Brightpath Songsmith Bear

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On January 21, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect staff-to-child ratios. An investigation was conducted on January 22, 2025. Based on observations and staff interviews, this complaint is substantiated for incorrect ratios because LS #1 observed three classrooms not in correct staff-to-child ratio. The infant room had five children with one staff member. The one-year-old room had eight children with one staff member, and the school-age room had fifteen children, including three-year-olds with one staff member. An additional concern noted at the visit was, based on interviews, infants were cared for in rooms with older children when more than 12 children in total were present and maximum group size was exceeded.”

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On January 13, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect ratios, improper mixing of ages, and exceeding capacity. An investigation began on January 14, 2025, and was completed on January 27, 2025. Based on observations, staff interviews, and attendance records, this complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios and exceeding maximum group size. Attendance records reviewed documented classrooms were out of correct ratio and LS #1 also observed three classrooms not in correct staff-to-child ratio at the time of the visit. LS #1 observed a classroom with 29 children, ages three through school-age at the time of the visit, exceeding maximum group size. This complaint is substantiated for improper mixing of ages because attendance records show infants were in mixed-age group rooms when more than 12 children in total were present. The attendance records also reflected infants were present in a room of nineteen total children. Infants and toddlers may only be cared for with older children when 12 or fewer children in total are present and during the first or last 90 minutes of the hours of operation. This complaint is substantiated for exceeding room capacity. The school-age room has a capacity of 21, but LS #1 observed 29 children in the room. An additional concern noted after the visit is two staff members were working before they were determined eligible or provisionally eligible.”

20U Positive Behavior Management

“Roughly handling a child or physical punishment inflicted on a child s body, including, but limited to, the following: shacking, grabbing, striking, hair pulling, biting, pinching, plucking, slapping, hitting, kicking, or spanking. When aware of the concern, the center immediately sent the staff member home, and later terminated their employment.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 16, 2024

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On April 29, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect staff-to-child ratios and lack of supervision. Based on interviews and attendance records reviewed, this complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios. The one-year-old classroom had eight children to one staff from 8:51 am to 9:30 am on April 29, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of supervision because staff stated how they spread out to locations around the playground to view the entire space. Non Compliance Cited: Reg #27 The licensee shall maintain the minimum staff-to-child ratio for each age group. Please review DELACARE Regulations regarding staff-to-child ratio with all staff. Please send a statement that this review has been conducted with all staff and a copy of one week s attendance records for the one-year-old classroom to OCCL by May 30, 2024.”

67U Transportation

“Ensure the fire extinguisher is inspected on Bus # 1 (moose key)”

Correction date in the state record: May 30, 2024

45U Hazardous Materials

“Ensure all chemicals are in locked cabinets. Cabinets in the twos and fours classroom locks are working. Send a picture to OCCL by June 13, 2024”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 10, 2024

42U Documenting Children's Progress

“Ensure the center is documenting children's progress. Send annual progress or development plans by June 13, 2024 - Child #1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 13, 2024

40U Child Files

“Ensure Child files are complete. Below are the items needed. Send documentation to OCCL by Janu 13, 2024. Emergency Card Information - Child #8, 9 Health Appraisal - Child #9 Immunization - Child #6 Blood lead screening - Child #8, 9 Medication permission - Child @8 needs MAR for epi-pen”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 13, 2024

30U Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. Below are the items needed. Send documentation to OCCL by June 13, 2024 Two hours of Health & Safety training - Staff # 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 Signed PD plan - Staff #2, 12, 14 Orientation - Staff #3, 12, 13 15 7-hour health and safety training #2,3,6,7, 12,15,16 Job Descriptions - Staff #2, 3, 6, 12, 14, 15, 18 References - Staff #2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 Annual sleep safe Staff #2, 5, 7, 11, 12, 18 Annual abuse and neglect Staff # 5, 11, 18 Declaration and Drug/alcohol statement Staff # 5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16 Adult abuse Staff #5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18 Health Appraisal Staff #5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18 Release of employment history and service letters Staff #7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 26, 2024

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On December 12, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect ratios, lack of respectful communication, and maintaining confidentiality of child files. Based on staff interviews and documentation received, this complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios. Although all rooms were in ratio at the time of the visit, attendance records show two classrooms were out of ratio on one or more days during the week of December 11, 2023. Based on staff interviews, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of respectful communication or maintaining confidentiality of child files. All staff interviewed stated they discuss children with the parent of the child only and do not disclose confidential child information. All staff interviewed stated they have not heard the administrator being disrespectful to parents or heard Staff #2 being disrespectful to Child #1. An additional concern noted was that a staff member was present without having been determined eligible.”

28U General Qualifications

“Licensee shall ensure all staff members are fingerprinted and the licensee has received and eligibility determination or provisional eligibility notification before the start of employment. Staff member was employed and fingerprinted but became inactive. Staff member was sent home until they complete updated fingerprinted. Staff member and administrator were Informed the staff cannot work in the building until eligibility letter is received. A licensee shall ensure a staff member is fingerprinted and the licensee has received an eligibility determination or a provisional eligibility notification before the start of employment. Staff #2 was sent home and were informed they cannot return to work until they have completed the fingerprinting process and receive an eligibility letter or provisional eligibility.”

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On October 10, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision. An investigation began on October 12, 2023, and concluded on October 13, 2023. Based on the results of this investigation, this complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because all staff interviewed stated Child #1 was on playground alone.”

