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On May 29, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging "They have children in areas they aren't supposed to, like the gym and other areas that are not approved. This daycare has too many kids. They surely have more than the allowed amount of children. There aren't enough teachers for the amount of kids. After school is when this is at the worst, as well as summer months." Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence and rule violations:
RSMo 252.1. which states "All buildings and premises used by a child-care facility to care for more than six children except those exempted from the licensing provisions of the department of health and senior services pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (15) of subsection 1 of section 210.211, shall be inspected annually for fire and safety by the state fire marshal, the marshal's designee or officials of a local fire district and for health and sanitation by the department of health and senior services or officials of the local health department. Evidence of compliance with the inspections required by this section shall be kept on file and available to parents of children enrolling in the child-care facility."
AND
RSMo 210.254.2. which states "The notice of parental responsibility shall include the following:" (3) "The staff/child ratios for enrolled children under two years of age, for children ages two to four and for those five years of age and older as required by the department of health and senior services regulations in licensed facilities, the standard ratio of staff to number of children for each age level maintained in the exempt facility, and the total number of children to be enrolled by the facility;"
On June 10, 2025, CI Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection and walkthrough at the facility. CI Mertz interviewed Director Glenda Brattin and Caregiver Grace Yocum. Glenda indicated they do sometimes provide care for more than their capacity of 49. When public school is not in session and the school-age children are here, they have more than 49. Grace indicated when school-age children are present, there are probably more than 49 children. CI Mertz observed that the Child Care Regulation Information System (CCRIS) showed this program is approved for 49 children. CI Mertz observed an observation/discussion form dated May 21, 2025. Attendance totals indicate there were 55 children present. The document is signed by Director Glenda Brattin. CI Mertz observed the facility Notice of Parental Responsibility to indicate the total number of children enrolled is 75.
AND
5 CSR 25-300.090 (1)(A) which states "Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care."
On June 10, 2025, CI Caylin Mertz conducted interviewed Director Glenda Brattin and Caregiver Tessa Rayburn. Glenda and Tessa indicated children do utilize the gymnasium. Glenda is aware that area is not approved for child care. Glenda indicated she usually sends the school-age children to the gymnasium and since it is not child care space, she was not counting them towards her overall capacity.
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