High Caseloads Blamed for Safety Child Care Hazards

ST. PAUL (AP) - Federal reports cite state inspectors' high caseloads for safety and health hazards found during random visits to 23 Minnesota child care facilities.

The audit reports released Monday by the U.S. Department of Health and Services say federal inspectors accompanying their state and county counterparts on the visits last year found one provider had four workers whose background checks were incomplete and another facility that was overcapacity.

The reports cite uncovered electrical outlets and unlocked closets full of cleaning chemicals at some locations. The conclusion is that inspectors are responsible for too many providers, which results in high caseloads and limited amount of time spent on each inspection.

The Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/18wufqx ) reports Minnesota inspectors have some of the nation's heaviest caseloads.