• 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 e)School-agers 1 to 18 Not applicable

  On March 23, 2022, I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection to the latchkey program from 4:08 PM to 5:48 PM. During the inspection, I observed a total of 49 children in the program. The children were split between two classrooms; one classroom held 28 children from kindergarten to second grade. The classroom directly across the hall held 10 children from third to eighth grade. At a 2 table in the hallway between the two classrooms sat one child care staff member, Erin Prince, and a volunteer, Tieara Brooks. There was no adult or child care staff member in the classroom with the 28 children from kindergarten to second grade. In the classroom supervising the third to eighth grade children was a minor volunteer. The latchkey program had a consistent flow of children coming to the program after afterschool activities such as tutoring. Children were also being picked up by parents. As children entered and exited the program, child care staff member, Ms. Prince checked children in and ensured the parents signed the children out during pick up. At 5:14 PM there were 15 children in the kindergarten to second grade classroom and 16 children in the third to eighth grade classroom. As parents were picking up their children, I spoke to Child A's parent. Child A's parent reports that she has no concerns with the latchkey program. Child A's parent stated that she did not believe there were too many children in the latchkey program and that there was always staff present with the children. On March 23, 2022, during the onsite inspection, I interviewed child care staff member, Erin Prince, who was sitting at a table in the hallway between two classrooms with child care children. Ms. Prince stated that she is the staff member assigned to supervise the kindergarten to second grade children. Ms. Prince stated that she is aware of the child care staff to children ratio and that she was not sure of the exact number but knew she could not have more than 30 children in one classroom. Ms. Prince reports that volunteer Ms. Brooks, who was also sitting at the table, assists her with the children as well as the program director, Silva Rodgers, who is also employed by the school. When I asked Ms. Prince if Ms. Rodgers was in the building, she stated that Ms. Rodgers was in the gym as the school was having an in-person event for families. Volunteer Ms. Brooks escorted me to the gym to speak with Ms. Rodgers. When we arrived at the gym, the schools' staff informed me that Ms. Rodgers had left for the day. Upon return to the latchkey space, I asked Ms. Prince if she and Ms. Rodgers are the only employed staff supervising the children in the program. Ms. Prince stated that the third-grade teacher Angela Wheeler, whose classroom is approved for before and after care, sometimes assists with the children. I informed Ms. Prince that her sitting in the hallway between two classrooms is not appropriate and that she physically needs to be inside the classroom to supervise the children. Ms. Prince went into the classroom with the kindergarten to second grade children and Ms. Brooks stood between the doorway and hallway of the classroom with the third to eighth graders. Ms. Prince stated that she has never received any complaints from the parents and does not feel that there are too many children in the program. On March 23, 2022, during the onsite inspection, I interviewed volunteer Tieara Brooks. Ms. Brooks stated that she has been volunteering for the latchkey program for approximately three to four weeks in the afternoon. Ms. Brooks stated that she has not had a comprehensive background check for child care completed but believes licensee designee, April McCullum is making an appointment for her. Ms. Brooks reports that she has never been left alone with children nor has she directly supervised children without Ms. Prince or Ms. Rodgers. Ms. Brooks also works in the 3 district at another school and arrives to the program around 4:00 PM, stated that she does n

The latchkey program does not have enough staff to supervise children, with at least 40 children of mixed aged groups in one classroom. There is an underage volunteer supervising children in the program.

Disposition: Substantiated