Kathlene Douglass

Regulation 5.10.3.1.5: Fencing installed after the effective date of these regulations shall: * Be a minimum of four (4) feet in height with openings no larger than 3.5 inches; * Equipped with gates with self-closing and self-latching mechanisms; and * Include at least two (2) exits with one (1) that does not lead into the FCCH.

“This is a repeat citation of this violation due to failure to complete the required action from when the violation was initial cited during a visit on 09/16/2025 and re-cited on 01/27/2026 and 02/23/2026. The provider did not provide evidence of the repaired fence to the Division. When asked if the fence was repaired, the provider stated her partner had begun to fix it but needed additional parts to be completed. The provider and I walked to the fence. The bottom of the fence was about 11 inches off the ground and 7 feet of the top part of the fence was detached from the top railing, The fence showed no evidence of having been partly repaired. The provider stated she would hire someone and the fence would be repaired within two weeks. Corrective Action: This is the third visit made to your program for lack of compliance to this rule. No later than April 16, 2026, send a picture of the repaired fence to ann.sparrow@vermont.gov. Your continued non-compliance to this rule will result in a regulatory review for a provisional license.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 7, 2026

Regulation 5.10.3.1.5: Fencing installed after the effective date of these regulations shall: * Be a minimum of four (4) feet in height with openings no larger than 3.5 inches; * Equipped with gates with self-closing and self-latching mechanisms; and * Include at least two (2) exits with one (1) that does not lead into the FCCH.

“This is a repeat citation of this violation due to failure to complete the required action from when the violation was initial cited during a visit on 09/16/2025 and re-cited on 01/27/2026. The provider did not provide evidence of the repaired fence to the Division and cannot say if the fence was repaired or not. Corrective Action: The corrective action originally required to be completed by 11/17/2025 still needs to be completed. Due to the amount of snow currently on the ground, no later than 04/01/2026, send a picture of the repaired fence to ann.sparrow@vermont.gov.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 7, 2026

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.

“This is a repeat citation of this violation due to failure to complete the required action from when the violation was initial cited during a visit on 09/16/2025 and re-cited on 1/27/26. A staff member did not complete 7.5 hours of professional development during the period of 7/03/2024-7/03/2025 Corrective Action: The corrective action originally required to be completed by 11/17/2025 still needs to be completed. By 2/27/26, the staff member must complete the missing 7.5 hours of professional development from the annual period 7/03/2024-7/03/2025. Submit electronically the training certificates, covering the 7.5 hours to Northern Lights at CCV and forward a copy of the training certificates to asparrow@vermont.gov. In addition, indicate how you will monitor the professional development of both your assistant and substitute for the 2025-2026 time period, in this plan indicate the trainings they will be completing.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 27, 2026

Regulation 5.10.3.1.5: Fencing installed after the effective date of these regulations shall: * Be a minimum of four (4) feet in height with openings no larger than 3.5 inches; * Equipped with gates with self-closing and self-latching mechanisms; and * Include at least two (2) exits with one (1) that does not lead into the FCCH.

“This is a repeat citation of this violation due to failure to complete the required action from when the violation was initial cited during a visit on 09/16/2025. The provider did not provide evidence of the repaired fence to your licensor. Corrective Action: The corrective action originally required to be completed by 11/17/2025 still needs to be completed. By 2/5/2026, send a picture of the repaired fence to ann.sparrow@vermont.gov”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 7, 2026

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.

“This is a repeat citation of this violation due to failure to complete the required action from when the violation was initial cited during a visit on 09/16/2025. A staff member did not complete 7.5 hours of 15 professional development hours during the period of 7/03/2024-7/03/2025. Corrective Action: The corrective action originally required to be completed by 11/17/2025 still needs to be completed. By 2/5/26, the assistant must complete the missing 7.5 hours of professional development from the annual period 7/03/2024-7/03/2025. Submit electronically the training certificates, covering the 7.5 hours to Northern Lights at CCV and forward a copy of the training certificates to your asparrow@vermont.gov. In addition, indicate how you will monitor the professional development of both your assistant and substitute for the 2025-2026 time period, in this plan indicate the trainings they will be completing”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 27, 2026

Regulation 5.10.3.1.5: Fencing installed after the effective date of these regulations shall: * Be a minimum of four (4) feet in height with openings no larger than 3.5 inches; * Equipped with gates with self-closing and self-latching mechanisms; and * Include at least two (2) exits with one (1) that does not lead into the FCCH.

