Apples & Bananas Educational Center

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: (a)Infants and toddlers, birth until 30 months of age; child care staff member to child ratio 1:4 with a maximum group size of 12.

On 11/30/2021, it was alleged Apples and Bananas Child Care Center is not maintaining ratio. The Complainant states, on several occasions, one CCSM is working with a group of children as young as 2 years of age. There appears to be 12-13 of them. On 12/1/2021, I conducted an unannounced investigation at the facility. I observed seven children (2 to 4 years of age) with two CCSM. The facility has an open floor '/2 plan concept. Designated areas are separated by shelving units, but all the children were sitting together with the staff. I explained the reason for my investigation and requested to speak with the program director. CCSM 1 stated she was not present but called her on the telephone and handed it to me. I spoke to Ms. Candace Watkins about the allegation. Ms. Watkins admits there has been difficulty keeping and hiring staff during the current pandemic, but the facility is in ratio most of the time. There were 20 children enrolled, but no more than 12-14 attended daily from September through late November. Currently, there are no more than 8-10 children attending daily. There's a total of seven staff members but a few of them have submitted resignation notices and she's trying to hire more. The center hours were adjusted, a few weeks ago, from 06:30a.m. to 08:30p.m. Monday through Friday to closing at 05:00p.m., on Tuesday and Thursday's. The early closing helped address the shortage in staff. Ms. Watkins will continue to make additional adjustments as needed to ensure she's in ratio. She admits CCSMs have complained about being short-staffed and she is doing her best to get more help. On 12/03/2021, I requested and received staff/children attendance records for September through December. In reviewing the documents, I verified on several days there were two staff present with 12-16 children ranging from 2 to 4 years of age. The dates were as follows: 11/14/2021: 16 children were present with two CCSM. The children ages were as follows: 4yrs- 2; 3yrs- 9; 2yrs- 5 3 10/30/2021: 16 children were present with two CCSMs. The children ages were as follows: 4yrs- 3; 3yrs- 8; 2yrs- 5 On 11/16/2021 through 11/18/2021 from 06:30a.m.-11:00 a.m., there were 12 children with one CCSM. The children ages were as follows: 4yrs- 4; 3yrs-6; 2yrs-2. On 12/06/2021 I interviewed, CCSM 1 and CCSM 2. They both stated the facility rarely have enough staff. It was "ok" in the summer when they only had 3-4 children enrolled, but everything changed in the fall. The enrollment grew to approximately 17 and many of the new enrollees were 2- 2 years old, which required more time and 1/2 attention. On most days there was one staff working with them and it was overwhelming since toddlers require more attention. According to CCSM 1, when the number of children grew it became harder to keep them in separate classes with limited staff. On 12/07/2021, I interviewed CCSM 3 and CCSM 4. CCSM 3 states she has worked at the facility for several months and has seen Ms. Watkins 2-3 times since she started. It's not uncommon for staff to work alone, especially if someone calls in and it's overwhelming. Although uncertain of the exact dates and the age of each child, she knows there have been many days when she's alone in her classroom. She is aware the number of children being serviced requires additional staff and they have requested help. CCSM 4 states she has cried due to being overwhelmed with the job. There's been lots to do and not enough staff to do it. The facility has been short-staffed for months. Ms. Watkins is never in the building and most parents have never met her. It's believed she does not know what it's like to care for several small children. CCSM 4 always works alone and feared something "bad" would happen and she can not handle it alone. On 12/14/2021, CCSM 5 stated she has worked alone on many occasions with approximately 12 children between 2 and 4 years of age. CCSM has opened the building for 06:30 a.m. arrivals and closed at 08:30p.m. whi

R 400.8182 · R 400.8182 Ratio and group size requirements. (7) If there are children of mixed ages in the same room or well-defined space, the ratio and group size is determined by the age of the youngest child, unless each group is clearly separated and the appropriate child care staff member to child ratio for each group are maintained.

On multiple days in October and November of 2021 there were children of mixed age groups in one classroom with the youngest being three years old. One caregiver was caring for approximately 12-14 children, 3-4 years old. There should have been two staff present since the ratio is 1:10 when caring for 3-year-olds. _. ................................................... ..... ......................................_........ ........................

R 400.8110 · R 400.8110 Applicant; licensee; licensee designee; requirements (5) The actual number and ages of children in care at any time must never exceed the number and ages of children for which the center is licensed.

A review of attendance records found the facility exceeded their approved capacity on two occasions.

R 400.8113 · R 400.8113 Program director qualifications; responsibilities. (2) A program director shall be present in the center in the following manner: (b) At least 50% of the time children are in care but not less than a total of 6 hours per day for programs operating 6 or more continuous hours.

Ms. Watkins is the approved program director, but she was not present in the facility for a minimum of 6 hours daily for several months.

R 400.8143 · R 400.8143 Children's records. (1) At the time of a child's initial attendance, a center shall obtain a child information card, using a form provided by the department or a comparable substitute, that is completed and signed by the child's parent. The center shall keep it on file and accessible in the center.

Six of the seven child information cards reviewed were not thoroughly completed by the child's parent.