Children's Discovery Center for Early Learning

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.

“The program self-reported an incident which occurred on 5/15/26 resulting in a preschool aged child being left inside unattended. Staff A took two (2) children in from outside and was attending to Child B while Child C proceeded to the second bathroom within the classroom. Staff A exited three (3) minutes later with Child B to return to the playground. Approximately five (5) minutes later when doing head counts to transition to the community playground it was identified that Child C was not present. At the same time Child C was observed at the door from the building leading to the playground and was reunited with their group. This is a serious violation. Corrective Action: Submit a modified program improvement plan that addresses small group transitions to ensure adequate supervision is provided. In addition, the program is required to work with SPARQS to have an initial assessment and to address supporting staff and children to ensure children's needs are met, and supervision is increased. A Parental Notification Letter (PNL), which is a copy of the licensing report, must be provided to each parent of every child enrolled within ten (10) days of the report submission. Provide a list of parent's names, child's name and contact information for each enrolled child.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 5, 2026

Regulation 3.2.5: Self-reported violations: If an incident or situation occurs in a CBCCPP while children are present that could be considered a serious violation as defined in the rule 2.2.50 of these regulations, the licensee has a responsibility to self-report this to the Division within twenty-four (24) hours of the incident. A complete report will include a description of the incident, what the licensee has done to verify the particulars of what occurred, and how the licensee has taken corrective action to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to prevent a future serious violation. If such a report is received in a timely manner from a licensee with a history of consistent regulatory compliance, no child has been seriously injured or harmed as a result of the incident or situation, and the licensee has taken prompt and appropriate corrective action; the Division may, on a case by case basis and at the Division's discretion, elect to issue a warning, rather than a violation related to that incident or situation.

“Three(3) year old Child A was located on the playground on 4/10/26 without staff supervision. The program did not notify the Division of this occurring, and through interviews learned that management was aware of this situation and made a determination that this event did not warrant notifying the Division. Corrective Action: Provide a written statement to Licensor [name] signed by all management that confirms this rule has been reviewed and is understood. Ensure all future management positions are aware of this rule and the time frame on making reports.”

Correction date in the state record: May 15, 2026

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.

“The Division received a concern that, three (3) year old Child A had been located outside of the program in the fenced in playground when their parent arrived to pick the child up. Upon review of video footage, it was determined that Child A, exited the classroom without staff knowledge, and two (2) minutes had lapsed before being located on the playground. Through interviews it was confirmed that when the parent arrived, they were permitted in the classroom where it was discovered their child was not present. Staff proceeded to check the bathrooms and exited the backdoor of the classroom to the playground where Child A was observed alone. The fence on the day of this investigation had gaps at the bottom that did not prevent a small child from exiting, and additionally staff were observed having to physically hold the gate that exits the playground to prevent children from opening it. Though contained, the conditions of the fence and gate did not securely prevent Child A from exiting if they had attempted. This is a serious violation. Corrective Action: Submit a program improvement plan to Licensor [name] that 1) confirms that supervision requirements have been reviewed with all staff, 2) how staff will ensure positioning in the classroom to ensure all children remain supervised and exit points are monitored or additional safety measures are put in place in those areas to alert staff if children try to leave unsupervised, and 3) identifies a plan for increased staff when children with high needs are present and reduce staff's abilities to effectively provide supervision. A Parental Notification Letter (PNL), which is a copy of the licensing report, must be provided to each parent of every child enrolled within ten (10) days of the report submission.”

Correction date in the state record: May 15, 2026

Regulation 5.1.4: The licensee shall submit a Vermont Child Care Immunization Report at least once every 365 days to the Vermont Department of Health, Immunization Office as required by 18 V.S.A. SS 1120 - 1129.

“The required annual immunization survey was not submitted to Vermont Department of Health by midnight on 12/31/25. Initial notification of this requirement was sent the beginning of November, with reminders provided weekly, then daily, closer to the due date. Corrective Action: You must submit the past due 2025 annual immunization survey to Vermont Department of Health by midnight on 1/14/26. Failure to submit this survey will result in further regulatory action. Additionally, submit a statement to Kristy.Haapala@vermont.gov indicating who will be responsible for submitting this survey in the future.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 15, 2026

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.

