Jael Hook

Regulation 7.1.3: Orientation of FCCP and New Staff The FCCP shall complete an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to beginning care for children. The FCCP shall ensure staff complete an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to being left alone with children. Trainees shall complete the orientation training within one (1) month of their first date of working with children. 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, trainees, and partner staff; * Responsibility to comply with current applicable licensing regulations; * Background check requirements to include changes in situations, restrictions, and exceptions for those prohibited by these regulations; * Staffing requirements to include opening and closing; and * Ensuring children have extra clothes and diapers available.

“Two (2) staff members were missing Vermont Orientation training. Provider confirmed the staff members had not completed the training. Corrective Action: Submit staff's completed Vermont Orientation training certificates to Northern Lights and send submission confirmation to the licensor by 5/22/2026.”

Correction date in the state record: May 12, 2026

Regulation 7.3.1: A Registered FCCP that operates a registered FCCH shall ensure and maintain documentation that he/she is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets or exceeds one (1) of the following qualifications prior to licensure or within twelve (12) months of initial licensure: * At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level One (1) Certificate or higher; or * At least successful completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals' course; or * At least a current CDA (Child Development Association Credential) from the National Council for Professional Recognition); or * At least a Child Care Certificate from Community College of Vermont; or * At least successful completion of twelve (12) college credits in content consistent with the core knowledge areas identified by NLCDC.

“Registration to operate a Family Child Care Home was issued on 11/05/2023. Completion of one of the qualifications listed within this rule was due by 11/05/2024. Review of providers quality and credential account within BFIS confirm qualification requirements have not been completed by the date of this visit. Provider acknowledged this by phone on 4/16/2025. Corrective Action: Develop a plan for approval regarding how compliance will be met. Confer with a Resource Advisor at Northern Lights and submit the plan options provider intends to complete and the expected completion date(s). Email completed plan to: elaine.crawford@vermont.gov.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 3.3.4.1: The FCCP shall maintain a complete and up-to-date enrollment file on-site for each child enrolled in the FCCH. A complete file shall contain, at minimum, the following information: * A completed child's admission form signed and dated by the parent that includes the first date the child attended the FCCH and the days and hours the child is regularly scheduled to attend the FCCH; * The child's name, current home address and current home telephone number; * The child's date of birth; * Name, address and all applicable current telephone numbers for parents; * Name, address and all applicable current telephone numbers for at least two (2) other people designated by the parents as emergency contacts; * Names for all persons authorized to pick the child up from the FCCH; * Record of an annual physical and health history as required in the rule 5.1.2 of these regulations that includes the name and telephone of the child's primary health care and dental care providers (if the child has a dental care provider); * A description of any special medical, developmental, emotional or educational needs of the child including allergies, existing illnesses or injuries, previous serious illnesses or injuries and any prescribed medication including those for emergency situations; * Written authorization from the parent for the FCCP to be able to obtain emergency medical care and transportation; * Child's immunization record or Vermont Department of Health approved exemption document as required in the rules in section 5.1.3 of these regulations; * Written permission from parents for the FCCP to transport the child, if transportation is provided, as required in section 5.10.6.6.1 of these regulations; * Written permission from parents for child to participate in swimming activities, if swimming activities are a part of the program, as required in the rule 5.10.5.1 of these regulations; * If applicable, a copy of court orders on custody and visitation arrangements as required in the rule 3.5.4 of these regulations; and * If applicable, any obvious injuries discovered and documented on daily health check as required in the rule 5.3.2 of these regulations.

“In a random sampling review of four (4) child files it was found two (2) were missing child wellness exams and three (3) were missing child immunization forms. Corrective Action: Review all child files, identify any items missing and have all files up to date by date listed below. Maintain a complete and up-to-date enrollment file on-site for each child enrolled in the program. Implement a systemic plan to ensure child files are complete and up to date. Send the planned steps to update existing files, monitor all files going forward, and plan to ensure files are complete at time of enrollment to elaine.crawford@vermont.gov.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 5.10.3.2.3: The FCCP shall ensure that large outdoor play equipment is anchored firmly in accordance with manufacturers' specifications, is not located on concrete or asphalt surfaces and is placed so as to accommodate manufacturers' specifications for use zones.

“Three (3) of four (4) support posts of swingset were able to be pulled out of the ground with one hand. Each post came fully out of the anchoring and was able to be lifted approximately 1 inch off the ground. Corrective Action: As required during the visit, children are not to use the swingset until anchoring is solidified. Provider can either anchor swingset in adherence to manufacutrer recommentations or remove the piece. Develop a monitoring system to regularly inspect and ensure that this play structure and any others that require anchoring remain securly anchored. Review anchoring with other caregivers on a regular schedule to ensure onging compliance with this rule. Email corrective action to: elaine.crawford@vermont.gov.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 7.4.4: All staff, with the exception of substitutes, shall complete fifteen (15) clock hours of annual professional development activities as required in the rule 7.4.2 of these regulations.

