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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
11/12/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
000454575
Facility Name
LA PETITE ACADEMY, INC.
Facility Address
3607 RICHARDSON SQUARE DR
City
ARNOLD
Zip Code
63010-6003
Phone
(636) 464-8111
County
JEFFERSON
Assigned Specialist
GRAHAM, JESSICA
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.
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that on November 10, 2025, Child A (age 22-months-old) was transferred to the two-year-old room for the afternoon and sometimes toddler children are taken to the two's room for the entire day to maintain correct ratios. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violation. 5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(C)., which states: " Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care." On November 19, 2025, director Jean White stated that she was not aware that toddlers could not visit a 2-year-old classroom to make transitions easier. She was not aware of Child A (age 22-months-old) being moved into a two-year-old classroom. Abby Elkins, caregiver, said that she would make sure that all caregivers and central office was made aware of this information. On November 20, 2025, Parent A (parent of Child A and caregiver at the facility) said that Child A was moved into a 2-year-old classroom one evening to make ratios correct. She knew that this was not allowed per rules. The tracking of children being moved to classrooms shows on the app that the center uses. CI Graham observed a screenshot from Parent A from November 10, 2025, showing that Child A was moved into a 2-year-old classroom at 4:24 p.m. until 5:04 p.m. when he was moved to the Infant 1 classroom.
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 4/8/2026 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
1/9/2026 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L