DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

ELITE SCHOLARS ACADEMY LLC

002900409

(636) 397-4000

102 BIRDIE HILLS RD
ST PETERS
MO  63376-1931

ELITE SCHOLARS ACADEMY LLC



 

MCKNIGHT, MELISSA SHAWNSHEY

elitescholarsa@gmail.com


AMY MUSSELMAN

BIRTH - 16 YEARS

72

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

16 CHILDREN UNDER 24 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

12/12/2025

8:57 AM

10:28 AM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2505326585


DocumentDocument-Date
APPLICATION 07/08/2021
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 06/21/2021
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 07/21/2021
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 07/22/2021
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 06/21/2021
LICENSING ORIENTATION 05/21/2021
LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 06/17/2021
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 07/26/2021
POLICIES 06/17/2021
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT 07/21/2021
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 08/12/2021
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 08/19/2021
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 08/12/2021
STAFF SHEET 11/03/2021
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 12/07/2021
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 12/02/2021
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 12/07/2021
DAILY SCHEDULE 12/02/2021
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 11/30/2022
EQUIPMENT LIST 10/29/2025
SANITATION INSPECTION 08/05/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 10/29/2025
ANNUAL DECLARATION 10/29/2025
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 12/12/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 12/12/2025




Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 5
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 4
Total Children 9
StaffChildClass AgeNote
1 3 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Evelyn Watkins, teacher, was in attendance with three children, ages 8-months-old to 12-months-old.
2 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Melissa McKnight, Director, and Norma Brinson, teacher, were in attendance with no children present.
1 6 PRESCHOOL Tamika Keys, teacher, was in attendance with six children, ages 3-years-old to 5-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
The requirements for first aid/CPR were not met as evidenced by there was no documentation on file showing completion of age-appropriate first aid certification for the requested/licensed capacity.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (1) (T) states: The licensee shall have documentation on file at the facility of current certification in age-appropriate first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for a sufficient number of child care staff to ensure that there is one (1) caregiver at the facility for every twenty (20) children in the licensed capacity. At least one (1) caregiver with current certification in age-appropriate first aid and CPR must be on site at all times when children are present. The training shall be certified by a nationally-recognized organization, such as the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or an equivalent certification, include an in-person skills assessment, and be approved by the department.
Correction Required
Required age-appropriate certification in first aid/CPR shall be on file, with at least one caregiver with certification on site.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The requirements for obtaining 12 clock hours each calendar year were not met. For the calendar year of 2024, the staff listed need the following information: Joseph McKnight needs 5.5 clock hours.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (3) (A) states: The center director, group child care home provider, all other caregivers, and those volunteers who are counted in staff/child ratios shall obtain at least twelve (12) clock hours of child-care related training during each calendar year. Clock hour training shall be approved by the department.
Correction Required
Required training hours shall be documented for each caregiver.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Safe sleep training was not completed within the past 3 years for the following staff Melissa McKnight.
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
The requirements for first aid/CPR were not met as evidenced by there was no documentation on file showing completion of age-appropriate CPR certification for the requested/licensed capacity.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (1) (T) states: The licensee shall have documentation on file at the facility of current certification in age-appropriate first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for a sufficient number of child care staff to ensure that there is one (1) caregiver at the facility for every twenty (20) children in the licensed capacity. At least one (1) caregiver with current certification in age-appropriate first aid and CPR must be on site at all times when children are present. The training shall be certified by a nationally-recognized organization, such as the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or an equivalent certification, include an in-person skills assessment, and be approved by the department.
Correction Required
Required age-appropriate certification in first aid/CPR shall be on file, with at least one caregiver with certification on site.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.132 Admission Policies and Procedures
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The facility did not meet requirements for child enrollment and health information as evidenced by 2 children's files did not have authorization for emergency care.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.132 Admission Policies and Procedures (8) (E) 4. states: Instructions for action to be taken if the parent(s) or physician designated by the parent(s) cannot be reached in an emergency and permission for emergency medical care;
Correction Required
Child enrollment information shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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
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
Compliance
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