First Roots Wild Roots at 96 Pond Rd

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.

“Four (4) year old Child A was located sleeping alone inside of the building by Staff X. It is estimated that Child A was alone in the building for approximately five (5) minutes. This occurred after Staff Y did not see Child A sleeping and took the rest of the children outside. Based on interviews with staff there was a breakdown in staff communication about the number of children that went outside in the first group and the number of children that remained in the building. Staff Y was not provided with the attendance clipboard and did not conduct a final sweep of the classroom before leaving. When Staff Y joined Staff Z on the playground, Staff Z realized the combined number was off by one (1). Staff Z made the assumption that Child A went home early and did not ask Staff Y about Child A's whereabouts. This is a serious violation. Corrective Action: The Director will meet with the staff involved in this incident and create a plan to ensure that when the group splits into two (2), each staff member is aware of the number of children in their care. The Director will identify the area in each classroom where the main attendance clipboard will be kept. The Director will ensure all substitutes and float staff are aware of where the main attendance clipboard is kept in each classroom. The staff person who remains inside will write down the number of children that remain inside with them on a white board that will be located by the exit door. All staff will be reminded to conduct a sweep of the classroom to ensure that there are no children left in the classroom when transitions occur. By the corrective action due date email [name] to confirm that corrective action requirements are complete. 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. Please provide [name] with the parent contact information for all children enrolled at the program. Status: Appeal Period.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 23, 2026

Regulation 5.6.5: All prescription medication administered by staff shall be in its original container, properly labeled for the child, and administered prior to the expiration date on the container.

“In the Chipmunk Room a child had two expired inhalers in the medication box. One inhaler expired 11/2024 the second inhaler expired 2/2025. Corrective Action: Immediately return expired medication to the child's family. Develop a plan to ensure medication stored at school is replaced when medication becomes expired and send a copy of the plan to the licensor by 6/6/2025.”

Correction date in the state record: May 16, 2025

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 director located Child X alone in the classroom. After speaking with Staff A and Staff B they determined that the child was alone in the classroom for approximately twenty (20) minutes. Staff A helped the children in the bathroom and once they were finished, they sent them out to the playground where Staff B was. Once the children were finished in the bathroom Staff A joined Staff B and the children on the playground. Staff A and B did not check to ensure all children were outside with the group which resulted in Child X remaining alone in the classroom. Corrective Action: After the incident the director met with all staff to review supervision practices and implement new practices that will strengthen supervision. Before the corrective action due date, the director or other program administrator will conduct a supervision safety audit in each classroom. Please check to see that all children are signed in, staff can quickly tell you how many children are in their group and ensure staff are following the supervision expectations that were email to all staff on 08/18/2024. Staff A and Staff B will complete the following training: Active Supervision of the Preschool Students, presented by The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning. Please email this licensor before 11/05/2024 confirming that these requirements are complete.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 11, 2024

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 wooden climbing structure on the Treehouse Playground had a slide with a platform that was over five (5) feet tall, and it did not have any cushioning material around the sides or bottom of the slide. This rule was cited previously on 7/15/2022 for the same climbing structure. Corrective Action: Immediately do not let children play on the structure until the required cushioning material is in place to protect children from a fall. By 7/9/2024 submit a program improvement plan which will include the date the cushioning material will be in place and submit photos to this Licensor to show compliance has been completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 28, 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.

“A review of each staff's BFIS Quality and Credential account and confirmation from the program that two (2) staff had not completed the Vermont Orientation as required. The two (2) staff have worked longer than one (1) year for the program. This rule was cited previously on 4/7/2021. Corrective Action: By 7/9/2024, have the two (2) staff complete the Vermont Orientation training and maintain compliance by having new staff complete the Vermont Orientation by one (1) month of hire and before they are alone with children as required in the rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 8, 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 a new record check authorization form or submit to fingerprinting prior to the expiration date of 2/15/2024. An annual assurance letter was issued to the program on 11/12/2023 reminding the program of this staff member's fingerprints expiration date. Corrective Action: Immediately have this staff member submit a new record check authorization form and complete the fingerprint process.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 3, 2024

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 was insufficient around the two slides, the metal dome climbing structure and the swings on the preschool/camp playground. The slides were approximately five (5) feet off the ground, and one of the slides had no cushioning material at all under and around the slide. The swings had a lot of grass growing under and around them looking as if no cushioning material had been placed before children were using them. The dome structure allowed children to climb over 30 inches from the ground and there was a lack of cushioning material in the areas where children would fall. Corrective Action: Immediately do not let children play on the slides, metal dome and swings until the required cushioning material is in place to protect children from a fall. By 7/25/2022 submit a program improvement plan to erin.canniff@vermont.gov which will include the date the cushioning material will be in place.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 21, 2022

Regulation 5.10.3.2.1: All outdoor play equipment shall be sturdy, safe, clean and free from rough edges, sharp corners, pinch and crush points, splinters, and exposed bolts. To prevent entrapment, no openings in equipment shall be between 3.5 and nine (9) inches. Chains on swings shall have protective coverings and swing seats shall be made of soft materials with no sharp edges.

“The large purple slide on the preschool/camp playground was broken at the bottom, leaving sharp edges where children may place their hands. The teacher stated children have been playing on this slide. Corrective Action: Immediately prevent children from using the slide until it can be replaced or fixed.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 21, 2022