Early Impressions

R 400.8125 · R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements .............. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

On 11/14/2022, I completed an unannounced onsite inspection. spoke to licensee designee and program director, Lizabeth White. I informed Ms. White of the allegations. Ms. White denied the allegation that sick children are allowed to come to the child care center. Ms. White shared that she and the staff members are very strict when it comes to children becoming ill or attempting to come to the facility when they are sick. Ms. White shared that because she and some of her staff are older, they are very strict when it comes to COVID-19 and the sick children. Ms. White has a retired registered pediatrician who comes in four to five times a week. While Ms. Mary Penn primarily works in the office, she assists if Ms. White or any staff member is unsure about a child who may have symptoms or who may be sick. On 11/14/2022, I interviewed child care staff member Suzanne Michael. Ms. Michael has worked with Ms. White for many years and strongly denies that sick children are allowed to come to the child care center. Ms. Michael shared that sometimes children have runny noses. If a child care staff member has concerns about a child who they suspect may be sick, the staff member calls the main office number, and she or Ms. Penn checks the child's temperature for fever. They also review what the child ate, if it's nap time, is the child resting, etc. If they believe the child is not well, the child is immediately sent home. Children cannot return until they have been symptom free for 24-48 hours. Ms. Michael shared that the parents are very good about picking up their children when they are called and believes the parents are cautious as well. On 11/14/2022, I interviewed child care staff member Laura Barron. Ms. Barron has worked with Ms. White and child care center for more than 20 years. Ms. Barron shared children are not permitted to stay if they are sick. Ms. Barron stated that there are currently about six children who were out due to sickness. If children have green mucous, they are sent home. Ms. Barron shared that the children must be symptom free for 48 hours before they can return to the child care center. On 11/14/2022, I interviewed child care staff member Ronna Rives. Ms. Rives has worked for Ms. White for 37 years. Ms. Rives stated that if children are not feeling well, they call the child's parent to come pick them up. If they are unable to reach the child's parent, the child is isolated until the parent is contacted and the child is waiting to be picked up. Children who are sick or may become ill during the day are not permitted to stay. Ms. Rives shared that Ms. White is very conscientious about sick children and staff. If a staff member is not feeling well, Ms. White will send the staff member home. Ms. Rivers shared that about a week prior, she was not feeling her best and Ms. White sent her home to rest and get better. If she notices that a child is not feeling well, she confirms with child care staff members. On 11/14/2022, I interviewed child care staff member, Layla Askar. Ms. Askar has worked at the child care center for 24 years. Ms. Askar denied that sick children are allowed to remain in care at the child care center, and sick children are not permitted to attend. When children are sick, the staff members in the classroom notify the 4 office and the office notifies the parents. Many of the parents come right away to pick up the children. On 11/14/2022, I interviewed child care staff member, Lauren Wheeler. Ms. Wheeler works in room five and has worked at the child care center for four years. Ms. Wheeler denies that sick children are permitted to attend the child care center when they are sick, and sick children are immediately sent home. Ms. Wheeler shared that the center is big on sending children who are sick home. The parents are also very cooperative when it comes to their sick policy. On 11/14/2022, I interviewed child care staff member, Destinee Almore. Ms. Almore works in classroom three and has worked at t

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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 b)Preschoolers, 30 months 1 to 8 16 of age until 3 years of age c)Preschoolers, 3 years of 1 to 10 Not applicable age until 4 years of age d)Preschoolers, 4 years of 1 to 12 Not applicable age until school-age

On 11/14/2022, I completed an unannounced onsite inspection to the child care center. I spoke to Ms. White regarding the allegation that the child care center is understaffed, and the classrooms are frequently out of ratio. Ms. White denied that the center is understaffed, and the classrooms are out of ratio. Ms. White stated that there are approximately 80 children currently enrolled, but the children do not come every day. Ms. White shared that they are sometimes over staffed and will combine classrooms or send staff home. Ms. White also assists in the classrooms daily. On 11/14/2022, I spoke to Ms. Grewal. Ms. Grewal shared that while she works in classroom four, she does not have a lot of children. Sometimes she goes to classroom five and assists, if needed. Ms. Grewal denies that the child care center has issues with staff to child ratio and shared that the center has more staff than needed. On 11/14/2022, I spoke to Ms. Michael. Ms. Michael shared that she does not understand the allegations that the center is understaffed, and classrooms are out of ratio. Ms. Michael stated that the center has plenty of staff and she has no concerns regarding ratio. Ms. Michael shared that the toddler classroom has a one to four ratio, the older toddler room has a one to seven ratio, the older three's classrooms have a one to ten ratio, and the pre-k room has 19 children enrolled. On 11/14/2022, I spoke to Ms. Barron. Ms. Barron works in classroom two and has no concerns regarding staffing or ratio. Ms. Barron shared that sometimes she is sent home if children are not present. Ms. Barron stated that the ratio for her classroom is eight to one and believes that the center is fully staffed. The age range for her classroom is two and a half years to three- years old. On 11/14/2022, I spoke to Ms. Askar. Ms. Askar shared that her classroom has always been in ratio. Ms. Askar stated that she knows the ratio for the toddler room is four to one and she is always in ratio. Ms. Askar shared that she is very happy at the center and loves her job. Ms. Askar stated that she believes the center has enough staff and denies they are understaffed. On 11/ 14/2022, I spoke to Ms. Wheeler. Wheeler works in classroom five and the children are four years old. Ms. Wheeler denies that her classroom is ever out of ratio. Ms. Wheeler has 19 children enrolled in her classroom and states there is always at least two staff members. She believes that all the classrooms are fully staffed and within ratio. On 11/14/2022, I spoke to Ms. Almore. Ms. Almore works in classroom three. Ms. Almore shared that there are eleven children enrolled in her classroom, however, eight or nine children are present on a consistent basis. Ms. Almore always has someone assisting her in the classroom with the children. Ms. Almore shared that she believes all the classrooms are fully staffed and do exceed ratio. Ms. Almore works in the three- year- old classroom. On 11/14/2022, I spoke to Ms. Clarke. Ms. Clarke works in classroom two with children ranging from two and half years old to three years old. Ms. Clarke stated that the most children she has had present in her classroom was 16. Tuesday is the busiest day with the majority of the children present as she has some children who attend part time. Ms. Clarke shared that typically there are between 10-15 daily and has always had someone work with her in the classroom. On 11/14/2022, during my unannounced onsite inspection, I reviewed previous sign in sheets and attendance. I reviewed attendance for 11/08/2022, 11/09/2022, 11/10/2022, and 11/11/2022. Review of the previous dates show compliance that 7 Room 1 2 — 2 yrs. 8 children 2 child care staff 1/2 members Room 2 - 3 yrs. 11 children 2 child care staff 2 1/2 members Room 3 3 yrs. 7 children 2 child care staff members Room 5 4 yrs. 16 children 2 child care staff members i 1' ' 1• 1 • r • -• • •- • •, 1 ~ ~ • 1!, Room 1 2- 2 yrs. 11 children 3 child care staff 1/2 members Room 2 - 3 yr

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