DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

LICENSE EXEMPT PROGRAM INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

FIRST STEPS CHILD CARE CENTER

002650126

(573) 469-3236

1028 E HIGH ST
JEFFERSON CITY
MO  65101-4036

NEW COVENANT COMMUNITY CHURCH APOSTOLIC



 

MARTIN, PAMELA

pamelamartin920@hotmail.com

Incorporated

SHARLENE WHEATLEY

6 WEEKS - 4 YEARS

27

LICENSE EXEMPT PROGRAM

20 CHILDREN UNDER 24 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

08/26/2025

9:50 AM

12:23 PM

UNANNOUNCED

REINSPECTION

2499343351


DocumentDocument-Date
SANITATION INSPECTION 08/25/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 07/02/2025
NOTICE OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY 08/20/2025




Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 1
Attendance at Time of Inspection
Total Staff 4
Total Children 10
StaffChildClass AgeNote
2 5 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Caregivers Terra Ebeling and Linda Steward present with five children, including three infants ages 4-9 month old and two 1 year old toddlers . NPR states 1x4 with children under 2 years old.
1 5 MIXED Caregiver Yolanda Martin present with two 1 year old toddlers, one 2 years old and two 4 years old preschoolers. NPR states 1x4 with children under 2 years old. NPR states 1x8 with children 2-4 years old.
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Director Pamela Martin present with no children in attendance.

Compliance List
5 CSR 25-300.020 Application for Annual Fire Safety and Health and Sanitation Inspections and Inspection Procedures
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
An approved Notice of Parental Responsibility was not on file for one child(ren).
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.020 Application for Annual Fire Safety and Health and Sanitation Inspections and Inspection Procedures (6) (C) states: A child care facility operated by a religious organization shall provide the parent or guardian enrolling the child two (2) copies of the Notice of Parental Responsibility form for the enrolling parent to acknowledge, by signature, having read and accepted the information. One (1) copy shall be kept by the parent or guardian and the other copy shall be retained in the child's record at the facility.
Correction Required
The Notice of Parental Responsibility shall be provided to the parent or guardian upon enrollment, on file, and signed by the parent or guardian as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
7/24/2025
5 CSR 25-300.040 Staffing Requirements
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-300.050 Health Requirements
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The provider did not follow required procedures for accidents, injuries and emergency medical care as evidenced by parents were not notified immediately when three children : two 1 year old and one 2 year old child fall down the steps.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.050 Health Requirements (11) states: In case of an accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify a parent immediately. If a child requires emergency medical care, a parent's prior written instructions shall be followed. A form shall be completed indicating the circumstances and the date and time of the injury. The form shall be signed by the caregiver and his/her supervisor. A copy of the form shall be given to the parent the day of the accident or injury and necessary explanations shall be given. The form shall be filed in the child's record.
Correction Required
The provider shall follow procedures as required in the case of a child's accident, injury, or emergency care.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
8/19/2025
Violation
Medical examination reports, including TB testing, were not on file for Yolanda Martin , Terra Ebeling, Linda Stewart and Jada Tilson, Shevanae Thomas 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 25-300.050 Health Requirements (1) (D) . states: All caregivers working in a facility during child care hours shall be in good health. They shall have a physical assessment, including a tuberculosis status assessment by a licensed physician or registered professional nurse. A physical assessment report, signed by a licensed physician or registered professional nurse, shall be on file at the time of employment or within thirty (30) days following employment.
Correction Required
Medical/TB reports shall be on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Medical examination reports, including TB testing, were not on file for Pamela Martin, Linda Steward, Shevanae Thomas, Jada Tilson, Yolanda Martin as evidenced by a cleared TB report was not on file for caregivers within 30 days of working in the facility.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.050 Health Requirements (1) (D) . states: All caregivers working in a facility during child care hours shall be in good health. They shall have a physical assessment, including a tuberculosis status assessment by a licensed physician or registered professional nurse. A physical assessment report, signed by a licensed physician or registered professional nurse, shall be on file at the time of employment or within thirty (30) days following employment.
Correction Required
Medical/TB reports shall be on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
7/30/2025
Violation
Medical examination reports including TB testing were not on file for caregivers as evidenced by the medical examination on file is older than 12 months before the individual's begin date at the facility.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.050 Health Requirements (1) (D) 1. states: Physical assessment reports shall be completed not more than twelve (12) months before beginning work in the facility. The reports may be transferred to another facility for future employment.
Correction Required
Medical/TB reports shall be on file as required

