Heartworks, STEAMworks & Loveworks Schools, LLC - Williston

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.

“One (1) staff member was missing qualification documents. Additionally nine (9) staff members that have been employed at the program for over six (6) months had BFIS accounts that were not up to date. Corrective Action: Submit all required documentation to Northern Lights and send submission confirmation to the licensor. Develop a plan to ensure the program is submitting documentation to Northern Lights on time. Send the submission confirmation as well as the program's plan for tracking and updating BFIS accounts to the licensor by 7/1/2026. Status: Appeal Period.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 30, 2026

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.

“Three (3) staff members were missing CPR/First Aid training and had been employed at the program for longer than three (3) months. The Director confirmed staff members had not completed the training yet. This is a repeat violation last cited on 11/7/2022. Corrective Action: The three (3) staff members must complete CPR/First Aid training. Submit completed certificates to Northern Lights and send submission confirmation to the licensor by 7/1/2026.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 26, 2026

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 members were missing Orientation training. The Director confirmed the staff members have not completed the training. Corrective Action: The two (2) staff members must complete Orientation training. Submit staff's completed Orientation training certificates to Northern Lights and send submission confirmation to the licensor by 7/1/2026.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 26, 2026

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.

“Six (6) staff members were missing annual professional development hours. Director confirmed staff members had not completed the trainings. Corrective Action: The six (6) staff members must complete their annual professional development hours. Submit staff's completed professional development certificates to Northern Lights and send submission confirmation to the licensor by 7/1/2026. Status: Appeal Period.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 30, 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.

“Two (2) emergency medication inhalers on site past their expiration dates of 2/2026 and 3/2026 but had not been administered after their expiration dates. Corrective Action: Immediately send home or dispose of the outdated medications and notify the children's caregivers that they need to provide current medication for the program. Develop a plan to ensure that the program is aware of expiration dates for all medications and how the program will ensure outdated medication is not kept on site or administered. Send this plan to the licensor by 7/1/2026.”

Correction date in the state record: May 15, 2026

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 staff member used innappropriate discipline and guidance practices as well as unnecessary physical force when they lifted a four year old child by the wrists and moved them from the ground to the picnic table approximately twelve (12) inches away, leaving marks on the child's wrist that lasted at least four days. It was observed that the staff member used a loud, mean tone of voice when speaking to the child. This is a serious violation. Corrective Action: The staff member that used inappropriate discipline is no longer employed at the program. Effective immediately instruct staff to use developmentally appropriate interactions with children. By 10/27/2025, submit a program improvement plan to this licensor that states how the program will ensure staff expectations of children's behavior and the staff's responses are developmentally appropriate to each child's level of understanding and meets the individual needs of each child. The plan shall include regular classroom observations and mentoring opportunities specific to positive guidance practices. Describe how the program will provide ongoing mentoring and/or training when it is identified through the observations that staff need additional support in the positive guidance of children. Complete the parental notification letter as outlined above. Submit a list of names and phone numbers of parents who were sent the Parental Notification Letter to this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 28, 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.

“A child was left alone in the hallway without supervision or staff identifying that he was missing for three (3) to five (5) minutes. Corrective Action: Retrain staff on the program's practices of counting children, including the times during the day when counting children will take place with an emphasis on times of transition. Email the training outline and the date the training will take place to the licensor by 9/5/2025. Addtionally, email the licensor once the training has been completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 28, 2025

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 staff member used innappropriate discipline and guidance practices as well as unnecessary physical force when they lifted a four year old child by the wrists and moved them from the ground to the picnic table approximately twelve (12) inches away, leaving marks on the child's wrist that lasted at least four days. It was observed that the staff member used a loud, mean tone of voice when speaking to the child. This is a serious violation. Corrective Action: The staff member that used inappropriate discipline is no longer employed at the program. Effective immediately instruct staff to use developmentally appropriate interactions with children. By 10/27/2025, submit a program improvement plan to this licensor that states how the program will ensure staff expectations of children's behavior and the staff's responses are developmentally appropriate to each child's level of understanding and meets the individual needs of each child. The plan shall include regular classroom observations and mentoring opportunities specific to positive guidance practices. Describe how the program will provide ongoing mentoring and/or training when it is identified through the observations that staff need additional support in the positive guidance of children. Complete the parental notification letter as outlined above. Submit a list of names and phone numbers of parents who were sent the Parental Notification Letter to this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 28, 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.

“A child was left alone in the hallway without supervision or staff identifying that he was missing for three (3) to five (5) minutes. Corrective Action: Retrain staff on the program's practices of counting children, including the times during the day when counting children will take place with an emphasis on times of transition. Email the training outline and the date the training will take place to the licensor by 9/5/2025. Addtionally, email the licensor once the training has been completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 28, 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.

“A review of staff BFIS accounts reflected that Staff A and Staff B had submitted Records Check Authorization forms to the Division prior to their five-year expiry, had received notification letters from the Division of their need to be fingerprinted, and had not yet submitted to fingerprinting. The director was not able to provide receipts for fingerprinting for Staff A or B by 06/10/2025. Both staff were present and working with children and Staff B was left alone with children during this visit. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to have Staff A and B submit to fingerprinting and ensure that Staff A and B are not left alone with children until they have received their final clearance letter from their fingerprint supported background clearance letter from the Division. Develop a system which will track the background check and fingerprinting due dates for all staff and prompt leadership and staff when due dates are coming up to ensure timely adherance to this requiremetn moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 30, 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.