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On March 22, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratios, inaccurate attendance records, falsifying attendance records, and not following the center s policies. An investigation began on March 28, 2023, and ended on April 13, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios because two of the staff interviewed admitted their classrooms were not always in proper staff-to-child ratios. In addition, attendance records for March 28, 2023, showed an unqualified staff member was alone with 20 children, the youngest of which was one year old, for one hour. The complaint is substantiated for inaccurate attendance records for both children and staff because attendance was not accurately documented in two classrooms at the visit. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that attendance records are being falsified because none of the attendance records showed signs of being altered. The administrator also denied adding a staff member s name to an attendance record when the staff member was not present. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that the center is not following its policies because at least three of the staff interviewed stated children were not permitted to bring in food or belongings from the outside. Additionally, the staff said they had never seen a child with outside belongings while in the classrooms.”

45U Hazardous Materials

“Classroom #4 needs soap and water and sanitizer bottles labeled.”

Correction date in the state record: May 24, 2023

40U Child Files

“All child files must be complete. -Child #1 needs an updated health appraisal and immunization records. Child #2 needs updated immunization records. -Child #6 needs a signed parent right-to-know form.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 13, 2023

30U Personnel Files

“All staff files must be complete. -CPR and first aid certification is needed for Staff #2, #3, #5, #5. -Administration of medication certification is needed for Staff #5. -Staff #6 needs two or four reference letters, the Employee Declaration/Drug- Alcohol signed paper, an eligibility letter in the file, adult abuse registry, and proof service requests were sent twice. If no service letter is returned, two additional reference letters are needed. (Total of four.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 5, 2023

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On January 6, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint alleging incorrect staff-to-child ratios, disrespectful communication by the administrator, and falsifying attendance records. An investigation was conducted on January 13, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios because attendance records provided to this specialist indicated on two afternoons the gathering area exceeded the maximum group size at the end of the day and did not maintain correct staff-to-child ratios. Attendance records for the one-year-old class indicated, on the five days of attendance records examined, the classroom exceeded maximum group size and was not in correct staff-to-child ratios each of the five days. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for disrespectful communication on the part of the administrator, as 14 staff people all denied being spoken to disrespectfully by Administrator Grimes. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for falsifying attendance records as there was no indication records had been falsified.”

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“A complaint was received on November 9, 2022, regarding lack of supervision, unqualified staff alone with children, not following meal policies, infants not being cared for in rooms suitable for the age group, and not accurately accounting for children during transition times. An investigation began on November 10, 2022, and ended on December 1, 2022. The complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because attendance records reviewed sometimes did not document a staff person being present in classrooms. The complaint is substantiated for unqualified staff left alone with children because a review of four days worth of attendance records showed unqualified staff left alone with children a number of times. The complaint is substantiated for not following meal policies because outdated Child & Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) documents were being used to determine food serving sizes for children. The complaint is substantiated for infants not being cared for in rooms suitable for the age group, as the administrator stated she sometimes has to take the remaining infants into the office with her in the stroller, so she can be in the office to watch the door. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for not accurately accounting for children during transition times, because four staff interviewed all stated the center s method of face-to-name counting of children at the beginning and end of all transitions.”

74U Lesson Plans

“The lesson plan in Investigators (three and four year olds) classroom needs a food/healthy habits activity, a science activity, and a music activity. Send a complete lesson plan to OCCL.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 9, 2023

66U Emergency Planning

“Monthly fire drills and evacuation checklists must be completed. Send November and December's checklists to OCCL.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 9, 2023

53U Outdoor Area

“The large playground needs a new self-latching mechanism on the inside of the gate.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 9, 2023

51U Toilet Facilities

“Paper towels are needed in the school-age bathroom.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 9, 2023

40U Child Files

“All child files must be complete. --An additional emergency contact name and number are needed for Child #7. -Lead blood screening results are needed for Child #7, #8, #19, #20. -A signed parent right-to-know form is needed for Child #3.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 23, 2023

30U Personnel Files

“All staff files must be complete. -Staff #1 needs CPR and first aid certification. -Staff #2 need administration of medication certification, a signed professional development plan, and service letter(s), or proof each request was sent twice. -Staff #3 needs CPR and first aid and administration of medication certification, two referene eltters, and a completed release of employment form. -Staff #4 needs a completed and signed professional development plan. -Staff #5 needs a signed professional development plan and a completed release of employment history form. -Staff#6 needs a completed orientation, an updated application for rehire, the declaration and drug/alcohol prohibition form and an adult abuse registry. -Staff #7 needs a completed and signed professional development plan. -Staff #8 needs a health appraisal and TB results, and a service letter. -Staff #9 needs an eligibility letter and service letter(s) or proof requests were sent twice. -Staff #10 needs CPR and first aid and administration of mediation certification, an eligibility letter, and a health appraisal with TB results. -Staff #11 needs administration of medication certification and an eligibility letter.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 23, 2023

74U Lesson Plans

“Place the correct week's lesson plans on the board for Room #107.”

40U Child Files

“All child files must be complete. -A lead blood screening result is needed for Child #4. -Child health appraisals with immunization records and lead blood screening results are needed for Child #2, #3, #5, #6, #7.”

30U Personnel Files

“All staff files must be complete. -Annual review of safe sleep is needed for Staff 33, #4. -New hire orientation is needed for Staff #1, #2, #3, #4. -A job description is needed for Staff #2, #3. #4. -Reference letters are needed for Staff #2, #3, #4. -Declaration and drug/alcohol prohibition signature page is needed for Staff #1, #2. -A release of employment history form must be completed and placed in the file for Staff #2, #4.”