• Violation

  R 400.8182 · R 400.8182 Ratio and group size requirements. (3) In each room or well-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: Age Child Care Staff Maximum Member to Child Ratio Group Size b)Preschoolers, 1 to 8 16 30 months of age until 3 years of age 4

  On 10/27/2022, I completed an onsite inspection at Pitter Patter Preschool & Childcare. I explained the allegations to program director Ms. Morgan Davis-Null. Ms. Davis-Null reported that she believed that these allegations are not valid because they were made by a disgruntled individual. She stated on 10/24/2022, there were nine children in care and two child care staff members in the preschool classroom (ages 30 months and above). Ms. Michelle Stark and Ms. Emily 2 Miller were in the classroom all day, and caregiver to child ratio requirements were maintained the entire day. Ms. Davis-Null reported that Ms. Miller is no longer employed at this facility. Ms. Michelle Stark is the lead caregiver in the preschool room. She reported that there were nine children in care on 10/24/2022. She and Ms. Emily Miller were working in the classroom that day. Ms. Stark worked from 7:30 AM to 4:40 PM and Ms. Miller worked from 9:15 AM to 3:15 PM. Ms. Miller worked in the infant room for approximately 30 to 45 minutes to allow child care staff members to take their lunches. Ms. Stark believed they were still within ratio because Ms. Miller was in the building the entire time. She stated that another licensing consultant had informed her that this was acceptable as long as the child care staff member was in the building. Ms. Stark then stated that it was possible that she read this somewhere and she was not told by a licensing consultant. Note: Ms. Stark was referring to the technical assistance manual regarding R 400.8182(3). The technical assistance states: A caregiver may need to be away from their assigned area of the center for a brief period of time for routine activities such as use of restroom, toileting a child, attending to a sick child, escorting children from the bus, etc. In those situations, children must not be left unattended. If multiple caregivers are in the room, a replacement caregiver may not be necessary unless there is a significant disruption in the room, children's needs are not being met or absences are too lengthy or too frequent. I explained to Ms. Stark that this exception to the rule is regarding very brief periods of time when there are already multiple child care staff members in the room. In this instance, Ms. Miller was out of the room for between a half an hour and 45 minutes, and there was only one staff member left in the preschool room during Ms. Miller's absence. After interviewing Ms. Stark, I had follow up contact with Ms. Davis-Null. I explained to her that the preschool room was out of child care staff member to child ratio for a half hour to 45 minutes when Ms. Miller was covering for staff breaks in the infant/toddler room. Ms. Davis-Null stated that she was not aware that the classroom would be out of ratio if there were two staff members assigned to the room, and one staff member left the classroom for a short time to assist with child care staff member breaks. On 12/06/2022, I interviewed Child A's Mother. She reported that Child A (3-year- old, male) attended an in-home child care facility prior to attending Pitter Patter Preschool & Childcare. The facility has only been open for a short time, but she has had a great experience so far. Child A's Mother usually drops off, and Child A's Father usually picks up. She has never felt that there were not enough staff members in the classroom. Child A's Mother added that she is very impressed with 3 the programming at the facility and child care staff members do a good job of communicating with her. On 12/06/2022, I interviewed Child B's Mother. She reported that she does both drop offs and pick-ups. She has never seen more than five children present. Child B's Mother reported that Child B (4-year-old, male) received care at Pitter Patter's Kingsley site, and she has never had any concerns. On 12/06/2022, I interviewed Child C's Mother. She reported that there are usually only one or two children present at drop offs, and not more than five to seven ch

On 10/24/2022, the preschool room was out of ratio for most of the day.

Disposition: Substantiated