DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

THE EXPLORATION STATION

002471025

(636) 253-8040

3774 HESS RD
BYRNES MILL
MO  63051-1109

THE EXPLORATION STATION



 

LORENTZ, MELINDA

explorationstation15@gmail.com

Incorporated

BRITTANY HECHT

6 WEEKS - 5 YEARS

44

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

20 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT; 8 CHILDREN UNDER 12 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

05/28/2025

8:50 AM

11:09 AM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2494229540


DocumentDocument-Date
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 04/14/2016
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 04/14/2016
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 04/07/2016
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 04/14/2016
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 04/14/2016
DAILY SCHEDULE 04/14/2016
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 04/14/2016
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 04/14/2016
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 04/14/2016
POLICIES 04/14/2016
SAMPLE FORMS 04/14/2016
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 04/14/2016
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 04/14/2016
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 04/24/2019
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 07/01/2018
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 05/29/2019
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION 02/25/2020
APPLICATION 01/27/2020
STAFF SHEET 03/13/2020
EQUIPMENT LIST 05/28/2025
SANITATION INSPECTION 03/04/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 02/08/2024
ANNUAL DECLARATION 05/28/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 05/28/2025

Overlap Start TimeOverlap End TimeOverlap Submit Date
  11:00AM   1:00PM   3/2/2017



Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 13
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 10
Total Children 32
StaffChildClass AgeNote
1 4 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Abby Smith, Caregiver 4 - 16-20 Month Olds
2 3 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Jessica Prater & Erin Tynes,Caregivers 3 - 4-13 Month Olds
2 7 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Lindsi Fassel & Rebecca Ritter, Caregivers 1 - 23 Month Old 6 - 2 Year Olds
1 10 MIXED Hailey Ruiz-Nuve, Caregiver 1 - 2 Year Old 9 - 3 & 4 Year Olds
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Paige Thomas, Cook/Caregiver
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Melinda Lorentz, Director
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Alison Welch, Board President
1 8 PRESCHOOL Grace Anderson, Caregiver 8 - 4 & 5 Year Olds

