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On April 9, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging there is a significant mold problem in the children's bathroom. Reporter has personally witnessed black mold and mushrooms growing in this area. This issue has been present for several months, and multiple employees have brought it to the attention of the director; however, no action has been taken to address or remediate the problem. Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an unannounced investigation and found the allegations to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.082(3)(A)7. which states, "Bathrooms shall be clean and odor free."
On April 17, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer interviewed Managing Member Melanie Shoudt, Teacher Cassidy Cox, Teacher Samantha Banker, Cook Sierra Buchannan, and Parent A. Melanie stated there have been issues with mold in the facility. A staff member first alerted her to mold and mushrooms in the bathroom area used by the preschool children. She believes the mold may have come from water issues or the bathroom not getting cleaned well in the corners. Cassidy stated she has seen mushrooms growing in the preschool bathroom doorway and near the diaper pail. This was about a month-and-a-half ago.
Parent A stated she has seen mold and mushrooms in the preschool bathroom. It was near the door and the diaper pail. This was about a month ago. It was there for a few days before it was cleaned up. There is supposed to be an outside cleaning company who does the floor. She does not think they are doing a good job.
On April 17, 2025, CI Greer observed two pictures sent by Cassidy. CI Greer observed a white discoloration on a wall and floor in the first blurry picture. CI Greer observed mushrooms growing in the bottom corner of a room in the second picture.
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5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)9. which states, "The facility shall be clean at all times and free of dirt, insects, spiders, rodents or other pests."
On April 17, 2025, CI Greer conducted an unannounced walkthrough of the facility and observed there was what appeared to be mold that was black in the laundry room inside the doorway to the left of the door.
On April 17, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer interviewed Managing Member Melanie Shoudt, Teacher Cassidy Cox, Teacher Samantha Banker, Cook Sierra Buchannan, and Parent A. Melanie stated a staff member alerted her to mold in the laundry room, approximately three days ago. It is on the wall next to the door. She thinks the mold may have come from water that entered the building approximately 1.5 months ago. Cassidy stated she noticed mold in the laundry room near the door about a week ago. The mold is still there. When the dryer is running, the laundry room is very moist and the walls will be dripping with moisture. Samantha stated she has seen mold in the laundry room. She noticed it about two months ago and told Sierra about it. Sierra stated there are mold concerns in the laundry room. It has been at least a week or more that it has been there.
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