Little Ducklings Childcare Center

Regulation 5.10.4.5.6: Exterior stairs, walks, ramps, and porches shall be cleared of ice and snow or other environmental hazards that may block exits.

“The second exit door had snow and ice built up by the door and on the ramp causing the door to barley open for children and staff to exit the building. This is the door the children exit to the playground and is the second emergency exit. Corrective Action: Immediately remove the snow and ice by the back exit door and ramp so children and staff can exit safely and always keep this exit clear of snow and ice.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 10, 2026

Regulation 3.4.3: A system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the CBCCPP, shall be established. The licensee 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 attendance did not accurately reflect the number of children in the preschool classroom during this licensing visit. The school aged children who were in attendance on this day of this licensing visit were also in the preschool classroom but signed into a different classroom on Bright Wheel. This rule was cited previously on 12/16/2025. The corrective action had not been completed by the program prior to this licensing visit. Corrective Action: By 2/27/2026, submit a program improvement plan on how staff will be trained to document attendance for each group of children and to accurately reflect who will be in each classroom.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 19, 2026

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.

“A review of the staff's BFIS quality and credential accounts, staff files, and the support from Northern Lights to find missing documentation, it was determined that six (6) staff members employed longer than six (6) months did not have an up-to-date BFIS Quality and Credential account as required and was missing education documentation, professional development certificates, CPR and First Aid certificates and the required training certificates. Corrective Action: By 2/27/2026, have these staff members submit their missing required training certificates, transcripts and education documentation to Northern Lights at CCV through Direct Send and notify this Licensor once completed. Maintain compliance by having staff review their BFIS Quality and Credential account regularly and notify the Northern Lights Resource Advisor when items are not entered.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 19, 2026

Regulation 7.3.2.3: Teacher Assistant A teacher assistant is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications: * At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level One (1) or Two (2) Certificate; or * At least a current CDA (Child Development Associate) and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least a State Board of Education approved Human Services Program Certificate that emphasizes child development or early childhood education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals' course or the Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in child or human development or a three (3) college credit course for school age care and education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

“The program has two (2) staff listed as assistants who have not completed the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professional course or a three (3) college course in Child or Human Development which is needed to meet regulation. The individuals have been employed since October of 2025 and October of 2023 respectively. The program was asked to provide documentation of courses which were not sent within the time frame received. Corrective Action: By 1/30/26, submit a program improvement plan which states how the two (2) staff members will complete their requirements of either completing the Fundamentals Course or completing a three (3) college credit course in child or Human Development. The plan should include the name of the course and the timeline for completion.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 5, 2026

Regulation 6.2.4.3: The program director shall ensure that each group of children is led by a staff member who is at least qualified as a teacher associate for at least 75% of the hours of operation.

“By 1/31/2026, submit a plan for approval that outlines what steps the program is taking to have teaching associate qualified person(s) leading each group of children. In this plan, identify what steps will be taken to either hire new qualified people and/or the education steps to be taken by current staff to meet the qualifications requirements. Include in this plan specific information, such as advertisement for hiring and/or confirmation of enrollment in college courses, transcript, and educational plan. Corrective Action: The program currently has two (2) out of four(4) staff person meeting Teaching Associate qualifications. The two (2) staff members serving as lead for the infant and One's classrooms meet assistant qualifications.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 5, 2026

Regulation 3.4.6.5: Staffing Schedule: A licensee shall maintain a written record of the daily schedule for at least 365 days of all staff including exact days and hours worked and the group of children to whom they are assigned.

