5 CSR 25-500.082 · 5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (1) (G) states: Protective outlet covers or twist-lock outlets shall be used in areas accessible to the children.

The requirements for protective outlet covers or twist-lock outlets were not met as evidenced by an electrical plate was broken in that one plate located in the set aside infant/toddler area was cracked. The crack was located in the lower-right corner.

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5 CSR 25-500.082 · 5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (2) (A) 6. states: Walls, ceilings and floors shall be finished with material which can be cleaned easily and shall be free of splinters, cracks and chipping paint. Floor covering shall be in good condition. Lead-free paint shall be used for all painted surfaces.

The floors located in the main play area was/were not in good condition as evidenced by 4 tiles were chipped. One tile was located in front of the handwashing sink. Three tiles were located near the tables.

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5 CSR 25-500.087 · 5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety (1) (M) states: Means of egress is a continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three (3) distinct parts: the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge;

The means of egress in the set aside infant/toddler area was obstructed in that a ladder was located in front of the exit door.

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5 CSR 25-500.087 · 5 CSR 25-500.087 Fire Safety (4) (C) 3. states: No door in a means of egress shall be locked against egress travel when the building is occupied. Locking devices that impede or prohibit egress or that cannot be disengaged easily shall not be used. Dead bolt locks that require a key to unlock the door from the inside shall not be used. Locking or latching devices installed on doors shall not be located higher than fifty inches (50") above the finished floor.

The door, located in the set aside infant/toddler area, used as an exit from the facility was locked.

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5 CSR 25-500.092 · 5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (1) (A) 1. states: All furniture and equipment shall be constructed safely, in good condition and free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. Only lead-free paint shall be used.

Furniture/equipment, playhouse, in outdoor play area was unsafe as evidenced by the playhouse was disassembled. Pieces of the playhouse were lying on the ground and were stacked on top of each other.

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5 CSR 25-500.112 · 5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios (1) (A) 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.

Staff/child ratio requirements were not met as evidenced by fifteen children , ages sixteen months to five years of age, were cared for by two adult caregiver(s).

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5 CSR 25-600.020 · 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements (5) states: Criminal background checks shall be completed for each child care staff member every five (5) years.

Criminal background check results were older than five (5) years for Nicole Ruesler.

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5 CSR 25-500.082 · 5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (2) (A) 6. states: Walls, ceilings and floors shall be finished with material which can be cleaned easily and shall be free of splinters, cracks and chipping paint. Floor covering shall be in good condition. Lead-free paint shall be used for all painted surfaces.

The floors located in the main play area was/were not in good condition as evidenced by 4 tiles were chipped. One tile was located in front of the handwashing sink. Three tiles were located near the tables.

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5 CSR 25-500.082 · 5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (2) (A) 9. states: The facility shall be clean at all times and free of dirt, insects, spiders, rodents or other pests.

There was evidence of rodents/droppings in the kitchen cabinets, kitchen drawers and on the kitchen floor. Under the kitchen cabinets there were packages of paper towels and napkins that had been torn apart and used for nesting by the mice. The drawers that had utensils and sippy cup lids had mouse droppings on them. The drawer under the stove that had pans had mouse droppings in the drawer and on the pans. In addition, there were 9 packages of expired baby food observed in the cabinets. The food expired between August and December of 2025. When looking again there were several other expired foods in the cabinet. Additional mouse droppings were observed along the baseboards on the floor in the infant crawl space, on the washable rug in the infant crawl space, in 6 cubbies located in the infant crawl space, in the closet in the infant crawl space, including but not limited to the floor, shelving and on top of cot and crib sheets. In addition, there were mouse droppings on the feeding table in the back. This table was not in use but had several items stored on top of it. The bathroom had mouse dropping in and around the hot water heater in the bathroom. The mouse infestation was observed and documented by Cape County sanitation during an annual inspection that ended at approximately 12:15 p.m. today. Because of the amount of rodent droppings and they areas they were discovered, a return inspection was conducted at 3:00p.m. with the Cape County sanitation inspectors and the state sanitation inspectors. At arrival Nicole Ruesler, Owner/Director,stated that they had not done any work to clean any areas and planned to after they close this evening. During an inspection on 2/2/2025 the following was observed: mouse droppings on the kitchen floor, in the kitchen cabinets (cabinets were empty), on the floor in the infant room, including on the mat on the floor and the infant soft mat with sides. In addition there are mouse droppings in the crib and the flowered pack and play. There is a sheet in each piece of sleeping equipment and the droppings are sitting on the sheets. While conducting the inspection a baby mouse was observed running across the floor by the bathroom. The mouse went under the bathroom door and in the closet and could not be located. There are traps in the bathroom as well as throughout the building. These were put in place by a pest control company and have been checked weekly. The gaps throughout the building have not been closed up. Nicole states her brother in law is supposed to be helping with that but had to work this weekend.

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5 CSR 25-500.112 · 5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios (1) (A) 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.

Staff/child ratio requirements were not met as evidenced by 15 children , ages 1 year through 5 years, were cared for by 2 adult caregiver(s).

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5 CSR 25-600.020 · 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements (5) states: Criminal background checks shall be completed for each child care staff member every five (5) years.

Criminal background check results were older than five (5) years for Nicole Ruesler.

