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September 9, 2026 Sadia Muhamed, Authorized Agent Little Keepers Childcare Center LLC 2220 Snelling Ave Apt 407 Minneapolis, MN 55404 License Number: 2000072 (Child Foster Care) Program Location: 312 W Lake St Ste, Minneapolis MN 55408 Dear Sadia Muhumed: On May 15, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Division of Licensing, received your request for reconsideration regarding Citations 9, 12 and 13 in the Correction Order issued to you on May 11, 2026. You did not request review for Citations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11. Citations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 are not under the scope of review. Reconsideration Determination Citation 9 Violation. The program violated the behavior guidance policy prohibiting certain actions At approximately 4:50 p.m., a DCYF licensor heard a staff person loudly yell in a stern voice for the children to clean up the crayons. It is prohibited to use language that threatens, humiliates, or frightens the child. (School Age : School Age classroom) Applicable Law. The license holder must develop and enforce written behavior guidance policies and procedures that prohibit subjection of a child to emotional abuse. Emotional abuse includes, but is not limited to, name calling, ostracism, shaming, making derogatory remarks about the child or the child's family, and using language that threatens, humiliates, or frightens the child. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0055, subpart 3. Your Response. You stated that your voice is louder than most. You characterized your voice as stern and authoritative. You stated that you “would like to address the micro aggression” related to this citation. You stated that you do not change your behavior or communication style regardless of the individual. You stated that your communication has been consistent during all visits. You stated that you use the same tone with parents and all staff members. You stated that at no point in time did you have an intent to threaten, humiliate or frighten anyone. Reconsideration Determination. On the day of the site visit, the Licensor and DCYF Supervisor heard a staff person (SP) tell the school aged children to clean up the crayons. The Licensor and DCYF Supervisor heard the SP’s voice through a closed door; the SP’s voice was raised in volume, and threatening in tone. The Licensor and DCYF Supervisor were in the lobby, ten feet away from the classroom. The Licensor and DCYF Supervisor had been present at the site visit for an hour when the violation occurred. Both the Licensor and DCYF Supervisor noted that the SP’s voice was louder and sounded more threatening than the previous times that SP had spoken to children during the site visit. The license holder must develop and enforce written behavior guidance policies and procedures that prohibit subjection of a child to emotional abuse including using language that threatens, humiliates, or frightens the child. You violated the behavior guidance policy prohibiting use of language that threatens, humiliates, or frightens the child when SP told children to pick up the crayons with a loud and threatening tone. Citation 9 is affirmed. Citation 12 Violation. The program did not comply with child development and learning training requirements. Documentation was not available on site to show that 1 of 2 (SP3) individuals (director, staff persons, substitutes, or unsupervised volunteers) completed training that was at least two hours in length (SP3). Applicable Law. The director and all staff persons, substitutes, and unsupervised volunteers shall complete child development and learning training within the first 90 days of employment. The director and staff persons, not including substitutes, must complete at least two hours of training on child development and learning. The training for substitutes and unsupervised volunteers is not required to be of a minimum length. For purposes of this subdivision, "child development and learning training" means any training in Knowledge and Competency Area I: Child Development and Learning, which is training in understanding how children develop physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially and learn as part of the children's family, culture, and community. Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 3. Your Response. You stated that “Had this citation been mentioned during the exit visit, I would have pointed out my two-hours of child development that was in my folder. My training certificate has been in my folder since my first day of employment.” Reconsideration Determination. The Licensor noted that documentation was not available on site to show that SP3 completed the required child development and learning training that was at least two hours in length. Although you stated that this violation was not discussed during the exit interview, the Licensor had discussed this violation with you. The Licensor pointed out to you that the number of training hours was blank on the form. The program did not comply with child development and learning training requirements when there was no documentation on site to show that SP3 completed the required child development and learning training that was at least two hours in length; therefore, Citation 12 is affirmed. Citation 13 Violation. The program did not comply with attendance record documentation requirements. Attendance records did not include the first or last name of the child. Applicable Law. Attendance records for publicly funded services. (a) A child care center licensed under this chapter and according to Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503, must maintain documentation of actual attendance for each child receiving care for which the license holder is reimbursed by a governmental program. The records must be accessible to the commissioner during the program's hours of operation, they must be completed on the actual day of attendance, and they must include: (1) the first and last name of the child; (2) the time of day that the child was dropped off; and (3) the time of day that the child was picked up. Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.41, subdivision 10, paragraph (a). Your Response. You stated that you do not recall discussing this violation during the exit interview. You stated that you discussed attendance with your Licensor, “it was stated that on the attendance forms parents have to sign first and last name when dropping off and picking up. Had this citation been mentioned I would've asked to be shown the issue at that time. All the attendance forms include the child’s first and last names, and the parent’s first and last name is also listed on the forms. We are using DHS658A-Eng, in PDF, we write in the month and year.” Reconsideration Determination. Upon review of the file, the attendance record contained the first and last name of the child. The program did comply with attendance record documentation requirements. Citation 13 is rescinded. Disposition The Commissioner has reviewed the relevant laws and all the information you submitted in response to the Correction Order. Citations 9, and 12 are affirmed. Citation 13 is rescinded. You did not request review for Citations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11. Citations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11 are not under the scope of review. 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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