Staff shall use positive methods of guidance and behavior management that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation.

Staff reports reflect that Staff B has been witnessed to slap children on their bottoms, lift children off the floor by the backs of their shirts, and lift children off of the floor by one arm, in response to age-appropriate behaviors. Staff C reported that Staff B slapped at least three children on their bottoms more than five times over the past 60 days, having seen Staff B lift at least three children off of the floor by the backs of their shirts or by their arms many times over the past 60 days. Staff D reported having seen Staff B lift a child off the floor by one arm on at least two occasions. It was reported that the children seemed surprised, then lay on the floor crying after these incidents. The Director and staff report that Staff B is no longer working for the program.

6.2.7.3 · 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.

Staff A and the Director confirmed that one year old Child X, had escaped the playground area without the knowledge of the supervising staff for an unknown amount of time on 04/25/2025. Staff reports reflect that Child X's location was unknown to staff for a minimum of one and a maximum of ten minutes and that Child X was found behind the building in an unfenced area including a small pool of water, and direct access to a wooded area and a parking lot approximately 25 yards away. Staff report that Child X is known to run from or hide from the group and did not appear upset when located. This is a serious violation.

6.2.6.1 · Not corrected

Missing child: When it is determined that a child attending the CBCCPP is missing from the program, the licensee or staff must immediately notify the police, the child's parents and the Division. A written report shall be made to the Division within twenty-four (24) hours.

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 violation was cited to this rule on 12/4/24 with corrective action required by 1/20/25. Though some documents have been submitted for BFIS accounts, as of 1/23/25 required documentation to be reflected in staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts is not reflected, nor has the program cc'd Supervisor Sheldrick-Humphries in the identified missing components when submitting to Northern Lights at CCV.

3.4.7.3 · 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.

During the 12/4/24 compliance visit documentation was requested to confirm staff qualifications. Documentation was not provided prior to the submission of that report, therefore the program was advised this would be assessed at a follow up focus compliance visit. As of 1/23/25 documentation has not been provided to confirm two (2) staff identified as Trainees who have been employed over twelve (12) months, and one (1) staff documentation has not been provided to confirm they meet Teacher qualifications.

6.2.1.4 · Not corrected

The licensee, in consultation with the program director, shall establish written program policies and procedures and provide these to staff and to 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 during an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to being left alone with children. Trainees under eighteen (18) years of age and other staff not left alone with children shall complete the orientation training within at least one (1) month of their first date of working with children. Complete written information and the orientation training session shall include: Basic knowledge of child growth and development; Routine and emergency health protection of children including health related exclusions; Safety and sanitation requirements including handling and storage of hazardous materials and disposal of bio contaminants; Positive behavior management; Supervision of children; Child accident and injury procedures including building and physical premises safety; Safe sleep practices; Administration of medication requirements; Emergency and evacuation requirements; Nutrition and food safety including prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions; Recordkeeping; Transportation and child passenger safety; Release of children; Respectful engagement of families; Preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect; including information about the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, sexual violence, grooming processes, recognizing the dangers of child sexual abuse, and other predatory behaviors of sex offenders; Recognition of and response to the symptoms of common childhood illnesses; Preventing the spread of infectious disease; Providing developmentally appropriate activities and experiences for children; Inclusion of children with special needs; Guidelines for volunteers, partner staff, auxiliary staff, and business managers; Responsibility to comply with current applicable licensing regulations; Staffing requirements to include opening and closing; and Ensuring children have extra clothes and diapers available.

The licensee, in consultation with the program director, shall establish written program policies and procedures and provide these to staff and to 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 during an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to being left alone with children. Trainees under eighteen (18) years of age and other staff not left alone with children shall complete the orientation training within at least one (1) month of their first date of working with children. Complete written information and the orientation training session shall include: Basic knowledge of child growth and development; Routine and emergency health protection of children including health related exclusions; Safety and sanitation requirements including handling and storage of hazardous materials and disposal of bio contaminants; Positive behavior management; Supervision of children; Child accident and injury procedures including building and physical premises safety; Safe sleep practices; Administration of medication requirements; Emergency and evacuation requirements; Nutrition and food safety including prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions; Recordkeeping; Transportation and child passenger safety; Release of children; Respectful engagement of families; Preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect; including information about the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, sexual violence, grooming processes, recognizing the dangers of child sexual abuse, and other predatory behaviors of sex offenders; Recognition of and response to the symptoms of common childhood illnesses; Preventing the spread of infectious disease; Providing developmentally appropriate activities and experiences for children; Inclusion of children with special needs; Guidelines for volunteers, partner staff, auxiliary staff, and business managers; Responsibility to comply with current applicable licensing regulations; Staffing requirements to include opening and closing; and Ensuring children have extra clothes and diapers available.

