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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
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Facility Information
Date of Report
9/5/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002350343
Facility Name
WISE LITTLE OWLS PRESCHOOL & CHILD CARE CENTER, LLC
Facility Address
401 W WASHINGTON
City
CUBA
Zip Code
65453
Phone
(573) 259-3110
County
CRAWFORD
Assigned Specialist
HONEA, MICHELLE J
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)2. Center directors and group child care home providers routinely shall be on duty during the hours of highest attendance a minimum of forty (40) hours per week. If the facility operates less than forty (40) hours per week, the center director or group child care home provider shall be on duty at least fifty percent (50%) of the operating hours.
5 CSR 25-500.222(6) Daily staff and volunteer attendance records shall be maintained and kept on file a minimum of one (1) year.
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)9. The facility shall be clean at all times and free of dirt, insects, spiders, rodents or other pests.
5 CSR 25-500.082(5)(D) Kitchens shall be maintained in compliance with state or local rules, or both, governing food service sanitation.
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(I) All flammable liquids, matches, cleaning supplies, poisonous materials, medicines, alcoholic beverages, hazardous personal care items or other hazardous items shall be inaccessible to children.
Conclusion Summary
On September 5, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: The directors are only there Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence: 5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)2., which states: "Center directors and group childcare home providers routinely shall be on duty during the hours of highest attendance a minimum of forty (40) hours per week. If the facility operates less than forty (40) hours per week, the center director or group childcare home provider shall be on duty at least fifty percent (50%) of the operating hours." AND 5 CSR 25-500.222(6)., which states: "Daily staff and volunteer attendance records shall be maintained and kept on file a minimum of one (1) year." On September 9, 2025, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed there were only teachers with the children on premises and there was no director present. CI Honea observed that the teachers did not have access to the director's attendance records. On September 09, 2025, CI Honea interviewed teachers Alyssa Watkins, Brooke Downing, and junior aide Saige Hanes. Alyssa stated that director Molly Maxwell only comes to the facility two to three times a week, typically Tuesday through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. She did not have access to the directors clock hour attendance records. CI Honea interviewed teacher Brooke Downing, who stated that the director only comes in three days a week for a few hours each time. Saige Hanes stated that she comes in at noon, and director Molly Maxwell is gone by the time she walks in the door. Sometimes Molly will stay long enough to cook lunch. On September 10, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea conducted a re-inspection at the facility and interviewed Director Molly Maxwell who stated that she does not maintain clock hour attendance on herself and she does not work forty hours a week due to personal things and life outside of the facility. *TA was provided about the importance for the licensing rule of the director being at the facility forty hours per week. On September 10, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea observed director Molly Maxwell on premises working on the computer. CI Honea was not able to review Director Molly Maxwell's clock hour attendance due to her not having any documentation of her attendance.
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 10/7/2025 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
10/7/2025 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L