DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

M.EL.K. ACADEMY LLC

002310412

(314) 455-4711

10136 W FLORISSANT AVE
ST LOUIS
MO  63136-2100

M.EL.K. ACADEMY LLC



 

EVANS, LATEAFAH A

MELKAcademy@yahoo.com


JULIE PLEIMANN

6 WEEKS - 12 YEARS

56

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

22 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT; 7 CHILDREN UNDER 12 MONTHS; 13 CHILDREN UNDER 24 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

07/22/2025

9:26 AM

11:43 AM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2497317826


DocumentDocument-Date
APPLICATION 01/31/2020
DAILY SCHEDULE 07/08/2020
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 12/27/2018
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 01/17/2019
SAMPLE FORMS 01/17/2019
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT 01/22/2019
POLICIES 12/06/2018
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 12/06/2018
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 12/06/2018
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 07/20/2020
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 07/06/2020
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 07/06/2020
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 07/07/2020
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 07/22/2025
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 07/20/2020
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 07/09/2020
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 06/16/2022
LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 06/27/2023
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 07/20/2023
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 04/29/2025
EQUIPMENT LIST 06/09/2025
SANITATION INSPECTION 04/09/2025
ANNUAL DECLARATION 07/22/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 06/05/2025

Overlap Start TimeOverlap End TimeOverlap Submit Date
  3:30PM   5:30PM   9/21/2021



Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 3
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 8
Total Children 39
StaffChildClass AgeNote
1 4 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Rochelle Little was present with four children who were 4-months-old through 15-months-old
3 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Director Lateafah Evans, Administrative Assistant Porche Lashley, and Chef Kayla George were present with no children in attendance.
1 10 PRESCHOOL Carmanie Harwell was present with ten children who were all 3-years-old.
1 8 PRESCHOOL LaKendra Brison was present with eight children who were 4-years-old through 5-years-old.
1 9 PRESCHOOL Rachel Kilgore was present with nine children who were 3-years-old through 4-years-old.
1 8 TWO YEAR OLDS N'Kell Sims was present with eight children who were all 2-years-old.

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
Evidence of local building approval was not received.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements (1) (B) states: Evidence of compliance with local building and zoning requirements, if applicable.
Correction Required
The facility shall submit evidence of local building/zoning approval as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
7/22/2025
Violation
The Annual Declaration was not completed as evidenced by The LLC Members information was not included.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements (1) (A) states: An Annual Declaration for Licensed Facility form, revised 2021 and 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, indicating the licensee’s intent to continue operating a licensed group child care home or child care center and agreement to comply with all statutes and department licensing rules.
Correction Required
The facility shall submit the Annual Declaration as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
7/22/2025
Violation
The Family Care Safety Registry check was not conducted for Victoria 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
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
7/22/2025
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: a partial gallon of Clorox. The item(s) was/were located in an unlocked cabinet in the unlocked staff bathroom.
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
7/22/2025
Violation
The facility did not have a fenced outdoor play area that was on or adjoining the day care property and was accessible without hazard as evidenced by the fence had openings that were between 3.5 and 9 inches and allow entrapment - the openings measured 5.5 inches. This gap was along the entire fence opposite the building, on the underside of the fence between the fence and the ground.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 1. states: A fenced outdoor play area shall be available on or adjoining the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. For facilities initially licensed after the effective date of these rules or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. An outdoor play area used exclusively for school-age children shall not be required to have a fence. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped.
Correction Required
The outdoor play area shall be accessible without hazard.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The facility's outdoor space was not safe for children's activities as evidenced by there was a board on the fence in the preschool playground that had come on loose on one end was was not completely attached, leaving exposed screws.
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

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
Compliance
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: Nkell Sims and Kayla George
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
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
7/22/2025
5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Requirements for infant-toddler/preschool child medical examination reports on file were not met as evidenced by there was no medical examination report on file within 30 days of admission - the admission date(s) was/were 12/20/2022.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports (2) (A) states: The provider, within thirty (30) days following the admission of each infant, toddler or preschool child, shall require a medical examination report signed by a licensed physician or registered nurse who is under the supervision of a licensed physician and completed not more than twelve (12) months prior to admission. The provider may use the department’s medical assessment form or the provider may use its own form if it contains all the information on the department’s form. The Child Medical Examination Report (Infant/Toddler/Pre-School)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
Child medical requirements shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.132 Admission Policies and Procedures
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.142 Nighttime Care
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.162 Overlap Care of Children
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.172 Emergency School Closings
Not Observed
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
2 child(ren) records did not include address of another individual who might be reached in an emergency.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports (2) (C) states: Name, address and telephone number of another individual (friend or relative) who might be reached in an emergency when the parent(s), guardian or legal custodian cannot be reached;
Correction Required
Child enrollment information shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
7/22/2025
Violation
3 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
7/22/2025
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