DHSS MO
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD

GROUP HOME AND CENTER INSPECTION REPORT
Facility Information

SMALL WONDERS CHILDCARE CENTER JOURNEYS, LLC

003121160

(636) 937-8902

1549 W MAIN ST
FESTUS
MO  63028-2056

SMALL WONDERS CHILDCARE CENTER JOURNEYS, LLC



 

DEMARCO, BRITTANY

leslie@yoursmallwonders.com


BRITTANY HECHT

BIRTH - 12 YEARS

86

GROUP HOME AND CENTER

12 CHILDREN IN THE INFANT/TODDLER UNIT
 
Inspection Information

06/26/2026

11:50 AM

1:05 PM

UNANNOUNCED

COMPLIANCE MONITORING

2516176656


DocumentDocument-Date
DISCIPLINE POLICIES 06/30/2025
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLAN 12/01/2025
DIRECTOR'S QUALIFICATIONS 12/01/2025
DIAGRAM/OUTDOOR 12/01/2025
DIAGRAM/INDOOR 12/01/2025
DAILY SCHEDULE 12/01/2025
CHILD CARE PRACTICES 06/30/2025
CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING 07/01/2025
APPLICATION 12/01/2025
SANITATION INSPECTION 11/05/2025
SAMPLE WEEKLY MENU 12/01/2025
SAFE SLEEP POLICY 12/01/2025
POLICIES 06/30/2025
LOCAL ZONING APPROVAL 12/01/2025
LOCAL BUILDING APPROVAL 12/01/2025
LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT 12/01/2025
LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION 07/01/2025
LISTING OF CHILD CARE STAFF/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS 12/01/2025
LINES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY 12/01/2025
LICENSING ORIENTATION 12/01/2022
FIRE/SAFETY INSPECTION 10/22/2025
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 12/16/2025
EQUIPMENT LIST 12/04/2025




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 9
Total Children 26
StaffChildClass AgeNote
2 5 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Ana Montalvo & Skyler Hunt, Caregivers 5 - 6-17 Month Olds
1 4 INFANTS AND TODDLERS Rheanne Kuchera, Caregiver 4 - 17-22 Month Olds
2 9 MIXED Jenny Reinken & Catlin Seymour, Caregivers 4 - 2 Year Olds 5 - 3 & 4 Year Olds
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Gavin Killian, Junior Aide/Cook
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Brittany DeMarco, Director
1 0 NO CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE Olivia Kimbrel, Caregiver
1 8 PRESCHOOL Kaitlyn Weedman, Caregiver 8 - 3 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 facility did not have a fenced outdoor play area that was on or adjoining the day care property and was accessible without hazard as evidenced by the fence had openings that were between 3.5 and 9 inches and allow entrapment - the openings measured 4 to 5 inches along the bottom run of fence that divides the Big & Small Playgrounds, specifically the bottom right corner to the left of the gate.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 1. states: A fenced outdoor play area shall be available on or adjoining the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. For facilities initially licensed after the effective date of these rules or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. An outdoor play area used exclusively for school-age children shall not be required to have a fence. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped.
Correction Required
The outdoor play area shall be accessible without hazard.

Correction Verification
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
6/26/2026
Violation
Children were not restricted to approved space as evidenced by the door to the Furnace Closet in the Orange Room was not locked/latched.
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
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
6/26/2026
Violation
The premises were not safe and suitable as evidenced by the cords for the phone & Echo Dot were not secured to the wall in the Red 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
Corrected on Site

Compliance Date
6/26/2026
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
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
The provider failed to maintain accurate records to meet administrative requirements as evidenced by there was no file available for 1 child with an admission date of 1/5/2026.
Licensing Rule Reference
5 CSR 25-500.222 Records and Reports (1) states: The child care provider shall maintain accurate records to meet administrative requirements and to ensure knowledge of the individual needs of children and their families.
Correction Required
Accurate records shall be maintained.

Correction Verification
Submit Documentation

Compliance Date
6/26/2026
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