“By 1/31/2026, submit a program improvement plan indicating how the program director will accurately document each staff group of children assignment, days and hours worked. Corrective Action: A review of the staff schedule captured on Brightwheel submitted by the program director indicated that during the month of August and September in the afterschool classroom: 28 of the 44 days had no staff assigned but the children attendance indicated children were present. On August 14, 2025, one staff member was signed in the One Classroom and the afterschool during the same hours. The director said she did not believe the information was accurate.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 5, 2026

Regulation 3.4.3: A system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the CBCCPP, shall be established. The licensee 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 children's attendance did not reflect when children were moved from one classroom to another, some children had been signed into two different group, making it impossible to accurately determine the number of children in each group. Corrective Action: By 1/31/26, submit a program plan on how the program will accurately document children's days and hours in attendance as well as each classroom assignment”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 5, 2026

Regulation 6.2.4.3: The program director shall ensure that each group of children is led by a staff member who is at least qualified as a teacher associate for at least 75% of the hours of operation.

“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 05/01/2025. Two (2) of the four(4) classrooms did not have staff who were qualified as at least teacher associates. Corrective Action: The corrective action originally required to be completed by 05/16/2025 still needs to be completed. By 07/09/25, develop a written plan to address how the director will attempt to meet the intentions of this rule while unqualified staff become qualified, or until qualified staff are hired. Include in the plan: 1. an alternate way that the program will meet the intent of rule 6.2.4.3, 2. who will be assigned as lead in each classroom, 3. what the assigned leads will be responsible for in regard to curriculum, classroom management, record keeping, etcetera, 4. what supervision and oversight of underqualified staff will look like, 5. how often Alexis will perform visual observations of each classroom and provide feedback to staff, and 5. a written plan from each underqualified staff including; A. the dates all current educational documents were submitted with cover sheets to Northern Lights at CCV, B. confirmation of their reach out to a resource advisor at Northern Lights at CCV, including the name of the advisor and the date of the interaction, C. the time-line for coursework, including course titles and dates for anticipated completion, D. any documentation of confirmed course enrollment, and E. a written acknowledgement from each staff that they are willing to take the steps to become qualified. This plan shall be sent to Licensor [name] at ann.sparrow@vermont.gov for approval. Alexis shall maintain communication with Licensor [name] until such a time when the program has successfully assigned a qualified lead staff member to each classroom for 75% of the hours of operation.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

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.

“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 02/18/2025. Three (3) staff who have been working for more than six (6) months have BFIS accounts that are missing educational and certification documentation, preventing determination of staff qualifications. Corrective Action: The corrective action originally required to be completed by 03/13/2025 still needs to be completed. By 07/09/25, have the three (3) staff submit their educational documentation and certification to Northern Lights copying ann.sparrow@vermont.gov”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 30, 2025

Regulation 6.2.4.3: The program director shall ensure that each group of children is led by a staff member who is at least qualified as a teacher associate for at least 75% of the hours of operation.

“During the visit, two (2) of the four(4) classrooms did not have staff who were qualified as at least teacher associates. Staff and director statements reflected that at least two classrooms have not had qualified lead staff for at least a couple of months. The Director, [name], stated that she has been advertising for qualified staff without success. Alexis stated that she has been doing her best to split her time as lead in the infant, toddler and preschool classrooms throughout this time. Alexis also stated that at least two staff members have college coursework and have not been able to attain their transcripts for review. Corrective Action: As discussed, develop a written plan to address how the director will attempt to meet the intentions of this rule while unqulaified staff become qualified, or until qualified staff are hired. Include in the plan: 1. an alternate way that the program will meet the intent of rule 6.2.4.3, 2. who will be assigned as lead in each classroom, 3. what the assigned leads will be responsible for in regard to curriculum, classroom management, record keeping, etcetera, 4. what supervision and oversight of underqualified staff will look like, 5. how often Alexis will perform visual observations of each classroom and provide feedback to staff, and 5. a written plan from each underqualified staff including; A. the dates all current educational documents were submitted with cover sheets to Northern Lights at CCV, B. comfirmation of their reach out to a resource advisor at Northern Lights at CCV, including the name of the advisor and the date of the interaction, C. the time-line for coursework, including course titles and dates for anticipated completion, D. any documentation of confirmed course enrollment, and E. a written acknowledgement from each staff that they are willing to take the steps to become qualified. This plan shall be sent to Licensor [name] at ann.sparrow@vermont.gov for approval. Alexis shall maintain communication with Licensor [name] until such a time when the program has successfully assigned a qualified lead staff member to each classroom for 75% of the hours of operation.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

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.

