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On February 27, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: On February 18, 2026, the provider, a pending family home provider, was observed to be watching 10 children with eight children under 24- months- old with one caregiver by the food program inspector while they were conducting an inspection. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-400.105(2)(A): which states, "A family childcare home may be licensed for up to ten (10) children. The following staff/child ratios must be maintained at all times and shall not be exceeded except as permitted under these rules: 1 caregiver present, with up to 4 children, all may be under age two (2); 1 caregiver present, with 5-6 children, 3 children may be under age two (2); 1 caregiver present, with 7-10 children, 2 children may be under age two (2); 2 caregivers present, with up to 8 children, 8 children may be under age two (2); 2 caregivers present, with up to 10 children, 4 children may be under age two (2)."
AND
RSMo 210.211.1: which states, "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 March 4, 2026, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed provider Candice Clements who stated that she has already started the process to become licensed again and will reduce her number of children in care at one time until she can become licensed. CI Honea observed Candice Clements was with nine children with 6 of those children being under age 2-years-old. One child was 7-months-old, (one) 9-months-old, (two) 10-months-old, (one) 13-months-old, (one) 17-months-old, (two) 3-year-olds, and (one) 5-year-old. Candice was the only caregiver in the home.
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