Berlin Elementary Preschool

Regulation 3.4.7.3: 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.

“Eight (8) staff who have been employed at the program for more than six (6) months were missing one (1) or more training or credential documents in their BFIS Quality and Credential Account. The program was provided the spreadsheet that lists the missing documentation. This is a repeat violation cited on 04/05/2021 and 09/17/2024. Corrective Action: Staff are required to submit training and credential documents through a direct send app to Northern Lights at CCV. Please submit a program improvement plan that identifies how the program will ensure staff are submitting required documents and that staff members who have been employed for more than six (6) months have complete and up to date BFIS Quality and Credential accounts. Please send this licensor the submission confirmation receipts for the missing documents. By the corrective action date confirm that all missing documents reflected on the spreadhseet were submitted. Status: Appeal Period.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 30, 2026

Regulation 7.2.2: 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.

“Staff X was working with children in the classroom and the Child Development Division had not received and processed Staff X's Record Check Authorization Form. Staff may not begin working with children until the Child Development Division has processed the Record Check Authorization Form and the staff member is reflected on the program's associated parties list. This is a repeat violation last cited on 04/05/2021. Corrective Action: The program submitted the Record Check Authorization form for Staff X shortly after this licensing visit. Staff X has valid fingerprint results on file and is cleared to work in the classroom and be left alone with children. Please submit a program improvement plan that identifies the steps the program will take to ensure compliance with this regulation is maintained and staff do not work with children until the Child Development Division has processed the Record Check Authorization Form. Status: Appeal Period.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 13, 2026

Regulation 8.2.1: The PSPP is exempt from the rule 3.4.5.1 of these regulations, however the licensee shall maintain a complete and up-to-date list of staff in the PSPP s BFIS Account and staff s BFIS Quality and Credential Account shall contain, at minimum, the following information: Name, date of birth, home address, and telephone number; Copies of current first aid and CPR certification; Signed statement verifying understanding of legal requirement to report suspected child abuse and neglect; Documentation of a current Records Check Authorization form; Documentation of having read and having ready access to a current copy of applicable child care licensing regulations; Administration of Medication training certification (if applicable); Employment start date; and Documentation of completed Orientation Training.

“Staff at the program did not have complete and up to date BFIS accounts and there were no staff files on site at Berlin Elementary School. This licensor drove to the U32 district office, and found that these documents were also not available at that location. It was reported that the missing documents are kept in binders and a staff member had the binders in their posssesion at a different location at the time the licensing visit occured. Corrective Action: The documents listed in this regulation must be available for review during a licensing visit. Please ensure moving forward that BFIS accounts are up to date and the items that can not be submitted to BFIS are kept on site. As discussed electronic staff files are acceptable as long as a staff member at the program can access them when a licensor visits. Please email this licensor and 1. confirm staff files are complete 2. identify if you will continue to use binders(identify where the binders will be kept) or will create electronic staff files.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 11, 2024

Regulation 3.4.7.3: 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.

“Five(5) staff members who have have been at the program for more than six(6) months do not have complete and up to date Quality and Credential BFIS accounts. The accounts were missing educational transcripts and documents to reflect completion of required licensing trainings and ongoing professional development. This is a repeat violation previously cited on 04/05/2021. Corrective Action: Since the visit the program has submitted the missing documents to Northern Lights at CCV and included this licensor on the submission email. This is a repeat violation and a program improvement plan is required. This plan will capture what steps the program will take to ensure future compliance with this regulations. Explain who will review staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts to ensure they are up to date within six (6) months of their hire date.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 11, 2024

Regulation 5.10.1.1: General Safety: The licensee shall ensure the physical facilities of the CBCCPP, grounds, equipment, and toys present no hazard to the health, safety, and well-being of the children.

“Child A tripped and fell into a hole that older children dug on the school aged playground. Child A sustained broken bones in his arm, required surgery where pins were needed. The hole was approximately 3 feet by 4 feet wide and 2.5 feet deep. The hole was filled in with cement pieces and sand the day of the visit, I determined an approximate depth from the Head Custodian paired with my inspection of the hole.This size of this hole is considered a hazard. The hole was located on the edge of a sandy volleyball court that is now used by Pre-K children as a giant sandbox. There was nothing surrounding the edges of the hole and it would be hard for a child to see the hole while running through the playground. The ground surrounding the hole was frozen at the time of the injury. Based on interviews with the witness, they observed that most of Child A's body was in the hole after Child A tripped. Additionally through interviews it was discovered that children are allowed to use equipment not designed for children ages 3-5 years old. Furthermore children were using the equipment on a day where the cushioning material was frozen and would not provide required cushioning if a child fell. Although use of equipment not designed for Child A's age did not cause the injury, it speaks to non compliance with this regulation and increased the chances of injury during outdoor play. During this visit I notified the Director and staff who were present that the practice of allowing the children to use the equipment disussed in this report would immediately stop. Corrective Action: Although the hole has been filled, the program will need to continue to monitor the area where the hole is located. Due to winter conditions there could be a shift in the materials used to fill it in. The program put up cones and tape to block access to this area and that should remain up until the hole is completely filled in and flush with the surrounding ground. Staff will be required to review the US Consumer Playground Safety Handbook(https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/playgrounds/public-playground-safety-handbook) Once staff have reviewed the handbook the program will email this licensor a document stating that staff have reviewed the handbook. The staff will be required to sign this document.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 1, 2024

Regulation 2.3.9.3: 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.

