• 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 Group Size member to Child Ratio c)Preschoolers, 3 years of 1 to 10 Not applicable age until 4 years of age

  On March 14, 2022, I conducted an unannounced onsite investigation and interviewed both licensee designee's Penny Campbell and Virginia Altz. They both denied having any staffing issues. Ms. Campbell reported the allegation is a result of a disgruntled employee who was upset over not being able to get leave approved from work for spring break. I inspected the infant room and there was a 2:7 child care staff member to child ratio. This room followed the 1:4 child care staff member to child ratio. The two child care staff members were Ms. Altz and Baylee Wetzel. Ms. Altz and Ms. Wetzel have been fingerprinted and connected in ccbc as required. A third adult was present in the room and was identified as Isabella Theisen. Ms. Altz reported that Ms. Theisen is a new hire who is shadowing as a child care staff member. She wasn't needed for ratios in this room. A review of the ccbc fingerprint screen showed that Ms. Theisen had been fingerprinted on February 15, 2022, however she had not been connected to the facility as required. I inspected the younger toddler room (ages 1 year-2 year of age) and there was a 3:10 child care staff member to child ratio. This room followed the 1:4 child care staff member to child ratio. The three child care staff members were Corrie Dwyer, Savannah Karbel, and Nicole Conn. Ms. Dwyer and Ms. Karbel have been fingerprinted and connected in ccbc as required. Ms. Conn had been fingerprinted on November 24, 2021; however, she had not been connected to the facility as required. I inspected the older toddler room (ages 2 year-3 year of age) and there was a 3:10 child care staff member to child ratio. This room followed the 1:4 child care staff member to child ratio. The three child care staff members were Autumn Jinenaz, Laken Campbell, and Collen (Phillips) LaChat. All three child care staff members had been appropriately fingerprinted and connected in the ccbc fingerprint system. Upon my entry into the room Ms. Campbell was working in the room to cover breaks for lunch. Ms. Campbell has the appropriate fingerprints and connections in the ccbc system as well. I inspected the preschool classroom (ages 3 years - 5 years of age) and there were 3 child care staff members with 27 children between 3 years of age through 5 years of age. The child care staff members were Emma Stefanski, Carol Snooks, and 3 Monica Latcha. The room appeared to follow the child care staff member to child ratio, however upon my review of the ccbc fingerprint system I discovered that Ms. Latcha was not in the system as being fingerprinted. I emailed Ms. Campbell and informed her that Ms. Latcha was not in the ccbc system and therefore could not be considered as a child care staff member for ratio and could not be present at the center until fingerprinted and determined eligible to be present at the center. Ms. Campbell admitted that Ms. Latcha had not been fingerprinted due to having Covid, but she would send her for fingerprinting. During the exit conference, I reminded Ms. Altz and Ms. Campbell of the importance of ensuring individuals are not present in the center and working as child care staff members until they have been fingerprinted and found eligible, not just profiles being created in the ccbc fingerprint system.

Disposition: No violation found

The center is understaffed. The preschool room has 30 children with only two child care staff members. The building is not up to code and has hazards in the building.

Disposition: Substantiated