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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
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Facility Information
Date of Report
3/13/2026 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002887256
Facility Name
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Facility Address
8251 N FLINTLOCK RD
City
KANSAS CITY
Zip Code
64158-1420
Phone
(816) 429-6612
County
CLAY
Assigned Specialist
EDDINS, COLE
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
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.
Conclusion Summary
On March 13, 2026, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that all rooms were over in ratio for hours. We call to get help, but the front ignores the calls and leaves us out of ratio. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility: 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." On March 17, 2026, CI Eddins completed an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Lauren Pauls, Caregiver Rebecca Wallman, and Caregiver Paola Reinhart. Lauren stated that it was possible that she missed a classroom, and she did not observe their ratio numbers. Rebecca and Paola provided consistent information. They stated that they had been working by themselves with nine toddlers in the toddler B classroom. The ratio violation occurred for more than 30 to 40 minutes on the morning of March 12, 2026.
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
5/29/2026 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA