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March 27, 2026
Katherine Litke, Authorized Agent Prairie Hill Montessori 25321 165 1/2 St NW Big Lake, MN 55309
License Number: 1064066 (Child Care Ctr) Program Location: 26070 2nd St E, Zimmerman, MN 55398-5308
Dear Katherin Litke
On July 24, 2025, the Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), Division of Licensing, received your request for reconsideration regarding Citation 2 in the Correction Order issued to you on July 17, 2025. You did not request review for Citation 1, and therefore, Citation 1 is not under the scope of review.
Reconsideration Determination
Citation 2 Violation. The program did not comply with first aid training requirements. Documentation was not available on site to show that 3 of 4 (SP1, SP2 and SP3) individuals (director, staff persons, substitutes, or unsupervised volunteers) completed pediatric first aid training within the previous two years (SP1, SP2 and SP3).
Applicable Law. The director, staff persons, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers must satisfactorily complete pediatric first aid prior to having unsupervised direct contact with a child, but not to exceed the first 90 days of employment. Pediatric first aid training must be repeated at least every second calendar year. Pediatric first aid training under this subdivision must be provided by an individual approved as a first aid instructor and must not be used to meet in-service training requirements under subdivision 9. Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 4.
The license holder must ensure that a personnel record for each staff person is maintained at the center. The personnel record for each staff person must contain documentation, when applicable, that the staff person has completed the first aid and CPR training required in part 9503.0035 , subparts 2 and 3. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0120, subpart D.
The commissioner must be given access to documents and records, including records maintained in electronic format without prior notice and as often as the commissioner considers necessary if the commissioner is investigating alleged maltreatment, conducting a licensing inspection, or investigating an alleged violation of applicable laws or rules. Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.10, subdivision 12 (emphasis added).
Your Response. You stated that your trainer was from the the American Heart Association, and covered pediatric first aid in your training. You submitted the syllabus for your first aid training to show that the training included pediatric first aid. You also submitted a screenshot of the certificate which stated, “Upon successful completion, the student will have the knowledge of...Adult, Child, Infant, CPR and First Aid this (includes pediatrics component).”
Reconsideration Determination. The licensor noted that you did not have documentation on site that SP1, SP2 and SP3 completed pediatric first aid within the two previous years. The licensor noted that SP1’s and SP3’s available first aid documentation cards read “Heartsaver for K-12 Schools. Optional modules completed: Child CPR AED, Infant CPR, First Aid”. The licensor also noted that SP2’s available first aid documentation card read “Basic First Aid Certification (Adult-Child-Infant)”.
During the exit interview, the licensor reiterated that “Heartsaver for K-12 Schools first aid” and “Basic First Aid Certification” does not meet the statutory requirement that the director, staff persons, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers must satisfactorily complete pediatric first aid prior to having unsupervised direct contact with a child every two years.
On reconsideration, you stated that your first aid training included pediatric first aid. You also submitted a copy an American Heart Association CPR/First Aid Class certificate (AHA certificate) signed by the instructor. The certificate stated: “Upon successful completion, the student will have the knowledge of...Adult, Child, Infant, CPR and First Aid this (includes pediatrics component).” The certificate was not dated; the date and name of the certificate were blank.
The available documentation to the licensor during the site visit shows that SP1, SP2 and SP3 completed “Basic First Aid Certification” and “Heartsaver for K-12 first aid” not pediatric first aid. SP1, SP2 and SP3 are required to complete pediatric first aid, prior to having unsupervised direct contact with a child, every two years. Citation 2 is affirmed because SP1, SP2 and SP3 had not completed pediatric first aid, prior to having unsupervised direct contact with a child within the previous two years.
You provided a blank AHA certificate after the site visit. You must provide the commissioner with access to documents and records, including records maintained in electronic format without prior notice and as often as the commissioner considers necessary if the commissioner is conducting a licensing inspection. You did not make the blank AHA certificate available to the licensor at the site visit. The blank AHA certificate did not show that SP1, SP2 and SP3 completed pediatric first aid training. Citation 2 is affirmed because the blank AHA certificate was not available at the site visit and does not show that SP1, SP2 and SP3 completed the required pediatric first aid training.
Disposition
The Commissioner has reviewed the relevant laws and all the information you submitted in response to the Correction Order. Citation 2 is affirmed. You did not request review for Citation 1, and therefore, Citation 1 is not under the scope of review. This is a final agency decision.
Previously Ordered Corrective Action. In the original Correction Order issued to you on July 17, 2025, you were ordered to correct the violation(s) 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 (a). 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
PO Box 64242 • Saint Paul, Minnesota • 55164-0242 • An Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/licensing/
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