Jean Merritt

Regulation 2.3.8.3: The FCCP shall ensure that the FCCP; all individuals residing in the home; staff; and any individuals who are left alone with children 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.

“Provider's fingerprints have been expired since 1/3/2025. On 8/19/2024, the program's annual assurance letter was issued and noted that provider's fingerprints expired on 1/3/2025. A Fingerprint Authorization Certificate was issued for provider on 9/24/2024. A reapplication letter was issued for the provider on 8/19/25 that also noted that the provider needed to comply with fingerprinting. At the visit on 12/4/2025, the provider was directed to submit a new Record Check Authorization form, which did not occur. A new Record Check Authorization form was collected from the provider on 12/16/2025 by [name]. A new Fingerprint Authorization Certificate was issued on this day. Provider stated that she has a fingerprinting appointment on 12/18/2025. Corrective Action: By 12/24/2025, the provider must complete the fingerprinting process and submit documentation of this to the Child Development Division. Provider shall submit a receipt from the law enforcement agency and/or the TVT number to elaine.crawford@vermont.gov no later than 12/24/2025. Failure to provide this documentation will result in the suspension of the program until CDD is able to confirm that fingerprinting has been completed.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 20, 2026

Regulation 2.3.10.5: The FCCP 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 FCCH regulations.

“Lead water testing was last completed in 2019. A condition was placed on this program license when it was issued requiring that lead water testing be completed by 12/1/2025. Water testing had not been completed or initiated at the time of this licensing visit. Corrective Action: Immediately reach out to the Department of Health to request lead water test kits. By 1/6/2026, provide documentation showing that this request has been made and received by VDH. Send this documentation to elaine.crawford@vermont.gov and once test kits are received, complete testing as soon as possible.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 29, 2026

Regulation 5.1.1: The FCCP shall ensure that the FCCH environment and practices support children's health and safety.

“During a review of children's files, it was identified that a child in care has been prescribed a rescue medication. The documentation completed by the parent and the health practioner indicates the when, why, and how of the medical need. The provider stated she was unaware of this medical need and that the medication is not on site. Corrective Action: As required to occur before the end of the date of this visit, contact the child's parent and discuss the child's emergency medicine. The required updated health information and description of medical needs has been added to the child's file. The provider reports understanding the child's health needs and coordinating with parents about that need. The information from the child's doctor indicates the medication is needed on a routine basis which will reportedly occur outside of the program.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 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 resident of the household has not completed the required fingerprint processing. The provider was notified in writing from the Child Development Division on 09/24/2024 that fingerprint processing was needed for this individual. As of the date of this visit, the individual has not submitted for fingerprint processing. Failing to have this individual complete the background clearance process was cited during a visit in January 2024. Corrective Action: This individual completed the fingerprint processing. Confirmation of this background clearance approval was received by the Division on 02/26/2025.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 26, 2025

Regulation 5.10.1.2.5: There shall be at least one (1) easily accessible dry chemical fire extinguisher which has at least a 2-A: 10BC classification. This fire extinguisher shall be maintained in operating condition. It shall bear an official tag, properly signed, attesting to current operating condition.

“The appropriately sized and mounted fire extinguisher was due for yearly inspected as of December 2023. The inspection tag notes the inspection was good for one year only. Corrective Action: Have the fire extinguisher inspected and send confirmation of that inspection to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 12, 2024

Regulation 5.10.4.5.1: The FCCP shall ensure that the FCCH, its furnishings, and toys are kept in a clean and orderly condition.

“There is visible dirt and debris on the dining and kitchen floor areas. The debris includes remnants of food not served for that morning's snack or lunch and visible dirt and grime on floor surfaces. There is visible dirt and grime build up around the sink faucet and upon the bathroom counter. This regulation was cited in violation during a site visit on 01/18/2023. This is a repeat violation. Corrective Action: The floors and surfaces used by children are to be clean before children arrived daily and maintained during the program day. Ensure areas used by children in care are cleaned according to the requirements set forth in Section 5.2.6. Send a written plan to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford that outlines how and when regular and as needed cleaning will occur.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 12, 2024

Regulation 7.2.2: The FCCP shall submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division for any new individuals, sixteen (16) years of age or older, residing in the FCCH or present more than five (5) times in 365 days during the FCCH's hours of operation as required in the rule 2.3.7.2 of these regulations.

“A household member has not completed the fingerprint clearance process. The provider and the household member acknowledged that this regulatory requirement has not been met. This individual is present daily in the home and has been a residence since the opening of the Family Child Care home. Corrective Action: Have the identified individual set an appointment to have fingerprints processed at an approved processing center. Ensure the fingerprint authorization letter available upon the Child Development Division website under forms is presented at the appointment. Send the date of the scheduled appointment to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford by 01/25/2024.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 26, 2025

Regulation 5.4.1.1: The FCCP shall ensure that each child, except school age children, has an individual crib, port-a-crib, cot, mat, or bed that is safe for the child's age and development, in good repair, and used by only one child each day. No child shall nap directly on the floor or on furniture not designed for sleeping. Cribs or port-a-cribs shall be used for children under the age of twelve (12) months. Children shall not nap in cribs or port-a-cribs if they are physically able to climb out unassisted.

