Clarendon Elementary School Pre-K Program

Regulation 5.10.1.1.2: Children shall be protected from choking hazards presented by cords on window coverings, electric or electronic appliances or equipment and telephones.

“A total of ten (10) loose cords were observed to be accessible to children, presenting choking hazards. In the Program Director's classrom seven (7) loose cords were observed belonging to a keurig coffee maker, window shades, an air conditioner, two (2) lamps, an air purifier, a set of speakers, and a toaster. In the second (2nd) Preschool classroom two (2) loose cords were observed belonging to an air conditioner and a laptop. Corrective Action: Immediately ensure that the loose cords identified, and any other loose cords accessible to children, are properly secured or otherwise made inaccessible to children. Develop a system to ensure regular inspections of cords are preformed to eliminate choking hazards. In the corrective action email, provide photo evidence that the ten (10) identified cords have been secured or made inaccessible to children, and provide details of the system developed to ensure compliance with this rule moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 11, 2024

Regulation 3.2.4: Missing child: When it is determined that a child attending the CBCCPP is missing from the program, the licensee or staff must immediately notify the police, the child's parents and the Division. A written report shall be made to the Division within twenty-four (24) hours.

“On 11/28/2022 Child A was last seen by staff at 8:20 A.M. and determined unaccounted for at approximately 8:22 AM, when video footage shows they exited the building alone. Notification to Child A's parents was not made until 9:18 AM which was after they were located; fifty-six (56) minutes after going missing, and thirty-three (33) minutes after returning to the school. The Child Development Division was not notified of this event until 11/29/2022; the day after. Corrective Action: Ensure that a procedure is created that determines who is responsible for making the required notifications in the time frame stated in this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 13, 2022

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.

“On 11/28/2022 at 8:22 AM, Child A exited the school without staff knowing. Child A walked a half mile, crossing a four (4) way intersection and rail road tracks before being located by Staff B at 8:42 AM. Child A's whereabouts were unaccounted for twenty-two (22) minutes, as Staff C last observed Child A in the hallway at 8:20 with their classroom door closed and had not confirmed there was supervision being provided to Child A; the classroom teacher was unaware that Child A had left the room. This is a serious violation. Corrective Action: In addition to what the program has already implemented for corrective action, to include reviewing supervision policies, establishing a safety plan for Child A in collaboration with their parents, and creating a general safety plan to increase supervision, submit a program improvement plan with additional steps. As part of the plan identify 1) a system to ensure that when a child requires additional support that adequate supervision is provided to not only that child but the remaining children in care, 2) staff identifying when they leave the room and will not be assisting in providing supervision, 3) a policy regarding children being in the hallways.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 13, 2022

Regulation 2.4.1: When violations are found to exist, the Division will offer the licensee the opportunity to develop a program improvement plan whereby the violations will be corrected within a time period mutually agreeable to the Division and the licensee.

“A compliance visit was conducted on 10/20/2021, and violations were cited with corrective action due by 11/30/2021. As of 02/28/2022 the program has not submitted corrective action to this Licensor for rule 3.4.7.3; the program has outstanding documentation not yet reflected in staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts, nor have they provided the system they created to ensure ongoing compliance on keeping staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts maintained. Corrective Action: Ensure documentation required to be in staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts has been submitted, and received by Northern Lights at CCV. Submit a program improvement plan on how BFIS Quality and Credential accounts will be maintained as required by rule 3.4.7.3. Submit a program improvement plan on who will be responsible to ensure corrective action is initiated, and information that is requested from the Child Development Division is provided.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 11, 2022

Regulation 2.3.9.6: If the licensed facility was constructed prior to 1978 and has not been determined to be lead free by an inspector licensed by Vermont Department of Health, the licensee shall comply with the requirements of 18 V.S.A. Chapter 38 Vermont Lead Law and shall ensure that Essential Maintenance Practices (EMP) have been performed and documented.

“The program was constructed in 1970 with an addition being completed in 1989. The program documented the year of their building as 1969 or 1989 in their licensing applications. Representatives of the program corresponded with the Division in 2007 and 2012, confirming their understanding to this rule. The Vermont Department of health confirmed the last EMP compliance report they received from the program was on 01/28/2013. Corrective Action: Submit the Essential Maintenance report to the Vermont Department of Health, and further comply with any applicable requirements set for by that Division. Submit a program improvement plan identifying how ongoing compliance to this rule will be met.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 9, 2021

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.

