9News in Denver is reporting that the Chaffee County childcare facility where two workers face misdemeanor charges had “consistent and repeated childcare licensing violations,” according to a letter from the state notifying the facility that its license was suspended.

The Schoolhouse is operated by the Chaffee Childcare Initiative and has been licensed by the state since August 2020. 

The letter from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood says that on January 24, the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Chaffee County Department of Human Services began a joint investigation regarding suspected child abuse or neglect that occurred at the facility earlier in the month.

On January 26, two staff members were issued summons on suspicion of failure to report child abuse or neglect, and of knowingly placing a child in a situation that poses of threat of injury.

A statement posted on The Schoolhouse’s Facebook page says that the facility “became aware of a three-to-five minute time period in one of our classrooms, during which the teacher-to-student ratio was not met, as required by Colorado Childcare Rules and Regulations. At no time were the students without adult supervision. 

The letter from the state outlines violations by the center that include missing, expired or incomplete emergency and disaster preparedness training. The facility was also “noncompliant with training related to shaken baby/abusive head trauma prevention and child abuse and neglect prevention training. 

It also alleges that the center had missing or incomplete child health statements and that the licensee was cited for violations related to indoor and outdoor spaces or materials that were unsafe or contained potential hazards. 

According to the letter, the department has “reasonable grounds” to believe the licensee is guilty of “willful and deliberate violations” and that operation of the center presents a “substantial danger” to safety. It noted “substantial evidence” that The Schoolhouse or a person employed by the licensee committed an act of child abuse. 

The license for The Schoolhouse was temporarily suspended January 25th and a formal suspension was put in place starting January 31, which required the license to be immediately surrendered.   

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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