statement, certificate or record from a physician or other recognized health facility or personnel, stating that the required immunizations have been given to the child and verifying the type of vaccine and the month, day and year of administration."
On July 28, 2026, CI Ruth contacted the director, Carmen McBride, via email to request Child A's enrollment information, as it could not be located during the inspection on June 16, 2026. Carmen replied with a screenshot of Child A's information in KinderConnect. CI Ruth responded and asked specifically for Child A's enrollment form, his medical form, or his immunization record. Carmen replied that Parent A never returned the enrollment documents. CI Ruth did not observe an enrollment form, school-age health report, or immunization record for Child A.
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