DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

UNITY ACADEMY 2

002710641

(573) 778-9948

4482 HIGHWAY PP
POPLAR BLUFF
MO  63901-1551

UNITY ACADEMY, LLC



 

SISSON, ALEXIS NICHOLE

unityacademy2015@gmail.com


MELISSA JILL SMITH

BIRTH - 12 YEARS

48

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

12 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT; 6 CHILDREN UNDER 12 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

05/18/2023

11:44 AM

1:01 PM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2448440730


DocumentDocument-Date
APPLICATION 10/11/2018
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 10/11/2018
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 10/11/2018
LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 11/05/2018
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 11/05/2018
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT 11/05/2018
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 11/19/2018
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 11/05/2018
DAILY SCHEDULE 11/05/2018
POLICIES 11/05/2018
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 11/05/2018
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 11/05/2018
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 11/05/2018
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 11/21/2018
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 11/19/2018
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 11/19/2018
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 11/19/2018
SAMPLE FORMS 11/19/2018
REGISTERING FICTITIOUS NAMES 11/19/2018
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 08/31/2022
SANITATION INSPECTION 08/22/2022
ANNUAL DECLARATION 11/08/2022
EQUIPMENT LIST 11/08/2022
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 11/08/2022




Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Open Violations: 6
NOTE
The licensee is responsible for compliance with all licensing rules, including but not limited to the rules listed on this compliance report form.
Attendance at Time of Inspection
Total Staff 7
Total Children 37
StaffChildClass AgeNote
2 8 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Caregivers Tierra Higgins and Leann Garris with children ages 3 months to 19 months.
3 17 MIXED Caregivers Kaley Dawn, Sydney Allison and Kylee Eldridge with children ages 3 to 7.
2 12 TWO YEAR OLDS Caregivers Brianna Weber and Lindsey Island with children 2 years of age. First Steps, Amber Calvey, was also present in the room.

 
5 CSR 25-500.032 Organization and Administration
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.042 Licensing Process
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The premises were not safe and suitable as evidenced by a cord is unsecured hanging from the window in the preschool/school age room.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (A) states: The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children.
Correction Required
The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
5/18/2023
Violation
The premises were not safe and suitable as evidenced by a phone cord was laying the floor plugged into the wall in the 2 year old room.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (A) states: The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children.
Correction Required
The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
5/18/2023
Violation
The requirements for protective outlet covers or twist-lock outlets were not met as evidenced by electrical outlets were not covered in that 2 outlets were missing covers.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (G) states: Protective outlet covers or twist-lock outlets shall be used in areas accessible to the children.
Correction Required
The facility shall use outlet covers or twist-lock outlets as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
5/18/2023
Violation
Hazardous items as follows were accessible to children: Scubbing Bubbles. The item(s) was/were located under the sink in the preschool/school age bathroom in the classroom.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (I) states: All flammable liquids, matches, cleaning supplies, poisonous materials, medicines, alcoholic beverages, hazardous personal care items or other hazardous items shall be inaccessible to children.
Correction Required
Hazardous items shall be inaccessible to children.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
5/18/2023
Violation
The facility's outdoor space was not safe for children's activities as evidenced by the black weed-barrier was sticking up out of the mulch causing a tripping hazard.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 4. states: The play area shall be safe for children's activities, well-maintained, free of hazards such as poisonous plants, broken glass, rocks or other debris and shall have good drainage.
Correction Required
The outdoor play area shall be clean, safe and well-maintained as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The fall-zone area under and around outdoor equipment where children might fall and be injured was not covered with impact-absorbing materials to cushion a fall as evidenced by resilient material was not uniformly spread over the fall-zone area.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 7. states: Areas under and around outdoor equipment shall have continuous maintenance to ensure that the material remains in place and retains its cushioning properties. The resilient material shall be supplemented immediately or replaced as needed.
Correction Required
The facility shall maintain approved resilient material in all fall-zone areas.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.090 Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Requirements for the crib mattress/playpen padding/bedding were not met as evidenced by bedding was soiled/wet.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (1) (B) 2. D. states: The crib mattress or playpen pad shall be sized correctly to the crib or playpen, in good condition, waterproof and kept clean and dry, be firm and maintain its shape even when the fitted sheet designated for that model is used, such that there are no gaps between the mattress and the side of the crib or playpen. Only fitted sheets shall be used. Only fitted sheet shall be used and shall be changed immediately when soiled or wet.
Correction Required
Sleeping equipment shall meet safety and sanitation requirements.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date

Violation
Requirements for the crib mattress/playpen padding/bedding were not met as evidenced by a non-fitted sheet was used.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (1) (B) 2. D. states: The crib mattress or playpen pad shall be sized correctly to the crib or playpen, in good condition, waterproof and kept clean and dry, be firm and maintain its shape even when the fitted sheet designated for that model is used, such that there are no gaps between the mattress and the side of the crib or playpen. Only fitted sheets shall be used. Only fitted sheet shall be used and shall be changed immediately when soiled or wet.
Correction Required
Sleeping equipment shall meet safety and sanitation requirements.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date

Violation
The facility did not meet requirements for infant and toddler equipment as evidenced by toys were not washed when soiled.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (2) (C) 1. states: Infants and toddlers shall have safe toys which shall be washed when soiled. Toys, parts of toys or other materials shall not be small enough to be swallowed. Toys and materials shall include a minimum of one (1) approved item from each of the following categories for each infant and toddler in the licensed capacity of the facility:
Correction Required
The facility shall provide safe, clean toys.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The facility does not have an approved director on staff.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (2) (A) 3. states: The licensee is required to maintain an approved certificated group child care home provider or center director on staff.
Correction Required
The facility shall have an approved director/group home provider.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.132 Admission Policies and Procedures
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.142 Nighttime Care
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.162 Overlap Care of Children
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.172 Emergency School Closings
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.182 Child Care Program
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Caregiver did not provide frequent, direct contact as evidenced by a child, dob 6/16/19, was found in the preschool/school age room sitting in the dark during the inspection. The rest of the class were outside of the room in the middle area watching a movie. When I noticed the child he looked sad, I asked what he was doing in there and if he was in trouble. He shook his head yes, I took him by his hand and we walked back out into the area with the other children. I asked the caregiver that was in the room with them if she knew how long he had been in the room alone. The caregiver was Kaley Vaughn. She stated that she wasn't sure, maybe 5 or 6 minutes, he had went to the restroom. At this time Kylee Eldridge was cleaning up in the kitchen and Sydney Allison was on break.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.182 Child Care Program (1) (A) 3. states: Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises.
Correction Required
The facility shall provide competent adult supervision for each child as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
5/18/2023
5 CSR 25-500.192 Health Care
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.202 Nutrition and Food Service
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.212 Transportation and Field Trips
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements
Compliance
5 CSR 25-600.040 Background Screening Findings
Compliance
RSMo 210.115. Reports of abuse, neglect, and under age eighteen deaths — persons required to report — supervisors and administrators not to impede reporting — deaths required to be reported to the division or child fatality review panel, when — report made to another state, when. —
Compliance
RSMo 210.211.  License required - exceptions - written notice of licensure status, when.
Compliance