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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
10/15/2024 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002681487
Facility Name
MOMO'S SUNSHINE AND GRACE, L.L.C.
Facility Address
23815 HIGHWAY 24
City
PARIS
Zip Code
65275-2276
Phone
(660) 327-5437
County
MONROE
Assigned Specialist
HONEA, MICHELLE J
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(C) Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care.
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A) The staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the below chart unless it meets an exception in subparagraphs (1)(B)-(G) below: Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds shall have one caregiver for every four children with no more than eight children per group; Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 5 years or older shall have one caregiver for every 16 children with no more than 32 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of no more than four children age 2 years, and at least one child older than 3 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of more than four children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises.
5 CSR 25-500.132(6) A child who has a special physical, developmental, or behavioral need shall have on file an individualized plan for specialized care from a professionally qualified source.
5 CSR 25-500.192(3)(B) All medication shall be given to a child only with the dated, written permission of the parent(s) stating the length of time medication may be given.
5 CSR 25-500.192(3)(I) The date and time(s) of administration, the name of the individual giving the medication and the quantity of any medication given shall be recorded promptly after administration. This information shall be filed in the child's record after the medication is no longer necessary.
5 CSR 25-500.122(2)(A) 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.
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(E) Caregivers shall have knowledge of the needs of children and shall be sensitive to the capabilities, interests, and problems of children in care.
5 CSR 25-600.020 (1) 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.
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
On October 15, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: Staff take a one-year-old into the room with the older children. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence: 5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(C) ., which states: "Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care." On October 16, 2024, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with Parent A (parent of Child A and Child B and caregiver at the facility) who stated that Child B (2-year-old) was taken to the main room with the older children at different times of the day before Child B turned 2-years-old. This does not happen all day but in the evenings before pickup so the infant/toddler room can be cleaned. On October 29, 2024, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed person in charge Mandy Farrell, teachers Jess Fountain, Kaitlin Hopson, and Whitney Long. Mandy stated in the afternoons when the teachers need to leave, to pick up their own children, the infant / toddlers will be taken to the 2-year-old room so the room can be cleaned and closed for the day. Jess stated teachers will take infant / toddlers to the 2-year-old room in the evenings to close out the room and then the 2-year-olds will be sent outside. Then the 2-year-olds will be mixed with the older school age children. Kaitlin stated that the end of the day all infants and toddlers are taken to the front for pickup. Whitney stated she has worked there for over a year. She is the main teacher in the 2-year-old room and will sometimes work in the infant / toddler room. Child B has been taken to the 2-year-old before Child B was 2-years-old because of ratios or due to the infant/toddler classroom being closed at the end of the day.
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 1/22/2025 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
1/6/2025 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L