View Investigation

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Back

Facility Information
Date of Report
11/12/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002138314
Facility Name
THE GODDARD SCHOOL
Facility Address
1108 SULPHUR SPRING RD
City
MANCHESTER
Zip Code
63021-3707
Phone
(636) 686-7277
County
ST LOUIS
Assigned Specialist
OMALLEY, PATRICK
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(C)1. A Junior Aide--
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(C)1.C. Shall not count towards infant/toddler staffing ratios;
5 CSR 25-500.112(1) Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times.
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A) The staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the below chart unless it meets an exception in subparagraphs (1)(B)-(G) below: Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds shall have one caregiver for every four children with no more than eight children per group; Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 5 years or older shall have one caregiver for every 16 children with no more than 32 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of no more than four children age 2 years, and at least one child older than 3 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of more than four children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3. Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions.
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.
Conclusion Summary
On November 12, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that junior aide Hailey Clubb, aged 17-years-old, was being placed in the infant/toddler unit at the Goddard School to count in ratios. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence: 5 CSR 25-500.112(1), which states: "Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times." AND 5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A), which states: "The staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the below chart unless it meets an exception in subparagraphs (1)(B)-(G) below: Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds shall have one caregiver for every four children with no more than eight children per group; Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 5 years or older shall have one caregiver for every 16 children with no more than 32 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of no more than four children age 2 years, and at least one child older than 3 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of more than four children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group." AND 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(C)1., which states: "A Junior Aide--" AND 5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(C)1.C., which states "Shall not count towards infant/toddler staffing ratios;" On November 13, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and conducted interviews with staff Hailey Clubb, Zoe Burmann, and Parent A (parent of Child A and a staff member). Staff Hailey Clubb stated that she was hired at the facility in August 2025. Hailey turned 18-years-old on November 12, 2025. Hailey covered lunch and restroom breaks for staff in multiple classrooms, including the infant/toddler classrooms. Hailey covered breaks for staff in each of the six infant/toddler classrooms at least once before she turned 18-years-old. On each occasion, she was one of two staff in the classroom. Hailey affirmed that she had been trained on safe sleep practices. Staff Zoe Burmann and Parent A both stated that the facility's administration was aware that junior aides could not work permanently in the infant/toddler classrooms. The administration was unaware that junior aides could not cover short breaks in infant/toddler classrooms. The administration was unaware that junior aids could never be considered for ratios in infant/toddler classrooms.
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 1/14/2026 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
1/9/2026 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L