• 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: Table 4 Child Care Staff Member to Child Ratios Child Care Staff Maximum Age Member to Child Group Ratio Size Infants and toddlers, (a) birth until 30 months 1 to 4 12 of age Preschoolers, 30 (b) months of age until 1 to 8 16 3 years of age Preschoolers, 3 years Not (c) of age until 4 years 1 to 10 Applicable of age Preschoolers, 4 years Not (d) of age until school- 1 to 12 Applicable age Not (e) School-agers 1 to 18 Applicable

  I conducted an unannounced on-site inspection on 03/12/2021 at approximately 11:56 AM. Program Director, Vita Perez was present at the center 2 during this time. Ms. Perez denied the allegation that the center is consistently out of ratio. Ms. Perez explained there are times when the center is short staffed, and she has to either close a classroom for the day or move child care staff around to be within ratio but she does allow any classroom to be out of compliance. During the unannounced on-site inspection, I conducted a walk through of the center. I observed Infant 1, Toddler 1, Toddler 2, Discovery Preschool, Preschool and Pre-K classrooms. All of the classrooms were within ratio at that time. I interviewed Child A's Mother and Child B's Mother on 04/23/2021. Both stated they are not allowed into the classrooms because of the center's Covid restrictions. Neither had concerns that the center is consistently out of ratio. On 04/27/2021 I reviewed three days of attendance for the week of 04/19/2021. There were no concerns regarding ratio for those days. Former Child Care Staff Member, Quinetta Howel, Child Care Staff Member, Melissa Hunsman, Molly O'Bryant and Kelly Lafleur were interviewed on 04/27/2021. None had any concerns regarding ratio. All four explained there were times when Child Care Staff had to be moved to different rooms to ensure there was appropriate staff coverage in each room. I attempted to contact Child C's Mother on 03/26/2021 and 04/23/2021. I left a voice mail but have not heard back to date.

The center is consistently out of ratio.

Disposition: Substantiated