Russell considers closing middle school and school district office
19 January 2024
DERBY, Kan. (KSNW) — A Derby group day care home has received an emergency suspension of its license.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the suspension for TNT Childcare Thursday after a complaint survey was conducted the previous day. The survey found a total of 29 violations during the inspection, ranging from unsanitary conditions, to failing to comply with background checks and various other license requirements required under Kansas law.
Under state law, the operator of the day care can request a hearing on the suspension. We have reached out to the day care licensee, but have not heard back.
According to state records, the KDHE issued a license to the facility in March 2023. The suspension order on Jan. 18, 2024 says state officials initially went to the home on Jan. 8, but the “Licensee did not grant access to the authorized agent despite Licensee having children in care … Licensing specialists made two attempts to enter.”
The licensing specialists returned on Jan. 17, and found “the floors in the upstairs have dried pet feces on them… all of the rooms in the home are cluttered with used dishes, dirty laundry and other household items,” according to the suspension order. It listed multiple violations including:
Diapering and toileting procedures were not being followed.
Each child’s hands were not washed after toileting.
Pet area was not maintained; “numerous piles of animal feces in various stages of decay were accessible to children in the outdoor play area.”
Identifying information to complete background checks for three people who either work, volunteer or live in the facility, were not provided.
Sanitary methods of food handling and storage were not followed including, saying “there was not a clean area available in the kitchen to prepare food when the kitchen countertops and stove top were covered with dried food.”
Infants were not given naps in a crib or playpen.
Dangerous chemicals or household supplies with warning labels to keep out of reach of children and all medications were not in locked storage; “an open bottle of Advil was accessible to children by the television upstairs.”
Home was not maintained “in an uncluttered and clean manner, nor was it free from any evidence of vermin infestation.”
Toys and items for children were not clean or in safe construction; “toy was observed tipped over onto dried dog feces on the floor.”
Immunization records were not on file for four children.
The facility was over capacity by having one more child under 18 months old than the license allows.
A copy of the order is below. The licensee has 30 days to request a petition for judicial review.