“Staff A,B and C did not complete a renewal of their fingerprint supported background clearance by the 5 year renewal date. Staff A and B were last fingerprinted in March of 2018. Staff C was last fingerprinted in August of 2018. Corrective Action: Immediately send new record check authorization forms for Staff A,B and C. Staff will need to set up fingerprint appointments as soon as possible. Email this licensor once all three staff have completed fingerprinting. Email this licensor and describe how the program will track when staff are due to renew their fingerprint supported background checks.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 11, 2023

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.

“Inspection of the playground revealed that mulch is breaking down and grass is now growing where mulch should be. There are cushining mats directly under the swings but in areas in front of and behind the swings grass is now growing. There was grass seen near the swing posts. Corrective Action: Children may not use the swings until the grass has been removed and mulch depth is reassessed after the grass is removed. Please add mulch as needed to areas where grass was growing. Send this licensor a photo of the swingset area once the corrections are made. Ensure moving forward regular maintenance occurs to ensure that grass is not overtaking the mulch.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 2023

Regulation 7.1.2.2: 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.

“Staff A has expired FA/CPR certificates in BFIS and copies of valid certification was not available on site the day of the visit. Corrective Action: Staff A shall complete First Aid and CPR training by 10/11/2023. Send the certificates to Northern Lights and include this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 29, 2023

Regulation 3.4.7.4: The licensee shall provide up-to-date program information in the program's BFIS account.

“The program's associated parties list was not up to date the day of the visit. There were 4 staff members listed who are no longer working at the program and have been gone for more than 5 business days. Corrective Action: The staff no longer working at the program have been removed since the visit. Ensure moving forward that once staff leave they are removed from the associated parties list within 5 business days. No further corrective action needed.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 28, 2023

Regulation 7.2.2: 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.

“Staff person A has not yet submitted to the CDD fingerprinting supported background check process. A Fingerprint Authorization Certificates along with instructions was issues on 7/17/2018. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to have Staff A submit a new Record Check Authorization Form to CDD and have this individual submit to be fingerprinted once an updated Fingerprint Authorization Certificate has been generated.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 5, 2022

Regulation 7.1.2.2: 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.

“Documentation of current infant and child CPR and pediatric first aid certification was not provided for 6 staff. This information was not in the staff's BFIS Quality and Credential accounts or in staff files at the time of this visit. Request to provide this documentation were sent to the director via e-mail on 4/6 and on 4/14. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to have staff complete infant and child CPR and pediatric first aid and submit the certification with a cover sheet to Northern Lights at CCV. Develop a system which will prompt you and/or staff to obtain training in pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR prior to being left alone with children, within three months of the employment start date. Include in this system a way to prompt yourself and/or staff when it is time to obtain further training prior to the expiration date(s) listed on the certificates.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 5, 2022

Regulation 3.4.3: 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.

“A review of attendance records in the CC Preschool classroom from December through April 5 shows that children who had been signed in to the classroom did not have documented departure times on 8 days, and on one day children with no documented arrival times had been signed out with departure times. Corrective Action: By 5/7/2021, Submit a program improvement plan identifying how the program will ensure that all children are signed in and out of each classroom.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 5, 2022

Regulation 3.3.5: The licensee, staff, and auxiliary staff shall be trained in prevention, identification and mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.

“Six (6) staff are missing documentation of completing the Protecting Vermont's Children mandated reporter training. It is not documented in BFIS and was not available in staff files at the time of this visit. Requests to provide this documentation was sent via e-mail to the director on 4/6/2021 and 4/14/2021, this information has not been provided. Corrective Action: By 5/7/2021 ensure that all staff members complete the Protecting Vermont's Children: Reporting Abuse & Neglect training. Submit the training certificates to Northern Lights for entry into BFIS with a cover sheet, and maintain a copy of the certificate on site. Submit a program improvement plan identifying how the program will maintain on-going compliance to this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 5, 2022

Regulation 7.1.3: 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.

“Six (6) staff members are missing documentation for completion of Orientation Training. Documemtation on It is not documented in BFIS and was not available in staff files at the time of this visit. Requests to provide this documentation was sent via e-mail to the director on 4/6/2021 and 4/14/2021, this information has not been provided. Corrective Action: Have staff complete the Orientation training by 5/7/2021. Develop a system to ensure ongoing compliance to this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 5, 2022

Regulation 3.4.7.3: 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.

“Documentation, including completion certificates and qualification documents are available and not yet in BFIS Quality and Credential accounts. Staff Person C confirmed that some of the documents had been submitted to Northern Lights, but not all. Corrective Action: Ensure that documentation of completion of First Aid/CPR, Orientation Training, Protecting Vermont's Children/Mandated Reporter training, Emergency Response Training, ongoing professional development, and qualification data such as educator licenses, transcripts and diplomas are sent to Northern Lights for entry into BFIS Quality and Credential accounts. Notify this Licensor when the items have been sent.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 5, 2022

Regulation 3.4.6.5: Staffing Schedule: A licensee shall maintain a written record of the daily schedule for at least 365 days of all staff including exact days and hours worked and the group of children to whom they are assigned.

“Staff person B and the office staff confirmed that a staff schedule is not maintained for PreK Preschool classroom. The CC Preschool classroom has a system to document the staff schedule where staff sign in on the daily attendance sheets. A reviewing these attendance sheets for December through April 5th shows several staff do not consistantly sign in and out. Staff Person C had been signed in but not out on five (5) days, and had not been signed in or out any other day. Staff Person C confirmed that she regularly works in this classroom five (5) days a week and has not been in the habit of signing in and out. Corrective Action: Effective immediately record the times worked everyday for each staff person in each classroom. Develop a system to ensure accurate reflection of staff schedules worked in each classroom.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 5, 2022