“Following the visit it was identified that one (1) staff member, listed on the program's Associated Parties list, was no longer employed by the program. In addition, three (3) staff members were listed under incorrect position titles. Staff confirmed that all identified staffing changes had taken place more than five (5) days prior to the visit. Corrective Action: Following the visit, the program worked with this Licensor to update incorrect position titles of staff, to reflect correctly. Immediately enter end dates for any individuals who are no longer employed by/associated with the program. Develop a system to ensure that when there are staff changes within the program, these changes are reported to the Division within five (5) working days.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 5, 2025

Regulation 7.3.2.4: "Trainee" A trainee is at least fifteen (15) years of age, able to comprehend basic written format, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications: 1) At least a high school graduate or has completed a GED and completes the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals'course or the Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate within the first twelve (12) months of employment; or 2) At least a high school graduate or has completed a GED and successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in child or human development or in school age care and education within the first twelve (12) months of employment; or 3) At least is enrolled in or has received a State Board of Education approved Human Services Program Certificate that emphasizes child development or early childhood education.

“Upon review of Staff BFIS Quality and Credential Accounts and electronically provided staff documents it was identified that Staff A, a trainee, failed to meet the requirements of this rule within twelve the first twelve (12) months of employment. A requirement option as outlined in this rule was required to have been met by 05/13/2025. Corrective Action: Staff statements reflect that Staff A is currently enrolled in a Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals course. Upon completion of the course, provide evidence of completion to the Division. Develop a system to ensure that Trainee's meet the requirements of this rule within twelve (12) months of hire moving forward. In the corrective action email, provide details of the system developed to ensure compliance moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 5, 2025

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.

“Upon review of the program's Associated Parties list in BFIS, it was identified that two (2) staff present and working with children in the program had not submitted Record Check Authorization forms to the Division. Staff statements reflected that Staff A and B had been working at the program for more than one (1) week prior to the 10/16/24 visit. As of 12/03/2024, Staff B's Records Check had been submitted and processed by the Division, but Staff A's had not. Corrective Action: Immediately submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division for Staff A with Licensor [name] copied on the email submission. Ensure that Staff A has submitted to fingerprinting and received appropriate clearance from the Division, prior to being left alone with children. By 12/20/2024 develop a system to ensure compliance with this rule moving forward to include 1. Who is responsible for submitting staff Record Check Authorization forms to the Division, 2. Who is responsible for reviewing staff Record Check clearance statuses and how changes in status are communicated to staff. In the corrective action email include evidence that Staff A has submitted to fingerprinting as required and details of the system developed.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 10, 2025

Regulation 3.4.2: All written policies and procedures shall be reviewed once every 365 days and revised when necessary.

“Upon review of policies and procedures it was determined the policy on reporting abuse & neglect was last revised in 2017, the nutrition policy and Emergency Response Plan in July 2018. Corrective Action: Ensure all policies and procedures are reviewed, applicable changes made, updates are shared with those to which they apply, and the documents are updated to reflect the review dates.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 22, 2023

Regulation 5.1.3: Immunizations: The licensee shall maintain documentation in the child's file of each child's current immunization status. * Immunization records shall include the immunization administered and the date of each immunization. The immunization record should be updated after each additional immunization has been received. * If an enrolled child is in the process of complying with immunization requirements in accordance with the Vermont recommended immunization schedule, documentation in the child's file shall include the required Vermont Department of Health form. * If a child has not had a required immunization due to a Vermont allowed exemption, documentation in the child's file shall include the required Vermont Department of Health form.

“Upon review of three (3) children's files, none of the files had immunization records. Upon discussion with the Director they stated the immunization records are kept off site. Corrective Action: Ensure each child has immunization records in their file on site or stored electronically for review.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 8, 2023

Regulation 5.1.4: The licensee shall submit a Vermont Child Care Immunization Report at least once every 365 days to the Vermont Department of Health, Immunization Office as required by 18 V.S.A. SS 1120 - 1129.

“Between 11/16/2021 and 12/17/2021, CDD sent two (2) separate emails to all programs, one (1) reminder letter using US Postal Service, one (1) reminder letter sent through the program's BFIS account, and a final email reminder. This communication provided the link to be used and CDD contact information for questions or challenges with submitting the report. Despite the program not being open during this time, it is still required to submit an annual immunization report. Corrective Action: Develop a system to ensure that the annual immunization report is submitted annually as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 1, 2022