The licensing inspector conducted an unannounced complaint inspection on 11/06/19 in response to a complaint that was received in the licensing office on 11/05/19, regarding allegations of inadequate supervision and emergencies. Interviews were conducted, records reviewed and observations of the program were made relating to the allegations. Based on the information gathered during the investigation, violations were cited and the complaint was founded valid in the area of supervision.
Based on interviews, a record review and observations made of the program, the center did not ensure that when children are in regularly in on-going mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group.
Evidence: On 11/05/19 between 7:00 am and 7:30 am, the toddler room's ratio was out of compliance. There was 1 staff member with up to 7 children under the age of 2 years. the youngest child present was 15 months, making the ratio requirements 1 staff to 4 children. Interviews with staff #1, #2, #3 and #4 confirmed the children in the waddler and toddler rooms (15 months - 2 years) are regularly combined each morning from 6:00 am until around 7:30 am.
A. Documentation provided by the center shows there were 7 children between the ages of 15 months - 2 years in the toddler room before 7:30 am. On 11/15/19 staff #1 confirmed she was the only staff member with the children approximately between the hours of 6:00 am and 7:30 am.
B. On 11/15/19, staff #2 confirmed she entered the toddler room to begin her shift around or about 7:30 am. Staff #2 stated there were 7 children when she entered the room. Staff #2 further stated, after discovering the room was out of ratio, she "left the room for 3-4 minutes" to ask the director if staff staff #3 could clock-in so children could be separated into respective classrooms.
Plan of Correction:
the following corrective action was provided by the program director during the exit interview: Administration held a staff meeting and addressed ratios and supervision issues within the center. If a staff is needed they can clock-in or instead of the staff actively working seeking the director, the one needing to clock-in will find the director for approval. Administration has been monitoring supervision and ratios periodically in each classes to ensure compliance.
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