Heartworks, STEAMworks & Loveworks Schools, LLC - Shelburne

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.

“A review of the staff's BFIS quality and credential accounts, staff files, and the support from Northern Lights to find missing documentation, it was determined that twelve (12) staff members employed longer than six (6) months did not have an up-to-date BFIS Quality and Credential account as required and was missing education documentation, CPR and First Aid certificates and required professional development training certificates. Corrective Action: Have staff submit the missing training certificates to Northern Lights at CCV through Direct Send and submit the confirmation e-mail to this Licensor once completed. Status: Appeal Period.”

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.

“A child's rescue inhaler expired 6/2026. The child was in care during this licensing visit. Corrective Action: Immediately, have the parents bring an updated inhaler and maintain compliance by reviewing medication so they are up to date and not expired. Status: Appeal Period.”

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, a review of staff files and confirmation from Northern Lights, it was determined that eight (8) staff members did not complete First Aid when renewing their First Aid and CPR certificates. They only completed a course that included CPR. Corrective Action: Have the eight (8) staff members complete a Pediatric First Aid course and submit the training certificate to Northern Lights through Direct Send and send confirmation of completion to this Licensor. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 7.3.2.2: Teacher Associate A teacher associate is at least twenty (20) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications: * At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate; or * At least an associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Services and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least a Certificate of Completion from the Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program; or * At least a Child Care Certificate from the Community College of Vermont and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of twenty-one (21) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

“A review of staff's BFIS Quality and Credential accounts, and confirmation by Northern Lights at CCV, it was confirmed that two assistants who have been employed since 11/22/21 and 8/9/23 have not completed the Fundamentals course as required. Corrective Action: Submit a plan of completion with the dates each staff member will complete their Fundamentals course and have it submitted to Northern Lights at CCV to be uploaded into each staff member's BFIS Quality and Credential account. Include a statement of understanding to maintain compliance with newly hired staff to have them meet qualifications within the required time frame listed in this rule. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 6.2.6.6: The program director shall ensure that no person be left alone with children without approval from the Division based on the results of a background check that includes fingerprinting; with the exception of a parent may be left alone with his/her own child(ren).

“Staff A has submitted a background record check but has not completed the fingerprint clearance process. They were left alone with a group of children for the day while filling in for a staff who was on vacation. Staff A may not be left alone with children until notification of approval is sent by the Child Development Division. Corrective Action: As discussed, ensure that any staff who is left alone with children have fingerprint clearance approval. When staff are with assigned groups with others, ensure that staff with fingerprint clearance approval are working with staff who have not yet received approval. Submit an email confirming how systems will be put in place and staff trained to ensure that no one without fingerprint clearance is left alone with children.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 5, 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.

“Two children were observed to be climbing a tree and sitting on the upper branches where they were more than 30 inches off the ground. There was no resiliant cushioning on the ground under and around the tree. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, children may not climb trees or other structures where they may achieve a height over 30 inches from the ground unless an approved resilient material which meets the standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook is in place. Email a safety plan for tree climbing and how the program plans to assess and address tree climbing moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 5, 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.

“Staff A left a preschool child for approximately five (5) minutes on 2/11/2025 in the Early Care Program located in the lobby area of the Green Building. Staff A was the only person responsible for the care of the child at this time. Staff A left the child and exited the building to assist another family without first ensuring proper supervision of the child. Staff members interviewed said the child has a known history of attempting to escape from his group. The child was left unsupervised within several feet of the main exit door to the outside and nearby parking lot, within the vicinity of a side door, as well as had access to the hallway and the classrooms that had been impacted by an overflowing toilet the previous day. This is a SERIOUS VIOLATION. Corrective Action: By 4/14/2025, send a copy of this report to each parent of currently enrolled children and send this licensor an email confirming completion. Also, by 4/14/2025, send all action steps the program has already taken, as well as the written plan ongoing to ensure supervision of each child is maintained at all times, as outlined by the rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 3, 2025

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.

“The program was unable to provide documentation that one (1) staff member complied with their five-year fingerprint renewal before the due date of 5/31/2024. Corrective Action: Immediately have the identified staff member submit a new record check authorization form to the Division and ensure an appointment to be fingerprinted is made. By 8/30/2024, email documentation that the identified staff was fingerprinted to Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name]. If the Division has not sent a fingerprinting packet to the program before the appointment, ensure that a current Fingerprint Authorization Certificate (FAC) with the Child Development Division account code is completed, printed out and sent with the staff person when being printed. The current FAC can be found on the CDD website forms page at: https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/providers/forms.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 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.

