Joyful Noise daycare inspections in Merrimack, NH

Child care staff and household members shall not: Abuse or neglect children.

The complainant reported that on December 10, 2025, they believe Staff A strapped Child A into a chair in the office as a disciplinary technique due to Child A’s behavior. Staff A confirmed that Child A was engaged in unsafe behaviors which resulted in Child A being removed from the classroom and brought to the office. Staff A explained that while in the office Child A continued to engage in unsafe behaviors, so they made the decision to secure Child A in a small chair using a lap belt where they remained for approximately 15 minutes. Staff B confirmed that Child A was secured in a chair using a lap belt for approximately 15 to 20 minutes while in the offices. The determination by the department that Child A was confined in equipment that was not appropriate for their age when Staff A secured Child A in a chair using a lap belt for 15-20 minutes as a way to manage Child A’s behavior. Corrective action: Plan of Correction – HEC 4002.17(e) Joyful Noise acknowledges the citation under HEC 4002.17 regarding the inappropriate use of equipment to confine a child. The incident involved a child who was engaging in unsafe behaviors that posed a risk to themselves and others. Staff removed the child from the classroom to the office in an effort to de-escalate the situation. While in the office, the child continued unsafe behaviors, and staff made the decision to secure the child in a small chair using a lap belt for approximately 15 minutes. Upon review, we recognize that this action constituted confinement in equipment by staff was not appropriate for that purpose and does not align with state regulations or Joyful Noise practices. Corrective Actions Taken: Immediate Policy Review: Administration conducted an immediate review of HEC 4002.17 with all staff to ensure clear understanding that children may not be placed or confined in equipment as a behavior management strategy under any circumstances. Staff Retraining: All staff members have completed retraining on: Appropriate supervision and de-escalation techniques Positive behavior guidance strategies including reaching out to train our staff using PBIS model Safe crisis intervention methods Prohibited practices under state licensing rules 3.Prohibition Clarification: Our written discipline policy In The staff handbook has been updated to explicitly state that no staff should ever use mechanical restraint, including the use of lap belts, chairs, highchairs, or any equipment for the purpose of confinement due to behavior, is strictly prohibited. Ongoing Monitoring: Administration will conduct regular classroom observations and provide coaching to ensure compliance with state regulations and safe behavior management practices. Staff involved received a write up and meeting with the director ensuring they understood the serious consequences of this matter. Joyful Noise is committed to maintaining a safe environment while fully complying with all state licensing regulations. We take this matter seriously and have implemented the above corrective measures to ensure this situation does not reoccur.

Child care staff shall regularly interact with children at their level, maintain eye contact, and, whenever appropriate, sit on the floor with them.

Staff A stated that during the incident described in He-C 4002.17(e)(8), the door to the office was closed at times and confirmed they were alone in the office with Child A. Staff B confirmed that the door to the office was closed at times while Child A and Staff A were in the office. The licensing coordinator observed that Child A would not be visible by other child care staff while in the office with the door closed. Corrective action: Plan of Correction – HEC 4002.17(d) Joyful Noise Childcare acknowledges the observation that during the incident described, Staff A was alone in the office with Child A while the office door was closed at times, resulting in the child not being visible to other childcare staff. To ensure compliance with HE-C-4002.17 and maintain transparency and supervision standards, the following corrective actions have been implemented: Open Door Policy for One-on-One Interactions Effective immediately, staff are not permitted to be alone with a child in any enclosed space with the door closed. If a child needs to be spoken with privately, the door must remain open or the interaction must occur in a visible area of the classroom or common space. Visibility Requirement Any interaction between a staff member and a child must remain within sight and hearing of other staff members at all times. Staff Training and Policy Review All staff have been reminded of supervision and visibility requirements and have reviewed center policies regarding appropriate staff-child interactions. Documentation of this review will be kept on file. Directors and administrative staff will monitor classroom practices and staff movement throughout the center to ensure policies regarding supervision and visibility are consistently followed. Office Use Procedures The office will not be used for one-on-one interactions with children unless the door remains open and the child is visible to other staff members in the hallway or nearby classrooms and is waiting for pick up due to illness. Joyful Noise Childcare is committed to maintaining a safe and transparent environment for all children and ensuring all licensing regulations are followed at all times.

He-C 4002.17(a) · Correction status not published

Except for nature-based programs that operate solely outside, programs shall conduct fire drills in accordance with the following: Programs that operate continuously throughout the year shall conduct at least one drill each month of operation.

One staff member stated that the program uses an app on a cell phone to signal fire drills and not a smoke detector or the fire alarm system. A review of the fire drill logs revealed the word "phone" was listed under the column indicating whether the actual fire alarm was used to signal fire drills. Additionally, the program only practiced one drill using the fire alarm system when two are required. Corrective action: We have received guidance from state to purchase a smoke detector to be able to use the alarm for future drills. We will ensure ongoing we use the detector alarm for monthly fire drills and the full building alarm at least 2 fire drills per year.

He-C 4002.16(a)(1) · Correction status not published

The center director, site director, family child care provider, and all staff used to meet staff to child ratios shall: (1) Be certified in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid within 90 days of the first date of employment; (2) Obtain certification in (m)(1) above by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Emergency Care and Safety Institute, National Safety Council, or other nationally recognized organization; and (3) Maintain current certifications required in (m)(1) above.

