Brattleboro Centre for Children

Regulation 7.4.4: 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.

“Upon review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts and on-site staff files it was identified that five (5) staff did not complete fifteen (15) hours of annual professional development activities as required in the rule 7.4.2 of these regulations. It was also found that four (3) substitutes did not complete four (4) hours of annual professional development activities as required in the 2024 memorandum to the Licensing Regulations. Corrective Action: First, create and implement a plan to complete the overdue training hours. Include due dates and sessions to be attended. Email the detailed plan to Licensing Field Specialist Stark. Complete and submit the missing hours to Northern Lights by 5/15/2026. Second, develop and implement a system for monitoring professional development requirements to ensure future compliance. Email Licensing Field Specialist Stark a detailed description of the system created and when it was implemented. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 3.4.7.5: The licensee shall maintain a current list of the licensee or designee, staff, auxiliary staff, and volunteers as in the rules in section 7.7.5 of these regulations, as applicable in BFIS. Any changes shall be reported through BFIS within five (5) working days of the change.

“It was confirmed on site that two (2) staff members on the BFIS Associated Parties list have not been employed for the past five (5) weeks. Corrective Action: As required during this visit, remove unemployed staff from the Associated Parties list. Develop and implement a system to maintain a current list of staff members in BFIS at all times. Email Licensing Field Specialist Stark a detailed description of the system implemented.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 28, 2026

Regulation 3.4.6.1: The licensee shall maintain a record of the date of each evacuation drill as required in the rules in section 3.7.2 of these regulations that includes the number of children and staff evacuated, time taken to evacuate, and notation of the drill conducted while children were sleeping or resting. Evacuation records shall be kept for two (2) years. When the CBCCPP counts lock-down drills as allowed in the rules in section 3.7.2 of these regulations, the licensee shall maintain a record of the date of each lock-down drill, the number of CBCCPP children and staff who participated, and note that the drill performed was a lock-down drill.

“Evacuation drill records were reviewed and the last drill documented during sleep/rest was in February of 2024. Corrective Action: Immediately complete an additional evacuation drill while children are sleeping and/or resting. Record this information on the Evacuation Log and email a copy of this log to Licensing Field Specialist Stark. Status: Appeal Period.”

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.

“Upon review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts and on-site staff files, it was identified that seven (7) Staff members did not have pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR certification. This is a repeat violation cited on 03/26/24. Corrective Action: Seven (7) staff persons confirmed to be staff or substitutes for the program do not have current CPR Ccertification. Have the identified persons complete and receive CPR certification by 04/15/2026. Send confirmation of the certification to Northern Lights at CCV for uploading to the individuals BFIS accounts. Send verification of the submission to Northern Lights at CCV to Licensing Field Specialist Stark. Develop a monitoring system to track when CPR certifications will expire and develop a plan to ensure people remain currently certified. Identify all people currently CPR/First Aid certified and ensure all staff are aware of who is current in the event of an emergency. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 5.6.5: All prescription medication administered by staff shall be in its original container, properly labeled for the child, and administered prior to the expiration date on the container.

“A preschool child's epipen medication was expired as of January 2026. Corrective Action: Immediately return expired medication to child's parent or dispose of with parental permission. Send Licensing Field Specialist Stark email confirmation when this has been completed. Develop and implement a system for reviewing medication expiration dates and communicating with parents the status of the prescription for timely replacement. Send Licensing Field Specialist Stark a detailed description of the system created and when it was implemented.”

