No form of inappropriate discipline or corporal punishment shall be used with children such as but not limited to: Restricting a child's movements or actions through use of physical force, binding, tying, use of any other mechanical restraint, or using medication without written parental permission, without following the medicine's label, and/or without following medical prescription;

A staff member used innappropriate discipline and guidance practices as well as unnecessary physical force when they lifted a four year old child by the wrists and moved them from the ground to the picnic table approximately twelve (12) inches away, leaving marks on the child's wrist that lasted at least four days. It was observed that the staff member used a loud, mean tone of voice when speaking to the child. This is a serious violation.

6.2.7.4.2 · Not corrected

Staff shall be able to hear all children of pre-kindergarten age and younger at all times, shall be able to see the children with a quick glance, and shall be able to physically respond immediately.

A child was left alone in the hallway without supervision or staff identifying that he was missing for three (3) to five (5) minutes.

6.2.6.1 · Not corrected

Within six (6) months of the initial date of employment; staff and auxiliary staff left alone with children and/or counted in staff/child ratio as specified in the rule 6.2.1.8 of these regulations, and the program director shall maintain an up-to-date BFIS Quality and Credential Account. Documentation, verification of qualifications, and all annual professional development activities as specified in the rules in sections 7.3 and 7.4 of these regulations shall be submitted to Northern Lights at CCV to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

A review of staff BFIS credential accounts and staff files reflected that many documents, including annual professional development, staff qualification documents, and infant and child CPR and pediatric first aid certificates had not been sent to Northern Lights at CCV in a timely manner.

3.4.7.3 · Not corrected

The licensee shall ensure that all staff have met ongoing background check requirements by submitting at least once every five (5) years a Records Check Authorization form to the Division and as required shall submit to fingerprinting.

A review of staff BFIS accounts reflected that Staff A and Staff B had submitted Records Check Authorization forms to the Division prior to their five-year expiry, had received notification letters from the Division of their need to be fingerprinted, and had not yet submitted to fingerprinting. The director was not able to provide receipts for fingerprinting for Staff A or B by 06/10/2025. Both staff were present and working with children and Staff B was left alone with children during this visit.

2.3.9.3 · Not corrected

Staff who are qualified as defined in the rules in section 7.3 of these regulations, meet professional development requirements as defined in the rules in section 7.4 of these regulations, and are physically present and working with children may be counted in staff/child ratios.

Teacher Assistant A teacher assistant is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications: * At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level One (1) or Two (2) Certificate; or * At least a current CDA (Child Development Associate) and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least a State Board of Education approved Human Services Program Certificate that emphasizes child development or early childhood education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals' course or the Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in child or human development or a three (3) college credit course for school age care and education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

A review of staff BFIS credential accounts reflects that staff A, who has been employed with the program since 09/03/2029, has not yet completed qualifications as Teacher Assistant. Staff A was present and working alone with a group of children during this visit.

7.3.2.3 · Not corrected

The program director shall ensure that each group of children is led by a staff member who is at least qualified as a teacher associate for at least 75% of the hours of operation.

It was noted that Staff A and B were assigned as lead teachers in two preschool classrooms. A review of Staff A and B's BFIS credential account and staff files, they do not meet the minimum requirements for teacher associate per rule 7.3.2.2. The director confirmed that Staff A and B have been assigned as lead teachers for at least six (6) months.

6.2.4.3 · Not corrected

The licensee shall ensure that no person shall be left alone with children without approval from the Division which shall be based on the results of the background check to include fingerprinting.

It was noted that Staff C and D were alone with a group of children during the visit and had not yet received approval from the Division based on the finger print supported background check. Further, it was noted that Staff E, F, G and H had not yet received approval from the Division based on finger print supported background checks. Staff C is a new employee. Staff D was made aware of the requirement to submit to fingerprinting thirteen (13) months prior to the visit. Staff E, F, G and H were made aware of the requirement to complete fingerprinting between seven (7) and twelve (12) months prior to this visit.

7.2.4 · Not corrected

Staff who are counted in the staff/child ratios and auxiliary staff left alone with children and/or counted in staff/child ratio as specified in the rule 6.2.1.8 of these regulations shall obtain training in pediatric first aid and in infant and child CPR within three (3) months of beginning work in the CBCCPP and remain currently certified.

A review of staff files and staff BFIS quality and credential accounts reflected that Staff A, B, and C did not have current certifications in infant and child CPR and pediatric first aid. Staff A, B, and C have worked with the program for at least 3 months and have position titles which lend to them being left alone with children and counted in staff /child ratio.

7.1.2.2 · Not corrected