Katherine Busch

Regulation 3.3.6.1: The FCCP shall maintain a record of the date of each evacuation drill as required in the rules in section 3.6.2 of these regulations that includes the number of children, staff evacuated, time taken to evacuate, and notation of the drill conducted while children were sleeping or resting. Evacuation records shall be kept for two (2) years.

“There were no evacuation drills documentated from January 2025 to May 2025. Provider stated drills are practiced every second Tuesday of the month, however, she forgot to record them. Corrective Action: Complete one (1) evacuation drill per week for the next four (4) weeks, choosing a different day of the week for each drill, and send a copy of the completed drill log to the licensor by 7/25/2025. Additionally, develop a plan to ensure evacuation drills are recorded in accordance to the requirements of this regulation and send a copy of the plan to the licensor by 7/25/2025.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 30, 2025

Regulation 5.10.1.2.4: The FCCP shall ensure that each floor of the home, and in the corridor to access the home in an apartment building, has an operating smoke detector as well as a smoke detectors in the immediate vicinity where children sleep. The FCCP shall ensure carbon monoxide monitors are located outside of rooms were children sleep.

“During the visit, it was observed that the CO2 detector intended for the program was under some paperwork on the counter and did not have a battery installed. The provider stated that the battery had been removed several days earlier when the device began to beep. The provider did not have a new battery to install. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to install a new battery in the CO2 detector intended for the program and to mount or store the device in accordance with the manufaturer's recommendations. Develop a system which will prompt you to regularly check the CO2 detector for battery function and regularly replace the battery as recommended by the manufacturer.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 19, 2023

Regulation 4.7: The FCCP shall establish written policies and procedures. Written information provided to parents of all children enrolled in the FCCH shall include, at minimum: * Assurance that parents have access to the FCCH and their child(ren) without prior notice and have access to their children's records as required in the rule 3.3.4.6 of these regulations; * A description of information needed from parents for child's enrollment file as required in rules in section 3.3.4.1 of these regulations; * A typical daily schedule of activities; * Information about fees and payment policies; * Information about hours of operation and closings; * Procedures for signing children in and out; * Procedures for emergencies as required in the rules in section 3.6 of these regulations; * Information about the nutrition, meals and meal preparation at the FCCH; * Safe sleep policies, as applicable; * No smoking policy; * Information about results from the test for lead in the drinking water and any plan for remediation; * FCCH policies on field trips, other off-site activity and transportation; * FCCH health policies including illness exclusions, administration of medication, and immunizations; * FCCH policies and practice regarding positive guidance and behavior management; * Assurance that confidentiality of child and family information is maintained; * Information about the requirement to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect as required in the rules in section 3.2 of these regulations; * Assurance that non-discrimination and respect for each child's family and culture is maintained; * FCCH approach to ensure wholesome growth and positive developmental experiences for children enrolled; * FCCH policies related to the inclusion of children with special needs and disabilities; * A description of religious activities, if any; * Information on how to access these FCCH regulations and other information about child development online; * Information concerning complaint procedures; * Information about the Child Care Consumer Line, including the telephone number (1-800-649-2642); and * FCCH policies and procedures related to the expulsion of children.

“A review of the parent handbook reflected that more than 50% of the required information listed in this rule was absent. The parent handbook was reviewed at the last compliance visit and an email was sent to Katherine on 12/27/2021, outlining the missing information and the expectation that the handbook be revised. Corrective Action: Plan to revise the parent handbook to include all required information in alignment with regulation and to make the revised copy available to all enrolled families by 01/15/2023. Develop a system which will prompt you to review and revise the parent handbook and ensure the infromation therein is in alignment with regulations at least once every 365 and to make any revisions available to parents in a timely manner moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 19, 2023

Regulation 3.3.3: The FCCP shall establish a system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the FCCH. The FCCP 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.

“A review of the attendance records reflected that no children had been signed in or out of the program between Thursday 12/16/2021 and Tuesday 12/21/2021. The provider confirmed that children were in care on 12/16, 12/17 and 12/20/2021. There were five children in care during this visit. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to develop a system which will prompt you to document the time when each child arrives and departs in a timely manner moving forward. The system shall include details of where the attendance will be stored and a how you will remind yourself (set a timer on your phone, ask parents to remind you, flouresent sign near book, etcetera) to record the time of arrival and departure for each child in a timely manner, until such a time when it becomes an ingrained part of your daily routine.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 27, 2022

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 fire extinguisher was tagged with an inspection expiration date of 7/2018. A second fire extinguisher was too small per this rule with an ABC classification. Corrective Action: Purchase a new or maintain the fire extinguisher that is a 2-A:10BC and have it inspected by a person who may issue, initial, and date the inspection tag and ensure future compliance by having the fire extinguisher inspected annually. Email confirmation to this licensor upon completion by due date.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 15, 2021

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.

“When asked to review child files, the registrant said she knows that they are not complete. Corrective Action: Ensure that each child's enrollment file is maintained as complete, up-to-date, and available for review. Email confirmation to this licensor upon completion by due date.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 15, 2021

Regulation 3.3.3: The FCCP shall establish a system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the FCCH. The FCCP 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 documentation of attendance records did not include a time in and time out for each child on each day in care. This is a repeat violation first cited 2/09/2018. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, ensure that the record of daily attendance for each child reflects the time of arrival and the time of departure each day. Email confirmation to this licensor upon completion by due date.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 23, 2020

Regulation 3.3.6.1: The FCCP shall maintain a record of the date of each evacuation drill as required in the rules in section 3.6.2 of these regulations that includes the number of children, staff evacuated, time taken to evacuate, and notation of the drill conducted while children were sleeping or resting. Evacuation records shall be kept for two (2) years.

“The record of monthly practiced evacuation drills record was maintained. The registant stated that she does not have the children practice evacuating the home each month. Corrective Action: Ensure documentation of practiced drills contain all required steps of the drill which includes children evacuating each month. Email confirmation to this licensor upon completion by due date.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 15, 2021

Regulation 3.3.7.3: Within six (6) months of initial date of employment, the FCCP and all staff 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 sections 7.3 and 7.4 of these regulations shall be submitted to NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“The registrant confirmed that the substitute's high school diploma or GED has not been sent to Northern Lights to be verified and maintained in BFIS. Corrective Action: Submit a copy of the substitute's high school diploma or completion of GED to Northern Lights at CCV using the Verification Cover Sheet. Email confirmation to this licensor when required documents have been sent.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 15, 2021

Regulation 3.3.3: The FCCP shall establish a system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the FCCH. The FCCP 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 last date attendance was documented was 10/27/2017. It is required to document attendance each day using a time in and time out system for all children in care. Corrective Action: Effective immediately establish a system where attendance will be recorded for each child's arrival and departure each day. Submit a confirmation to this Licensor by 2/16/2018.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 15, 2021