DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

LITTLE MULES ACADEMY, LLC

002956958

(573) 776-8590

2525 N 14TH ST
POPLAR BLUFF
MO  63901-2527

LITTLE MULES ACADEMY, LLC



 

SPENCER, TESSA RENEE

TIFFANIENICOLINI@GMAIL.COM


LESLEY WARREN

BIRTH - 12 YEARS

48

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

8 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT
 
Inspection Information

09/29/2025

1:00 PM

2:56 PM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2501084723


DocumentDocument-Date
APPLICATION 06/08/2022
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 08/22/2022
LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 08/22/2022
DAILY SCHEDULE 08/21/2022
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT 08/22/2022
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 08/18/2022
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 08/22/2022
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 07/07/2022
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 07/07/2022
LICENSING ORIENTATION 06/07/2022
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 08/11/2022
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 08/22/2022
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 08/28/2022
SAMPLE FORMS 08/28/2022
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 08/22/2022
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 08/22/2022
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 08/22/2022
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 08/28/2022
EQUIPMENT LIST 09/29/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 07/31/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 06/09/2025
ANNUAL DECLARATION 07/31/2025
SANITATION INSPECTION 06/12/2025

Overlap Start TimeOverlap End TimeOverlap Submit Date
  4:30PM   5:30PM   8/30/2022
  6:30AM   7:30AM   8/30/2022



Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 8
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 6
Total Children 26
StaffChildClass AgeNote
1 4 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Caregivers D'Anne Sloan 12 months through 20 months
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Director Tessa Spencer
2 13 PRESCHOOL Caregivers Emma Miller and Lucy Harvey 3 years through 5 years old
2 9 TWO YEAR OLDS Caregivers Alex Spencer and Skyla Jennings

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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The premises were not safe and suitable as evidenced by the TV cords in the 2 year old room and the preschool room were unsecured.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (A) states: The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children.
Correction Required
The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/29/2025
Violation
The requirements for protective outlet covers or twist-lock outlets were not met as evidenced by electrical outlets were not covered in that there were 2 outlets without cover in the 2 year old room and 1 outlet not covered in the I/T unit.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (G) states: Protective outlet covers or twist-lock outlets shall be used in areas accessible to the children.
Correction Required
The facility shall use outlet covers or twist-lock outlets as required.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/29/2025
Violation
Hazardous items as follows were accessible to children: 1 Lysol spray bottle and 1 bottle of Mr. Clean cleaner. The item(s) was/were located in the I/T unit under the sink.
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
9/29/2025
Violation
The walls located in the bathroom was/were not clean as evidenced by there was dried food under the soap dispenser and the light switch .
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
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
9/29/2025
Violation
The facility's outdoor space was not safe for children's activities as evidenced by there was trash throughout the playground.
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
9/29/2025
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
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The facility's outdoor space was not safe for children's activities as evidenced by the weed barrier was exposed in multiple areas of the playground.
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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Outdoor equipment, climber dome, in in the playground was not in good condition as evidenced by a bar was missing causing the connector pieces to be exposed where children could bump their heads.
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
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Stationary equipment, climber dome, was unsafe as evidenced by the equipment was not securely anchored.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (3) (D) states: Stationary equipment such as swings, slides and climbers shall be securely anchored, have no exposed footings and be placed to avoid accidents or collisions.
Correction Required
Stationary equipment shall be safely installed, stable and securely anchored.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Outdoor equipment, pink playhouse, in the playground was not in good condition as evidenced by there is a 14 in crack in the roof.
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
9/29/2025
Violation
Outdoor equipment, little tikes play structure with pink tunnel, in the playground was not in good condition as evidenced by there is 5.5 inch crack on the top of the pink tunnel.
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
9/29/2025
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 Lucy Harvey.
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

5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Child's medical examination report did not contain evidence that child’s current health is satisfactory for participation in a child care program.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports (2) (B) states: The examination report shall determine if a child's medical history and current state of health is satisfactory participation in a child care program.
Correction Required
Child medical requirements shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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 5/19/2024.
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
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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
2 child(ren) records did not include field trip and transportation authorization.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports (2) (F) states: Field trip and transportation authorization.
Correction Required
Child enrollment information shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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