“Upon review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts, they were found not up-to-date. Confirmation was provided from Northern Lights at CCV that the missing documentation had not been received from the program. Due to Quality & Credential accounts not being up-to-date, qualifications and professional development requirements were unable to be assessed. A focus compliance visit will be conducted after the 11/30/2021 due date to assess these rules. This is a repeat violation. Corrective Action: Submit documentation to Northern Lights at CCV for each person required to have an up-to-date BFIS Quality & Credential account. Develop a system to ensure ongoing compliance to this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 11, 2022

Regulation 3.4.7.3: Within six (6) months of the initial date of employment, staff working with children 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 NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“Upon review of staff quality and credential accounts within BFIS, it was found that staff had missing documentation to support their qualifications and required professional development. Staff C does not have any education documentation in her BFIS account, and Staff F is missing her high school diploma. Staff A, C and F are missing documentation of completing the Reporting Abuse & Neglect training, and Staff C and F are missing documentation of completing the Orientation training. Staff A, C and F do not reflect valid CPR/First Aid certification. Through an email with Northern Lights, it was confirmed that documentation had not been received for Staff A, C or F. Corrective Action: Submit all documentation of staff qualifications and professional development to Northern Lights for staff employed six (6) months or longer. Develop a system to ensure all required documentation is submitted to Northern Lights as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 10, 2019

Regulation 7.1.3: Orientation of Staff The licensee, in consultation with the program director, shall establish written program policies and procedures and provide these to staff during an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to being left alone with children. Trainees under eighteen (18) years of age 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.

“Upon review of the programs Staff Handbook, it was found to be incomplete. Corrective Action: Develop a staff handbook that meets this rule, and ensure each staff person has read the handbook and understands the policies and procedures.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 15, 2020

Regulation 6.2.1.8: Auxiliary Staff, of the CBCCPP who do not meet qualifications as defined in the rules in section 7.3 of these regulations, shall not be left alone with children and shall not count in staff/child ratios.

“Staff B stated that when children go to specials, Staff C stays with the kids, while Staff B has her planning time in a different classroom. Upon review of Staff B's attendance from 10/13/2019-11/14/2019, there were twelve (12) days were the number of children in care required two teachers to stay with children while they were at specials. Staff A stated that if a child is sick and needs to go home, that the child stays with Staff D until parents arrive. The nurse, and specials teachers are Auxiliary Staff, and can not be counted in staff/child ratios, and can not be left alone with children. Corrective Action: Develop a schedule to ensure staff/child ratios are maintained while students attend specials, or need to receive services from the school nurse.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 24, 2020

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.

“Upon review of the programs Associated Parties list, Staff A stated that two (2) are no longer employed at the program, and two (2) staff never worked at the program. Corrective Action: Review the programs Associated Parties list and remove staff who do not belong. Enter end dates for the two (2) staff no longer employed, and advise your Licensing Technician of the two (2) staff who never started at your program. Develop a system to ensure the Associated Parties list is monitored and up-to-date.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 2, 2019

Regulation 5.10.2.3.1: The CBCCPP shall have a refrigerator to keep perishable foods at 40*F or colder and a freezer to maintain frozen food at 0*F or colder. Food stored in the refrigerator, including lunch boxes, shall be stored in a manner that allows the free circulation of cool air. All refrigerated foods shall be covered.

“Staff B was asked where children store their lunches brought from home. Staff B stated lunchboxes are stored in the child's backpack or cubby. Staff A was observed at lunch time putting a laundry basket containing luncboxes on a table for children to retrieve their lunch. While observing children eat at lunch time, it was found that lunchboxes contained perishable food items such as: yogurt, cheese sticks, salami, and pepperoni. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, ensure all lunchboxes containing perishable food are stored in a refrigerator maintained at 40* or colder.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 2019

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.

“Upon review of the programs Emergency Response Plan, it was found to be incomplete. Corrective Action: Develop an emergency response plan ensuring all components of this regulation are reflected in the plan.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 15, 2020