“Upon review of staff files it was found Staff E had completed four (4) of the required fifteen (15) hours of professional development for the timeframe November 2023 (11/15/23)- Novemember 2024 (11/14/24). . Corrective Action: Ensure Staff E completes eleven (11) hours of required professional development not completed for the time period November 2023 (11/15/23)- Novemember 2024 (11/14/24). These eleven (11) hours are in addition to current fifteen (15) hours for November 2024 (11/15/24)- November 2025 (11/14/2025). In corrective action email include plan for staff to complete fifteen (15) hours of professional development, based on start date, to include list of trainings to be completed. Email completed certificates to Northern Lights and cc: elaine.crawford@vermont.gov. Ensure ongoing compliance with this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 5.2.3.11: Each diaper changing procedure shall include: * Preparation: assemble supplies, staff member washes hands, prepares changing surface with either a disposable covering or ensure that the surface was recently cleaned and disinfected and bring the child to the diaper changing area. * Dirty Phase: remove soiled diaper and cleanse diaper area of the child. * Clean Phase: put on clean diaper, dress child, and wash the child's hands. * Clean up: clean and disinfect the diaper changing surface, dispose of diaper, and staff member washes their own hands. * Record diaper change.

“Two diaper changes were observed and in each instance, the child was placed upon a new cloth blanket to have their diaper changed. Provider did not wash their hands prior to each diaper change nor were children's hands washed following diaper changes. Corrective Action: As required during our phone call on 4/16/2025, provider will change children on a clean, washable, non absorbant surface. Provider will complete all five (5) steps of diapering procedures for each child. Provider will ensure all staff are trained on regulatory diapering procedures.Provider will maintain ongoing compliance with this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 7.1.3: Orientation of FCCP and New Staff The FCCP shall complete an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to beginning care for children. The FCCP shall ensure staff complete an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to being left alone with children. Trainees shall complete the orientation training within one (1) month of their first date of working with children. 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, trainees, and partner staff; * Responsibility to comply with current applicable licensing regulations; * Background check requirements to include changes in situations, restrictions, and exceptions for those prohibited by these regulations; * Staffing requirements to include opening and closing; and * Ensuring children have extra clothes and diapers available.

“At the time of licensing visit, four (4) staff required to have completed Orientation had not done so. It was found onsite Staff B was working alone with children and had been doing so since December of 2024. Since site one (1) staff has been removed from the provider Associated Parties list. Corrective Action: Ensure staff who have not completed Orientation do so, to include Protecting Vermont's Children: Reporting Abuse & Neglect training. Both portions of the training must be completed for Orientation to be considered complete. In the corrective action email sent to Northern Lights at CCV and cc: elaine.crawford@vermont.gov, provide completion certificates and identify the system to maintain ongoing compliance with this rule. One (1) staff has submitted a completion certificate since the time of site visit.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 6.2.3.5: The FCCP or at least one (1) staff member shall sit with children during meals and snacks.

“Toddler age child, was observed seated alone at the kitchen table eating pasta from 2:46 pm-2:51 pm. From standing in the living room, the child seated at the kitchen table could be heard whimpering and repeating the words Mom and Dad three (3) times before provider spoke to the child from the living room. At 2:51 pm, tears were visible upon the child's face. Staff A was located near the sliding glass door going out to the play yard observing children outside and Staff E was in the living room attending to other children at time of incident. Corrective Action: Ensure at least one (1) staff member shall sit with children during meals and snacks. Review program meal transitions and practices to ensure supervision is maintained for all children during meals. By 05/30/2025, send confirmation to elaine.crawford@vermont.gov that the requirements of this rule were reviewed with all staff persons. Maintain ongoing compliance with this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 7.2.1: The FCCP shall ensure that all new staff, and any new individual with unsupervised access to children in the FCCH submits 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 record check authorization letter was created by the Division for Staff A, on 10/15/2024 and the follow up fingerprinting process had not been completed. Since the time of site visit, Staff A has been removed from the Associated Parties list of provider. Corrective Action: Program will ensure a systemic plan to track when new employees are hired and paperwork is completed and ensure ongoing compliance with this rule. Send an email to elaine.crawford@vernont.gov identifying the plan to monitor staff background clearance processes through to completion.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 5.6.8: The FCCP shall ensure that there is a record of the administration of all medications including medication dosage, time of administration, name of staff administering, and any adverse effects observed. These records shall be maintained for 365 days from the start date of medication administration, and may be kept in the child's file or in a medication administration log.

“Provider was observed giving Child A their morning medication. Provider was observed to not record the admission of medication. When asked, provider stated the program did not have a recording system in place for the administration of medication. Corrective Action: Create a form to record medications administered, ensuring the form contains all required components of this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: May 9, 2024

Regulation 3.6.2.1: The FCCP shall have a written evacuation diagram with evacuation routes posted on each level of the home that is used by the children.

“Evacuation route diagrams were not observed to be posted on the level of the home identified to be used by children. This rule was reviewed at the program's Pre-Registartion visit conducted on 10/16/23. Jael acknowledged understanding at that time. Corrective Action: Ensure evacuation routes are posted in accordance with this rule by the corrective action due date given.”

Correction date in the state record: May 9, 2024