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January 14, 2025 Karen Rasche, Authorized Agent Lit’l Sprouts Child Care Center Ince 404 Whiskey Rd NW Ste C Isanti, MN 55040 License Number: 1034546 (Child Care Ctr) Program Location: 404 Whiskey Rd NW Ste C, Isanti, MN 55040-8078 Report Number: 202506971 Dear Karen Rasche: On October 10, 2025, the Minnesota Department of children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Division of Licensing, received your request for reconsideration regarding Citation 1 and 2 in the Correction Order issued October 9, 2025. SUMMARY OF CITATION AND RECONSIDERATION DETERMINATION: Citation 1: The program violated the behavior guidance policy for separation; · Children who were being separated from the group did not remain in an unenclosed part of the classroom within continuous sight and hearing of a program staff person; and · Children were separated when their behavior did not threaten the well being of the child or other children in the program. Request for Reconsideration. You provided additional information regarding the separation of the 5-year old child (Child) from the group, background facts and the behavior guidance strategies that you used with the Child before separation. You indicated that the Child “began throwing food at peers, screaming, and creating a disruptive and unsafe environment.” You stated that the Child’s “behavior escalated despite attempts by both the teacher and classroom aide to use multiple less intrusive guidance techniques, including: Redirection of the behavior to a more positive activity, sitting next to the child to provide support, offering appropriate choices, and redirecting the food back to the table.” fYou justified the separation because “the behavior could no longer be managed effectively within the classroom,” the Child was within sight and sound with the Director when the Child was separated from the group into the office, and “the separation was temporary, used only as a method to de-escalate behavior.” Applicable Law. The license holder must develop and enforce written behavior guidance policies and procedures that prohibit subjection of a child to separation of a child from the group except provided in subpart 4. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0055, subpart 3(C). No child may be separated from the group unless the license holder has tried less intrusive methods of guiding the child's behavior which have been ineffective and the child's behavior threatens the well being of the child or other children in the center. A child who requires separation from the group must remain within an unenclosed part of the classroom where the child can be continuously seen and heard by a program staff person. When separation from the group is used as a behavior guidance technique, the child's return to the group must be contingent on the child's stopping or bringing under control the behavior that precipitated the separation, and the child must be returned to the group as soon as the behavior that precipitated the separation abates or stops. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0055, subpart 4. Reconsideration Determination. This violation pertains to multiple children and not just the Child you referenced in your request for reconsideration. You separated this Child and other children from the group and to the office as a form of behavior guidance. You may not separate children from the group unless you have tried less intrusive methods of guiding the child's behavior which have been ineffective and the child's behavior threatens the well being of the child or other children in the center. You stated that you separated the Child because the Child “began throwing food at peers, screaming, and creating a disruptive and unsafe environment.” The Child was “screaming” and “disruptive,” however, the Child was not a threat to themselves or other children. Furthermore, during the licensor’s staff interviews, staff stated that you separated other children to the office as a form of behavior guidance when children were screaming. Again, children screaming is not a threat to themselves or other children. You separated the Child and other children outside of the classroom by taking them to the office. A child who requires separation from the group must remain within an unenclosed part of the classroom where the child can be continuously seen and heard by a program staff person. The office is not withing an enclosed part of the classroom. Because you separated children from the group when they were not a threat to themselves or other children and you took the children outside of the classroom to the office, Citation 1 is affirmed. Citation 2: The daily log for recording separations did not include documentation of all separations from the group because of behavior guidance. Request for Reconsideration. You stated that you provided the licensor the separation documentation for the individuals mentioned in the staff interviews. You also stated “that it is a subjective assumption to conclude that a period of time students do not need to go to the office or taking breaks in the office implies noncompliance. There are periods when children do not engage in behavior requiring separation or additional guidance, and behavior frequency may fluctuate over time.” Applicable Law. The license holder must ensure that all separations from the group must be noted on a daily log. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0055, subpart 5; The license holder must maintain all separation reports within the center, and the separation reports must be available for inspection at the request of the commissioner. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0115, item G. Reconsideration Determination. During the licensor’s staff interviews, staff stated that there were times that the Child and other children were separated from the group as a form of behavior guidance, however, you did not list these separations on the separation log. The separation log was incomplete and did not list all the separations that occurred to the children when separation was used as a form of behavior guidance. You also did not have a separation report for every time that you separated the Child and other children as a form of behavior guidance. Therefore, Citation 2 is affirmed. Disposition The Commissioner has reviewed the relevant laws and all the information you submitted in response to the Correction Order. Citation 1 and 2 are affirmed. This is a final agency decision. Previously Ordered Corrective Action: In the Correction Order issued on October 9, 2025, you were ordered to correct the violations cited and submit documentation of such action to your licensor. A request for reconsideration does not stay any provisions or requirements of the correction order. Minnesota Statutes, 142B.16 subdivision 2, paragraph (b). If you have not done so already, please immediately comply with the previously ordered corrective actions for all uncontested and affirmed violations. The Commissioner appreciates your response and encourages you to continue to work cooperatively with your licensor to ensure the safety and well-being of the children you serve. Sincerely,
Hlee Vang, Attorney Legal Counsel’s Office Office of Inspector General
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