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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
12/2/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002741555
Facility Name
CSS EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Facility Address
1401 W AUSTIN ST
City
WEBB CITY
Zip Code
64870-1617
Phone
(417) 673-4940
County
JASPER
Assigned Specialist
WEST, CURTIS
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)5. The facility shall be dry, temperature controlled, well-ventilated and free of drafts. Children shall not be overheated or chilled. The temperature of the rooms shall be no less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68F) and no more than eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85F) when measured two feet (2') from the floor.
Conclusion Summary
On December 2, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that the HVAC in Dandelion's classroom has not worked since yesterday. It is currently 60 degrees in the room. 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 25-500.082(2)(A)5., which states "The facility shall be dry, temperature controlled, well-ventilated and free of drafts. Children shall not be overheated or chilled. The temperature of the rooms shall be no less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68F) and no more than eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85F) when measured two feet (2') from the floor." On December 9, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Holly Conner, Caregiver Brittany Deckard, and Caregiver Misty Walker. Holly stated that on December 2, 2025, she observed the temperature at 61 degrees Fahrenheit. Brittany stated that she can't recall the exact date, but they walked in and the classroom was 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Misty stated that she has seen the temperature less than 68 degrees Fahrenheit inside the classroom the morning time. On January 12, 2026, CI Curtis West interviewed Caregiver Abagail "Abby" Lewis, who stated that on December 2, 2025, the lowest it got was 57 degrees Fahrenheit in the Dandelions classroom. On January 12, 2026, CI West interviewed Melody Knorpp, who stated that she was working at the daycare the first week of December 2025. She saw the temperature range from 57 degrees Fahrenheit to 66 degrees Fahrenheit on more than one day.
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 2/9/2026 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
1/30/2026 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA