DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

SOUTHSIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

000174467

(314) 865-0322

2101 S JEFFERSON AVE
ST LOUIS
MO  63104-2209

SOUTHSIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER



 

CASPARI, CARLEE SASHA

lhawkins@southside-ecc.org

Incorporated

ELIZABETH TILLINGER

6 WEEKS - 5 YEARS

145

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

16 CHILDREN UNDER 12 MONTHS; 48 CHILDREN UNDER 24 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

02/26/2026

10:00 AM

12:43 PM

UNANNOUNCED

REINSPECTION

2508903538


DocumentDocument-Date
STAFF SHEET 04/03/2018
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION 12/02/1976
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 07/17/1978
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 05/16/2014
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 05/16/2014
POLICIES 05/16/2014
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 06/17/2014
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 06/16/2014
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 01/26/2009
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 05/16/2014
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 07/15/2015
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 04/03/2018
APPLICATION 03/20/2018
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 09/11/2013
DAILY SCHEDULE 11/13/2018
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 08/28/2018
SANITATION INSPECTION 04/13/2025
EQUIPMENT LIST 06/03/2025
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 02/26/2026
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 06/12/2025
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 06/12/2025
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 02/26/2026
ANNUAL DECLARATION 06/03/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 06/03/2025




Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: NA
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 29
Total Children 108
StaffChildClass AgeNote
2 6 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Tennille King and Teaira Terry, teacher present with six children age 4-months-old to 11-months-old
3 7 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Candace Gaddie, Sherlyn Gonzalez, and Asiba Hughs, teachers, present with seven children age 3-month-old to 11-months-old
2 7 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Leela Chariyamane and Jasmine Johnson, teachers, present with seven children age 12-months-old to 23-months-old
2 6 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Demisha Glover and Rebecca Johnson, teachers, present with six children 16-months-old to 21-months-old
2 7 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Allie Lawson and Sara Ratcliff, teachers, present with seven children age 14-months-old to 22-months-old
1 4 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Tracy Wishom, teacher present with four children age 14-months-old to 22-months-old
2 6 MIXED Timilya Norman and Nicole Wishom, teachers, present with six children age 2-year-old to 3-year-old
1 4 MIXED Shakeitha Westley, teacher present with four children age 2-year-old to 3-year-old including three children age 2-years-old
2 6 MIXED Loretha Jennigh and Nancy Zundel, teacher present with sic children age 2-years-old to 3-years-old including one 2-year-old
2 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Carlee Caspari, director, Stacey Isiam, office coordinator, and Franklin Petty, cook, present with no children
2 18 PRESCHOOL Orha Burns and Eunique RIce, teachers present with eighteen children ages 3-years-old to 5-years-old
2 18 PRESCHOOL Vernice Payne and Monica WitherfortPratt, teachers present with eighteen children age 3-years-old to 5-years-old
1 4 TWO YEAR OLDS Zalexia Johnson teacher, present with four children age 2-years-old
2 8 TWO YEAR OLDS Dawn Smith and Damyahha Sanders, teachers, present with eight children age 2-years-old
3 7 TWO YEAR OLDS Rudy Zapf, Kelsey Durham, teachers and Marissa Hylton, first steps therapist, present with seven children age 2-year-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
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Children were not restricted to approved space as evidenced by the laundry room doors were unlocked and children have access to get inide.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (C) states: Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care.
Correction Required
Caregivers shall restrict children to approved space.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date
2/26/2026
Violation
The walls located the Shining Stars room was/were not finished with material which can be cleaned easily as evidenced by peeling paint and drywall showing on the left side of the door..
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
2/23/2026
Violation
The walls located in the Koala's room was/were not in good condition as evidenced by damaged drywall and peeling paint in the back left corner.
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
2/23/2026
5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.090 Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Furniture/equipment, brown couch, in the koalas room in the back left corner was not in good condition as evidenced by the couch had tears and rips in it and thin places in the leather which you could see and touch the stuffing in the couch.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (1) (A) 1. states: All furniture and 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
The facility shall provide safe and clean furniture/equipment as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
2/23/2026
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The director was not approved as evidenced by they do not have a current director. The director left in October 2025 and a new director has been hired to start in January 2026.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (2) (A) 1. . states: An approved certificated group child care home provider or center director shall be an adult who is responsible for planning, monitoring, and managing the facility’s daily program.
Correction Required
The director or group home provider shall be an approved, certificated adult who is responsible for the daily program.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
2/5/2026
5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Staff/child ratio requirements were not met as evidenced by 5 children , ages 5 months through 12 months, were cared for by one adult caregiver(s).
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios (1) (A) states: The staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the below chart unless it meets an exception in subparagraphs (1)(B)-(G) below: Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds shall have one caregiver for every four children with no more than eight children per group; Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 5 years or older shall have one caregiver for every 16 children with no more than 32 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of no more than four children age 2 years, and at least one child older than 3 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of more than four children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group.
Correction Required
Staff/child ratios and group sizes shall be maintained at all times.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date
2/26/2026
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports
Not Observed
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
Not Observed
5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements
Not Observed
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