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
8/26/2025
5 CSR 25-300.060 Responsibilities of Caregivers
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-300.070 Fire Safety Requirements
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Requirements of 19 CSR 30-60.080 Fire Safety were not met as evidenced by tornado drills were not held at least one time every three months.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.070 Fire Safety Requirements (5) states: Fire and tornado drills shall be conducted at least every three (3) months and shall include all children in care. Unscheduled drills shall be held at the discretion of the state fire marshal or department. Each fire drill shall include a complete evacuation of all persons from the building.
Correction Required
Fire and tornado drills shall be completed and recorded as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
7/29/2025
5 CSR 25-300.080 Sanitation Requirements
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-300.090 Physical Plant, Space, Supplies and Equipment
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Sleeping equipment was not arranged to provide required spacing as evidenced by there was no aisle on the long side of the napping equipment.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.090 Physical Plant, Space, Supplies and Equipment 5 (C) states: Sleeping equipment arranged to provide at least a two foot (2') aisle on one (1) long side of the equipment.
Correction Required
Caregivers shall provide a two foot (2') aisle on one long side of the napping equipment.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
8/26/2025
Violation
The space for infants and toddlers is not separated by floor-to-ceiling walls.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.090 Physical Plant, Space, Supplies and Equipment 2 (F) 2 states: A facility with a capacity of more than twenty (20) children or more than four (4) infants and toddlers shall have infant and toddler space separate from the older children. The space shall be separated by floor to- ceiling walls with separate play, sleeping and bathroom space.
Correction Required
Infant/toddler space shall be separated from other child care space by floor-to-ceiling walls.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
8/26/2025
Violation
The requirements for safety gates or doors were not met as evidenced by the gate is needed on the bottom of the stairs in Room C, so the children don't get to the stairs unsupervised. CI observed two 1 year old children going downstairs alone while teacher was talking with director on the top of the stairs.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.090 Physical Plant, Space, Supplies and Equipment 1 (C) states: Approved safety gates at stairways and doors shall be provided as needed.
Correction Required
Approved safety gates and doors shall be provided as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
8/1/2025
Violation
Children were not restricted to approved space as evidenced by a closet door that is not approved space was unlocked .
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.090 Physical Plant, Space, Supplies and Equipment 1 (A) 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
8/2/2025
5 CSR 25-300.110 Admission Procedures and Required Reports and Records
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The facility did not meet requirements for child enrollment and health information on file as evidenced by two child files did not have the name and phone number of the family physician, or hospital, or both.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.110 Admission Procedures and Required Reports and Records 2 (D) states: Name and phone number of a physician and preferred hospital to be used in an emergency.
Correction Required
An individual file with required information for each child shall be maintained.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
8/26/2025
Violation
The facility did not meet requirements for child enrollment and health information on file as evidenced by two child files did not have the full name of the parent(s), guardian or legal custodian, home address, employers’ name and address, work schedule and home and work telephone numbers.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.110 Admission Procedures and Required Reports and Records 2 (B) states: The full name of the parent(s), guardian or legal custodian, home address, work schedule, home and work telephone numbers, and employer's name and address.
Correction Required
An individual file with required information for each child shall be maintained.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
8/19/2025
Violation
The facility did not meet requirements for child enrollment and health information on file as evidenced by one child files did not have the child’s full name, address, birth date and the date care begins and ends.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-300.110 Admission Procedures and Required Reports and Records 2 (A) states: The child's full name, address, birth date and the date care begins and ends.
Correction Required
An individual file with required information for each child shall be maintained.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
7/24/2025
5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-600.040 Background Screening Findings
Not Observed
RSMo 210.003 Immunizations of children required, when, exceptions--duties of administrator, report--notification of parents, when.
Not Observed
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.
Not Observed
RSMo 210.201. Definitions. — As used in sections 210.201 to 210.257, the following terms mean:
Not Observed
RSMo 210.254 Religious organization operating facilities exempt under licensing laws required to file parental notice of responsibility and fire, safety inspections annually.
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Staff/child ratios did not meet those set forth in the Notice of Parental Responsibility.
Licensing Rule Reference
RSMo 210.254 Religious organization operating facilities exempt under licensing laws required to file parental notice of responsibility and fire, safety inspections annually. 2. (3) states: The staff/child ratios for enrolled children under two years of age, for children ages two to four and for those five years of age and older as required by the department of elementary and secondary education regulations in licensed facilities, the standard ratio of staff to number of children for each age level maintained in the exempt facility, and the total number of children to be enrolled by the facility.
Correction Required
The staff/child ratio for each age level must be maintained as stated in the Notice of Parental Responsibility.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
8/26/2025
RSMo 210.255 Religious organizations operating facility in violation, procedure - noncompliance after notice, prosecutor may act or attorney general.
Compliance
RSMo 252. Fire, safety, health and sanitation inspections, procedures - variances to rules granted when - rules authorized.
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Requirements for sanitation inspection were not met as evidenced by the inspection was not approved.
Licensing Rule Reference
RSMo 252. Fire, safety, health and sanitation inspections, procedures - variances to rules granted when - rules authorized. 1. states: All buildings and premises used by a child-care facility to care for more than six children except those exempted from the licensing provisions of the department of elementary and secondary education pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (15) of subsection 1 of section 210.211, shall be inspected annually for fire and safety by the state fire marshal, the marshal's designee or officials of a local fire district and for health and sanitation by the department of elementary and secondary education or the department's designee, including officials of the department of health and senior services, or officials of the local health department. Evidence of compliance with the inspections required by this section shall be kept on file and available to parents of children enrolling in the child-care facility.
Correction Required
An approved sanitation and fire/safety inspection shall be kept on file and be available as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
8/25/2025