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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
11/6/2023 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
EDDINS, COLE
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(B)2.B.(III) If a unit for infants and toddlers is auxiliary to a facility for older children, centers initially licensed for infant/toddler care after the effective date of these rules or facilities adding new infant/toddler space, shall have play, sleeping and bathroom space in the infant and toddler unit. This space shall be separated from the space used for older children by floor-to-ceiling walls;
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins and Compliance Inspector Supervisor (CIS) Romena Fox completed an unannounced inspection regarding the allegation that on October 31, 2023, the reporter, former Caregiver Sheyla Corcoran, had moved two infant/toddlers into the preschool room with a teacher who only had two or three preschool children while she prepared the infant/toddler room. Director Blachford arrived with her husband at 7:00 a.m. and told her to ger the kids and put them in the infant/toddler room. After conducting the investigation, CI Eddins and CIS Fox finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(B)2.B.(III) Which states, "If a unit for infants and toddlers is auxiliary to a facility for older children, centers initially licensed for infant/toddler care after the effective date of these rules or facilities adding new infant/toddler space, shall have play, sleeping and bathroom space in the infant and toddler unit. This space shall be separated from the space used for older children by floor-to-ceiling walls." On, November 14, 2023, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins and Compliance Inspector Supervisor (CIS) Romena Fox conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Caregiver Katelyn Beactie, Caregiver Natalia Hernandez, Caregiver Danielle Salazar, and Director Blachford. Director Blachford who stated that the heater unit was working just fine, and that Caregiver Corcoran did not need to move the two infants into the preschooler's room to begin with. Director Blachford instructed Caregiver Corcoran to take the infants into the other infant room, which was unused, ready, and available from the very beginning of the day. She stated that Caregiver Corcoran did not follow her instructions, broke state rules, and put the infants out of ratio by mixing the two infant children with two other preschool children in a different preschool room while not checking to see if the heater was actually working from the start. She stated that Caregiver Corcoran moved the infants into the preschooler's room the moment she realized it was too cold. Director Blachford observed the infants and Toddlers being mixed together with the preschool children for around 30 minutes to one full hour. On, November 14, 2023, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins and Compliance Inspector Supervisor (CIS) observed all classrooms to be clean and within ratio. CI Eddins observed the clean spare infant/toddler room to be readily available if needed. CI Eddins and CIS Fox did not observe any ratio issues at the facility.
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 12/22/2023 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
11/30/2023 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA