MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT

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Facility Information

Facility Name
THE NURTURING PLACE

Facility DVN
002863692

Phone
(417) 833-0121

Physical Address
3039 N NATIONAL AVE
SPRINGFIELD
MO 65803-4422

Owner
TULACH MANAGEMENT SVCS LLC

Mailing Address

Provider/Director
EPPS, MERCEDES LACOSTA

E-mail Address
delaceymiller@gmail.com

Incorporated

Child Care Specialist
MARI LOCKWOOD

Age Range
BIRTH - 13 YEARS

Capacity
84

Facility Type
GROUP HOME AND CENTER

Limitations

Inspection Information

Date
12/29/2025

Arrival Time
12:00 PM

Departure Time
2:12 PM

Notice
UNANNOUNCED

Inspection Type
COMPLIANCE MONITORING

Inspection ID
2505906491

Document	Document-Date
SANITATION INSPECTION	08/25/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION	11/18/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS	12/29/2025
EQUIPMENT LIST	12/29/2025
ANNUAL DECLARATION	11/05/2025
DISCIPLINE POLICIES	12/08/2020
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES	12/08/2020
DIAGRAM/INDOOR	12/08/2020
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR	12/08/2020
CHILD CARE PRACTICES	12/08/2020
DAILY SCHEDULE	12/08/2020
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU	12/08/2020
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN	12/08/2020
SAFE SLEEP POLICY	12/08/2020
LICENSING ORIENTATION	12/09/2020
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY	12/08/2020
REGISTERING FICTITIOUS NAMES	12/02/2020
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION	12/21/2020
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT	12/21/2020
POLICIES	12/08/2020
SAMPLE FORMS	12/08/2020
LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION	12/02/2020
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL	12/21/2020
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS	12/21/2020
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL	12/15/2021
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING	12/11/2023

Overlap Start Time	Overlap End Time	Overlap Submit Date
3:00PM	5:00PM	9/1/2021

Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.

Open Violations: 2

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 14

Total Children 52

Staff	Child	Class Age	Note
1	4	INFANTS AND TODDLERS	Katelyn Benedict in ratio with 4 children ages 7 months old to 1 year old.
2	6	INFANTS AND TODDLERS	Mikayla Doyle and Briana Gross in ratio with 8 children all age 1 year old.
4	0	NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE	Diana Szczechowski, DeLacey Miller, Tammy Stafford, and Whitney Rauch not in ratio but within the childcare facility.
3	13	PRESCHOOL	Carly Ferguson, Leah Coe, and Harley Coe in ratio with 13 children ages 3 years to 4 years old.
1	9	PRESCHOOL	Saylor Cowles in ratio with 9 children all age 4 years old.
2	8	PRESCHOOL	Kendra Schultz and Mackenzie Weeks in ratio with 8 children ages 2 years to 3 years old.
1	12	SCHOOL AGE	Becca Robinson in ratio with 12 children ages 5 years to 11 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

Compliance

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

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 Records were not available for inspection by the department upon request as evidenced by a copy of the Director Approval Request was not on file at the time of this inspection. 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 older than five (5) years for Anthony Miller and proof for a request on an updated eligibly letter was not on file at the time of this inspection. 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