Arlington Area Child Care

Regulation 6.2.6.1: 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 three year old child left the playground unsupervised, left the premises of the program, and was found across East Arlington Road by an individual driving by. The program staff were not aware that the child was missing until he was returned to the program by the individual who found him. Corrective Action: Immediately ensure that no child is able to leave the playground unsupervised by making adjustments to supervision practices and/or the gate. Create a Program Improvement Plan to ensure that supervision is maintained for every child at all times. Submit this plan to sarah.crosier@vermont.gov for review. This is a serious violation which requires that a Parental Notification Letter be sent to all families of children enrolled in your program. Please also send to sarah.crosier@vermont.gov names and contact information for parents who will be sent the Parental Notification Letter.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 23, 2021

Regulation 6.2.8.3: Staff shall ensure that a positive transition plan is created and utilized with parental knowledge and support when a child is moved from one (1) group or room to another group or room.

“Three children in the prekindergarten classroom were moved into the two-four year old classroom without parental consultation or involvement in the decision making. The decision was made upon a Friday and the children were in the different classroom the following Monday without any transition plan in place. One child's parent was not aware of the move until it had occurred. Corrective Action: Create a procedure that ensures parental involvement in transitions from one group to another group or room. Include in the updated transition plan for children, the expectations of staff persons to communicate with one another about the child's interests, development, and needs prior to the change of groups or rooms. Also include in the transition plan the incremental steps or introductions to a new group or room that will occur for a child.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 4, 2021

Regulation 6.2.7.4.6: No form of inappropriate discipline or corporal punishment shall be used with children such as but not limited to: Making disparaging remarks regarding a child or his/her family.

“Three staff members stated that they heard the alleged staff member use the terms gay, faggot, twinkle toes, and serial killer to describe a child. Corrective Action: The staff member alleged to have used these terms to talk about a child was terminated from her employment at this program on November 16, 2020, following an internal investigation.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 4, 2020

Regulation 6.2.6.1: 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 teacher and the director both stated that a two year old child was left outside on the playground without supervision for a period of 1-3 minutes after all other children and staff entered the building. Corrective Action: Immediately ensure that all children are supervised on the playground at all times, and email sarah.crosier@vermont.gov your updated plan to ensure this supervision continues. The plan should address children being added to the group when the group is outside. This is a serious violation which requires that a Parental Notification Letter be sent to all families of children enrolled in your program. Please also send to sarah.crosier@vermont.gov names and contact information for parents who will be sent the Parental Notification Letter.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 10, 2020

Regulation 5.10.3.3: Safe Use Zones For all play equipment that is thirty (30) inches or higher from the ground, including climbing equipment, slides, swings and other similar equipment, the licensee shall ensure that the surface under and around the equipment, including recommended use zones, is of approved resilient material that protects children if they fall. * Materials in the use zone shall consist of wood chips, pea stone, mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, safety-tested shredded or rubber like material or rubber mats designed for protective cushioning; * Materials used in the use zone shall follow the recommendations listed in the most recent publication of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook regarding critical depth of tested materials determined by the height of the highest climbing surface of the equipment; * Materials used in the use zone shall be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions; * If the loose material such as sand, mulch, or shredded rubber is used in use zones, the licensee shall ensure that the material is raked regularly and replenished to maintain depth and resilience; and * If the resilient material in use zones freezes, staff shall ensure that children will not play on the equipment until the resilient material has thawed and is once again resilient.

“There is inadequate or no cushioning material under multiple playground items that allow children to get more than 30 inches off the ground. The items include swings, a rope climber, a dome climber and a climber with a slide. Equipment is located on the preschool and schoolage playgrounds. Corrective Action: Immediately make identified items unavailable for use by children. Email sarah.crosier@vermont.gov regarding plans for obtaining cushioning or maintaining the items as unavailable.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 7, 2019

Regulation 5.4.2.5: Soft objects, toys or loose bedding shall not be used in infants' sleep areas. Soft or loose bedding includes: bumper pads, pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, blankets, flat sheets, cloth diapers, and bibs. Infants shall not be swaddled for sleep.

“A boppy style pillow was observed partially under the mattress in a pack and play. Staff confirmed that a child under the age of 13 months sleeps in this crib, and this had been in place for an indefinite amount of time. Corrective Action: Immediately remove pillow from under mattress and ensure that safe sleep practices are used for all infants.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 6, 2019