South Central Missouri Community Action Agency
405 KAREN DR, POPLAR BLUFF, MO 63901-6529Childery Rating: 4/5
Data last updated ·
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.4 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.Not Available
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.4 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a 14% violation rate across 14 visits in the last 3 years (most recently inspected September 2025). The structural rating also includes Missouri's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Missouri caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:4, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead-teacher education isn't regulated. Teachers must complete 12 hours of annual training. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Child Care Center
- Age groups served
- Infants
- Licensed capacity
- 44
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Not Regulated
Inspection History
Across 2 inspections since 2025, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (4) and Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (1). Of 5 total findings, 2 were critical.
See All 2 Inspection Visits
Jan 14, 20264 Findings2 Critical2 Important
- Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers5 CSR 25-500.082
Hazardous items as follows were accessible to children: a staffs purse was accessible to children due to a cabinet being unlocked. The item(s) was/were located in the 2-3 year old room.
- Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers5 CSR 25-500.082
Hazardous items as follows were accessible to children: a staffs purse was accessible to children due to a cabinet being unlocked. The item(s) was/were located in the 2-3 year old room.
- Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers5 CSR 25-500.082
The premises were not safe and suitable as evidenced by a metal cover attached to the wall in the preschool room is unbolted at the bottom and a hazard where children could get their fingers caught.
- Physical Requirements of Group Day Care Homes and Day Care Centers5 CSR 25-500.082
The premises were not safe and suitable as evidenced by a metal cover attached to the wall in the preschool room is unbolted at the bottom and a hazard where children could get their fingers caught.
Sep 16, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Personnel5 CSR 25-500.102
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: Claudia Cardona Avalos needs 2.5 hours, Diamond Coleman needs 4 hours, Sarah Goodson needs 1 hour, Magan Smothers needs 9 hours.
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