The licensing coordinator’s review of five staff records revealed three staff, employed at the program more than 90 days and used to meet staff to child ratios, were not currently certified in First Aid and CPR. Corrective action: We learned that some of the staff's current CPR certifications were not the correct ones. We found a certifier that meets state standards and all staff with wrong certifications were certified on 6/13/2024. All staff record keeping will be updated to maintain when cpr expires and we will host new certifications on site when needed to keep in compliance moving forward.

He-C 4002.20(m)(1) · Correction status not published

Child care staff shall wash their hands with liquid soap and running water as needed and: (1) After each diaper change or toileting; (2) After handling any bodily fluid; (3) After cleaning up or handling the garbage; (4) After playing outdoors; (5) Before and after eating; (6) Before and after administering medication; and (7) Before and during any food preparation or service as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and prevent cross contamination when changing tasks or from raw to ready to eat foods.

The licensing coordinator observed, in the Infant Classroom, staff did not wash their hands after changing a child’s diaper. Corrective action: Went over with staff about hand washing before and after each change and discussed the importance of the rule. All staff will be made aware of the licensing rule upon hire, and have posted signs to wash hands before and after for ongoing knowledge. Mock site visits will be conducted to make sure staff is following protocol.

To prevent injury, programs shall not allow children to play on equipment or structures that require energy absorptive material pursuant to He-C 4002.24(h) when the energy absorptive material is compacted and unable to be loosened, such as when frozen.

The program reported that Child A fell approximately six feet to the ground from an outdoor structure on February 26, 2024, which resulted in bruising to the child’s forehead. Staff A stated on February 26, 2024, the mulch on the playground was moveable so they thought it was okay for the children to use the structure but once Child A fell, they realized the ground was still frozen. Staff B stated that as a result of this incident, the structure Child A fell from has been closed until the ground is thawed and the absorptive material is uncompacted. Corrective action: After Child A fell 4 ft from the structure, staff was retrained and educated on playground safety and how to tell if the ground is still frozen. The structure was closed after and remained closed due to fall and temperature until 3/12/24 when the ground was thawed. We purchased a smaller structure for our younger students on 2/26/24, and revised structure age polices per piece of equipment. Staff will review playground policies quarterly to ensure no future incidents.

He-C 4002.24(i) · Correction status not published

Programs serving diapered children and children who are not toilet trained shall have a designated diaper changing area, which shall: (1) Be located adjacent to or in close proximity to a designated hand washing sink to allow access for hand washing without having to open doors or gates or have physical contact with other children; (2) Have a non-porous, washable surface, which shall be used exclusively for diaper changing and sanitized after each diaper change; (3) Contain a covered, hand-free receptacle, lined with a plastic bag, and located within reach of the diaper changing area for disposal of soiled disposable diapers and cleansing articles; and (4) Not be located in kitchens or in food preparation or food service areas, or on surfaces where food is prepared or served.

The licensing coordinator observed, in the bathroom within the Toddler Classroom, a diaper was disposed of in an uncovered trash receptacle. Corrective action: A covered trash was replaced with the trash without a cover on 6/7/24. All staff will continue to use and dispose of diapers in covered trashes ongoing.

He-C 4002.29(a) · Correction status not published

Prior to employment or residency, as applicable, and every 5 years thereafter, all child care staff, substitutes, other employees, and volunteers who may be alone with children or are included in staff to child ratios, and household members age 10 years or older, shall submit for a background record check using NH Connections.

The licensing coordinator’s review of department records revealed four staff did not submit for a background record check prior to employment. Corrective action: Staff members where background checked or produced their eligibly card prior to starting with us, however we learned they were not connected in the system properly. One had her eligibility card from another center, but we didn't seem to link her properly the first time so when we did connect her properly the system thought she had a 180 day lapse in work. I have pay stubs to prove it, but we had her re certify 6/11/2024 anyways. Two other staff had their background checks cleared but again not properly connected in NH connections. Another staff member came to work with us and had an issued eligibility card. I was unaware the state issued it prior to her 18th birthday and her last center never had her get her fingerprints. Upon learning this she was unable to work and she was background checked 6/11/24 and was cleared to come back to work 6/13/2024. All staff where not working upon learning issues until everything was connected in the system properly. More education was learned about connecting staff properly in the NH connections.

He-C 4002.41(a) · Correction status not published

Child care staff shall: (1) Teach children the importance of hand washing with liquid soap and running water; and (2) Instruct, encourage, remind, or assist infants and children as needed throughout each day to wash their hands as necessary to comply with (a)(1) through (5) above.

The licensing coordinator observed, in the Infant Classroom, staff did not assist a child with washing their hands after the child had their diaper changed. Corrective action: Went over with staff about hand washing students after each change regardless of if they touch anything and discussed the importance of the rule. All staff will be made aware of the licensing rule upon hire, and have posted signs to wash students hands before and after for ongoing knowledge. Mock site visits will be conducted to make sure staff is following protocol.

He-C 4002.30(b) · Correction status not published

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