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On February 13, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that this facility told us that they are now licensed and that the state came out on Friday and said that they passed and are just waiting for approval from the City of Republic. Children are currently being cared for in the building at 975 N Lindsey. Today, February 13, 2026, they have 20 kids in the building ranging from 1-year-old to Pre-K. Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation and found it to be substantiated based on the following information:
RSMo 210.211.1 - It shall be unlawful for any person to establish, maintain or operate a child-care facility for children, or to advertise or hold himself or herself out as being able to perform any of the services as defined in section 210.201, without having in effect a written license granted by the department of elementary and secondary education.
On February 23, 2026, CI Radney conducted an unannounced inspection at the facility. Lyric Brooks was present with five 3-year-olds. Callie Branstetter and Whitney Ewaldt were present with 10 4 to 5-year-olds. Kayleigh Reid and Natalie Barts were present with four 1-year-olds.
On February 23, 2026, CI Radney conducted interviews with Director Lori Hutchings and Caregivers Candace Branstetter, Whitney Ewaldt and Callie Branstetter. Director Lori Hutchings reported they began caring for children, 2 years old and over, at this location on February 9th or 10th. Prior to that, she had caregivers watching children at their homes. 1-year-old children began attending today, February 23, 2026. She has not been keeping attendance but some classes may have sign in sheets. Today they are hosting a Parent's Day Out, a short day, where children arrived at 9:00 a.m. and leave at 1:00 p.m. Prior to today, they have not had more than six children present. Today is the most children they have had in attendance. Caregiver Candace reported they are open for four hours today and tomorrow, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Last week, they only had six children in care and no 1-year-olds were in attendance. The most children they have had present prior to today has been six children, ages 2 years old and older. Caregiver Whitney reported their first day with children here was February 5, 2026. They had six children, ages 2 years old and older present. Today is the most children they've had present. This is for their Mother's Day Out. Today is the first day that 1-year-olds have been present. Caregiver Callie reported the first day they began caring for children at this location was February 13, 2026. They cared for more than six children ages 2 years old and older. Today they began caring for 1-year-olds as well. They had a Parent's Day Out all last week, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. She only had six children in her class last week.
On March 30, 2026, CI Radney conducted interviews with Parent A and Parent B. Parent A reported her child is 3 years old and has attended the daycare since February 3, 2026. Her child has not participated in a Parent's or Mother's Day out. Her child has attended full time and was there on February 13, 2026. Parent B reported her child is 3 years old and has attended the daycare since February 6, 2026. Her child hasn't attended a Parent's or Mother's Day out. Her child goes full time. Her child attended on February 13, 2026.
On April 2, 2026, CI Radney conducted interviews with Parent E, Parent G, and Parent I. Parent E reported her child is 3 years old and has attended the daycare since around the first week in February. Her child has been attending full time. Her child hasn't been there for a Parent's Day or Mother's Day out. Her child was present on February 13, 2026. Parent G reported her child is 4 years old, and she doesn't remember when her child first began attending the daycare. Her child is at the daycare full time. Her child has not been there for a Mother's Day or Parent's Day out. Parent I reported her child is 1 year old, and her child did not start attending until February 23. Her child goes to the daycare full time. Her child hasn't attended a Mother's Day or Parent's Day out. Her child wasn't present on February 13, 2026.
On April 3, 2026, CI Radney conducted interviews with Parent J, Parent K, Parent L, Parent N, Parent O, Parent P, and Parent R. Parent J reported her children are 2 years old and 5 years old. They have attended the daycare since the last week of February and go full time. They haven't been present for a Mother's Day or Parent's Day out. Her children were there on February 13, 2026. Parent K reported her child is 5 years old and has been going to the daycare since February 2, 2026. Her child is at the daycare full time. Her child hasn't participated in a Mother's Day or Parent's Day out. Her child was at the daycare on February 13, 2026. Parent L reported his children are 3 years old and 1 year old and have attended the daycare since the beginning of February. They go full time. They haven't been to a Parent's Day or Mother's day out. His children attended on February 13, 2026. Parent N reported his child is 1 year old and began attending the daycare toward the end of February. His child is present full time. His child hasn't gone to a Mother's Day or Parent's Day out. His child wasn't there on February 13, 2026. Parent O reported her child is 4 years old and has attended the daycare since February 3. Her child is there full time. Her child hasn't been to a Mother's Day or Parent's Day out there. Her child was there on February 13, 2026. Parent P reported her child is 3 years old and began attending the daycare at the beginning of February. Her child is present full time. Her child hasn't been at the daycare for a Mother's Day or Parent's Day out. Her child was present on February 13, 2026. Parent R reported her children are 4 years old and 6 years old. Her 4-year-old started attending the daycare at the beginning of February. Her 4-year-old attended full time until recently. Her 6-year-old only attended on days that school was out. Neither of her children attended a Parent's Day or Mother's Day out. Her child was at the daycare on February 13, 2026.
Based on the information provided, the facility was caring for more than six children without a license on February 13, 2026, when eleven children, ages 1 year old to 5 years old, were in attendance, according to their parents.
The following additional violation was found during the course of this investigation:
5 CSR 25-500.222(5) - Daily child attendance records shall be maintained and kept on file a minimum of one (1) year.
On February 23, 2026, CI Radney conducted an interview with Director Lori Hutchings, who stated she has not been keeping attendance.
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