“Six (6) staff, all of whom were provided a fingerprint authorization certificate and/or out of state child abuse and neglect registry check paperwork sixty (60) or more days prior to 7/15/2024, have not complied with all components of their background clearances. Two (2) individuals were fingerprinted in 2023 and it appears they did not follow through with providing the appropriate documentation at their appointments. For three (3) individuals, the program is unable to show documentation that they have had fingerprints taken. Two (2) individuals did not follow through with sending completed out of state child abuse and neglect check information to the Division to be sent to states where they lived in the past five (5) years. Corrective Action: Immediately have all identified individuals who need fingerprints, including the two (2) staff who did not provide appropriate documentation at their appointments, schedule a fingerprint appointment and print a Fingerprint Authorization Certificate (FAC) that includes the Child Development Division account code. By 8/30/2024, email documentation to Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] to confirm that the identified staff were fingerprinted. Current FAC forms can be found on the CDD website forms page at: https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/providers/forms. For the individuals who need out of state child abuse and neglect registry checks completed, contact [name] at lacey.osborne@vermont.gov to have the correct forms and instructions resent to the individual and the program. Notify Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] when the individuals have complied with this portion of the out of state child abuse and neglect registry check process. Also by 8/30/2024 email Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] a plan that describes a system the program will use to ensure that all staff follow through with all components of their background clearances within sixty (60) days of hire.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2025

Regulation 7.2.1: The licensee shall ensure that any new individuals regularly present at the CBCCPP submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division prior to working with children in the CBCCPP.

“There were seven (7) individuals present and caring for children who are not listed in the program's BFIS account. Some of the individuals were on the program's BFIS account in the past but had been removed and not added back to the account. Corrective Action: Immediately have the identified individuals complete record check authorization forms and send them to the Division. Copy Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] on the submissions. Ensure that any of the individuals who require fingerprints and/or out of state child abuse and neglect registry checks complete them in a timely manner. By 8/30/2024, submit a plan to Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] that explains the system that will be used to ensure that record check authorization forms are submitted for any individual who is regularly present at the program prior to working with children.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2024

Regulation 6.2.1.4: Staff who are qualified as defined in the rules in section 7.3 of these regulations, meet professional development requirements as defined in the rules in section 7.4 of these regulations, and are physically present and working with children may be counted in staff/child ratios.

“An audit of BFIS, staff files, and collection of documents sent to Licensor [name] Rielly after the visit, shows that eight (8) staff members who have been employed at the program longer than twelve (12) months have not completed the minimum requirements for any of the positions in section 7.3 of the regulations. Corrective Action: If there is additional documentation to indicate that the identified staff is qualified for any position as defined in section 7.3, email it with a cover sheet to Northern Lights at CCV and copy Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] on the submission. Email a plan to Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] that describes how the program will ensure that the identified staff will meet the qualifications of any position in section 7.3. The plan shall include the following: 1) How each staff will meet position qualifications including a timeline; 2) Who will be responsible for sending documentation to Northern Lights at CCV and when; 3) How each staff person will be supported until they meet qualifications for one of the positions in section 7.3; 4) What will be the plan moving forward to ensure that staff who qualify as trainees are listed as such, and that they complete the required training to meet at least one of the qualifications in section 7.3 within twelve (12) months of hire.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2025

Regulation 6.2.6.6: The program director shall ensure that no person be left alone with children without approval from the Division based on the results of a background check that includes fingerprinting; with the exception of a parent may be left alone with his/her own child(ren).

“Three (3) classrooms were staffed with individuals who had not yet been approved by the Division due to incomplete background clearances. Corrective Action: Immediately ensure that there is at least one (1) staff person in each room that has been approved by the Division based on the results of their background clearance. In addition, ensure that children are never left alone, even for short periods of time, with staff who have not been approved by the Division. By 8/7/2024, email Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] confirmation of which staff are working in each room, ensuring that there is at least one (1) staff member in each room with a completed background clearance. Also by 8/7/2024, submit a plan to Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] that describes how the program will ensure that the rooms are always staffed with at least one (1) person who has completed their background clearance.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 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.

