Family Center of Washington County Early Childhood Program

Regulation 3.4.7.4: The licensee shall provide up-to-date program information in the program's BFIS account.

“This licensor reviewed the BFIS associated parties list with the director and determined the following. There are two individuals on the assoicated parties list that do not directly work with the children and would not fit under the staff titles that they were listed as. One staff person was listed as a teacher associate but qualifies as an assitant. Based on conversation with the director another employee at the Family Center of Washington County has added indivduals to the BFIS associated parties list and titled them incorrectly. Licensing regulations require that the director monitors the associated parties list to ensure it is correct and up to date. Corrective Action: The program will schedule a follow up meeting with this licensor to review licensing titles to determine how these staff members should be titled. The program will create a system to ensure that Family Center staff who submit record checks(which is how individuals are added to the associated parties list) are aware of the correct titles and the director is monitoring the BFIS associated parties list. The program is not able to update titles and therefore they must notify the licensor when updates are needed. The program shall schedule the follow up meeting with this licensor by the corrective action due date.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 24, 2025

Regulation 5.2.1.1: CBCCPP staff shall ensure that adults and children wash their hands: * Upon arrival at the CBCCPP; * Before they eat, prepare or handle food; * Before and after handling raw meat; * Before feeding children; * After toileting or diapering; * After cleaning; * After taking out the garbage; * After handling animals; and * After outdoor play.

“One of the classrooms transitioned from outdoor play into the classroom. Upon arrival into the room Staff A helped children take their outdoor gear off, some children went to change out of wet clothes and others started setting up bedding on their nap mats, Staff A and the children did not wash their hands when they entered the room. Compliance with this regulation was noted in the other two classrooms. Corrective Action: Please review this regulation with Staff A, email this licensor and confirm that the regulation was reviewed with Staff A. Ensure ongoing compliance with this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 10, 2025

Regulation 3.7.2.2: The licensee shall ensure that evacuation drills are conducted at least once a month, and children and staff are evacuated in under three (3) minutes. Licensees of a CBCCPP located within a public or independent school building may count a lock-down drill performed while the CBCCPP is in operation in place of a monthly evacuation drill with the CBCCPP children and staff and at least three (3) of the monthly drills conducted within 365 days shall be evacuation drills.

“A review of the evacuation drills completed found that a drill was not documented in January 2024, April 2024, June 2024, and two (2) drills were completed in September for the missed drill in August 2024. Post visit the Director identified that the April drill was done after looking back at a calendar. Upon discussion with the Director they confirmed the other drills had not been done. This was previously cited in September 2019. Corrective Action: Submit a plan to the Division that identifies 1) who is responsible for ensuring drills are done monthly, 2) who is responsible for timing the drills, and 3) who is responsible for documenting all components of drills.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 19, 2024

Regulation 7.5.1: The licensee shall obtain written documentation that staff have received and fully understand the CBCCPP program philosophy and all written CBCCPP policies and procedures as required in the rule 7.1.3 of these regulations.

“Upon review of the staff handbook it was found to have incomplete or missing components. The program was provided a checklist post visit identifying the incomplete/missing areas. Corrective Action: Submit the revised staff handbook for further review. Once the final review is confirmed in compliance, please provide all staff a copy of the handbook for their review.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 24, 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.

“Upon review of staff BFIS accounts and consultation with Northern Lights at CCV, nine (9) staff who have been employed at the program six (6) months or longer are missing one (1) or more documents in their BFIS accounts. This was previously cited in September and December 2019. Corrective Action: Ensure all staff who have been employed at the program for six (6) months or longer have up-to-date BFIS accounts. Submit a plan that 1) identifies who is responsible for submitting documentation to Northern Lighst at CCV, 2) who will track that documentation is updated in staff accounts to follow up with Northern Lights if documents are not reflected within a reasonable amount of time.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 19, 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.

“Nine (9) staff employed for over six (6) months of longer did not have a current CPR/First Aid certification at the time of the visit. Post visit some staff have provided documenation of obtaining the certification. This was previously cited in September 2019. Corrective Action: Ensure all staff who have been employed three (3) months or longer have completed and maintain CPR and First Aid certification. Submit all training certificates to Northern Lights at CCV for uploading into staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 20, 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 cushioning material under the geo dome climbing structure has disintegrated and no longer meets requirements. Weeds were also starting to grow in the area directly next to the dome in the fall zone. Corrective Action: With winter coming the program is going to block access to the structure until new cushioning material can be added in the spring. Ensure moving forward that there is a system in place to monitor the condition of cushioning material. Please send this licensor a photo of the structure once the new cushioning material is added.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 20, 2024

Regulation 5.10.2.1.3: The kitchen and all food preparation, storage and serving areas, and utensils shall be kept clean, sanitary, and free of insects, rodents, dust, and other contaminants.

