Little Dippers Doodle Children's Center

Regulation 7.3.1.4: The program director of a CBCCPP licensed to care for sixty (60) or more children shall be qualified as a teacher, shall have at least an additional twenty-four (24) months of experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger, and shall have completed either: * A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step Two (2) Certificate or Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Credential, Step Three (3); or * Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in curriculum, and an additional nine (9) college credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, or human resource management.

“After review of BFIS Quality and Credential account and discussion with the Program Director it was determined the Director does not have the additional nine (9) College Credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, or human resource management. The Program Director stated that a search for a qualified program director had been unsuccessful and that she was not able to complete the courses to meet this requirement, due to work schedule. This is a repeat violation previously cited on 08/06/2021 and 08/17/2022. Corrective Action: It is required to make a detailed plan for compliance with the Director position. The plan shall include the steps to obtain director credentials with specific dates and timeline, strategies and resources to ensure successful completion. Since this visit the provider has hired a program director.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 7, 2023

Regulation 5.4.3.2: Children shall not be required to sleep. Children who do not nap shall be provided space and equipment for quiet play.

“During a 40-minute period it was observed that a child was told to lay on his cot while a staff adjusted their body by picking them up and laying on the cot and wrap them in their blanket like a cocoon, while two (2) other children were permitted to play. On five (5) occasions the staff told children to lay down, go to sleep, that is your job. The licensee stated that children are to lay on their cots for 30 to 40 minutes before getting up. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, provide quiet activities for children during rest time that include a variety of options such as books, puzzles, manipulatives, etc. By 9/15/2023, submit a program improvement plan with the changes you will implement for rest/quiet time. This plan shall include identification of areas to be utilized for children who do not sleep and how the program administrators will monitor rest time and provide ongoing support to current and future staff. Update your program staff handbook to reflect the changes you will implement for rest/quiet times.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 8, 2023

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.

“During the licensing visit, a staff was alone with children while she took children from the playground to the classroom and/or the bathroom on four (4) occasions. A record check had been submitted to the Division on the day of the visit when it was discovered that she was not on the program BFIS Associated Party list and had not been cleared to be left alone with children. Since the visit the staff has been cleared to be alone with children. Corrective Action: Effective immediately ensure no person is left alone with children without approval from the Division as stated in this rule. By 9/15/23, submit a plan on how the program will ensure that no individual will be left alone with children without a completed record check and fingerprint clearance from the Division.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 8, 2023

Regulation 5.4.1.8: Bedding used by a child shall be stored in a manner that prevents contact with bedding used by other children.

“Bedding used by children in the preschool 2 room are stored overlapping the top of a child's cot and then the cots with the bedding are stacked together against the wall. Stacking the cots with the bedding attached allows the children's bedding to touch other children's bedding which is not allowed. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, store children's bedding in a way that prevents the bedding from touching as discussed. By 09/15/2023, submit a program improvement plan indicating how the individual children bedding will be stored to prevent contact with each other.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 8, 2023

Regulation 6.2.7.5: No punitive action shall be taken with children for not going to sleep, for toileting accidents, for failure to eat all or part of a meal or for failure to complete a prescribed activity.

“Child X alleged that their blanket and stuffed animal was taken away during rest time becuase they would not go to sleep.Based on information gathered in interviews and an observation made of Staff A during nap time on 5/12/2023, there is evidence to support that it has been a practice to take blankets and other items away from children as a consequence for not going to sleep. On 5/12/2023 Staff A went to a child who was sitting on his cot quietly but not lying down, took his blanket and told him that since he was not lying down, he did not need his blanket for rest time. As soon as he laid down, she returned the blanket to him. Corrective Action: Staff shall not take blankets and other rest time materials away from children because they will not go to sleep. Staff A shall complete 4 hours of professional development training related to supporting children's rest/nap needs in an individualized manner that is age appropriate. Or a training that focuses on how to balance the needs of children who need to sleep verses those who no longer nap. Please visit Northern Lights training page https://northernlightsccv.org/training/approved-training-organizations/. Two months have been alloted to complete this corrective action, please reach out to Licensor [name] if an extension is needed to attend a training that occurs after the due date.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 9, 2023

Regulation 5.4.3.2: Children shall not be required to sleep. Children who do not nap shall be provided space and equipment for quiet play.

“Based on information gathered during visits on 5/10/2023, 5/12/2023 and video footage from 5/2/2023 the program/staff require children to stay on their cots even if they did not need a nap. The video footage shows that Child Y was directed to go on her cot at 11:40, Child Y did not take on nap but was made to stay on her cot until 1:36. During this time no activities were provided to Child Y. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, provide quiet activities for children during rest time that include a variety of options such as books, puzzles, manipulatives, etc. By 8/21/2023, submit a program improvement plan with the changes you will implement for rest/quiet time. This plan shall include identification of areas to be utilized for children who do not sleep and how the program administrators will monitor rest time and provide ongoing support to current and future staff. Update your program staff handbook to reflect the changes you will implement for rest/quiet times.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 8, 2023

Regulation 6.2.7.3: Staff shall use positive methods of guidance and behavior management that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation.