“It was confirmed that a child sleeps regularly on the couch for rest time. This child reportedly will sleep most days and it is planned for this child to do so directly on the couch. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, children are to be resting only on equipment and materials designed for sleep. Send confirmation that this child has transitioned to either a mat, cot, or bed for rest time.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 12, 2024

Regulation 5.10.4.5.1: The FCCP shall ensure that the FCCH, its furnishings, and toys are kept in a clean and orderly condition.

“There is visible dirt and debris on the dining and kitchen floor areas. The debris includes remnants of food not served for that morning's snack or lunch and visible dirt and grime on floor surfaces. Corrective Action: As required during the visit, the floors and surfaces used by children are to be clean before children arrived daily and maintained during the program day. Ensure areas used by children in care are cleaned according to the requirements set forth in Section 5.2.6”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 12, 2024

Regulation 5.10.1.1: General Safety: The FCCP shall ensure the physical facilities of the FCCH, grounds, equipment, and toys present no hazard to the health, safety and well-being of the children.

“The under the sink bathroom cabinet housed cleaning products including commercial spray bottle products with bleach as an ingredient and an open can of AJAX cleaner which has visible powder on the top of the can. The noted products list keep out of reach of children on the products. A preschool age child entered the bathroom unescorted, closed the door, and returned moments later to the play group. Jean confirmed that she has not been regularly locking the under the sink cabinet. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, all products labeled keep out of reach of children or with similiar product warnings are to be inaccessible to children. Notify this licensor of what steps have been taken to review all accessible products and to protect children from access.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 8, 2024

Regulation 6.1.4.4.5: Screen time shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes daily per child or group of children except for school age children using technology to complete homework assignments, and a once per month two (2) hour movie.

“Per your own admission, a two hour children's film is played every Friday afternoon lasting from 1.5 to 2 hours each time. Daily, children watch approximately 15-20 minutes of screen time before lunch. The total amount of screen time per month exceeds the allowable time of this rule. Corrective Action: Modify the screen time practices of the program to comply with this rule. Send an email to Licensor [name] the revised screen time practices for the program.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2022

Regulation 3.6.1.1: The FCCP shall develop and maintain a written Emergency Response Plan to respond to a full range of emergencies both natural and man-made. A complete plan shall include how the FCCP will address and manage the following situations and responsibilities: * Evacuations or other emergencies such as leaving the premises and lockdown situations; * Specific concerns related to the location of the program, such as proximity to a nuclear reactor, an area prone to flooding or power loss; * Notifying the local authorities of the emergency; * A system for notifying the parents of the emergency; * Notifying the local emergency planning committee regarding the location of the FCCH and using the committee as a resource in emergency planning for the program; * A system of identifying the children and staff present at the time of the emergency and maintaining knowledge of their whereabouts; * A system for handling infants, toddlers, and children with special needs; * An established evacuation meeting location within walking distance of the FCCH; * A system to account for all children and staff at evacuation meeting place; * An process for relocation if necessary including safe transportation; * A system for sheltering in place if the FCCP and children present need to remain in the FCCH for an extended period; and * Staff chain of command and individual staff roles and responsibilities, (if applicable) during emergencies.

“The Emergency Reponse Plan presented during the visit was missing the following items: system to notify parents of the emergency, notifying the local emergency planning committee regarding the location of the FCCH and using the committee as a resource in emergency planning for the program, a system of identifying the children and staff present at the time of the emrgency and maintaining knowledge of their whereabouts, a system of handling infants, toddlers, and children with special needs, a system to account for all children and staff at evacuation meeting place, a process for relocation if necessary including safe transportation, and a system for sheltering in place if the FCCP and children present need to remain in the FCCH for an extended period. Corrective Action: Review and revise the Emergency Response Plan to address the identified missing items. Submit the updated Emergency Response Plan to Licensor [name] for review.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2022

Regulation 4.3.1: The FCCP shall offer formal or informal parent conferences at least two (2) times every 365 days to discuss children's learning, development, and interactions in the FCCH. Parents will be given an opportunity to share information about the child in his/her home environment and to provide input to the FCCH environment.

“Parent teacher conferences are not offered twice annually as required by this rule. As discussed, having daily communication with parents is not to be in place of offering parent teacher conferences. Corrective Action: Establish two times a year that conferences will be offered to parents. In the email corrective action to Licensor [name] include the plan of how these times will be communicated to parents and what times of the year these will be offered.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2022

Regulation 5.1.2: General Health Examinations: Within forty-five (45) days of enrollment the FCCP 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.

“The signed form from parents that their children have had a wellness exam does not meet the requirements of this rule. A health professional needs to complete and attest to a child's health status. The children's files reviewed were for children who had been in care for more than 45 days. Corrective Action: Work with families to have the required documentation in each child's file. Notify Licensor [name] of the planned dates that all documentation will be in each child's file.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2022