“Multiple surfaces throughout the kitchen were contaminated with mouse feces. Mouse feces was noted on counters, shelves, in the oven storage drawers and in a box containing sealed food. Mouse feces was also found in a storage closet and on a shelf in the infant room where grease had leaked off of a dirty sandwich press. Although the program took steps to mitigate a mouse issue over the summer through professional extermination, the program has failed to monitor that the mice have not returned. The amount of feces observed during the visit suggests that mice have been present for more than a few days. It was also noted that on the day of the visit the floor and tables in the dining room had not been santized and swept after breakfast, compost buckets were not covered and a popcorn maker in the kitchen had not been recently cleaned and contained corn kernels and leftover popcorn. This visit was the result of a concern that a child had mouse feces in their cereal the week prior to the visit. As a result the program did move all cereal to sealed storage container the day of the incident. Corrective Action: While the visit was being conducted the director was informed that use of the kitchen space was prohibited until all surfaces were cleaned and sanitized. Any food that was in an open package was to be thrown out. All utensils were to be run through the dishwasher and moved to a different location or put into a sealed container. The program was required to contact their exterminator and schedule a visit as soon as possible. The program will email this licensor once the exterminator has been on site. The program is required to cover compost buckets and ensure that required cleaning practices are followed especially after food is served. Classroom staff should ensure food is not left out in the classroom, personal items such as the sandwich press shall be cleaned before storing. The program did send pictures to this licensor several hours after the visit, the pictures reflected that the areas identified in this report had been cleaned.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 25, 2022

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.

“Staff A has not completed the required Vermont Orientation training. Corrective Action: Staff A shall complete the required Vermont Orientation. Email this licensor a copy of the certificate of completion.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 25, 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.

“On 9/9/2019 a violation was cited when a review of staff's BFIS Quality and Credential accounts showed that several staff members who had been with the program more than six (6) months did not have required documentation including verification of qualifications, professional development, and current first aid and CPR certification. On 12/2/2019, two (2) staff members accounts do not have the following required documentation. Corrective Action: By 12/16/2019, send all required documentation to Northern Lights at CCV. Create a system to ensure all staff members submit all required documentation to Northern Lights at CCV to be entered into their BFIS Quality and Credential accounts in a within six (6) months of start date.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 11, 2019

Regulation 2.3.11.5: The licensee shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable state and federal laws even when they are more stringent than the rules in this set of CBCCPP regulations.

“Three (3) substitutes who have been employed with this program for more than 3 months do not have documentation of current first aid and CPR certification available. A violation was previously cited on 9/9/2019 when four (4) staff who had been employed more than 6 months, and who were present and working with children were found not to have up-to-date first aid and CPR certification. At the of that visit a memo from CDD to child care providers dated July 30, 2019 that explained the up-dated federal requirements for ensuring all staff have first-aid and CPR certification within the first 3 months of employment was reviewed. Corrective Action: Identify the earliest CPR and First Aid trainings available and have the staff members complete or register for them by 12/16/2019. Create system, which will be submitted to this Licensor, that will ensure each newly hired staff member completes CPR and first aid training within 3 months of beginning work and attends trainings to remain currently certified as required.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 11, 2019

Regulation 3.2.1: Serious injury or death of a child: The licensee shall make a timely report to the Division of any injury or accident involving an enrolled child resulting in in-patient or out-patient medical or dental treatment or death. In the event of a death, a verbal report shall be made immediately followed by a written report within twenty-four (24) hours. In the event of an injury or accident resulting in in-patient or out-patient medical treatment, a verbal report shall be made within forty-eight (48) hours and the written report shall be made within five (5) business days.

