DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

THE EXPLORATION STATION OLD GRAVOIS LODGE

002862291

(636) 253-4999

4235 GRAVOIS RD
HOUSE SPRINGS
MO  63051-2303

THE EXPLORATION STATION



 

SIMS, KATELYN ELIZABETH

EXPLORATIONSTATION15@GMAIL.COM

Incorporated

BRITTANY HECHT

6 WEEKS - 12 YEARS

51

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

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

06/05/2025

9:35 AM

1:12 PM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2494675476


DocumentDocument-Date
APPLICATION 04/01/2022
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION 05/06/2022
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 04/01/2022
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 05/06/2022
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 05/06/2022
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 05/06/2022
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 05/18/2022
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 06/01/2022
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 05/06/2022
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 05/06/2022
LICENSING ORIENTATION 05/26/2022
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 05/06/2022
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 05/06/2022
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 05/06/2022
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 05/19/2022
POLICIES 05/06/2022
REGISTERING FICTITIOUS NAMES 05/06/2022
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 05/19/2022
SAMPLE FORMS 11/22/2021
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 06/01/2022
DAILY SCHEDULE 06/01/2022
EQUIPMENT LIST 06/05/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 03/28/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 06/05/2025
SANITATION INSPECTION 04/17/2025
ANNUAL DECLARATION 06/05/2025

Overlap Start TimeOverlap End TimeOverlap Submit Date
  11:30AM   12:00PM   4/6/2022
  3:30PM   4:00PM   4/6/2022
  7:30AM   8:00AM   6/4/2022



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 12
Total Children 39
StaffChildClass AgeNote
2 6 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Claire Hawks & Haley McCloud, Caregivers 6 - 4-11 Month Olds
2 7 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Sophia Francik & Emily Jones, Caregviers 7 - 13-23 Month Olds
3 15 MIXED Amanda Etchingham & Rebecca Ritter, Caregivers Alli Lewellen, Junior Aide 11 - 2 Year Olds 4 - 3 Year Olds
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Karen Resetarits, Cook
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Katelyn Sims, Director
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Glenray Spencer, Maintenance
2 11 PRESCHOOL Kyleigh Roberts, Caregiver Emma Porter, Junior Aide 11 - 3-5 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 Family Care Safety Registry check was not conducted for Emily Jones, Alli Lewellen, Karen Resetarits & Glenray Spencer 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
Hazardous items as follows were accessible to children: various brands of Sunscreen & Bug Spray. The item(s) was/were located in a tote on the bottom shelf of a cabinet in the Cascades Room.
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
6/5/2025
Violation
The walls located in the I/T Unit Bathroom, specifically to the right of the sink on the lower portion of the wall was/were not finished with material which can be cleaned easily as evidenced by bare drywall was exposed.
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
There was evidence of dirt/debris in the return air vent & on the ceiling fan blades in the Cascades Room.
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
6/5/2025
Violation
Bathroom supplies were not available and accessible to children as evidenced by there was no soap.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (3) (A) 4. states: Paper towels, soap and toilet paper shall be provided and easily accessible so the children can reach them without assistance.
Correction Required
The facility shall provide paper towels, soap and toilet paper, accessible for children's use.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
6/5/2025
Violation
The walls located in the Ozarks Room, specifically above the handwashing sink was/were not finished with material which can be cleaned easily as evidenced by bare drywall was exposed.
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
The walls located in the upstairs Mop Closet was/were not in good condition as evidenced by a 2.5 x 4.5 inch hole was observed on the wall under the faucet above the mop sink.
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
There was evidence of dirt/debris in the return air vent & on the ceiling fan blades in the Brooks Room.
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
6/5/2025
Violation
Hazardous items as follows were accessible to children: a Razor Knife. The item(s) was/were located in the top drawer of a cabinet in the Cascades Room. Though it was located in the top drawer, it was at a level that the children could reach.
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
6/5/2025
Violation
Hazardous items as follows were accessible to children: Repel Bug Spray & Equate Sunscreen. The item(s) was/were located in a child's cubby in the Cascades Room.
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
6/5/2025
5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The door, located upstairs in the Brooks Room, used as an exit from the facility was locked.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety (4) (C) 3. states: No door in a means of egress shall be locked against egress travel when the building is occupied. Locking devices that impede or prohibit egress or that cannot be disengaged easily shall not be used. Dead bolt locks that require a key to unlock the door from the inside shall not be used. Locking or latching devices installed on doors shall not be located higher than fifty inches (50") above the finished floor.
Correction Required
Exit doors shall not be locked/impede exit from the building.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
6/5/2025
5 CSR 25-500.090 Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel
Violation
 Provider Comments
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
Kenna Brewer & Ava Lifritz 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 Kenna Brewer, Emily Jones & Ava Lifritz 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: Kenna Brewer, Emily Jones & Ava Lifritz.
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: Zoe Viehland & Nina Wood.
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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Requirements for immunization reports on file were not met as evidenced by 1 immunization record(s) was/were not on file.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.192 Health Care (4) (A) states: No child shall be permitted to enroll in or attend any day care facility caring for ten (10) or more children unless the child has been immunized adequately against vaccine preventable childhood illnesses specified by the department in accordance with recommendations of the Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP). The parent or guardian of the child shall provide satisfactory evidence of the required immunizations. Satisfactory evidence means a statement, certificate or record from a physician or other recognized health facility or personnel, stating that the required immunizations have been given to the child and verifying the type of vaccine and the month, day and year of administration.
Correction Required
Child immunization requirements shall be on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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 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, Alli Lewellen & Ava Lifritz.
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