Bethel Elementary Preschool

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 H was due to submit a new Records Check Authorization and complete updated fingerprinting by 5/25/23. A letter advising of this renewal was generated and issued on 6/13/23. Review of BFIS Associated Parties list identifies that a new Records Check Authorization form for Staff H has not yet been received. Corrective Action: Submit a new Records Check Authorization for Staff H. Submit a copy of a receipt showing fingerprinting has been completed or a date for which an appointment has been scheduled. Create a system for tracking when staff are due for this renewal process to ensure it is completed timely.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 2024

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.

“Review of BFIS determined Staff F, Staff I and Staff J have not yet completed the fingerprinting process. Letters advising these staff of this requirement were issued to Staff F on 11/6/23, Staff I on 7/23/24 and Staff J on 7/23/24. Corrective Action: For each staff member indicated, submit a copy of receipt indicating fingerprinting has been completed or dates for which appointments have been scheduled for fingerprinting to be completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 2024

Regulation 3.4.5.4: When the licensee maintains off-site personnel records, the licensee or designee shall also maintain a legally notarized affidavit onsite, signed by the licensee or designee, testifying that each personnel file required for staff, auxiliary staff, and partner staff contains all records as required in the rules 3.4.5.1 - 3.4.5.3 of these regulations. The licensee shall permit representatives of the Division to have full access to off-site records to verify documentation.

“Staff files were deteremined to be maintained off site at the Supervisory Union office. Observation during site visit as well as post site visit follow up determined program does not have an updated affidavit on site as required Corrective Action: By the corrective action due date given ensure that an affidavit meeting all the requirements in this rule is in place at the program.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 2024

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

“Review of BFIS Quality and Credential accounts determined six (6) staff members, Staff A, Staff B, Staff C, Staff D, Staff E, and Staff F, have not completed this required training. All staff are present at the program and working with children. Corrective Action: Ensure all staff indicated complete this training by the corrective action due date given. Create a system for tracking to ensure this training is completed prior to staff beginning working with children.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 2024

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.

“Review of BFIS Quality and Credential accounts for three (3) staff, Staff C, Staff G, and Staff F, determined this required training had not yet been completed. All three (3) staff were identified during this visit as being counted in ratio and/or being left alone with children. Corrective Action: By the corrective action due date ensure the identified staff have completed this training. Create a system for ensuring all new staff complete this training within the requirements of this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 2024

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

“A review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts reflected that Staff A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I had not yet completed the required mandated reporter training. The principal of the school confirmed that these staff members had not yet taken the required mandated reporter training. The principal stated that it was believed that the mandated reporter training offered by the district would cover this requirement. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to have Staff A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I complete the required mandated reporter training named "Protecting Vermont's Children: Reporting Abuse and Neglect". Develop a system which will prompt new staff members, including auxiliary staff, to complete this training prior to working alone with children and in a timely manner moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: May 18, 2021

Regulation 6.2.1.3: The program director shall ensure that the number of staff present meets requirements described in the chart below for ages of children, maximum group size, and staff/child ratios at any time of day.

“During lunch in the cafeteria, for approximately 25 minutes of time, there were 21 preschool children present with two staff members which exceeded the staff:child ratio of 1:10. The other two staff members were on lunch break within the building. THIS IS A REPEAT SERIOUS VIOLATION. Corrective Action: Send a program improvement plan that includes systems to ensure compliant ratios throughout each day moving forward, as this is a repeat serious violation.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 18, 2019

Regulation 5.4.1.4: Cots, mats, and mattresses shall be nonporous or have nonporous coverings. Each child shall be provided clean, individual bed linens either by the licensee providing them directly or requiring parents to provide them. No child shall nap directly on nonporous coverings.

“Several rest mats had large rips exposing the nonporous materials inside. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to repair or replace all ripped rest mats. Create a system which will prompt you to regularly check, repair and replace rest mats as necessary.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 18, 2019