Minnesota

August 12, 2025              ISSUED VIA PROVIDER HUB

Mohamed Abdullahi, Authorized Agent

Asho Child Care Center

8532 Thomas Avenue South

Bloomington, MN 55431

License Number: 1117155 (Child Care Center)

ORDER OF CONDITIONAL LICENSE

Dear Mohamed Abdullahi:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is placing your license to provide at Asho Child Care Center, located at 1402 1st Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota, on conditional status for two years, beginning August 12, 2025. This means you must meet certain conditions to maintain your license, detailed below. This order is based on your noncompliance with child care licensing requirements. Details of our findings are also provided below. Our next steps and your options are also detailed.

On June 18, 2025, licensing of childcare centers at the MN Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Inspector General transferred to the new Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), as directed by state law. While this matter began under DHS, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, subdivision 2, this Order is being issued by DCYF pursuant to that transfer.

REASON FOR THE CONDITIONAL LICENSE

On May 22,2025, DCYF licensors conducted a licensing review at your facility located at 1402 1st Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a result of this licensing visit, the DCYF licensors determined that your program failed to comply with the laws and rules that apply to licensed child care centers, citing twelve violations. DCYF has considered the nature, chronicity, and severity of these violations, as well as the health, safety, and rights of children served by the program.

· Nature and Severity: On May 22, 2025, DCYF licensors determined eleven licensing violations. One of the eleven violations is a repeat violation for which you were previously cited. Numerous violations related to the health and safety of children, including failure to:

o maintain staff-to-child ratios

o adequately supervise children

o comply with age category grouping

o comply with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutritional requirements

o comply with cleanliness requirements

o comply with hazards requirements

o comply with children’s file requirements

· Chronicity: Your program received its license on November 28, 2023. Since that time, your program has demonstrated a history of noncompliance with licensing rules and statutes. The information below summarizes this history:)

o August 12, 2025 Conditional License (this order):   11 violations (1 repeat)

o December 12, 2023 - Order to Pay a Fine:  1 background study violation ($200)

o December 19, 2024 - Correction Order:  11 violations (10 repeat)  

o October 14, 2024 - Correction Order:  25 Violations (13 repeat)

Commissioner’s evaluation of the program:

In determining whether a licensing action is warranted, DCYF evaluated the facts, conditions, and circumstances concerning your program’s operation and considered the nature, chronicity, and severity of the violations and the effect the violations have on the health, safety, or rights of children served by the program. The following incidents occurred during the licensing application process and since you were issued a license. The department has concerns about the operation of your program and the well-being of the children being served:

On November 8, 2023, a pre-licensure review was conducted, resulting in a review report with 22 items not in compliance, including the authorized agent failure to demonstrate competent knowledge of applicable licensing standards. The authorized agent was unable to answer basic questions regarding Minnesota Rules and Statutes relevant to child care centers, specifically about program practices (staff-to-child ratios, maximum group size, staff distribution, age category designation) and behavior guidance (separation from the group). On November 27, 2023, a second competency interview was required to issue the initial license. The license was issued with an effective date of November 28, 2023.

On March 15, 2024, a licensing visit was conducted to determine compliance with child care center licensing requirements. During the visit, it was determined that the DCYF licensor was provided false or misleading information regarding documentation of first aid and CPR training, attendance records, and tornado/fire drills. As a result, a Correction Order was issued.

On December 12, 2024, during a licensing visit, staff in the preschool classroom did not know and were unable to tell the DCYF licensor a child’s name who was in attendance.

On May 22, 2025, during a licensing visit, there was no staff person present in the school age classroom. A parent was alone supervising the eight children in the school age classroom. The parent was not a staff person.

Also on May 22, 2025, during the licensing visit, staff in the preschool classroom did not know and were unable to tell the DCYF licensor the names of multiple children who were in attendance in the classroom. One of the children told the DCYF licensor the names of the children who were present. In the infant classroom, the staff person only had one child in the room, yet did not know and was unable to tell the DCYF licensor the child’s name. The staff person made a phone call someone to determine the child’s name. Later during the visit, a staff person in the school age classroom was unable to tell the DCYF licensor the children’s names. When staff are unable to identify children by their name they would not be able to identify if the child had any medical needs, who to call in an emergency, and would not be able to ensure that the child went home with the appropriate person.

