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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Facility Information
Date of Report
9/25/2023 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002844631
Facility Name
THE LEARNING TREE PRESCHOOL LLC
Facility Address
3501 GENE FIELD RD
City
ST JOSEPH
Zip Code
64506-1804
Phone
(816) 689-0118
County
BUCHANAN
Assigned Specialist
IBBOTSON, JESSICA
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.132(13) Parents shall have access to the facility at any time during child care hours.
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that the facility kept Child A from Parent A by not allowing him access to the facility. After conducting the investigation, CI Ibbotson finds this allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-500.132(13) which states: "Parents shall have access to the facility at any time during child care hours." On October 2, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Simpson, Assistant Director Anglin, Caregiver Simpson and Caregiver Aylsworth. Director Simpson stated that she attempted to place a trespassing restraint on Parent A through the local police department after an incident on July 13, 2023, but did not receive any documentation. She stated that moving forward, Parent A was no longer allowed access on premises and it created a mutual agreement between the facility and Parent A that he must call when he arrived and a staff member would take Child A out to him. Assistant Director Anglin, Caregiver Simpson and Caregiver Aylsworth all stated that they followed this procedure by not allowing Parent A on premises and a staff member would walk with Child A outside to him on his days for pickup. All staff stated this was prior to September 29, 2023, when Director Simpson received court ordered documentation from Parent B stating that Parent A was not allowed on premises to pick up Child A. CI Ibbotson reviewed Child A's file and did not observe any documentation stating that Parent A was not allowed to be on premises during the timeframe of July 13, 2023. A temporary restraining order was filed by Parent B against Parent A, which was provided to the facility on September 29, 2023.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all staff members of the violations which were substantiated, and specify the actions to be taken by all staff in order to comply with all violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or staff meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 1/15/2024 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
12/20/2023 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA