DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

LITTLE MULES ACADEMY, LLC

002956958

(573) 776-8590

2525 N 14TH ST
POPLAR BLUFF
MO  63901-2527

LITTLE MULES ACADEMY, LLC



 

SPENCER, TESSA RENEE

TIFFANIENICOLINI@GMAIL.COM


MELISSA JILL SMITH

BIRTH - 12 YEARS

20

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

4 CHILDREN UNDER 24 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

09/18/2023

1:16 PM

2:36 PM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2459201287


DocumentDocument-Date
ANNUAL DECLARATION 07/13/2023
SANITATION INSPECTION 07/07/2023
APPLICATION 06/08/2022
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 08/22/2022
LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 08/22/2022
DAILY SCHEDULE 08/21/2022
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT 08/22/2022
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 08/18/2022
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 08/22/2022
EQUIPMENT LIST 07/13/2023
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 07/07/2022
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 07/07/2022
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 07/13/2023
LICENSING ORIENTATION 06/07/2022
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 08/11/2022
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 08/22/2022
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 08/28/2022
SAMPLE FORMS 08/28/2022
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 08/22/2022
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 08/22/2022
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 06/13/2023
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 08/22/2022
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 08/28/2022

Overlap Start TimeOverlap End TimeOverlap Submit Date
  4:30PM   5:30PM   8/30/2022
  6:30AM   7:30AM   8/30/2022



Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 4
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 4
Total Children 15
StaffChildClass AgeNote
3 15 MIXED Lucy Harvey & Alexandrea Spencer, Caregivers Tessa Spencer, Director 4 - 3-14 Month Olds 5 - 2 Year Olds 6 - 3 & 4 Year Olds
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Tiffanie Nicolini, Managing Member

Compliance List
5 CSR 25-500.032 Organization and Administration
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.042 Licensing Process
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers
Violation
 Provider Comments
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
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/18/2023
Violation
The facility's outdoor space was not safe for children's activities as evidenced by black tarp is showing through the resilient material in several areas of the Playground causing a trip 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
There was evidence of dirt/debris in the return air vent in the Kitchen.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (2) (A) 9. states: The facility shall be clean at all times and free of dirt, insects, spiders, rodents or other pests.
Correction Required
The facility shall be clean and pest free.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/18/2023
Violation
The walls located in the Kitchen was/were not in good condition as evidenced by an access hole had been cut out to the left of the stove exposing bare drywall & insulation.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (2) (A) 6. states: Walls, ceilings and floors shall be finished with material which can be cleaned easily and shall be free of splinters, cracks and chipping paint. Floor covering shall be in good condition. Lead-free paint shall be used for all painted surfaces.
Correction Required
Walls, ceilings, and floors shall be made of approved materials, easily cleaned and in good condition.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Children were not restricted to approved space as evidenced by the Office/Break Room door does not lock/latch despite having a child proof knob leaving the space accessible to children.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (C) states: Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care.
Correction Required
Caregivers shall restrict children to approved space.

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
Outdoor equipment, a chair, in the Playground was not in good condition as evidenced by it was broken.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (3) (A) states: All outdoor equipment shall be constructed safely, in good condition and free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. Only lead-free paint shall be used.
Correction Required
Outdoor play equipment shall be safe and in good repair.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/18/2023
Violation
Outdoor equipment, the Little Tikes Climber, in the Playground was not in good condition as evidenced by the door was cracked.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (3) (A) states: All outdoor equipment shall be constructed safely, in good condition and free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. Only lead-free paint shall be used.
Correction Required
Outdoor play equipment shall be safe and in good repair.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/18/2023
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel
Compliance
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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
An individualized plan for specialized care for a child with special physical, developmental or behavioral needs was not on file.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.132 Admission Policies and Procedures (6) states: A child who has a special physical, developmental or behavioral need shall have on file an individualized plan for specialized care from a professionally qualified source.
Correction Required
An individualized plan from a professional source shall be on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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
Compliance
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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
1 child(ren) records did not include name of family physician or hospital.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports (2) (D) states: Name and phone number of the family physician, hospital, or both, to be used in an emergency;
Correction Required
Child enrollment information shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/18/2023
Violation
1 child(ren) records did not include telephone number of family physician or hospital.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports (2) (D) states: Name and phone number of the family physician, hospital, or both, to be used in an emergency;
Correction Required
Child enrollment information shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/18/2023
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