Since you received a license to provide child care services, you have demonstrated a significant level of noncompliance with licensing standards, suggesting an unwillingness and/or inability to comply with licensing rules and statutes. You have demonstrated a disregard for complying with licensing standards by mixing age groups together, not having staff in a classroom when children were present, not knowing children’s names, inadequate supervision of children, and providing false or misleading information to a DCYF licensor. Based on these findings, DCYF cannot ensure the health and safety of the children served by your program at this time and is placing your child care license on a conditional license.

Legal Authority: Minnesota Statutes, sections 142B.16, subdivision 1; and 142B.10 subdivision 13, (a).

Due to the serious and chronic nature of these violations, and the conditions in the program, which impact the health and safety of children served in your care, your license to provide child care services is placed on a conditional status.

Licensing Violations

DCYF determined that your program failed to follow licensing rules and statutes, as described below.

Program Practices

1. Violation: The required staff-to-child ratios were not maintained. There was a group of infant, preschool, and school age children combined in the School Age 1 classroom. A total of eight children were present within the group. No staff person was present.

When age categories are mixed, the staff-to-child ratio for the youngest child present must be followed. Because the youngest child in the group was an infant, two staff persons were required to meet the required staff-to-child ratios.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0040, subpart 1

2. Violation: During the program’s regular hours of operation infants were mixed with other age categories. At approximately 4:00 p.m., there was one infant in the School Age 1 classroom, mixed together with preschool and school age children. The center’s operating hours are 12 pm to 10 pm.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0040, subpart 3, item B, (1)

3. Violation: The 36-month range in age allowed for a group that mixes different age categories was exceeded.

The group of infant, preschool, and school age children mixed together in the School Age 1 classroom exceeded the 36-month age range. The youngest child was four months old (C6) and the oldest child was twelve years old (C2).

There was also a group of toddler, preschooler and school age children in the Preschool classroom, exceeding the 36-month age. The youngest child was seventeen and a half months old (C4) and the oldest child was 8 years old (C3).

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0040, subpart 3, item B, (2)

4. Violation: Staff did not supervise the children at all times (School Age 1 and Preschool).

There was one school age child wandering the hallway alone when licensors arrived on site. The child walked through School Age 1 to School Age 2 classroom.

The DCYF licensors observed three children alone in School Age 2 classroom.

There was a toddler and a school age child in the preschool classroom. They both went around the corner to the bathrooms where they were not within sight or hearing of a staff person.

Supervision occurs when a program staff person is accountable for the child's care and is within sight and hearing of a child at all times, so that the program staff person can intervene to protect the health and safety of the child.

Rule/Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.01 and Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0045, subpart 1, item A

Repeat Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in the following orders:

· Correction Order dated December 19, 2024

· Correction Order dated October 14, 2024

Food and Water

5. Violation: Meals did not comply with the nutritional requirements of the USDA. The program only had whole milk on site to serve to children. The USDA requires that whole milk only be served to children under the age of two years old. There were children older than two years in attendance.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0145, subpart 4

Repeat Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in the following orders:

· Correction Order dated December 19, 2024

· Correction Order dated October 14, 2024

6. Violation: Menus did not comply with the nutritional requirements of the USDA. Menus did not include:

· at least one whole grain rich food per day;

· the name of the breakfast cereal to confirm sugar limits are not exceeded; and

· the type of milk (whole, 1%, skim).

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0145, subpart 2

Facility

7. Violation: The program did not comply with cleanliness requirements; the indoor space was not clean.

In the second bathroom in the hallway, which is used by school age children, the third stall had spilled food on the ground.

As defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0005, subpart 9, clean means 'free from dirt or other contaminants that can be detected by sight, smell, or touch.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 7

8. Violation: Children did not have access to toilet paper (Preschool and Facility). There was no toilet paper accessible in two of the bathroom stalls in the hall used by the school age children and two of the bathroom stalls in the preschool classroom.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 15

9. Violation: The DCYF licensor observed that hazardous objects were accessible to children.

In the second bathroom in the hallway, which are used by school age children, there were six holes in the wall.

The closet door in the infant classroom was broken off of the hinges completely and leaning upright into the closet, posing a hazard that could fall on children.

Rule/Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.54, subdivision 2, paragraph (e) and Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 17

10. Violation: Areas used by the children were not in good repair.

In the second bathroom in the hallway, which are used by school age children, the third stall toilet paper roll holder was broken and on the ground.

In the first bathroom in the hallway, which are used by school age children, the toilet paper roll holder was missing and broken off the wall.

