Creative Hands Learning Center

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.

“A review of the staff's BFIS Quality and Credential account, and a review of the staff files, and verbal confirmation was determined that one (1) staff members was missing nine (9) hours of their required fifteen (15) hours of professional development between 4/26/2024 to 4/26/2025. There was one (1) substitute that were missing the required four (4) hours of professional development between 10/18/2024 to 10/18/2025. Corrective Action: By 11/17/2025, have the two (2) staff members complete their missing required professional development hours and submit all certificates to Northern Lights. These hours of professional development will not count towards their next year's professional development. Submit confirmation of completion to this Licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 2, 2026

Regulation 5.10.1.1.3: Furniture and equipment shall be sturdy. Furniture and equipment that present a tipping or falling hazard shall be secured.

“A shelf that is approximately 4 feet high, located in the preschool classroom posed as a tipping hazard as it moved easily when tested. This shelf is by the entrance door with art supplies for teachers and children. Corrective Action: Immediately secure the shelf to the wall to prevent a tipping hazard.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 28, 2025

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

“Based on information gathered from the individuals that made a report to the Child Development Division and staff interviews, Staff A was frustrated with Child X and interacted with the child in a manner that was not in allignment with the requirements of this regulation. Information gathered supports that after Child X fell and reported to staff that she was injured, Staff A responded to Child X in a tone of voice that was described as angry and frustrated, was dismissive of the child's reported injury, when Child X stated they could not walk on their foot , Staff A responded by saying that Child X was in trouble because another staff member had to come pick her up in their car. There was also evidence that Staff A was not gentle when moving Child X's foot to assess for injury. Corrective Action: Staff A is required to complete at least 3 hours of additional training that focuses on at least one of the following topics: fostering positive adult/child interactions, handling stressful situations when working with children or understanding age appropriate expectations in an early childhood setting. Additionally the Director or Assistant Director will conduct at least 2 hours of observations a week of Staff A working with children. The two hours should be split up to evaluate each part of the daily schedule. The observations will begin on August 1st and conclude on August 29th. During the observation periods the Director or Assistant Director will not be included in ratio and will be actively observing Staff A's interactions. Staff A will rmeet with the Director for 30 minutes a week to receive feedback from the observations. By September 12th the program will schedule a phone call with this licensor to discuss Staff A's progress and steps that have been put in place to ensure Staff A is interacting with children in accordance with this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 7, 2025

Regulation 5.10.1.11.2: No person in the CBCCPP shall use or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while present at the CBCCPP. Medication prescribed by a physician or over the counter medication that does not impair the ability of staff to adequately supervise and care for the children may be taken.

“It was confirmed by staff statements and the two staff signing the termination letter that they left the property during their lunch break on 11/7/2024 and consumed a micro dose of mushrooms that caused the staff members behavior to change. The two staff members went back to work after their lunch break and worked with children till the end of their shift under the influence of this drug. The two staff members were terminated the next day when management confirmed the incident with staff. Corrective Action: By 2/3/2025 submit a program improvement plan that includes how staff will be informed about the use of illegal drugs on child care property and how staff need to report change in staff behaviors immediate to the director during the hours of operation. This shall be documented in the staff handbook and shared with all staff currently employed and during the hiring process for new staff.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 3, 2025

Regulation 5.10.3.3: Safe Use Zones For all play equipment that is thirty (30) inches or higher from the ground, including climbing equipment, slides, swings and other similar equipment, the licensee shall ensure that the surface under and around the equipment, including recommended use zones, is of approved resilient material that protects children if they fall. * Materials in the use zone shall consist of wood chips, pea stone, mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, safety-tested shredded or rubber like material or rubber mats designed for protective cushioning; * Materials used in the use zone shall follow the recommendations listed in the most recent publication of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook regarding critical depth of tested materials determined by the height of the highest climbing surface of the equipment; * Materials used in the use zone shall be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions; * If the loose material such as sand, mulch, or shredded rubber is used in use zones, the licensee shall ensure that the material is raked regularly and replenished to maintain depth and resilience; and * If the resilient material in use zones freezes, staff shall ensure that children will not play on the equipment until the resilient material has thawed and is once again resilient.

“The school-aged playground had insufficient cushioning material around and under the climbing wall which leads to a platform over thirty (30) inches off the ground and the climbing dome. There was grass, weeds and dirt showing through the mulch under the dome and around the climbing wall. There was approximately three (3) inches or cushioning material where there needs to be at least nine (9) inches of cushioning material. Corrective Action: Immediately do not let children play on the climbing wall, platform and the climbing dome until the required cushioning material is in the fall zones. By 11/21/2024, submit a program improvement plan which includes the date the required cushioning material will be installed.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 7, 2024

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.

“A review of staff's BFIS quality and credential account and verbal confirmation from the staff members that two (2) staff had not renewed their CPR and First Aid certificate prior to the expiration date. Corrective Action: By 11/21/2024 have the two (2) staff members complete the First Aid and infant and child CPR course and submit the certificates to Northern Lights with the required cover sheet. Create a system where current staff complete a CPR and First Aid course prior to the expiration date.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 7, 2024

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.

“A staff member who has worked in the program since 8/14/2023 as a Trainee has not completed the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals course or a three (3) college course in Human Development or Child Development which needed to be completed within the first 12 months they were hired. Corrective Action: By 11/21/2024 submit a program improvement plan with how the staff member will meet compliance by taking the Fundamentals course or a 3-college credit course in child development. The plan shall include the date the course will be completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 7, 2024

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.

“A staff member did not submit to fingerprinting or complete a new record check authorization form prior to the expiration date of 6/14/2024. Corrective Action: Immediately submit a new record check authorization form and complete the fingerprint process once you receive the fingerprint letter. Submit confirmation of completion to this Licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 7, 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.

“During a review of staff's BFIS quality and credential accounts and staff files, it was determined that two (2) staff have not completed the required Orientation Training. The staff have been working with children for longer than three (3) months. This rule was cited previoulsy on 7/23/2019. Corrective Action: By 12/27/2023 have the two (2) staff complete the Orientation Training and submit the training certificate to Northern Lights with the cover sheet including this licensing in the e-mail.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 18, 2023

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.

“During a review of the staff files, the staff's BFIS quality and credential accounts and confirmation from the staff, it was determined one (1) staff member had not completed the required 15 hours of professional development. This rule was cited previously on 11/1/2017. Corrective Action: By 12/27/2023, have the staff complete the missing fifteen (15) hours of professional development. Have the staff complete an additional 15 hours of professional development by 4/15/2023 to maintain compliance with their 15 hours of professional development requirement. Submit all training certificates to Northern Lights with the required cover sheet and include this licensor on the e-mail.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 16, 2023

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.

“The programs associated parties list was reviewed and there were four (4) staff listed on the programs associated parties list who no longer work at the program and have not worked for the program for more than five days. Corrective Action: Immediately review the programs associated parties list in the programs BFIS account and remove staff who no longer work in the program.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 7, 2022

Regulation 5.2.3.12: The licensee shall post the diaper changing procedure at each diaper changing area.

“The diaper changing procedure was not posted in the toddler bathroom or the preschool bathroom where diapers are changed daily. Corrective Action: Immediately post the diaper changing procedures where diapers are changed daily.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 7, 2022

Regulation 7.3.2.6: Substitute A substitute is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is able to comprehend basic written format, and is a high school graduate or has completed a GED.

“Staff A has been working in a classroom with children since 3/28/2022. They were hired and assigned to a classroom where they counted in staff/child ratio. The director knew staff A had not completed their high school diploma which is required in this rule to work as a substitute. Corrective Action: Immediately create a system where you will know what qualifications new hires have and if they meet the qualifications in these rules. By 5/24/2022, submit a program improvement plan which will include a timeline, date of completion, and mentoring process for this staff person to comply with this qualification rule.”

Correction date in the state record: May 23, 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.

“The children's files were audited, and the required well care exam was missing for two (2) children who have been in care for more than 45 days. Corrective Action: By 12/29/2021, obtain documentation that these children have received a well care exam and develop a plan on how you will comply with this rule within 45 days of children's enrollment. Submit confirmation to this Licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 27, 2021

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.

“The children's files were audited, and the required immunization record was missing for two (2) children. This rule was cited previously on 12/11/2017. Corrective Action: Immediately obtain the missing immunization record for these children and create a system to ensure all immunization records are in each child's file upon enrollment. Submit confirmation to this Licensor by 12/29/2021.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 27, 2021

Regulation 7.1.2: First Aid and CPR Staff who are counted in the staff/child ratios shall obtain training in pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR within six (6) months of beginning work in the CBCCPP and remain currently certified.

“Five staff who have been employed at the program longer than six months have and are counted in ratio have not obtained training in pediatrc first aid and infant and child CPR. Corrective Action: By 8/16/2019 identify an upcoming pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR training and sign up the five staff for the training. Once they have successfully completed the training to become certified, send verification to Northern Lights at CCV. Notify this licensor once the five staff are registered for the training identifying when the training will be completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 15, 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.

“Six staff have not completed an orientation training session. Corrective Action: By 8/16/2019, all staff must complete an approved orientation training session and submit training certificates to Northern Lights at CCV. Send an email to this licensor confirming this has been completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 15, 2019

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

“Nine staff have not completed the mandated reporter training-Protecting Vermont's Children. Corrective Action: By 8/16/2019, all staff must complete the required mandated reporter training and submit verification of completion to Northern Lights at CCV. Email this licensor confirming this has been completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 15, 2019