“Video footage from 5/2/2023 show Staff A and Staff B repeatedly trying to make Child Y stay on their cot. Based on the video's timestamp Staff A and B took turns for 28 minutes trying to get Child Y to go to sleep. During this time Staff B can be seen pulling Child Y up off the cot into their lap and then moving Child Y back onto the cot and wrapping them tightly in their blanket which hindered their movement. Child Y can be seen continuing to try to wiggle and move their feet. Staff B then leans over Child Y and one of Staff B's hands is on Child Y's leg, keeping the child from moving around. Staff B then sits back down next to the child and contines to re-adjust Child Y to try to get them to lie down. Staff B gets up and leave the room and Child Y sits up. Staff A goes over to Child Y and physically moves Child Y's body so that they are laying back down. Child Y continues to wiggle and Staff A gets up and starts to sweep the room. As Staff A is sweeping she can be seen using her foot to kick Child Y's cot out the way. The three kicks cause the cot to move about 3 feet across the floor. Child Y was on the cot when Staff A kicked it. Staff A was not seen kicking any of the other cots as she swept, just the cot with Child Y on it. In video footage from 05/04/2023 Staff B can be seen crossing the classroom and abruptly picking up 3 year old Child Z, who was laying on his cot. Staff B picks the child up into the air at her waist level, spins Child Z's body around and places them back onto the cot. Staff B stated that she called across the room to Child Z and asked that they move their head to the other end of the cot. When Child Z did not follow the direction Staff B physically moved him. Child Z was not being unsafe and the manner in which Staff B unexpectedly picked the child up from a resting position for not moving his head could have caused injury. Corrective Action: Staff A and Staff B shall each complete 4 hours of professional development training related to positive methods of guidance and behavior management. Please visit Northern Lights training page https://northernlightsccv.org/training/approved-training-organizations/. Two months have been alloted to complete this corrective action, please reach out to Licensor [name] if an extension is needed to attend a training that occurs after the due date.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 9, 2023

Regulation 7.3.1.4: The program director of a CBCCPP licensed to care for sixty (60) or more children shall be qualified as a teacher, shall have at least an additional twenty-four (24) months of experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger, and shall have completed either: * A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step Two (2) Certificate or Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Credential, Step Three (3); or * Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in curriculum, and an additional nine (9) college credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, or human resource management.

“After review of BFIS Quality and Credential account and discussion with the Program Director it was determined the Director does not have the additional nine (9) College Credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, and resource management. It was also noted that the program does not have a Business Manager on the associated party list and a course in financial management is also missing for compliance with 7.3.1.5. The Program Director stated she had no other college credits and was not able to complete courses to meet this requirement, due to work schedule. This is a repeat violation previously cited on 08/06/2021. Corrective Action: It is required to make a detailed plan for compliance with the Director position. The plan should include specific timeline, steps to obtain director credentials, and strategies to ensure successful completion. By 9/2/2022, submit the detailed plan to your licensor for review and approval.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 8, 2022

Regulation 7.3.1.4: The program director of a CBCCPP licensed to care for sixty (60) or more children shall be qualified as a teacher, shall have at least an additional twenty-four (24) months of experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger, and shall have completed either: * A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step Two (2) Certificate or Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Credential, Step Three (3); or * Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in curriculum, and an additional nine (9) college credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, or human resource management.

“It was determined that the Director of the program does not meet qualifications as the additional nine (9) college credits in program management, staff supervision, administration and resource management are missing. It was also reviewed that the program does not have an approved business manager on the associated parties list, and compliance with rule 7.3.1.5, for a course in financial management is also missing. Corrective Action: It is required to make a plan for compliance with the director position. Send the detailed and specific plan, with timeline, to this licensor for review and approval.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 24, 2021

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.

“It was reviewed that eight (8) staff employed longer than six (6) months did not have up to date BFIS accounts that reflected required trainings, annual professional development, or documentation of qualifications after a review of staff files and staff BFIS accounts was conducted. For the eight (8) staff identified, there was no additional documentaion available that these items had been previously sent to Northern Lights. Corrective Action: Create a detailed plan to determine what is missing from BFIS, and how it will be sent in. It is also required to write a detailed plan which outlines the steps and systems that will be put in place to ensure staff BFIS accounts will be kept up to date in the future. The plan shall be sent to this licensor for review.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 3, 2021

Regulation 3.4.6.1: The licensee shall maintain a record of the date of each evacuation drill as required in the rules in section 3.7.2 of these regulations that includes the number of children and 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. When the CBCCPP counts lock-down drills as allowed in the rules in section 3.7.2 of these regulations, the licensee shall maintain a record of the date of each lock-down drill, the number of CBCCPP children and staff who participated, and note that the drill performed was a lock-down drill.

“It was determined that the program did not conduct or document evacuation drills for the months of February 2021, March 2021, May 2021 or July 2021. Additionally, the evacuation drill records for all the months of 2020 except for August, September, June and February had been shredded. This is a violation because a monthly evacuation drill is required, and must be documented, and all evacuation records must be kept for two (2) years. Corrective Action: Effective immediately, conduct a once monthly evacuation drill and ensure it is documented. Create a detailed plan on how the program will ensure these monthly drills will occur each month and how they will be documented, and records kept going forward. Send the plan to this licensor for review.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 3, 2021