“A 3-year old child sustained an eye injury while in care on 9/23/2019, resulting in outpatient medical care on the 23rd and a follow up visit with an ophthalmologist on the 24th. Statements from both the parent and staff confirm that the program was made aware on 9/24 that the child had received medical care. The Child Development Division was not notified within 48 hours and a written incident report was not submitted within 5 days as required by this rule. Corrective Action: All staff shall be trained in verbal incident report requirements to the Division. Identify which staff member(s) will be trained in submitting incident reports through the programs BFIS account. Submit a statement of understanding of this rule to this Licensor by 10/18/2019.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 6, 2019

Regulation 5.8.2: Staff shall ensure that if an accident or injury occurs to a child, while in attendance, immediate action is taken to protect the child from further harm and notification of the child's parents as quickly as possible.

“Staff confirmed that a child was unintentionally poked in the eye by another child while on the playground at approximately 4:40PM on 9/23/2019. Staff person A brought the child inside to examine the eye and give the child a wet paper towel to sooth it. Staff did not attempt to contact the parent at the time of injury, and the parent did not learn of it until she picked up approximately 20 minutes later. Corrective Action: By 10/24/2019, develop and submit a plan that outlines the instances requiring staff persons to contact parents when a child is injured or an accident occurs. Include in this plan the steps taken to identify who is responsible to contact a child's parent(s) and the expected timeframes to do so. Include documentation that confirms all staff persons have been trained on this plan.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 6, 2019

Regulation 7.5.4: The program director shall establish and implement a system of communication among staff to ensure that any staff member assuming responsibility for a child or group is informed of significant information related to the care and education of the child or children.

“A parent reported that staff could not provide information about how or when her child recieved an injury to her eye when she arrived to pick up the child on 9/23/2019. Staff person A stated that she completed an incident report at the time, but she did not communicate relevant information about the incident to other staff before she left for the day. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, develop and implement a system to ensure staff communicate all significant information related to the children in care.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 6, 2019

Regulation 5.8.3: Staff shall create and file an incident report for each accident, injury or medical emergency that leaves a visible mark or first aid has been administered, even when medical treatment is not required. An incident report shall include the name of the child, date, description of the injury or medical emergency, how it occurred, adult witnesses, first aid provided and medical care required. The child's parent shall be provided a copy of the report at pick up that day. Serious injuries, animal bites and death must be reported to the Division as specified in the rules in section 3.2 of these regulations.

“A parent reported that she had not been given an incident report after her child was injured when poked in the eye by another child on 9/23/2019. A staff person confirmed that she had completed an incident report at the time, but she left before the parent picked up and the incident report was not shared with the parent as required by this rule. Corrective Action: Create and implement an injury report system where parents will receive injury reports that include all the information required the day a child is injured. This plan shall be submitted via e-mail to licensor by 10/24/2019.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 6, 2019

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.

“Four (4) staff members who have been employed longer than 6 months and who were present and working with children at the time of this visit do not have current first aid and CPR certification. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to have the staff members complete CPR and first aid training. Create system which will prompt you to have each newly hired staff complete CPR and first aid training as required and have each current employee attend trainings as necessary in order to remain currently certified.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 24, 2019

Regulation 3.7.2.2: The licensee shall ensure that evacuation drills are conducted at least once a month, and children and staff are evacuated in under three (3) minutes.

“A review of the fire drill logs indicates that 9 evacuation drills were practiced between the beginning of August 2018 and the end of August 2019. Daniela confirmed that drills were not practiced in August 2018, December 2018, and August 2019. She shared that she is unsure if a drill was practiced in October 2018 or if it was practiced and not documented on the log. Corrective Action: Develop a system that ensures an evacuation drill is conducted at least once per month and ensures that all children and staff are evacuated in under three minutes. Send email with these details of this system by 9/25/2019.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 24, 2019

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.

“A review of the BFIS Quality and Credential accounts of staff who have been with the program more that 6 months reflected that several staff accounts do not have the following required documentation; verification of qualifications, annual professional development, and current first aid and CPR certification. Corrective Action: By 9/25/2019, send all qualifying documents, annual professional development documents, and current first aid and CPR certificates to Northern Lights at CCV. Create a system to ensure all staff members submit all required documentation to Northern Lights at CCV to be entered into their BFIS Quality and Credential accounts in a timely manner.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 24, 2019

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.

“A review of 10 randomly selected files for children who have been enrolled more than 45 days showed that 9 files did not include documentation of a General Health Exam signed by a pediatrician. Corrective Action: Review all children's records and obtain documentation of children's most recent up-to-date well care exam. Develop a program improvement plan on how you will comply with this rule within 45 days of new children enrolling and submit plan to this licensor by 9/25/2019.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 24, 2019