Correction date in the state record: May 15, 2026

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 member B's 5-year renewal date for their background clearance was 2/23/2026. The required record check authorization form to initiate the process was not submitted prior to the expiration. Upon request at the visit, the record check authorization form was submitted and processed within the Child Development Division on 03/08/2026. Staff member C's 5-year renewal date for their background clearance was 02/22/2026. The required record check authorization form to initiate the process was not submitted prior to the expiration. Upon request at the visit, the record check authorization form was submitted and processed within the Child Development Division on 03/10/2026. The Director's 5-year renewal date for their background clearance was 02/17/2026. The required record check authorization form to initiate the process was not submitted prior to the expiration. Upon request at the site visit, the record check authorization form was submitted and processed within the Child Development Division on 03/08/2026. Corrective Action: Submit verification of completed fingerprint appointments (receipt or TVT processing number) to Licensing Field Specialist Stark by 5/15/26. Develop and implement a system for monitoring staff members' background clearance renewal dates including who will be responsible for tracking expiration dates, notification of staff, supports to staff to complete the process, and documenting completion. Email detailed description of system to Licensing Field Specialist Stark by 5/15/26. Status: Appeal Period.”

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.

“Five (5) staff members, do not have documentation of completing the Vermont Orientation Training in BFIS, it was not presented on site, and it was not sent to licensing during the week following the site visit. This is a repeat violation cited in 3/26/24 and 3/31/23. Corrective Action: Immediately have all five (5) staff members complete the Vermont Orientation Training or an approved on-site orientation training. Identified staff members must not be left alone with children until completion of an approved orientation training. All people identified must complete orientation by 5/15/2026. The trainings are to be submitted to Northern Lights at CCV, and confirmation of that submission sent to Licensing Field Specialist Stark by 5/15/2026. Develop and implement a system to ensure all new hires that may be left alone with children and/or counted in staff/child ratio complete Orientation prior to being left alone with children. Email Licensing Field Specialist Stark confirmation of Northern Lights submission and a detailed description of the system developed to ensure compliance moving forward. Status: Appeal Period.”

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 person A employed since April 2023 and Staff person B employed since September 2023 have not completed CPR/1st aid training. Corrective Action: Have the identified individuals complete the required training. Develop a monitoring system that includes due dates for staff to complete CPR/1st aid as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: May 8, 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.

“Staff person A employed since April 2023 and Staff person B employed since September 2023 have not completed orientation. Corrective Action: Have the identified individuals complete the required training. Develop a monitoring system that includes due dates for staff to complete orientation as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: May 8, 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.

“Staff person A employed since April 2023 and Staff person B employed since September 2023 have not completed Protecting Vermont's Children from Abuse and Neglect on-line mandatory reporter training. Corrective Action: Have the identified individuals complete the required training. Develop a monitoring system that includes due dates for staff to complete Protecting Vermont's Children from Abuse and Neglect as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: May 8, 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.

“It is confirmed that staff persons A & B have been alone with children and have not completed the required orientation training. Corrective Action: Have the identified persons complete the required orientation. Develop a plan to ensure all employees complete orientation prior to being left alone with children.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 25, 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 persons A & B who both have been employed more than six months, counted in staff to child ratio and do not have CPR/1st aid certification. Corrective Action: Have the identified staff persons complete and maintain CPR/1st aid certifications.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 7, 2023

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.

“One staff member had not completed a fingerprint supported background check renewal as required. Corrective Action: Immediately submit to fingerprinting and complete all requirements of the fingerprint supported background check.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 1, 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.

“Documents are available that have not been sent to Northern Lights for entry into BFIS Quality and Credential accounts. These include educational documents and professional development/training completion documents. Corrective Action: Immediately submit all exisiting documents to professional.development@ccv.edu and develop a plan to ensure that in the future these documents are submitted in a manner that maintains up to date BFIS accounts for all staff members.”

Correction date in the state record: May 2, 2022

Regulation 5.1.2: General Health Examinations: Within forty-five (45) days of enrollment, the licensee shall obtain documentation of the child's age appropriate well care exam from the parent. Documentation shall include information regarding any health conditions and medications that may impact the care of the child.

“In a review of seven (7) child files, only three (3) contained well visit documentation. Corrective Action: Ensure that each child has documenation of a well visit on file, and develop a plan to ensure that each new child enrolled also maintains this document in their file.”

Correction date in the state record: May 6, 2022

Regulation 3.4.7.5: The licensee shall maintain a current list of the licensee or designee, staff, auxiliary staff, and volunteers as in the rules in section 7.7.5 of these regulations, as applicable in BFIS. Any changes shall be reported through BFIS within five (5) working days of the change.