“A section of the outdoor fence was missing the top rail and was no longer anchored to the ground, allowing children to push on the fence and leave the fence in area.. The provider stated that the fence had been damaged during mowing. Corrective Action: As stated during the visit, immediately ensure that increased supervision is maintained when children are playing near the broken fence area. By 11/17/25 send a picture of the repaired fence to your licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 7, 2026

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.

“A review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential Account, followed by conversation with the provider confirmed that a staff member had not completed eight (8) of 15 professional development hours during the period of 7/03/2024-7/03/2025. No additional documents were provided for assessment. Corrective Action: By 11/17/2025 submit to your licensor a detailed plan indicating how your assistant will complete the missing eight (8) hours of professional development. The plan should include specific time lines and resources you will utilize to identify trainings. In addition, indicate how you will monitor the professional development of both your assistant and substitute for the 2025-2026 time period.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 27, 2026

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 provider stated that she completes monthly evacuation drill but did not have any written documentation. Corrective Action: By 10/30/24, develop a system to ensure that monthly evacuation drill will be recorded and is available for review moving forward. In the corrective action email provide details of the system developed to ensure compliance”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 2024

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 provider stated that she did not have attendance records. The provider stated that the assistant and herself text each other when children arrives and leave. Corrective Action: By 10/30/24, develop a system to ensure that attendance for each child will be taken each day and is available for review moving forward. In the corrective action email provide details of the system developed to ensure compliance.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 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.

“A child was allowed to play and eat in the garage where various chemicals, electrical and non-electrical tools and a blow torch were on the floor or within children's reach. Corrective Action: By 5/20/24, submit to your licensor a program improvement plan on how you will ensure that the space you use for children will be safe and secure from any hazards moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 24, 2024

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.

“A review of staff BFIS Qualification and Credential accounts and discussion with the provider, it was determined that the provider's assistant had not completed the Vermont Orientation Training. The assistant has been working with children since July 2023. Corrective Action: By 1/2/2024, have the staff complete the Vermont Orientation training and submit the training certificate to Northern Lights with the cover sheet including this licensor in the email.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 2, 2024

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.

“A review of the children files showed that they did not include documentation of a well child visit from their doctor's office. The provider stated that she did not have any of them. Corrective Action: By 1/2/2024, collect the well child exam documentation for every child enrolled. Email this licensor to confirm that these have been collected and are in children's files.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 2, 2024

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 household member has not completed the fingerprint supported clearances as required. A fingerprint authorization letter was issued on 8/17/23 for a current household member and as of 11/29/23 this individual has not submitted to the fingerprinting process. The provider stated she was aware that the fingerprint supported clearance was not completed. Corrective Action: By 1/2/2024 have the household member complete the fingerprinting process. Send an e-mail to this licensor on the date of the fingerprint processing to confirm completion.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 1, 2024

Regulation 1.1: A person providing care for children from more than two (2) families other than their own must be registered or licensed in accord with these regulations. No person agency, corporation, partnership or individual shall operate or maintain a registered or licensed family child care home without approval from the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) and a current license issued by the Child Development Division (CDD). The legal authority for these regulations is in Vermont Statutes at 33 V.S.A. SS 105(b) and 3502.

“Upon arrival at the home, the applicant stated that she was providing care for five (5) children from three (3) families without being registered or licensed. It is against state law to provide care to more than two families without being registered or licensed. Corrective Action: Reduce enrollment so that you are only providing care to children from two families, regardless if those children are in care at the same time. It is against state statute to care for three or more families. You must become licensed or registered to care for more than two (2) families.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 3, 2023