DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

THE EXPLORATION STATION HIGH RIDGE LODGE

002471025

(636) 253-8040

3100 HIGH RIDGE BLVD
HIGH RIDGE
MO  63049-2217

THE EXPLORATION STATION



 


explorationstation15@gmail.com

Incorporated

BRITTANY HECHT

6 WEEKS - 12 YEARS

39

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

16 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT
 
Inspection Information

02/10/2026

10:18 AM

11:36 AM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2508674578


DocumentDocument-Date
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 03/24/2025
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 03/24/2025
REGISTERING FICTITIOUS NAMES 04/29/2025
POLICIES 07/29/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 04/29/2025
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 03/24/2025
LICENSING ORIENTATION 05/31/2022
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 03/24/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 07/24/2025
EQUIPMENT LIST 05/12/2025
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 03/24/2025
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 03/24/2025
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 04/29/2025
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 07/29/2025
DAILY SCHEDULE 05/06/2025
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 03/24/2025
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION 07/29/2025
APPLICATION 07/29/2025
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 04/29/2025
SANITATION INSPECTION 08/19/2025
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 07/29/2025
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 07/29/2025
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 02/05/2021




Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 6
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 9
Total Children 34
StaffChildClass AgeNote
2 6 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Jessica Prater & Erin Tynes, Caregivers 6 - 8-18 Month Olds
2 8 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Grace Wiggins & Natalie Ledbetter, Caregivers 4 - 17-22 Month Olds 4 - 2 Year Olds
1 6 MIXED Lindsi Fassel, Caregivers 3 - 2 Year Olds 3 - 3 Year Olds
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Melinda Lorentz, Director
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Paige Thomas, Cook
2 14 PRESCHOOL Sophia Fusco & Tasha Bowman, Caregivers 14 - 3-5 Year Olds

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 was not secured to the wall or shelf in the Andes Room.
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
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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 no resilient material was present.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 5. states: The fall-zone area under and around outdoor equipment where children might fall and be injured shall be covered with impact absorbing materials which will effectively cushion the fall of a child. This material may include sand, pea gravel, tanbark, shredded tires, wood chips, rubber matting or other approved resilient material.
Correction Required
The facility shall maintain approved resilient material in all fall-zone areas.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The observed surface area under the Climber, specifically the primary colored climber on the I/T Playground, from which a child might fall consists of grass.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 8. states: Concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil is not an acceptable surface under outdoor equipment from which children might fall and be injured.
Correction Required
The facility shall not use concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil under equipment from which a child might fall.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The observed surface area under the Climber, specifically the pastel colored climber on the I/T Playground, from which a child might fall consists of grass.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 8. states: Concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil is not an acceptable surface under outdoor equipment from which children might fall and be injured.
Correction Required
The facility shall not use concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil under equipment from which a child might fall.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The observed surface area under the Slide, on the I/T Playground, from which a child might fall consists of grass.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 8. states: Concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil is not an acceptable surface under outdoor equipment from which children might fall and be injured.
Correction Required
The facility shall not use concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil under equipment from which a child might fall.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
The observed surface area under the Dome, on the Preschool Playground, from which a child might fall consists of grass.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 8. states: Concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil is not an acceptable surface under outdoor equipment from which children might fall and be injured.
Correction Required
The facility shall not use concrete, asphalt, carpet, grass or bare soil under equipment from which a child might fall.

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
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
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