DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

STEP AHEAD CHILD CARE ACADEMY, INC.

001919295

(314) 352-2123

4501 HAMPTON AVE
ST LOUIS
MO  63109

STEP AHEAD CHILD CARE ACADEMY, INC.



 

WALCK, STACIE

STEPAHEADCHILDCARE@YAHOO.COM

Incorporated

BRITTNEY RALPH

6 WEEKS - 6 YEARS

85

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

46 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT; 23 CHILDREN UNDER 12 MONTHS; 31 CHILDREN UNDER 24 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

09/26/2025

9:22 AM

11:34 AM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2501013787


DocumentDocument-Date
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 09/29/2006
SAMPLE FORMS 09/29/2006
POLICIES 09/29/2006
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 09/26/2025
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 09/29/2006
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 09/29/2006
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 09/29/2006
DAILY SCHEDULE 09/29/2006
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 09/29/2006
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION 09/26/2006
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 11/29/2012
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 11/29/2012
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 06/17/2010
APPLICATION 07/09/2018
STAFF SHEET 07/11/2018
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 03/03/2018
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 09/26/2023
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 09/26/2025
EQUIPMENT LIST 08/05/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 06/05/2025
SANITATION INSPECTION 07/02/2025
ANNUAL DECLARATION 08/05/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 08/05/2025




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 16
Total Children 59
StaffChildClass AgeNote
2 7 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Teachers, Kayla Durgutovic and Nichole Polizzi were present with seven children ages ranging between 4-months-old to 7-months-old.
2 4 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Teacher, Mary Spravala and Lauren Wroblewski were present with four children ages ranging between 10-months-old to 14-months-old.
1 3 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Teacher, Nichole Sleep was present with three children ages ranging between 12-months-old to 14-months-old.
2 7 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Teachers, Monica Maddox and Ashanti Draper were present with seven children ages ranging between 19-months-old to 23-months-old.
3 7 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Teachers, Gina Ferrante, Oliva Shew, and Lauren Adair was present with seven children ages ranging between 14-months-old to 19-months-old.
1 8 MIXED Teachers, Whitley Spratt and Catrina Childers were present with eight children ages ranging between 2-years-old to 4-years-old.
2 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Director, Stacie Walck and administrative assistant, Kathleen Yanick were present with zero children in attendance.
1 7 PRESCHOOL Teacher, Bryan Weinhold was present with seven children all aged 4-years-old.
1 8 TWO YEAR OLDS Teacher, Taylor Thomas was present with eight children all aged 2-years-old.
1 8 TWO YEAR OLDS Teacher, Cassandra Corzine was present with eight children all aged 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
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers
Compliance
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
Safe sleep training was not completed within the past 3 years for the following staff Amber Dunn.
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
Anastasia Furlow 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 Ashanti Draper 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

5 CSR 25-500.132 Admission Policies and Procedures
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.142 Nighttime Care
Compliance
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
Not Observed
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 work telephone number of parent(s), guardian or legal custodian.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports (2) (B) states: Full name of the parent(s), guardian or legal custodian, home address, employers' name and address, work schedule, and home and work telephone numbers;
Correction Required
Child enrollment information shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/26/2025
5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Criminal background check results were older than five (5) years for Taylor Thomas.
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

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