The program shall have a record of each child’s attendance in each room that: Documents each child’s daily arrival at and departure from the program, in real time.

REPEAT CITATION PREVIOUSLY CITED ON FEBRUARY 21, 2024. The licensing coordinator’s review of the daily child attendance records revealed, on the day of the visit, eight children were not signed in when they arrived in the Preschool 2 Classroom and two children were not signed in when they arrived in the Pre-K Classroom. This constitutes the first repeat citation and failure to comply with one approved Corrective Action Plan (CAP) regarding child attendance requirements. Corrective action: All attendance sheets were immediately updated to accurately reflect each child's attendance. All staff were verbally reminded of the requirement to sign children in at the time of arrival. The Director met with the staff on the day of the visit to review the citation and reinforce expectations. All staff will sign each child in immediately upon arrival and be required to complete a daily attendance verification checklist. The Director will conduct daily attendance audits.

He-C 4002.08(a)(1) · Correction status not published

In center-based programs, staff shall: Know the number and identity of children in their care.

The licensing coordinator observed that 14 children were present in the Preschool 3 Classroom. When the licensing coordinator asked Staff A how many children were present they reported 9 children and when Staff B was asked they reported that they were not aware how many children were present. Corrective action: All staff will complete refresher trainings on accurate attendance procedures, continuous headcounts, ratio requirements and classroom supervision expectations. Staff have been instructed to complete headcounts every 30 minutes not including every transition. All staff int he classroom have been told that they must be able to state the current headcount at any time.

He-C 4002.19(b)(1) · Correction status not published

Child care staff shall supervise every child in care at all times.

The complainant reported that Child A found a toy on the playground that had a string on it and wrapped it around their neck, that the staff did not notice until Child’s A face was turning red, and that a staff member had to cut the toy off Child A’s neck. Staff A stated Child A found an infant toy on the playground that was approximately two feet long and pretended to wear it as a scarf. Staff A allowed Child A to continue to wear the item as a scarf during lunch. While the children were eating lunch, Staff A briefly turned away from Child A and upon turning back around they saw Child A had the infant toy wrapped around their neck and they were turning pinkish red. Staff A asked Child A if they could breath and Child A shook their head no. Staff A explained they held the toy away from Child A’s neck while Staff B grabbed scissors and cut the toy. Staff B confirmed Child A was wearing an infant toy as a scarf, and stated that while they were setting up rest mats, they heard Staff A say, “Are you okay? Can you breathe?” Staff B immediately ran over, observed what was happening, grabbed a pair of scissors, and cut the toy while Staff B held the fabric away from Child A’s neck. The licensing coordinator reviewed pictures which showed a red line around one side of Child A’s neck and redness on the other side of their neck. Additionally, the complainant reported that in February 2024, Child B was left unsupervised on the playground for up to five minutes. A review of a Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua Memorandum of Record/Notice of Termination revealed on February 12, 2024, Child B was left outside on the playground unattended, and staff did not realize Child B was unaccounted for until a parent observed Child B on the playground by themselves and alerted staff. Corrective action: On 2/12/24 the staff member that left a child unattended was immediately put on leave and ultimately terminated. A meeting was held with all staff stating the importance of counting children and keeping all eyes on them at all times. Again on 8/14/24 all staff were reminded of how important it is to always have eyes on the children to ensure their safety. We will continue to remind staff of the importance of safety as well as continue to have trainings on safety as well.

All fencing required by the department or otherwise intended to limit children’s access to a defined area shall either: a. Be equipped with a child proof self-latching device on any gates leading to an entrance or egress; or b. Be equipped with a child proof lock if the area is determined to be hazardous to children.

The licensing coordinator observed the self-latching device on a fence gate leading to an entrance/egress wasn’t functioning properly and the gate could be easily pushed open. Corrective action: The program's maintenance team has fixed the self-latching device on the fence gate. The program will conduct routine maintenance checks on fence gate moving forward.

He-C 4002.24(c)(2) · 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 the fire drill log revealed the program did not conduct a fire drill in July, August, September, or October 2023, or January 2024, when monthly drills are required. Corrective action: Moving forward the program will conduct fire drills and maintain records of drills as required. Fire drills have been scheduled ahead of time to be conducted on a monthly basis.