DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

LITTLE STEPS PRESCHOOL AND LEARNING CENTER, LLC

002031652

(314) 837-7202

13100 NEW HALLS FERRY RD
FLORISSANT
MO  63033

LITTLE STEPS PRESCHOOL AND LEARNING CENTER, LLC



 

WATT, THERESA RENEE

littlestepspreschool01@gmail.com


VIKTORIA ZABARA

6 WEEKS - 15 YEARS

38

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

9 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT
 
Inspection Information

10/06/2025

1:20 PM

2:03 PM

UNANNOUNCED

REINSPECTION

2501395273


DocumentDocument-Date
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 03/20/2007
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 03/20/2007
POLICIES 03/20/2007
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 03/20/2007
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 03/20/2007
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 03/20/2007
LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 01/30/2007
APPLICATION 02/16/2021
STAFF SHEET 05/19/2021
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 03/20/2007
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 06/01/2007
SAMPLE FORMS 03/20/2007
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT 06/01/2007
SANITATION INSPECTION 02/16/2024
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 11/18/2024
DAILY SCHEDULE 10/28/2024
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 10/28/2024
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 10/28/2024
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 11/21/2024
EQUIPMENT LIST 02/26/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 12/16/2024
ANNUAL DECLARATION 02/26/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 03/11/2025




Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 12
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 3
Total Children 16
StaffChildClass AgeNote
1 3 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Kourtney Howard, teacher, was present with three children aged 6-months-old to 11-months-old
2 13 MIXED Maile Young, teacher, and Renea Robinson, teacher, were present with 13 children, six children aged 2-years-old and seven children aged 3-years-old to 5-years-old

Compliance List
5 CSR 25-500.032 Organization and Administration
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.042 Licensing Process
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The annual sanitation inspection was not approved.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements (2) (B) states: Evidence of compliance with local, state, or both, sanitation requirements.
Correction Required
The facility shall submit evidence of compliance with annual sanitation requirements.

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
The facility did not provide at least 35 square feet of usable floor space for each preschool and school-age child coming into the facility for day care as evidenced by space was reduced by the presence of a large box with inflatable toys observed in the middle of the the Game Room to the left from the table.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (2) (B) 1. A. states: At least thirty-five (35) square feet of usable floor space shall be provided for each preschool and school-age child coming into the facility for day care.
Correction Required
The facility shall provide thirty-five square feet of usable space per child.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The ceilings located in the Game Room was/were not in good condition as evidenced by there is a missing ceiling tile observed and at least one tile has visible water damage in that it is buckled and has a water stain.
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
Diapering requirements were not met as evidenced by the diapering table was not located where caregiver could maintain supervision of his/her group of children. The diapering table was located in the I/T classrooms, and the PS classroom and a changing tables is facing the wall.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (4) (A) states: A safe diapering table with a waterproof washable surface shall be used for changing diapers. The diapering table shall be located within or adjacent to the group space so the caregiver using the diapering table can maintain supervision of his/her group of children at all times.
Correction Required
The facility shall provide a safe and clean diapering table as required.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date
10/6/2025
Violation
Animal excrement was observed in an outdoor area used by children; the location of the excrement was on the mulch near the bottom of blue slide on the playground.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (8) (E) states: Areas used by children shall be free of animal excrement.
Correction Required
No animal excrement shall be in areas used by children.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.090 Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The facility's list of emergency numbers are not posted in each room used for child care, specifically in the Game Room.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.090 Disaster and Emergency Preparedness (2) (B) 1. B. states: A list of emergency numbers, including 911, if available, the fire department, police department, ambulance service, poison control center, and local radio station;
Correction Required
The facility must post all emergency numbers as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The facility did not conduct a Family Care Safety Registry screening for Amari Gaines, Kourtney Howard, who was hired on March 2025, 06/24/25.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (1) (P) states: The child care provider shall conduct a Family Care Safety Registry screening prior to employment for any newly hired child care staff member who has a qualifying criminal background check result.
Correction Required
Required results of the Family Care Safety Registry screening shall be on file.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
A facility orientation was not conducted for a caregiver(s) before being left alone with children. The following staff need a facility orientation: Amari Gaines, Kourtney Howard
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
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Safe sleep training was not completed within the past 3 years for the following staff Amari Gaines.
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
Medical examination report(s) was/were not on file for Amari Gaines, Kourtney Howard 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: Amari Gaines, Kourtney Howard.
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

5 CSR 25-500.132 Admission Policies and Procedures
Not Observed
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
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.192 Health Care
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.202 Nutrition and Food Service
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.212 Transportation and Field Trips
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Records were not available for inspection by the department upon request as evidenced by the files for Amari Gaines, Kourtney Howard were not available for a review.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports (10) states: All records shall be available in the facility for inspection by the department upon request.
Correction Required
Records shall be available at the facility for inspection.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Criminal background check results were not on file for Amari Gaines, Kourtney Howard.
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
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 — report made to another state, when. —
Not Observed
RSMo 210.211.  License required - exceptions - written notice of licensure status, when.
Not Observed