“A review of staff BFIS credential accounts and staff files reflected that many documents, including annual professional development, staff qualification documents, and infant and child CPR and pediatric first aid certificates had not been sent to Northern Lights at CCV in a timely manner. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to inform all staff of the requirement to submit all required documentation to Northern Lights at CCV within six-months of hire and then in a timely manner in order to maintain up-to-date BFIS credential accounts moving forward. Develop a system which will ensure the Director and/or Staff are tracking completion of ongoing education, trainings and certifications and the required submission of said documents in a timely manner moving forward. Include details of who will be responsible for the tracking system, informing staff of upcoming needs for recertifications, annual professional development, and who will be responsible for ensuring those documents are submitted, entered into BFIS credential accounts as expected, and communicating with the resource advisor at Northern Lights at CCV when docuemnts do not show up in accounts as expected, or a rejected for any reason.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 5, 2025

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.

“A review of staff BFIS credential accounts and staff files reflect that four (4) assistants, one (1) Teacher Associate, and one (1) trainee do not meet the qualifications for their position titles. The director was unable to provide documentation of qualifications to this licensor and Northern Lights at CCV as of 06/10/2025. Four of the identified staff were present and counted in staff/child ratios during this visit. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to review qualification requirements with all staff who are not currently qualified in their positions and develop a plan for coming into compliance in a timely manner. Include in the plan, an outline of each staff member's plan, inlcuding a timeline for completion of qualifications and submission of qualification documents to Northern Lights at CCV. Develop a system which will ensure all newly hired staff meet the requirements for their position upon hire and submit documentation of such to Northern Lights at CCV in a timely manner moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 5, 2025

Regulation 7.3.2.3: Teacher Assistant A teacher assistant is at least eighteen (18) 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 One (1) or Two (2) Certificate; or * At least a current CDA (Child Development Associate) and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least a State Board of Education approved Human Services Program Certificate that emphasizes child development or early childhood education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals' course or the Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in child or human development or a three (3) college credit course for school age care and education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

“A review of staff BFIS credential accounts reflects that staff A, who has been employed with the program since 09/03/2029, has not yet completed qualifications as Teacher Assistant. Staff A was present and working alone with a group of children during this visit. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to ensure that a staff qualified as at least teacher associate is assigned to work with Staff A at all times until such a time when Staff A has successfully completed qualifications as at least Teacher Assistant. Develop a comprehensive plan with a timeline which ensures Staff A becomes qualified as at least Teacher Assistant within 365 days of this visit. If you wish to have Staff A lead a classroom, include details and a timeline of how Staff A will meet at least Teacher Associate qualifications per 7.3.2.2, how Staff A will be partnered with, supported and mentored by a staff member who is at least qualified as Teacher Associate at least 75% of the hours of operation after meeting Teacher Assistant qualifications. If you have questions or need assistance for options on staff becoming qualified in any position, you may reach out to your Northern Lights at CCV resource advisor, Adri Taylo-Behrman at 802-654-0730 or adri.taylo-berman@ccv.edu.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 30, 2024

Regulation 7.2.4: The licensee shall ensure that no person shall be left alone with children without approval from the Division which shall be based on the results of the background check to include fingerprinting.

“It was noted that Staff C and D were alone with a group of children during the visit and had not yet received approval from the Division based on the finger print supported background check. Further, it was noted that Staff E, F, G and H had not yet received approval from the Division based on finger print supported background checks. Staff C is a new employee. Staff D was made aware of the requirement to submit to fingerprinting thirteen (13) months prior to the visit. Staff E, F, G and H were made aware of the requirement to complete fingerprinting between seven (7) and twelve (12) months prior to this visit. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to ensure that no person be left alone with children without prior approval from the Division based on the fingerprint supported background check. This means that all unapproved persons shall be within earshot and eyeshot of at least one other approved person at all times. Plan to have all staff submit to fingerprinting as applicable within 30 days of receiving the fingerprint acquisition certificate from the Divsion and to ensure the individual receives an approval letter in a timely manner and prior to being left alone with children moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 27, 2023

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.

“It was noted that Staff A and B were assigned as lead teachers in two preschool classrooms. A review of Staff A and B's BFIS credential account and staff files, they do not meet the minimum requirements for teacher associate per rule 7.3.2.2. The director confirmed that Staff A and B have been assigned as lead teachers for at least six (6) months. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to ensure 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. Develop a plan which includes details of how Staff A and B's classrooms will be staffed with a qualified lead teacher for at least 75% of the hours of operation and how you will ensure staff are qualified as at least teacher associate prior to being assigned as lead teachers moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 27, 2023

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 files and staff BFIS quality and credential accounts reflected that Staff A, B, and C did not have current certifications in infant and child CPR and pediatric first aid. Staff A, B, and C have worked with the program for at least 3 months and have position titles which lend to them being left alone with children and counted in staff /child ratio. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to have staff A, B, and C complete approved pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR certifications and submit the certificates of completion ot Northern Lights at CCV (NLCCV) with cover sheets by 11/18/2022 and ensure that Staff A, B, and C are not left alone with children until they have completed these certifications. Develop a system which will prompt you and/or staff to complete approved CPR and first aid certifications within 3 months of hire and to maintain those certifications in a manner which ensures they remain current moving forward. Include in your corrective action; 1. what system will be used, 2. who will be responsible for the system, 3. who will be responsible for notifying the staff of this requirement, 4. who will track the progress of staff and ensure that compliance is met, 5. who will be responsible for submitting the required documents to NLCCV in a timely manner.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 18, 2022