“Two persons are listed as substitutes within the BFIS system and these individuals have not been a part of the program since May 2020 and August 2020 respectively. Corrective Action: Update the list of persons associated within the BFIS system. Ensure the list is maintained up to date as required.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 19, 2020

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.

“Staff person A and Staff person B who both serve as Teaching Assistants do not have documentation confirming high school diplomas or equivalent in their Quality and Credential Accounts. Staff person A is missing the required 15 hours of annual professional development hours within the account for her employment for 2019. Staff person B is missing 4 of the required 15 annual hours in her account for her employment for 2019. Four persons noted as substitutes for the program are missing the high school diploma or equivalent in their Quality and Credential Accounts. It was confirmed that each substitute has been employed by the program for more than 6 months. Corrective Action: Submit to Northern Lights @ CCV the missing documentation for each person. Establish and document a system to ensure the all employee Quality and Credenital Accounts are maintained up to date and monitored.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 19, 2020

Regulation 3.7.1.1: The licensee shall develop and maintain a written Emergency Response Plan to respond to a full range of emergencies both natural and man-made. A complete plan shall include how the licensee will address and manage the following situations and responsibilities: Evacuations or other emergencies such as leaving the premise and lockdown situations; Specific concerns related to the location of the program, such as proximity to a nuclear reactor, an area prone to flooding or power loss; Notifying the local authorities of the emergency; A system for notifying the parents of the emergency; Notifying the local emergency planning committee regarding the location of the CBCCPP and using the committee as a resource in emergency planning for the program; A system of identifying the children and staff present at the time of the emergency and maintaining knowledge of their whereabouts; A system for handling infants, toddlers, and children with special needs; An established evacuation meeting location within walking distance of the CBCCPP; A system to account for all children and staff at the evacuation meeting place; A process for relocation if necessary, including safe transportation; A system for shelter in place if the staff and children present need to remain in the CBCCPP for an extended period; and Staff chain of command and individual staff roles and responsibilities, (if applicable) during emergencies.

“The program does not have an Emergency Response Plan addressing the required situations. Corrective Action: Create and submit for review to elaine.crawford@vermont.gov an Emergency Response Plan meeting the requirements of this rule. This plan will need to include staff training. (rule 3.7.1.2)”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 19, 2020

Regulation 3.7.3: Emergency Preparedness Training: Within 365 days of opening a CBCCPP, the licensee shall attend emergency preparedness training which shall include content specifically related to sheltering in place in the event of an emergency in which the licensee and children present need to remain in the CBCCPP for an extended period.

“Confirmation of an emergency preparedness training meeting this requirement was not available within the Program Director's BFIS Quality and Credential Account nor was documentation available of completed session on site at the program. It was confirmed by the Program Director that it would be the Program Director who would represent the licensee for this training requirement. Corrective Action: Complete a training meeting the criteria of this rule. The documentation is to be sent to the Northern Lights @ CCV for uploading into the Quality and Credential Account.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 3, 2020

Regulation 6.2.5.2: Staff shall appropriately hold, touch, smile and talk to children.

“Staff person acknowledged picking a child up by placing his/her hand around the child's lower arm and pulling the child from a standing position to the child's feet off the ground. Per the staff person's statements, the child was moved approximately two feet while held by one arm. The staff person stated the child had thrown a tantrum at the time. The same staff person acknowledged speaking within earshot of the children while making derogatory statements about children's behaviors. This staff person's language and tone has been described as rough and harsh by persons who have been in the room with this staff person when the staff person spoke to children. Corrective Action: As required as of 03/05/2020, this staff person is to be shown and/or reminded of acceptable techniques of how to pick up or physically move a child. The Program Director agreed by telephone on 05/08/2020, to submit in writing what additional supervision, observations, and requirements have been made for the involved employee since 03/05/2020. The plan will be revieiwed for approval to determine if sufficient corrective action has been taken and/or planned still to occur that will provide guidance to this staff person regarding appropriate interactions with children.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 27, 2022