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5 CSR 25-600.020 · 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements (1) states: Prior to the employment or presence of a child care staff member in a licensed, regulated, or registered child care facility not exempted by section 210.1080.13, RSMo, the child care provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for such child care staff member from the department.

Criminal background check results were not on file for Lindsay Berry.

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5 CSR 25-500.052 · 5 CSR 25-500.052 Annual Requirements (2) (C) states: The child care provider shall conduct a Family Care Safety Registry check for all child care staff members within thirty (30) days prior to the anniversary date as printed on the license.

The Family Care Safety Registry check was not conducted for Nicole Ruesler and Baleigh Woodall within thirty (30) days prior to the anniversary date.

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5 CSR 25-500.082 · 5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (2) (A) 6. states: Walls, ceilings and floors shall be finished with material which can be cleaned easily and shall be free of splinters, cracks and chipping paint. Floor covering shall be in good condition. Lead-free paint shall be used for all painted surfaces.

The floors located in the main play area was/were not in good condition as evidenced by 4 tiles were chipped. One tile was located in front of the handwashing sink. Three tiles were located near the tables.

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5 CSR 25-500.102 · 5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (3) (A) states: The center director, group child care home provider, all other caregivers, and those volunteers who are counted in staff/child ratios shall obtain at least twelve (12) clock hours of child-care related training during each calendar year. Clock hour training shall be approved by the department.

The requirements for obtaining 12 clock hours each calendar year were not met. For the calendar year of 2024, the staff listed need the following information: Nicole Ruesler needs 10.25 hours and Baleigh Woodall needs 11 hours.

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5 CSR 25-600.020 · 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements (5) states: Criminal background checks shall be completed for each child care staff member every five (5) years.

Criminal background check results were older than five (5) years for Nicole Ruesler.

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5 CSR 25-500.082 · 5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 1. states: A fenced outdoor play area shall be available on or adjoining the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. For facilities initially licensed after the effective date of these rules or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. An outdoor play area used exclusively for school-age children shall not be required to have a fence. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped.

The facility did not have a fenced outdoor play area that was on or adjoining the day care property and was accessible without hazard as evidenced by the fence had openings that were between 3.5 and 9 inches and allow entrapment - the openings measured 4 inches. The gap was located between the gate and the gate post.

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5 CSR 25-500.102 · 5 CSR 25-500.102 Personnel (3) (A) states: The center director, group child care home provider, all other caregivers, and those volunteers who are counted in staff/child ratios shall obtain at least twelve (12) clock hours of child-care related training during each calendar year. Clock hour training shall be approved by the department.

The requirements for obtaining 12 clock hours each calendar year were not met. For the calendar year of 2023, the staff listed need the following information: Nicole Ruesler needs .25 hours and Rebecca Ruesler needs 1.25 hours. .

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5 CSR 25-600.020 · 5 CSR 25-600.020 General Requirements (1) states: Prior to the employment or presence of a child care staff member in a licensed, regulated, or registered child care facility not exempted by section 210.1080.13, RSMo, the child care provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for such child care staff member from the department.

Criminal background check results were not on file for Baleigh Woodall, David Ruesler and Viola Ruesler.

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5 CSR 25-500.082 · 5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 1. states: A fenced outdoor play area shall be available on or adjoining the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. For facilities initially licensed after the effective date of these rules or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. An outdoor play area used exclusively for school-age children shall not be required to have a fence. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped.

The facility did not have a fenced outdoor play area that was on or adjoining the day care property and was accessible without hazard as evidenced by the fence was not in good condition in that one section on the far-left side of the play area and one section on the far-right side of the play area was not secure at the top.

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5 CSR 25-500.082 · 5 CSR 25-500.082 Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers (6) (A) 1. states: A fenced outdoor play area shall be available on or adjoining the day care property. The play area shall be located so it is convenient and the children can gain access to it without hazard. For facilities initially licensed after the effective date of these rules or for the installation of new fences in existing facilities, the fence shall be at least forty-two inches (42") high. An outdoor play area used exclusively for school-age children shall not be required to have a fence. Fences shall be constructed to prevent children from crawling or falling through or becoming entrapped.

The facility did not have a fenced outdoor play area that was on or adjoining the day care property and was accessible without hazard as evidenced by the fence was not in good condition in that one section on the far-left side of the play area and one section on the far-right side of the play area was not secure at the top.

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5 CSR 25-500.092 · 5 CSR 25-500.092 Furniture, Equipment and Materials (3) (A) states: All outdoor equipment shall be constructed safely, in good condition and free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. Only lead-free paint shall be used.

Outdoor equipment, two large dump trucks and one ride on toy, in the outdoor play area was not in good condition as evidenced by the plastic located on the equipment was cracked.

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5 CSR 25-500.112 · 5 CSR 25-500.112 Staff/Child Ratios (1) (E) states: Mixed Age Groups Two Years (2) and Up. Groups composed of mixed ages of children two (2) years of age and older shall have no less than one (1) adult to ten (10) children with a maximum of four (4) two (2)-year olds. When there are more than four (4) two (2)-year olds in a mixed group, the staff/child ratio shall be no less than one (1) adult to eight (8) children.

Staff/child ratio requirements were not met as evidenced by fifteen children, ages eleven months to five years of age, were cared for by two caregiver(s).

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