Programs shall staff infant and toddler programs in accordance with the following: (1) For children ages 6 weeks to 12 months, the maximum group size shall be 12 with the following minimum staffing levels: a. One associate teacher with up to 4 children; b. One associate teacher and one assistant teacher with 5 to 8 children; and c. One lead teacher and 2 assistant teachers with 9 to 12 children; (2) For children ages 13 to 24 months, the maximum group size shall be 15 with the following minimum staffing levels: a. One associate teacher with up to 5 children; b. One associate teacher and one assistant teacher with 6 to 10 children; and c. One lead teacher and 2 assistant teachers with 11 to 15 children; (3) For children ages 25 to 35 months, the maximum group size shall be 18 with the following minimum staffing levels; a. One associate teacher with up to 6 children; b. One associate teacher and one assistant teacher with 7 to 12 children; and c. One lead teacher and 2 assistant teachers with 13 to 18 children.

The complainant's statement that the program was out of ratio on August 26 and August 27, 2025. The Licensing Coordinator's review of staff and children's attendance records from August 26, 2025, revealed the following: In the Owls classroom between 8:15 AM – 9:15 AM there was one staff with seven children with an average age of 13 months which required a staff-to-child ratio of 1:5, and between 9:15 AM - 4:45 PM there was one staff with five children with an average age of 11 months which required a staff-to-child ratio of 1:4. In the Elephants classroom between 8:15 AM - 2:30 PM there was one staff with between 8-10 children, varying at times and with an average age that varied between 29-32 months which required a staff-to-child ratio of 1:6. On August 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Giraffe classroom, the Licensing Coordinator observed one staff with 12 children with an average age of 20 months which required a staff-to-child ratio of 1:5, and in the Elephant classroom, one staff with eight children with an average age of 30 months which required a staff-to-child ratio of 1:6. Corrective action: All teachers and admin staff at the Center were retrained on how to properly calculate ratios in a mixed age group. Going forward when children are moved or ages are mixed the proper calculation will be used and all ratios will be followed. Ratios will be met at all times and will not exceed state requirements.

The licensee shall prohibit smoking in the building anytime for center-based programs or during operating hours for family child care homes, with the following exceptions: (1) Child care staff who smoke during their breaks shall not smoke in view of children or while responsible for the care of children; and (2) Child care staff who smoke on their breaks shall wash their hands and change into fresh clothing, or remove smoke contaminated outerwear prior to returning to work to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.

The complainant stated they have observed staff vaping outside the building in an area that is visible to staff and children from the Giraffe classroom. Staff A stated that they saw Staff D vaping outside the door to the kitchen along the side of the program on one occasion, and Staff B and Staff E stated that they have seen Staff D vaping in this location multiple times. The licensing coordinator observed that the indicated area is visible to the staff and children. Corrective action: Staff D has been informed that the space outside of the kitchen door is not far enough removed from the Center and is not an acceptable place to use their vape. Staff D has stopped using that area to vape. Going forward no staff will be in an area visible to children at the Center when using their vape.

He-C 4002.23(m) · Correction status not published

Programs shall comply with approved corrective action plans and corrective action plans issued in accordance with (i) and (j) above.

This Statement of Findings includes a repeat citation for He-C 4002.31(x), which constitutes a failure to comply with one approved corrective action plan for a repeat citation, as noted herein. Corrective action: Going forward we have added additional measures to make it easier for parents and staff to remember to label all milk before it is put in the refrigerator at the Center.

He-C 4002.06(m) · Correction status not published

Children shall be encouraged to try all foods, but shall not be required to try or to eat any food before they are served other food components or additional servings, or before they are allowed to be done with their meal or snack.

The licensing coordinator observed prepared bottles that were not dated in the refrigerator of the Hippos classroom. The program was previously cited for noncompliance with this rule regarding dated bottles during an August 8, 2023 visit. A corrective action plan submitted by the program and approved by the department stated, "The staff were immediately spoken to and reviewed the licensing rule He-C 4002.31(x). Going forward as soon as bottles are received, they will physically look at them to ensure they are labeled and dated." Corrective action: The bottle was labeled after it was found, we also notified our new parents to remind them of the requirement, we also reminded staff that they should check and label any blank bottles/milk. Going forward, we have installed a tape and marker by the refrigerator so that parents or staff can mark the milk when it is brought in. All milk will be labeled going forward.

He-C 4002.31(u) · Correction status not published

Children older than 3 months shall not be swaddled or placed in restrictive or weighted sleep suits or devices unless there are written medical orders from the child’s primary health practitioner.

Each child 12 months of age and younger shall be placed on their back to sleep in an individual crib or play pen.

1. The complainant stated that the program was placing babies in swings to fall asleep. 2. The licensing coordinator's observation that there was an infant sleeping in a swing in the Hippos classroom. Upon entering the classroom there were two staff present. Staff A was attending to another child and Staff B was available to transition this child to the crib, but had not. 3. Staff A, Staff B, and Staff C's statements to the Licensing Coordinator that they are aware that staff place a child in the swing to go to sleep. 4. Staff D's statements to the Licensing Coordinator that they have seen a child sleeping in a swing on more than one occasion. Corrective action: Going forward infants will not be allowed to sleep in anything other than the infant cribs or pack and plays. All staff were made aware of the requirement of immediate transition should an infant fall asleep in the swing, and will always move an infant immediately to a safe sleep space.

He-C 4002.26(c) · Correction status not published

A written record of a health screening for all child care staff, household members and other individuals who have 5 or more hours per week of contact with children shall: (1) Be on file at the program and available for review by the department for all child care staff within 60 days of the date of hire or the date the household member or individual begins having daily contact with children; and (2) Include, at a minimum, the information on the “Child Care Personnel Health Form” (11/2017) provided by the department, or its equivalent.

The licensing coordinator's review of eight staff files revealed that one staff health physical did not include a statement from the health care provider that indicates the individual has no apparent health conditions that would prohibit or inhibit his or her ability to care for children. Corrective action: The staff immediately went to her doctor and had them use our standard form that states that she is eligible to work with children. As of 8/25/2023 she has the correct physical form in her file. Going forward, only the DHHS version of the health form will be accepted. All staff will use this form and it will state that they are eligible to work with children.

He-C 4002.09(b) · Correction status not published

Children shall be encouraged to try all foods, but shall not be required to try or to eat any food before they are served other food components or additional servings, or before they are allowed to be done with their meal or snack.

The licensing coordinator's observation that there were two prepared bottles of breastmilk that were not dated in the refrigerator of the Hippos classroom. Corrective action: The staff were immediately spoken to and reviewed the licensing rule He-C 4002.31 (x). Going forward as soon as bottles are received, they will physically look at them to ensure they are labeled and dated.

He-C 4002.31(u) · Correction status not published