Rule/Statute Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 20

Children’s Records

11. Violation: Each child’s record did not contain all required information:

  One (C6) child's file reviewed did not contain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the child's source of regular medical and dental care and source of emergency medical and dental care; and

  One (C6) child's file reviewed did not contain the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two persons to be contacted if a parent cannot be reached in an emergency or when there is an injury requiring medical attention.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0125

Immediate corrective action required

You must immediately correct the violations cited above. Submit documentation to your licensor within 30 days from when you received this order explaining how you have corrected the violations. If you fail to demonstrate substantial compliance with child care licensing requirements or with the terms of your conditional license that are provided below, DCYF may take an additional licensing action, including revocation, against your license.

Additionally, DCYF will not approve a request to increase your childcare services from the date of this order until the time your conditional license expires.

CONDITIONAL LICENSE TERMS

In addition to the child care licensing rules and statutes, you are required to comply with the following terms:

1. Within 15 days from receipt of this order, you must provide written notification of the conditional status of your license to all parents/legal guardians. Prior to providing the written notification to all parents/legal guardians, you must submit the written notice to your DCYF licensor for approval. The notification must specify the length of time of the conditional status of your license, the reasons your license was made conditional, and must include either a copy of the Order of Conditional License or an offer to provide a copy of the order upon request.

2. You must develop a detailed supervision plan to ensure that children will be supervised by program staff persons at all times, consistent with the definition of supervision under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.01, subdivision 27, and in compliance with the risk reduction plan requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.54, subdivision 2, paragraph (f), (1) through (7). Within 30 days from receipt of this order, you must submit the supervision plan to your licensor for approval.

Within 30 days after the supervision plan is approved by your licensor, you must provide training to all staff on the supervision plan and maintain documentation of the training in each staff person’s personnel record. You must also ensure new hires receive the same training and document the training in each new hire’s personnel record.

3. On a monthly basis while your license is on conditional status, you must complete staffing patterns that identify every staff person and his/her job title included in the staff-to-child ratio for each classroom and maintain all completed staffing patterns onsite. The staffing information must be documented on this form Staffing Patterns for Licensed Child Care Centers and must be completed separately for each classroom, and must include the total number of children in attendance each hour for each classroom. The documentation must include the time each person takes their break, if applicable, and identify the name of the person who replaces them. Staffing patterns must be completed at the beginning of each month, maintained on site, and made immediately available to the Commissioner upon request. Within 30 days from the receipt of this order, you must develop a plan to ensure staff-to-child ratios are maintained at all times and submit the plan to your licensor for approval.

YOUR RIGHT TO REQUEST RECONSIDERATION

You have the right to request reconsideration of this order and the cited violations. Your request must:

· Be in writing

· Clearly state that you are requesting reconsideration of the conditional license

· List each citation you are challenging and identify what is inaccurate or incomplete about the information in the order

· Supply information that is accurate or more complete

· State why you believe your license should not be on a conditional status

· Be made before the deadlines provided below

If you choose to request reconsideration of this order, you must use the Provider Hub (https://providerhub.DCYF.mn.gov/) to submit your request. The timeline to request reconsideration began when this order was issued in the Provider Hub. Your request for reconsideration must be submitted in the Provider Hub within 10 calendar days from the date of issue. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to request reconsideration.

Conditional license stayed pending reconsideration

If you request reconsideration within the timeframes described above, the terms of the conditional license will not take effect until a decision is issued by DCYF. If the conditional license is affirmed on reconsideration, the terms would take effect on the date of the reconsideration decision and run for two from that date. You continue to be required to comply with all child care laws and rules.

Posting of this licensing action

You are required to place this Order of Conditional License in a place that is clearly noticeable to the people receiving services and all visitors to the facility for two years, even if you appeal.

Legal authority for this licensing action

· This action is taken under Minnesota Statutes, 142B.16, subdivision 1.

· Child Care Centers are required to follow Minnesota Rules to 9503.170; and Minnesota Statues, Chapters 142B, 245C, and 260E.

· The timeline to request reconsideration of the order is provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 4.

· The requirement to post this order in a clearly visible location is required under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 5.

· If a license holder files a timely reconsideration request, the terms of the conditional license are stayed pending a decision by DCYF under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 4.

· Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 3 states that DCYF may impose additional licensing actions against a license holder that does not correct the violations cited in a conditional license order.

Questions

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may contact Donna Gainor, Supervisor, at 651-431-6030, extension 4008.

Sincerely,

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Peggy Cunningham, Unit Manager

Licensing Division

Office of Inspector General


PO Box 64242 • Saint Paul, Minnesota • 55164-0242 • An Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer

https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/licensing/