Cited finding
At the time of the visit, the program was found providing care for more than the maximum number of children indicated on the license.
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Home › MA › Melrose › Little Elephant Learning Center
Melrose MA 02176 · License #P-243576 · Center · Center-Based Care
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When they operate
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This follow-up visit inspection recorded no violations or advisories.
At the time of the visit, the program was found providing care for more than the maximum number of children indicated on the license.
Accurate attendance; arrival/departure times
Data synced from Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care on Jul 10, 2026 · Source records · Report an error
1. An updated staff records checklist was not available for review. 2. Documentation of the EEC Strong Start 12-hour Essential trainings was not available for review in two staff record files. 3. Documentation of a current physical examination was not available for review in a staff's record file. 4. Documentation of bi-monthly staff observations and an annual performance appraisal/staff evaluation was not available for review in a staff's record file.
Children's records and checklist
Staff Records
Record of injuries, behavior incidents, accidents, emergencies
Periodic review of current employees/ volunteers
Well-balanced curriculum that supports the health & well being of children
Licensure and Approval
Weekly snack/meal menu made available; Previous menus on file for one year
1. Documentation of a current lead screening was not available for review in a child's record file. 2. Documentation of a face sheet was not available for review in a second child's record file.
Documentation of injury/incident reports were not maintained on file. Last record on file dated 9/25/2023.
A background record check was not conducted for a student intern working with children in the program.
1. The Children's daily attendance record did not reflect arrival time for a child present in the group. At the time of the visit, the daily attendance record reflected arrival time for ten out of eleven children present in the group. 2. Child attendance records were not maintained for at least five years. Documentation of previous daily attendance records were not available for review.
A curriculum with specific planned learning experiences was not available for review.
The program does not have a plan for student interns currently working in the program.
Documentation of weekly snack menu and previous menus on file for one year were not available for review.
1. Documentation of MMR immunization record, bi-monthly staff observations, annual professional development trainings and an annual evaluation were not available for review in a staff's record file. 2. A current staff records checklist was not available for review.
Staff Records - R Apr 2025
Documentation of first aid certification was not available for review for a staff member hired past the six months of employment, on 8/28/2023.
Children's Records - R Apr 2025
Toxic Substances
Staff First Aid Training - R Apr 2025
Documentation of an updated developmental history form, first aid emergency consent form, offsite written consents, transportation plan, lead screening a progress reports were not available for review in a child’s record file.
A staff’s personal belonging (purse) was placed on top of a desk, within reach of children.
1. Documentation of a transportation plan was not available for review in two children’s record file. 2. Documentation related to a child’s enrollment application, first aid emergency consent form, development history form and off-site consent form did not contain parental signature and the date of when the documentation was completed.
Children's Records - R Apr 2025
Staff Records - R Apr 2025
1. Documentation of an application/resume, interview, two references, staff information form, physical examination, MMR immunizations, bi-monthly observations and Strong Start Essentials trainings were not available for review for a staff member hired on {REDACTED}. 2. Documentation of required annual professional development trainings for FY 2022-2023 were not available for review.
Staff First Aid Training - R Apr 2025
A review of two staff's BRC status reflected both staff having an expired fingerprint in the BRC Navigator Portal as of 5/15/2022 and 6/14/2022.
Children's Records - R Apr 2025
Toxic Substances
BRCs on all potential employees - Retired 2025
Staff Records - R Apr 2025
Refrigerator Thermometer
Building Inspection and Fire Inspection - R Apr 2025
Emergency Evacuation - R Apr 2025
A review three children's records reflected the following; 1. Two children's Developmental History form, 1st Aid Consent form, Transportation Plan forms, physicals and off-site consent forms were outdated as of 7/5/2022 and 8/23/2022. 2. A third child's record did not include a parent signature and date on the Developmental History form, Transportation form, 1st Aid Medical consent forms, off-site consent forms and no documentation of a physical examination.
1. Two staff records reviewed did not contain documentation of an updated physical examination. 2. A staff’s record reviewed did not contain documentation of the Strong Start Essentials Training Certificate, bi-monthly observations and an annual evaluation.
A staff record reviewed contained an expired First Aid Certification as of 6/15/2021.
A thermometer located inside a refrigerator used to store children's lunch bags/food reflected temperature reading of 52 degrees.
Building Inspection expired 7/26/2022. Fire Inspection issue date is 10/25/2021. (Valid for 1 year).
A review of the FY 2021 and FY 2022 emergency evacuation observations logs did not include documentation of an August 2022 practice fire drill.
1. At the time of the visit, a staff’s personal belonging (purse) was placed on top of an adult size chair located behind the desk near the main door entrance. A second staff's purse was placed on top of the counter located behind the desk, both items were within reach of children. 2. The child proof safety lock located under the kitchenette sink used to store cleaning products and plastic trash bags was not properly secure/working which was accessible to a child who briefly opened the cabinet.
At the time of the visit, two cleaning Lysol Spray bottles were stored under the sink in the restroom used by children. One of the spray bottles appeared empty and the second had a small amount of cleaning solution.