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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The annual fire safety inspection was not approved.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements (2) (A) states: Evidence of compliance with a fire and safety inspection as conducted by the State Fire Marshal or his/her designee.
Correction Required
The facility shall submit evidence of compliance with annual fire safety requirements.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The Family Care Safety Registry check was not conducted for Alexandria Smith within thirty (30) days prior to the anniversary date.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements (2) (C) states: The child care provider shall conduct a Family Care Safety Registry check for all child care staff members within thirty (30) days prior to the anniversary date as printed on the license.
Correction Required
Required Family Care Safety Registry checks shall be conducted for all child care staff member(s) within thirty (30) days prior to the anniversary date.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The facility's outdoor space was not safe for children's activities as evidenced by 2 pieces of gutter were on the Preschool Playground, both of which had sharp edges.
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
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
5/28/2025
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
5/28/2025
Violation
The observed surface area under the Little Tikes Slide, from which a child might fall consists of bare soil.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 8. states: Concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil is not an acceptable surface under outdoor equipment from which children might fall and be injured.
Correction Required
The facility shall not use concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil under equipment from which a child might fall.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
5/28/2025
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, the Little Tikes Ride On Car, in the Preschool Playground was not in good condition as evidenced by the handle bars were 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
5/28/2025
Violation
Outdoor equipment, the Little Tikes Sandbox, in the Preschool Playground was not in good condition as evidenced by the bottom 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
5/28/2025
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
A facility orientation was not conducted for a caregiver(s) before being left alone with children. The following staff need a facility orientation: Abigail Smith & Rebecca Ritter.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (1) (K) . states: The child care provider shall ensure that within seven (7) days of employment or volunteering, and before being left alone with children, that caregivers employed on or after August 30, 2019, receive a facility orientation. The facility orientation shall include--
Correction Required
The facility shall ensure that a facility orientation occurs within 7 days of employment or volunteering and before caregivers are left alone with children.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
A caregiver did not obtain a Missouri Professional Development Identification (MOPD ID) number. The staff listed need a MOPD ID: Paige Schlicting.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (3) (F) 1. states: Caregivers shall obtain a Missouri Professional Development Identification (MOPD ID) number from the department.
Correction Required
All caregivers shall obtain a MOPD ID.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The requirements for obtaining 12 clock hours each calendar year were not met. For the calendar year of 2024, the staff listed need the following information: Emily Newman - 1 Clock Hour & Alexandria Smith - 1 Clock Hour.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (3) (A) states: The center director, group child care home provider, all other caregivers, and those volunteers who are counted in staff/child ratios shall obtain at least twelve (12) clock hours of child-care related training during each calendar year. Clock hour training shall be approved by the department.
Correction Required
Required training hours shall be documented for each caregiver.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Safe sleep training was not completed within the past 3 years for the following staff Glenray Spencer.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (4) (A) . states: Every three (3) years, the child care provider, group child care home provider, child care staff members, and volunteers in a group child care home or child care center licensed to provide care for infants less than one (1) year of age shall successfully complete department-approved training regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep recommendations contained in the American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on sleep-related infant deaths. The Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment, July 2022, is incorporated by reference in this rule, as published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and available at https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057990/188304/Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated-2022 or as published in PEDIATRICS Volume 150, Issue 1, July 2022. A copy can also be obtained from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Childhood, 205 Jefferson Street, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480 and at https://dese.mo.gov/governmental-affairs/deseadministrativerules/incorporated-reference-materials. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions.
Correction Required
The director, group home provider, other caregivers, and those volunteers counted in staff/child ratio, shall complete department-approved safe sleep training as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Skylar Merritt & Alexandria Smith did not complete safe sleep training within 30 days of employment or volunteering at the facility.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (4) (A) 3. states: The child care provider, group child care home provider, child care staff members, and volunteers shall complete safe sleep training described in subsection (4)(A) of this rule within thirty (30) days of employment or volunteering at the facility.
Correction Required
The department-approved safe sleep training must be completed within 30 days of employment or volunteering.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Medical examination report(s) was/were not on file for Emily Jones as evidenced by a medical examination was not on file within 30 days of an individual beginning to work with children.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports (1) (A) states: All persons working in a child care facility in any capacity during child care hours, including volunteers counted in staff/child ratios, shall be in good physical and emotional health with no physical or mental conditions which would interfere with child care responsibilities. These persons shall have a medical examination report, signed by a licensed physician or registered nurse who is under the supervision of a licensed physician, on file at the facility at the time of initial licensure or within thirty (30) days following employment.
Correction Required
Medical reports shall be on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
A medical examination report did not include either a Risk Assessment for Tuberculosis form or a negative tuberculin skin test (TST) for the following staff: Lindsi Fassel & Emily Jones.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports (1) (B) . states: Medical examination reports shall include either a Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment form, completed and signed by a health care professional, or a negative tuberculin skin test (TST) completed not more than twelve (12) months before beginning work in the facility. The Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment form, revised March 2014, is incorporated by reference in this rule, as published by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102 and available by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/tuberculosis/tbmanual/pdf/RiskAssessmentform.pdf. If the person has signs or symptoms of tuberculosis, or risk factors for tuberculosis, then testing for tuberculosis shall occur.
Correction Required
Medical examination reports shall include Risk Assessment for Tuberculosis forms or negative tuberculin skin test (TST) as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Medical examination report form did not contain all required information as evidenced by the Medical Provider failed to document that the patient was in good physical & emotional health & free of contagious disease for the following caregivers: Hailey Ruiz-Nuve, Ava Tucker & Alexandria Smith.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports (1) (D) states: The medical examination report form shall be supplied by the department or the facility may use its own form if it contains all the information on the department’s form. The Medical Examination Report for Caregivers and Staff form, revised 2021, is incorporated by reference in this rule, as published by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480 and available by the department at https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/forms. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions.
Correction Required
Medical reports shall be on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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
Compliance
5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Criminal background check results were older than five (5) years for Alison Welch, Erin Tynes & Glenray Spencer.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements (5) states: Criminal background checks shall be completed for each child care staff member every five (5) years.
Correction Required
Required results of criminal background checks shall be on file.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Criminal background check results were not on file for Emily Jones & Alexandria Smith.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements (1) states: Prior to the employment or presence of a child care staff member in a licensed, regulated, or registered child care facility not exempted by section 210.1080.13, RSMo, the child care provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for such child care staff member from the department.
Correction Required
Required results of criminal background checks shall be on file.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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