DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

CHILDREN ARE UNIQUE ACADEMY, LLC

002672657

(314) 687-5964

3701 COOK AVE
ST LOUIS
MO  63113-3803

CHILDREN ARE UNIQUE ACADEMY, LLC



 

SMOOTE, ANNETTE

asmoote11@yahoo.com


ADDISON P BAKER

6 WEEKS - 12 YEARS

54

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

24 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT; 11 CHILDREN UNDER 12 MONTHS
 
Inspection Information

04/15/2026

N/A

N/A

N/A

COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION

2511629553


DocumentDocument-Date
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION 02/14/2018
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 03/15/2018
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 10/31/2017
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 02/14/2018
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 02/14/2018
DAILY SCHEDULE 02/14/2018
SAMPLE FORMS 03/01/2018
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 03/26/2018
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 03/26/2018
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 03/15/2018
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT 03/15/2018
POLICIES 03/13/2018
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 12/06/2017
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 12/06/2017
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 03/21/2018
APPLICATION 02/10/2021
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 01/21/2025
EQUIPMENT LIST 01/29/2026
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 03/05/2026
ANNUAL DECLARATION 01/29/2026
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 01/29/2026
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 03/05/2026
SANITATION INSPECTION 12/12/2025




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.

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
3/23/2026
Violation
The Family Care Safety Registry check was not conducted for Keisha Hill within thirty (30) days prior to the anniversary date.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements (2) (C) states: The child care provider shall conduct a Family Care Safety Registry check for all child care staff members within thirty (30) days prior to the anniversary date as printed on the license.
Correction Required
Required Family Care Safety Registry checks shall be conducted for all child care staff member(s) within thirty (30) days prior to the anniversary date.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
3/6/2026
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
The walls located in the preschool classroom by the door and over the vent near the play kitchen was/were not in good condition as evidenced by the baseboards are peeling off the wall exposing peeling and chipping paint.
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
3/30/2026
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 obtaining 12 clock hours each calendar year were not met. For the calendar year of 2025, the staff listed need the following information: Keisha Hill needs 4.5 hours, Gloria Scaife needs 1 hour, and Annette Smoote needs 1 hour.
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
4/15/2026
Violation
Safe sleep training was not completed within the past 3 years for the following staff Gloria Alford and Keisha Hill.
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
3/19/2026
5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios
Compliance
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Requirements for infant-toddler/preschool child medical examination reports on file were not met as evidenced by there was no medical examination report on file within 30 days of admission - the admission date(s) was/were 9/30/25.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.122 Medical Examination Reports (2) (A) states: The provider, within thirty (30) days following the admission of each infant, toddler or preschool child, shall require a medical examination report signed by a licensed physician or registered nurse who is under the supervision of a licensed physician and completed not more than twelve (12) months prior to admission. The provider may use the department’s medical assessment form or the provider may use its own form if it contains all the information on the department’s form. The Child Medical Examination Report (Infant/Toddler/Pre-School)form, revised 2021, is incorporated by reference in this rule, as published by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480 and available by the department at https://dese.mo.gov/childhood/forms. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions.
Correction Required
Child medical requirements shall be completed and on file as required.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
3/6/2026
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
Violation
 Provider Comments
Violation
Criminal background check results were older than five (5) years for Annette Smoote.
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
3/6/2026
Violation
Criminal background check results were not on file for Lela Ford, Keisha Hill, Gloria Scaife, and Tammie Cole.
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
3/27/2026
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