IHCP
CPR and First Aid Certifications
Toxic Substances
An Individual Health Care Plan was not available on site for review for a child [REDACTED] requiring an [REDACTED] .
At the time of the visit, the program staff reflected expired First Aid certifications, which expired on 6/15/21. One staff CPR certification expired 4/2021.
This monitoring visit inspection recorded no violations or advisories.
First Aid Kit (SLGSA)
Children's records and checklist - R Apr 2025
Information in secure/locked file R June 2026
During the EEC visit, the daily attendance record did not reflect the actual count of the children in attendance for the day, five out of seven children where signed in for the day. Attendance reflected the wrong date.
During the EEC visit, food served to children was not stored in covered containers. Snack bags/boxes were stored opened in a kitchen cabinet.The licensee must store all food in clean, covered containers.
During the EEC visit, the program did not maintain any records of previous menus of snacks provided to children in the program. The licensee must prepare and make available to parents on request written menus, including snacks, for each week and the licensee must keep previous menus on file for one year.
During the EEC visit, (1) educator cared for seven children. Six of the seven children were under 24 months of age.
Plan for diapering and toilet training
During the EEC visit, appropriate supervision was not evident during the time of diapering as the provider was positioned facing the wall. All licensees and educators must exercise appropriate supervision of the children in their care in order to ensure their health and safety at all times. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities.
Emegency #'s easily visible
Staff wash hands after cleaning tasks, handling trash
During the EEC visit, the program did not have written parental consent for (1) child's non- prescription medication ({REDACTED}). Type of Medication: Oral Non-Prescription Written Parental Consent Required: Yes, renewed weekly with dosage, times, days and purpose Health Care Practitioner Authorization
Documentation of medication administration; Current consent for medications
Staff Schedule current and posted
Record of injuries, behavior incidents, accidents, emergencies
Staff Records - R Apr 2025
Supervision of children
Accurate attendance; arrival/departure times
Staff:child ratios and groupings: Multi-Age
For children < school age, bathroom locks inaccessible or easily opened
Toothbrushing when in care > 4 hours/meal consumed; labeled, sanitary storage
One hand on child when being changed on elevated surface
Weekly snack/meal menu made available; Previous menus on file for one year
Food Storage, Sanitation & Safety
Staff and children wash hands: before eating or handling food
Staff and children wash hands: after toileting or diapering
During the EEC visit, the program did not have evidence of recorded injuries and incidents. The licensee must maintain a record of any unusual or serious incidents including but not limited to behavioral incidents, accidents, property destruction or emergencies. These reports must be reviewed by the licensee or Program Administrator on a monthly basis
During the EEC visit, (2) {REDACTED} records did not contain documentation for references; (1) staff record did not contain documentation for a physical examination; (1) staff record did not contain an updated annual physical examination.
During the EEC visit, (2) children records did not contain evidence of annual physical examination and records of {REDACTED}. The program did not have a children's records checklist available at the time of the visit.
During the EEC visit, confidential information regarding staff BRC and program's family data are stored in an unlocked/unsecured file. Binders containing staff/children's confidential information are stored on top of a shelf made accessible to others who enter the room to submit a payment in the parent payment box.
During the EEC visit, the bathroom used by {REDACTED} and {REDACTED} age children can be easily locked from the inside. Lock ability is accessible to children. In programs serving children younger than {REDACTED}, locks on doors to bathrooms must be inaccessible to children or easily opened from both the inside and outside.
During the EEC visit, the program did not have the telephone number for poison control and or back-up person posted. The telephone number of the Poison Control Center and the name and telephone number of the emergency back-up person must be posted.
During the EEC visit, the plan for diapering and toilet training was not posted in the diapering area. A written plan for diapering and toilet training and for the disposal or cleaning of soiled clothing, linen, blankets and diapers must be developed, implemented and posted in diapering area.
During the EEC visit, the staff schedule was not posted in the program. The Licensee must keep the schedule current and posted in an area easily visible to educators, parents and visitors.
During the EEC visit, the First Aid kit was incomplete. Items missing from the First Aid kit include the CPR mouth guard and ice packs. The licensee must maintain adequate first aid supplies, including, but not limited to: adhesive tape, band aids, gauze pads, gauze roller bandage, disposable non-latex gloves, instant cold pack, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, and CPR mouth guard.
During the EEC visit, staff did not wash hands after cleaning and handling trash.
During the EEC visit, tooth brushing was not offered to children consuming a meal. Educators must assist children in brushing their teeth whenever they are in care for more than four hours or whenever they consume a meal while in care.
During the EEC visit, the provider placed a child on top of an elevated changing table and used their two hands to seek items needed to changed the child, provider did not put one hand on child while changing child. Child' hands were not washed after the diaper change. Staff must place one hand on child when being changed on an elevated surface and the childs hands must be washed with liquid soap and water, and dried with individual or disposable towels after diaper changing.
During the EEC visit, {REDACTED} did not wash their hands before eating/handling food.
During the EEC visit, staff and children did not wash hands after diapering.