“Thirty (30) out of thirty-seven (37) staff who have been employed for six (6) months or more do not have complete BFIS quality and credential accounts. Corrective Action: Review all staff BFIS quality and credential accounts to ensure that all accounts contain annual professional development, approved orientation training certificates or checklists, mandated reporter certificates, current First Aid/CPR certificates, and staff qualification documents as listed in section 7.3. Submit all documents that are not yet reflected in staff BFIS accounts using the most recent version of the Northern Lights at CCV verification cover sheet. Copy Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] on the submissions. Send Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] a plan that describes how the program will maintain the staff's BFIS quality and credential accounts moving forard. The most current version of the Verification Cover Sheet can be found on the CDD website forms page at: https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/providers/forms. If there are problems sending documents to Northern Lights at CCV, contact Resource Coordinator Adri Taylo-Behrman at adri.taylo-behrman@ccv.edu or 802-654-0730.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2025

Regulation 6.2.4.3: The program director shall ensure that each group of children is led by a staff member who is at least qualified as a teacher associate for at least 75% of the hours of operation.

“According to documentation provided by the program, six (6) classrooms are not led by a staff member who is at least qualified as a Teacher Associate for at least 75% of the hours of operation. Corrective Action: By 8/30/2024 email a plan to Licensor [name] Purinton and Supervisor [name] that describes how the program will come into compliance with this rule. In the plan, include immediate steps to oversee and provide guidance/support to the staff in classrooms that do not have qualified lead staff. In addition, identify longer term plans including timeframes, to ensure that a qualified lead staff person is working with each group of children as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2025

Regulation 3.4.3: A system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the CBCCPP, shall be established. The licensee shall save all daily attendance records identifying the hours of children's attendance for at least twelve (12) months from the date that care is provided.

“The attendance did not reflect the correct number of children in two (2) separate classrooms reviewed. The first classroom had ten (10) children in care with nine (9) children signed in. The second classroom had eight (8) children in care with seven (7) children signed in. Both teachers stated the child missing from their attendance sheet arrived when they were outside on the playground at approximately 8:30. These children were not added to the attendance until it was brought to their attention that a child was not signed into the classroom. Corrective Action: Create a system for staff to maintain attendance and review the attendance at the time children arrive to maintain accuracy.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 12, 2024

Regulation 6.2.7.4.2: No form of inappropriate discipline or corporal punishment shall be used with children such as but not limited to: Restricting a child's movements or actions through use of physical force, binding, tying, use of any other mechanical restraint, or using medication without written parental permission, without following the medicine's label, and/or without following medical prescription;

“A concern was brought forth to the Division that staff person A was responsible for the bruising on an infant. There were several staff persons interviewed who had worked with staff person A. Three of these staff persons provided statements that they had observed staff person A forcefully feeding the infant on multiple occasions between March and April 2022. The staff witnesses stated they observed staff person A squeeze the infant s face while pressing the bottle into the infant s mouth. The infant would be crying and staff person A would continue to try to get the infant to take the bottle. One of the interviewed staff further stated that she observed this type of feeding while the infant was laying on the floor and staff person A was pressing one hand down on the infant s chest to hold the infant still, while holding the bottle in the other hand and squeezing infant s cheeks. Corrective Action: Staff member A is no longer employed at the program. Submit a program improvement plan that includes the policy and procedures relating to staff being expected to come forth to the director when concerned about a staff person s treatment of a child. Training to all staff will be provided that is designed to create an understanding that is consistently reinforced, to create a culture which will ensure that staff will come forth to the director when concerned by a staff person s treatment of a child.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 6, 2022

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.

“After a review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential Accounts prior to the visit and staff documents presented by the director, two staff are not certified in pediatric first aid and/or infant and child CPR. Per staff start dates, both staff have been working at the program longer than three months. Corrective Action: Ensure that all staff members obtain and maintain certification, submit copies of that certification to Northern Lights for entry into BFIS, and develop a system to maintain compliance to the rule going forth. Certification confirmation by email has been received by this licensor that one of the staff persons became certified in first aid and CPR on 5/13/2021 and the second staff person on 05/14/2021.”

Correction date in the state record: May 14, 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.

“After a review of staff's BFIS Quality and Credential accounts and confirming findings with the directors, ten staff employed longer than six (6) months were missing verification of qualifications which have not been sent to Northern Lights. Corrective Action: Review all staff's BFIS Quality and Credential accounts, submit all missing required documentation of qualifications to Northern Lights at CCV with the required cover sheet. Develop a system to ensure compliance going forth. Submit confirmation to this Licensor that all required information has been sent to Northern Lights.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 17, 2021