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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
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Facility Information
Date of Report
10/10/2023 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002038511
Facility Name
MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF BLUE SPRINGS, LLC
Facility Address
1505 NW MOCK AVE
City
BLUE SPRINGS
Zip Code
64015-3096
Phone
(816) 224-2525
County
JACKSON
Assigned Specialist
IBBOTSON, JESSICA
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.087(2)(F) 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.
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(A) Child care personnel shall be of good character and intent and shall be qualified to provide care conducive to the welfare of children.
5 CSR 25-500.222(1) 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.
5 CSR 25-500.202(1)(A) The provider shall supply and serve nourishing food according to the Meal and Snack Food Chart provided in this rule.
5 CSR 25-500.122(1)(A) 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.
5 CSR 25-500.122(1)(B) 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.
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(K) 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:
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(N) Child care staff members shall have qualifying background screening results on file as required by 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements.
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that fire and tornado drills were not conducted and Director Terri Blachford would write dates on the log to make it appear as if they were completed. 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 25-500.087(2)(F) which 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." On October 11, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Blachford, Caregiver Salazar, Caregiver Tanis, Caregiver Hart, Child A, Child B and Child C. Child A, Child B and Child C all stated that they did not know what fire and disaster drills were. Child A stated she did not know what to do if there was a fire at school. Child B stated she did not know where to go if there was a fire at school. Caregiver Salazar stated that since she had been employed in August of 2023, the facility had never conducted a fire or disaster drill. Caregiver Hart stated that she had worked at the facility since September of 2023, and had never experienced a fire or disaster drill. Caregiver Tanis stated that disaster drills had never been conducted since she started working in August of 2023. Due to staff/child ratios and break times for all caregivers, Director Blachford was unable to provide the fire and disaster drill log during CI Ibbotson's inspection. On November 30, 2023, CI Ibbotson reviewed a drill log from September to November of 2023. On September 11, 2023, it was documented that a fire and tornado drill occurred. On October 13, 2023, November 11, 2023, and November 30, 2023, it was documented that a fire drill occurred. Even though Director Blachford stated that fire drills were conducted at least once a month and disaster drills every three months, CI Ibbotson could not find any evidence to support this allegation based on the consistency of each staff and child statement. 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(A) which states: "Child care personnel shall be of good character and intent and shall be qualified to provide care conducive to the welfare of children." AND 5 CSR 25-500.222(1) which 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." On October 11, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Blachford who stated that fire drills were conducted every month, sometimes even twice month. She also stated that disaster drills were conducted every three months. She stated that some of the current staff were not employed yet from the last drill that was conducted and that children did not know what drills were because they were kids. She stated that the staff and children were all new at the facility and denied every falsifying dates on the drill logs. CI Ibbotson interviewed Child A, Child B and Child C who all stated that they did not know what fire or disaster drills were. CI Ibbotson also interviewed Caregiver Salazar, Caregiver Tanis and Caregiver Hart. Caregiver Salazar stated she started employment at the facility in August of 2023, but had never conducted a fire or disaster drill. Caregiver Hart stated she started employment at the facility in September of 2023, but had never conducted a fire or disaster drill. CI Ibbotson reviewed Caregiver Hart's staff file and confirmed a start date of September 5, 2023. Caregiver Tanis stated that she had worked at the facility since August of 2023, but had never conducted a disaster drill. CI Ibbotson reviewed Caregiver Tanis' staff file and confirmed a start date of August 15, 2023. On November 30, 2023, CI Ibbotson reviewed a drill log from September to November of 2023. On September 11, 2023, it was documented that a fire and tornado drill occurred.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility is placed on close supervision and will receive additional inspections to monitor compliance with the areas of concern. Y 6/30/2024 12:00:00 AM
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 3/29/2024 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
12/20/2023 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA