Creative Spirit Children's Center

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.

“A violation was cited for this rule on 6/25/24 with corrective action due by 7/23/24. The corrective action required both staff members to complete the orientation training, and the program to implement a system for tracking required trainings to ensure they are completed within the parameters set forth by the rule. On 11/20/24 the program was contacted via email to advise the Division had not been informed of the system to track that staff have completed this required training. The program was given until 11/30/24 to provide this. As of 12/23/24 that has not been received. Corrective Action: Inform Supervisor Sheldrick-Humphries of the system the program has created to track that all staff have completed Orientation as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 2, 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.

“A violation was cited for record check and fingerprinting not being complete, however a system error assigned the incorrect rule despite the factual basis and corrective action being clear. The corrective action was due by 7/23/24. As of 12/23/24 corrective action is still outstanding. Staff A has not provided confirmation that fingerprinting has been completed. Corrective Action: Ensure Staff A submits to fingerprinting. In addition, advise Supervisor Sheldrick-Humphries of additional staff who are required to complete fingerprinting on where they are in the process, as well as indicate the system to track when fingerprint authorization forms are generated and follow through on staff to obtain the prints as required.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 26, 2025

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 violation to this rule was cited on 6/25/24 with corrective action being due by 7/23/24. The corrective action required that in addition to the fifteen (15) hours required for their next annual period, ensure all four (4) staff complete the hours missed during their previous annual period. Additionally, the program was required to develop and implement a system for tracking each individual staff members annual period timeframe and all trainings taken to ensure completion of required hours are met. The program was contacted on 11/20/24 requesting the overdue corrective action and was given additinal time until 11/30/24. As of 12/23/24 the Division has not received the required corrective action. Corrective Action: Ensure documentation of annual professional development certificates for each staff missing hours is submitted to Nothern Lights at CCV and ensure Supervisor Sheldrick Humphries is cc'd in those submissions. Additionally, inform Supervisor Sheldrick-Humphries of the system implemented for tracking each individual staff members annual period timeframe and all trainings taken to ensure completion of required hours are met.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 8, 2025

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 violation was cited to this rule on 6/25/24 with corrective action being due by 7/23/24. The corrective action required all staff with expired CPR/First Aid to schedule themselves for the next available training, and to ensure staff with expired CPR/First Aid are not left alone with children. Additionally, the program was required to create a system for tracking CPR/First Aid trainings for all staff to ensure certifications are renewed prior to expiration. On 11/20/24 the program was advised the Division did not receive confirmation staff completed CPR and First Aid, nor has the Division been informed of the system to track CPR and First to ensure ongoing compliance to this rule is maintained. The program was given additional time until 11/30/24 to provide this information. As of 12/23/24 this information has not been received. Corrective Action: Submit CPR and First Aid certificates for any staff not showing a current certificate in their BFIS Quality and Credential account; cc Supervisor Sheldrick-Humphries in those submissions. Inform Supervisor Sheldrick-Humphries of the system the program has created to monitor when staff need current CPR and First Aid certification to maintain compliance with this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 2, 2025

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.

“Review of BFIS Credential accounts and post site visit follow up found that four (4) staff did not complete the annual professional development requirements indicated in this rule. Staff A and Staff F did not have any hours. Staff D and Staff G each only had twelve (12) hours. Corrective Action: In addition to the fifteen (15) hours required for their next annual period, ensure all four (4) staff complete the hours missed during their previous annual period. Develop and implement a system for tracking each individual staff members annual period timeframe and all trainings taken to ensure completion of required hours.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 8, 2025

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.

“Review of BFIS account as well as post site visit follow up revealed CPR/First Aid training for Staff A expired on 4/31/24, Staff B on 12/1/22, Staff C on 8/27/22, and Staff D on 12/29/22. Corrective Action: Ensure all staff with expired CPR/First Aid are scheduled for the next available trainings. Ensure staff with expired CPR/First Aid are not left alone with children. Create a system for tracking CPR/First Aid trainings for all staff to ensure certifications are renewed prior to expiration.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 2, 2025

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 A was due to submit a new Records Check Authorization and complete new fingerprinting by 3/1/23. New Record Check for Staff A was received by the Division on 11/20/23, at which time a letter was issued advising of fingerprinting requirement. As of the date of site visit fingerprinting has not been completed Corrective Action: By the corrective action due date submit any missing Out of State paperwork to the program's Business Technician, and submit receipt showing fingerprinting has been done for Vermont.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 23, 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.

“Two (2) staff have been determined to have not completed orientation based on review of BFIS account and post site visit follow up. Staff E began their employment with the program on 8/24/22 and Staff F began their employment on 5/30/23. Corrective Action: Have both staff members complete the orientation training by the corrective action due date given. Implement a system for tracking required trainings to ensure they are completed within the parameters set forth by the rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 2, 2025

Regulation 6.2.1.2: The number of children served by the CBCCPP at any one (1) time shall not exceed the maximum capacity allowed written on the license certificate.

“CDD received information that the program had operated over its licensed capacity on 11/28/22. A review of attendance logs for September 2022 through December 2022 was completed with the exception of the weeks 10/17 and 10/24 which were unable to be located. The review of the logs showed that the program operated over its licensed capacity on 11/28/22 and 12/5/22. On 11/28 there were 26 children signed in for the time period of 8:00 am - 11:00 am. On 12/5 there were 27 children signed in to the program between 8:20am - 11:00 am. The program's licensed capacity is 25. Corrective Action: Create a program improvement plan detailing how the total number of children signed into the program will be monitored daily, as well as what the process will be if it discovered the number signed in exceeds the program's licensed capacity.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 17, 2023

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.

“Interviews were conducted with Staff A and Staff B, as well as observations done in the classroom. Due to septic system issues the bathroom located in the preschool classroom has been unable to be used, and children are using a bathroom located in the hallway directly to the left of the classroom. During the times of the day when there is only one staff member in the classroom, both Staff A and B said there were times they needed to assist a child/ren in the bathroom, thus leaving the children in the classroom unsupervised as defined in these regulations. Corrective Action: Ensure that staff have knowledge of and the accounting for the activities and whereabouts of each child present and the proximity of staff to children at all times, assuring the immediate intervention of staff to safeguard a child from harm. Review this expectation of supervision with staff, and plan for how to meet this level of supervision even during the times of day there is only one staff member in the room.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 10, 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.

“After a sample review of child files, it was found that five (5) of them did not have documentation of a well care exam within forty five (45) days of enrollment as required. Corrective Action: It is required to review all child enrollment files to determine who is missing the general health exam documentation and create a plan to obtain them. It is also required to develop a system that will be used to document and track enrollment documents for children to ensure compliance in the future. A description of how child files will be reviewed and a plan to obtain missing documents, as well as the system for tracking enrollment documents in the future, shall be sent to this licensor for review.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 25, 2024