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September 3, 2026 Kaltun Jama Authorized Agent Montessori School of Chantilly LLC 4603 121st Ave NE Blaine, MN 55449 License Number: 1119698 (Child Care Ctr) Program Location: 641 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434 Dear Kaltun Jama: On June 4, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Division of Licensing, received your request for reconsideration regarding Citation 1 in the Correction Order issued to you on June 1, 2026. Reconsideration Determination Citation 1 Violation. 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 not being allowed to return to the group upon stopping unacceptable behavior. · While conducting a change of license visit, the DCYF licensor observed a child that was brought to the director's office and separated from the group as a means of behavior guidance. The child was present in the office from 10:32 am to 10:55 am. Although the child was no longer engaging in an unacceptable behavior within minutes of arriving in the office, the child was not allowed to return to the group after stopping the unacceptable behavior. (Toddler: Toddler classroom) Applicable Law. Separation from the group. 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 (emphasis added). A child between the ages of six weeks and 16 months must not be separated from the group as a means of behavior guidance. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0055, subpart 4.
Your Response. You stated that “the child was not prevented from returning to the classroom. The child remained under direct supervision during the licensing visit while administration assessed a safe transition due to a documented history of hitting, kicking, and biting peers and staff.” Reconsideration Determination. On the day of the site visit, at 10:32 a.m. the Licensor was in the Director’s office when a child was brought into the director’s office by a staff person because the child had bitten the staff person. The Director informed the Licensor that the child did not have a behavior plan. The child was crying when the child arrived in the office, but the child stopped crying and engaging in negative behaviors within minutes of arriving in the office. The child was kept in the office for twenty three minutes until 10:55 a.m. You stated that the child was not prevented from returning to the classroom and that administration was assessing a safe transition due to documented history of hitting, kicking, and biting peers and staff. The Licensor observed that the child had stopped crying and engaging in negative behaviors within minutes of arriving in the office, but you kept the child separated from the group for twenty three minutes. 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. Although separation of the child was a form of behavior guidance to protect the well being of other children, the child should have been returned to the group when and as soon as the child’s biting behavior abated or stopped. In this case, the child should have been returned to the group when the child stopped crying and engaging in negative behaviors which was within minutes of coming to the director’s office. You violated the behavior guidance policy for separation when you kept the child separated from the group as a form of behavior guidance for twenty three minutes when the child had stopped or brought under control the behavior that precipitated the separation. Therefore, Citation 1 is affirmed Disposition The Commissioner has reviewed the relevant laws and all the information you submitted in response to the Correction Order. Citation 1 is affirmed. This is a final agency decision. Previously Ordered Corrective Action. In the original Correction Order issued, 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 1, paragraph (a). If you have not done so already, please immediately comply with the previously ordered corrective actions for all uncontested and affirmed violations and respond in the Provider Hub immediately. 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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