At the time of the licensing visit, six (6) staff had not completed Vermont Orientation.

The licensee shall ensure that all new staff and auxiliary staff, prior to working with children in the CBCCPP; and any new individual designated as the representative of the licensee shall submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division and shall submit to fingerprinting at a location designated by the Division after having received the Fingerprinting Authorization Certificate by the Division.

Review of BFIS account and follow up with the Division's Business Technician's revealed Staff A, Staff B, Staff C, and Staff D have not yet completed required Out of State paperwork to complete the fingerprinting process. Staff A was notified on 1/9/23, Staff B on 12/29/23, Staff C on 3/25/22, and Staff D on 11/28/23 of this requirement. It also revealed Staff E has not yet had their fingerprints completed. Staff E was notified of this requirement on 12/29/23. Program was advised of these outstanding fingerprints on 5/10/24 and was informed on 6/17/24 of how to obtain additional copies of missing Out of State paperwork.

7.2.2 · 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.

Review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential acounts as well as staff files on site detmerined four (4) staff accounts in BFIS were not up to date to include all required documents, such as professional development completed, orientation certificates, and mandated reporter training certificates, found in on site files. All four (4) staff have been working at the program for longer than six (6) months.

3.4.7.3 · Not corrected

All staff shall complete fifteen (15) clock hours of annual professional development activities as required in the rule 7.4.2 of these regulations. Substitutes filling a staff position for less than thirty (30) consecutive days within a 365 day period shall be exempt.

Review of Staff A's BIFS Quality and Credential account as well as review of staff files on site and email follow up correspondance with Program Director determined Staff A did not complete annual professional development hours are required by this rule.

7.4.4 · 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.

Exterior stairs, walks, ramps, and porches shall be cleared of ice and snow or other environmental hazards that may block exits.

Set of four (4) stairs leading from the Toddler classroom directly outside were found to have piles of a couple inches of snow on each step. The snow also appeared to have a layer of ice on top. It was confirmed through conversation with Staff A that this exit and these stairs are used as a secondary exit in the event of an emergency.

5.10.4.5.6 · 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.

Six staff members had CPR/First Aid certifications that expired in September of 2021. Those six staff members completed CPR/First Aid training in March, after this compliance visit.

7.1.2.2 · 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.

Review of staff quality and credential accounts revealed that seven staff members are missing required documentation. This documentation includes valid CPR/FA certificates, educational transcripts, completion of Vermont Orientation and Mandated Reporter trainings.

3.4.7.3 · Not corrected

A system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the CBCCPP, shall be established. The licensee shall save all daily attendance records identifying the hours of children's attendance for at least twelve (12) months from the date that care is provided.

The main sign in sheet in the entryway reflected that 31 children were signed in to the program. The classroom attendence in the infant room reflected 3 children signed in and 7 children were in care. The attendance sheet in the toddler room reflected 0 children signed in and 8 children were in care. The attendance sheet in the Pre-K classroom reflected 0 children signed in and 9 children were present.

3.4.3 · 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.

Three staff members had not yet submitted to fingerprinting. All three staff members were issued Fingerprint Authorization Certificates along with instructions. Staff A's and Staff B's certificates were issued on 02/27/2018, and Staff C's certificate was issued on 09/17/2019.

2.3.9.3 · Not corrected

Staff shall use positive methods of guidance and behavior management that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem and cooperation.

Three staff members stated that on Tuesday, 09/17/2019, a child had been placed in a highchair as a result of repeated unsafe behavior and that the child was in the chair for approximately 10-20 minutes. All three staff members stated that placing the child in a highchair and helping her with breathing exercises is a part of a behavior/safety plan that was developed with the child's mother. All three staff stated that the child is usually in the chair for only a couple of minutes while she does her calming exercises with a teacher and is then taken out, but that time got away from them on 09/17/2019 due to it being a transition period in the classroom.

6.2.7.3 · 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 record check authorization form has not been completed or submitted to CDD for partner staff member Karen Manning. During this visit Karen was alone with a child to deliver speech services.

2.3.9.3 · Not corrected