Discovery Center of Ann Arbor

R 400.8134(17)(a) · R 400.8134(17)(a) Sleeping equipment. (17) When sleeping equipment and bedding are stored, both of the following apply: (a) Sleeping surfaces shall not come in contact with other sleeping surfaces. Bureau

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R 400.8182 · R 400.8182 Ratio and group size requirements. ............................................. ....... .......... ... ......... (3) In each room orwell-defined space, the maximum group size and ratio of child care staff members to children, including children related to a staff member or the licensee, must be as shown in Table 4: Child Care Staff Member to Child Ratios Age Child Care Staff Member to Child Ratio Maximum Group Size (a) Infants and toddlers, birth until 30 months of age 1 to 4 12 (b) Preschoolers, 30 months of age until 3 years of age 1 to 816 (c) Preschoolers, 3 years of age until 4 years of age 1 to 10 Not applicable (d) Preschoolers, 4 years of age until school-age 1 to 12 Not applicable (e) School-agers 1 to 18 Not applicable

On September 14, 2021 I made an unannounced onsite inspection to the child care center. The program director/licensee designee was not present. child care staff member Ms. Cheryl Kanch was present and in charge of the center. I made her aware of the allegations in the complaint. Ms. Kanch, Ms. Chelsea Aldrich, and Ms. Danielle Bigham were providing care in Classroom 2(the orange room). There were 15 children ages 2 years to 5 years old in the 1/2 2 classroom. Ms. Kanch stated that has not had any problems with ratio. Ms. Chelsea Aldrich stated that there have not any problems with ratio in the classrooms. Ms. Danielle Bingham also stated that they have not had a problem with ratio. The center is licensed for children 2 -12 years of age. 1/2 During the onsite I observed classroom 6(the blue room). The classroom had 15 child care children ages 2 years with three child care staff members, Ms. 1/2 -5 Louise Stephan, Ms. Julie Meszaros, and Ms. Laura Hnath. The child care staff members all stated they have not had any problems with ratio and group size in their classroom. Classroom had 21 child care children ages 2 years years old present with 5 1/2 -5 three child care staff members, Ms. Heidi Niska, Ms. Carolyn Stewart, and Ms. Lynne Burns. All child care staff members stated that they have not been out of ratio or exceeded the group size requirement. The Green Room had 15 children ages 2 1/25 years old present with three childcare staff members. Ms. Natalie Wlotkowski, Ms. Stephanie Hall, and Ms. Jackie Hoskins. Ms. Hall stated that things have been stressful for the children, parents, and child care staff members with COVID-19 and everyone being back in the center. Things were not as stressful over the summer because the number of children present was down, however now the center has more children attending and everyone is trying to adjust and stay as safe as possible. Ms. Hoskins stated, "sometimes in the mornings we are out of ratio for us, however we are still meeting licensing requirements for ratio." I asked what she meant by out of ratio for them? Ms. Hoskins stated that they normally have extra staff and operate under the required ratio. I also viewed classroom three there were 23 child care children in the classroom present with three child care staff members. On September 23, 2021, I made an unannounced onsite inspection to the child care center and discussed the allegations with the program director Debora Belcher. During the onsite we went over the staffing plan, discussed classroom sizes, ratio, and group size. I reviewed three files; Child A (male, 31m onths) is enrolled in a mixed age classroom 2 years old. He is not 33 months, therefore the ratio in 1/2 -5 his classroom is one to eight with a maximum group size of 16 children. Child B (male, age 31 months and Child C (female, age 32 months) are also in a mixed age classroom of children 2 years to years old. On September 14, 2021 during the 1/2 5 onsite inspection their classroom had 21c hildren with three child care staff members. The ratio requirement is one to eight with a maximum group size of 16. The classroom was not out of ratio; however, the maximum group size was exceeded. Upon discussing the rules with Ms. Belcher, she stated that she made a mistake in not getting written permission to enroll children 33 months as a three-year-old and 3 would make that adjustment. She would also work to move children younger than 33 months old to classrooms were they wouldn't exceed the group size requirement. On December 14, 2021 I made an unannounced onsite inspection to the child care center to conduct an exit conference with Ms. Belcher. Ms. Belcher provided copies of the written permission signed by parents to allow their children 33 months to be enrolled in a three-year-old classroom following the 1:10 ratio for 3-year-olds. She also contacted families of children that were supposed to start and delayed their enrollment until they reached the 33-month mark, so that

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R 400.8182 · R 400.8182 Ratio and group size requirements. (4) Children who have reached 33 months of age may, when developmentally appropriate, be enrolled in a 3-year-old j 4 classroom with written parental permission. The ratio listed in subrule (3)(c) of this rule applies. ................ ....

Ms. Belcher did not receive written parental permission to enroll children 33 months of age in a three-year-old classroom.

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