Programs shall staff group child care centers in accordance with the following: (1) For children ages 36 to 47 months, the maximum group size shall be 24 with the following minimum staffing levels: a. One associate teacher with up to 8 children; b. One associate teacher and one assistant teacher with 9 to 16 children; and c. One lead teacher and 2 assistant teachers with 17 to 24 children; (2) For children ages 48 to 59 months, the maximum group size shall be 24 with the following minimum staffing levels: a. One associate teacher with up to 12 children; and b. One associate teacher and one assistant teacher with 13 to 24 children; and (3) For children ages 60 months and over, the maximum group size shall be 30 with the following minimum staffing levels: a. One associate teacher with up to 15 children; and b. One associate teacher and one assistant teacher with 16 to 30 children.

A complainant reported that the program is out of ratio, including one staff with 18 children. The licensing coordinators' review of the staff and child attendance records for the Governor's classroom revealed that on April 28, 2025, one staff member was signed in after 2:00 p.m. with 14 children, whose average age was 56 months, when two staff were required, and in the Governor's 2 classroom on May 8, 2025, one staff member was signed in after 2:48 p.m. with 17 children, whose average age was 62 months, when two staff were required. Corrective action: The assistant teacher in the Governor classroom worked in the classroom with the Director. At that time, the Director was consistently present but was not clocking in or out of the classroom. Additionally, all children went outside to play from 3:15 p.m. until the end of the day. During this period, The Academy was not transferring children to the playground through the app. The corrective action plan is as follows: when the Director is in a classroom, she will ensure that she clocks into that classroom. Furthermore, when children are combined for afternoon outdoor time or moved to another room, all children and staff will be transferred using the app to accurately reflect their location. To support this process, the Director has purchased and mounted tablets in every classroom, ensuring that all children and staff can quickly and easily sign in and transfer between locations. Learning By The Lakes Academy, implementing the following procedures when the iPad were purchased  1. Classroom Tablet Usage for Signing In/Out All staff are required to use their classroom tablet to: Sign children in and out in real-time Transfer children to the appropriate classrooms or playgrounds using the designated tools This is non-negotiable. Real-time accuracy is critical for maintaining legal ratios and ensuring proper supervision.  2. Director Oversight & Walkie Talkie Monitoring The Director has stepped out of classroom duties to actively monitor real-time attendance tracking and child transfers throughout the day. -The Director will use the walkie talkie system to send live reminders when needed to ensure all transfers are accurately reflected in the system and will verify that staff have made any necessary corrections identified.  3. Accountability & Disciplinary Action Failure to follow this policy puts our program at risk of being out of ratio. If, upon review of the real-time app, it is clear that: A child was not signed in/out A transfer was not properly completed A classroom appears out of ratio due to inaccurate attendance Then disciplinary actions will be taken, including: A written warning, and/or A three-day suspension without pay

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.

A review of department records revealed that the program did not submit a household and personnel form prior to the first date of employment for a staff member under the age of 18 years. Corrective action: This was 100% my fault I was unaware of this requirement. After speaking with the department and reviewing the requirements - the staff member has been given the paperwork and instructed not to return until they have been approved by the department. I have printed out the correct forms and moving forward anyone under the age of 18 will be required to have this completed and submitted to the state. No employees under 18 will be allowed into the building under they have been approved through the department.

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

The program shall maintain daily child attendance records, in either paper or electronic format, including the child’s full name, date of birth, and their arrival and departure times in the program and each room or group throughout the day, as applicable, recorded in real time by staff or parents.

The licensing coordinator's review of staff attendance revealed that two staff were not signed into the correct classrooms. The center director confirmed the staff were signed into their designated classroom but had not signed themselves into the classroom where they were working. Corrective action: Moving forwards a purple sign in and out sheet will be posted in each classroom so that if/when a teacher is covering in a different classroom they will record their time in and out of said classroom to avoid further confusion.

He-C 4002.08(a) · Correction status not published

In programs serving children younger than 3 years old, the licensee shall ensure that there are barriers placed at the top and bottom of stairwells opening into areas used by children younger than three years, unless prohibited by building or fire department regulations. Pressure gates at the top of stairs shall not be used.

The licensing coordinators observed an open stairwell without a gate at the top of the stairs, located outside of the entrance to the two-year-old classroom. Corrective action: A temporary gate is in place and a permanent 1/2 door will be installed.

He-C 4002.23(t) · Correction status not published

A written record of a health screening for all child care staff, household members and other individuals who have 5 or more hours per week of contact with children shall: (1) Be on file at the program and available for review by the department for all child care staff within 60 days of the date of hire or the date the household member or individual begins having daily contact with children; and (2) Include, at a minimum, the information on the “Child Care Personnel Health Form” (11/2017) provided by the department, or its equivalent.

One of five staff files reviewed did not include documentation of a health assessment for a staff who has been employed for more than 60 days. Corrective action: The staff member will be having the health form filled out by 11/15/24 or will be unable to return without the form.

He-C 4002.09(b) · Correction status not published

Except for nature-based programs that operate solely outside, programs shall conduct fire drills in accordance with the following: (1) Programs that operate continuously throughout the year shall conduct at least one drill each month of operation; (2) Programs that operate only during the school year shall conduct a drill within 14 days of opening each year and monthly thereafter; (3) Programs that operate only during the summer months shall conduct one fire drill in each month of operation; (4) Child care personnel shall conduct fire drills at varying times during operating hours, including night time hours, if applicable, to ensure that each child attending the program experiences fire drills; (5) Child care staff shall activate the actual fire alarm system for the building for at least 2 of the required monthly fire drills required each year and use a fire alarm or smoke detector to signal all other fire drills; (6) All children and child care staff shall evacuate the building during each fire drill; and (7) Child care staff shall check daily attendance records to ensure that all children and staff are accounted for, after the building is evacuated.

The licensing coordinator's review of program records revealed that a fire drill was not done in November 2023. Corrective action: Learning By The Lakes Academy was under the impression that we had to complete any drill once a month, and we did a lock down. We have since correct our policy so that a fire drill will be completed every month.

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

Child care staff shall not allow children younger than 3 years of age to have access to toys, toy parts, and other materials that pose a suffocation or choking risk or are small enough to be swallowed, including, but not limited to, coins, balloons, exposed foam padding, or empty plastic bags.

Two complainants stated that they observed toddler aged children walking around the Little Squam classroom with small pompoms in their mouths. The licensing coordinator observed a container of small pompoms and markers with small caps located on a shelf in the toddler classroom, where they were accessible to children. Staff A acknowledged that small pom poms are kept in the classroom, although they could not recall the last time the pom poms had been used. Corrective action: We have moved all closed containers of art supplies (including pompoms) into a cabinet out of reach of children. Pom Poms were out in dramatic pay to simulate an apple during our harvest theme. After reviewing rules we realized we will refrain from that in the future.

He-C 4002.25(f) · Correction status not published