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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
11/7/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002672371
Facility Name
THE WILD ONES
Facility Address
1503 S JEFFERSON AVE
City
AURORA
Zip Code
65605-2117
Phone
(417) 440-9829
County
LAWRENCE
Assigned Specialist
WEST, CURTIS
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-400.045 (19) All child care provided on the premises of a licensed family child care home shall be in compliance with the licensing rules, the conditions specified on the license, and the conditions of any variances granted to the licensee.
Conclusion Summary
On November 7, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that attendance showed Child A being signed in as early as 5:00 a.m. and as late at 9:30 p.m. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Curtis West finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of a licensing rule violation that occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-400.45 (19), which states "All child care provided on the premises of a licensed family care home shall be in compliance with the licensing rules, the conditions specified on the license, and the conditions of any variances to the licensee." On November 18, 2025, CI Caylin Mertz interviewed Provider Elizabeth Lawson, who stated that she is operating from 5:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. On April 16, 2026, CI West interviewed Provider Elizabeth Hostetter, who stated that she tells parents that they can drop children off as early as 5:30 a.m. She has cared for children as early as 5:30 a.m. in the past. On March 6, 2026, CI West received and reviewed the Missouri Daily Detailed Attendance Provider-Approved/Complete with a run date of March 6, 2026. The documentation included sign-in/out times for Child A from May 1, 2025 through September 30, 2025. The documentation showed Child A was signed in at 5:30 a.m. on June 11, 2025, 5:31 a.m. on June 25, 2025, and 5:55 a.m. on July 3, 2025.
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. N
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
4/30/2026 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA