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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
8/13/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
003002959
Facility Name
INSPIRE EARLY EDUCATION LTD.
Facility Address
4621 N SAINT PETERS PKWY
City
ST PETERS
Zip Code
63304-7346
Phone
(636) 447-4454
County
ST CHARLES
Assigned Specialist
GRAHAM, JESSICA
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)2. Expectations for a child's behavior shall be appropriate for the developmental level of that child.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8. No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)9. Punishment or threat of punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training.
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that on August 12, 2025, an unknown staff member restrained Child A during nap time by putting their legs across the child's abdomen. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violation. 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)2. which states: "Expectations for a child's behavior shall be appropriate for the developmental level of that child." AND 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8. which states: "No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity." AND 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)9. which states: "Punishment or threat of punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training." On August 20, 2025, caregivers Sydney Watkins, Brooklyn Lowrie and director Jessica Quick said that they have not noticed anyone putting their legs across the children while they were napping. They will sit by the children and pat their backs to get them to sleep. They all said that Child A is not a good napper. Kylie Watkins, caregiver, said that she is in the room with Child A, age 17-months-old, and will at times put her leg over Child A's leg to keep her still so she can't move at nap time. Kylie said that she has seen other caregivers putting their legs over children so she thought it was okay for her to do that. On August 25, 2025, CI Graham interviewed Parent A and she stated that this was the first time that she was hearing of this incident happening. She has never provided a weighted blanket for Child A. She does not approve of anyone restraining Child A. Child A naps well at home so she is not sure why anyone would need to restrain her. She will be pulling Child A out of the facility.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all caregivers (paid employees and paid or unpaid volunteers) of the violations which were substantiated and specify the actions to be taken by all caregivers, in order to comply with all violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 12/4/2025 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
10/12/2025 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L