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

03/17/2026

11:43 AM

1:34 PM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2509870344


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 01/14/2026
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 03/01/2026
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 12/16/2024
ANNUAL DECLARATION 03/17/2026
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 03/01/2026




Inspection determined facility to be in compliance with licensing rules.
Compliance Licensing Rules
Open Violations: 7
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 8
Total Children 35
StaffChildClass AgeNote
2 5 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Cedric Scott, teacher, and Jarri Robinson, teacher, were present with five children aged 7-months-old to 23-months-old
3 16 MIXED Malaya Maze, teacher, Jewell Allison, teacher, and Brittney Parker, teacher, were present with 16 children, three children aged 2-years-old, 13 children aged 3-years-old to 5-years-old
2 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Michelle Richard, teacher, and Theresa Watt, director, were present with no children in attendance
1 14 SCHOOL AGE Chiquita Willis, teacher, was present with 14 children aged 6-years-old to 12-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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The annual fire safety inspection was not approved.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements (2) (A) states: Evidence of compliance with a fire and safety inspection as conducted by the State Fire Marshal or his/her designee.
Correction Required
The facility shall submit evidence of compliance with annual fire safety requirements.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

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
1/14/2026
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
Return Inspection

Compliance Date
3/17/2026
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
Return Inspection

Compliance Date
3/17/2026
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
10/9/2025
5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Requirements of 19 CSR 30-62.087 Fire Safety were not met as evidenced by the disaster and tornado drill record was not available on the premises.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety (2) (F) states: Child care staff shall conduct at least one (1) fire drill each month and a disaster drill at least every three (3) months. The disaster drills shall include tornado drills. The provider shall maintain a written record at the facility of the date, type of drill, time required to evacuate the building, and number of children present during the drill.
Correction Required
Fire, tornado, and other disaster drills shall be completed and recorded as required.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date

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
Return Inspection

Compliance Date
3/17/2026
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
12/19/2025
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
12/19/2025
Violation
A caregiver did not obtain a Missouri Professional Development Identification (MOPD ID) number. The staff listed need a MOPD ID: Jarri Robinson.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (3) (F) 1. states: Caregivers shall obtain a Missouri Professional Development Identification (MOPD ID) number from the department.
Correction Required
All caregivers shall obtain a MOPD ID.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date

Violation
Safe sleep training was not completed within the past 3 years for the following staff Amari Gaines (rec'd 10/09/26), added two staff members 03/17/26: Michelle Richard, Chiquita Willis.
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
Jewel Allison, Makaya Mayze, Brittney Parker, Jarri Robinson did not complete safe sleep training within 30 days of employment or volunteering at the facility.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (4) (A) 3. states: The child care provider, group child care home provider, child care staff members, and volunteers shall complete safe sleep training described in subsection (4)(A) of this rule within thirty (30) days of employment or volunteering at the facility.
Correction Required
The department-approved safe sleep training must be completed within 30 days of employment or volunteering.

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 (rec'd 10/09/25), Kourtney Howard (rec'd 12/19/25) 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
12/19/2025
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 (rec'd 10/09/25), Kourtney Howard (rec'd 12/19/25).
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
12/19/2025
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
Enrollment, medical and attendance records were removed from the facility during hours the facility is open and operating.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports (7) states: All enrollment records, medical examination records and attendance records shall be filed in a place known to caregivers and shall be accessible at all times. Records shall not be in a locked area or removed from the facility during the hours the facility is open and operating.
Correction Required
All required records shall be kept on file at the facility and accessible at all times.

Correction Verification
Return Inspection

Compliance Date

Violation
Records were not available for inspection by the department upon request as evidenced by the files for Amari Gaines (rec'd 10/09/25), Kourtney Howard (rec'd 12/19/25) were not available for a review. During the annual inspection no staff files and no children's files were available for a review. Per director the files were removed from the premises to be transferred to the electronic system.
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
Return Inspection

Compliance Date

5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Criminal background check results were not on file for Amari Gaines (rec'd 10/09/25), Kourtney Howard (rec'd 12/19/25).
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
12/19/2025
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. —
Not Observed
RSMo 210.211.  License required - exceptions - written notice of licensure status, when.
Compliance