“A review of the program BFIS Quality and Credential account indicated missing training and/or educational certification . The program director stated that not all certifications had been sent or added to staff BFIS Quality and Credential. The program director was able to show all documentation requested. Corrective Action: All existing documents must be submitted electronically to Northern Lights at CCV, copying ann.sparrow@vermont.gov by 3/13/2025. Submit all documents to Northern Lights on an on-going basis moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 30, 2025

Regulation 7.1.2.2: Staff who are counted in the staff/child ratios 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 shall obtain training in pediatric first aid and in infant and child CPR within three (3) months of beginning work in the CBCCPP and remain currently certified.

“A review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential account revealed that a staff member CPR/First Aid certification had lapsed. The staff stated she had completed the training but could not find her certification card. Corrective Action: By 3/13/2025, ensure the staff complete their CPR and First Aid Trainings. Submit their CPR/First Aid certification to Northern Lights copying ann.sparrow@vermont.gov on the same email.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2025

Regulation 5.10.4.5.6: Exterior stairs, walks, ramps, and porches shall be cleared of ice and snow or other environmental hazards that may block exits.

“The porch and ramp, leading directly to the outside play area, had up to six (6) inches of snow making it impossible to open the door to exit the building. Corrective Action: Immediately remove the snow from the porch and walkway and notify this licensor when completed. By 3/13/2025, create a plan on how you will ensure the snow is removed in a timely manner. Forward a copy of the plan to this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 27, 2025

Regulation 7.4.4: All staff shall complete fifteen (15) clock hours of annual professional development activities as required in the rule 7.4.2 of these regulations. Substitutes filling a staff position for less than thirty (30) consecutive days within a 365 day period shall be exempt.

“A review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts showed that two (2) staff did not complete any of their 15 hours of professional development for the period of 10/23/23-10/23/24. Conversation with the program director confirmed that the professional development hours had not been completed. Corrective Action: Submit to your licensor a plan indicating how each staff member will complete the missing hours from their previous annual period and their current annual period. Submit electronically the training certificates to Northern Lights at CCV with a cover sheet and copying ann.sparrow@vermont.gov on the same email. Submit all documents to Northern Lights on an on-going basis moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 25, 2025

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

“A staff stepped over a fence, tripped and fell onto a child resulting in the child sustaining an injury that needed medical attention. Corrective Action: Immediately inform staff to refrain from stepping over fences or gates regardless of the height. By 10/10/24, secure the outdoor area in a way that staff do not need to step over objects to enter and exit ad provide pictures showing changes.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 27, 2024

Regulation 3.2.1: Serious injury or death of a child: The licensee shall make a timely report to the Division of any injury or accident involving an enrolled child resulting in in-patient or out-patient medical or dental treatment or death. In the event of a death, a verbal report shall be made immediately followed by a written report within twenty-four (24) hours. In the event of an injury or accident resulting in in-patient or out-patient medical treatment, a verbal report shall be made within forty-eight (48) hours and the written report shall be made within five (5) business days.

“The program Director stated that a child needed medical treatment after being injured at the childcare and it was not reported to the Division. The program Director stated she was not aware that she needed to report the information. Corrective Action: Develop a system to ensure that any injury or accident resulting in in-patient or out patient treatment is reported to the Division. In the corrective action email provide details who is responsible to report to the Division, any updates to policies and practices that have been made, and how you have trained staff on this new system.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 27, 2024

Regulation 6.2.8.4.2: In the event that the concerns cannot be resolved, written notice to the child's parent(s) is required with at least five (5) days' notice prior to expulsion.

“The provider stated that she did not provide a written notice to parents with at least five (5) days' notice prior to their child being expelled from the program. The provided stated that she was not aware of this rule. Corrective Action: By 7/1/24, review section 6.2.8 Transition,regulation 6.2.8.4 to 6.2.8.4.3 of the Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs and submit to your licensor a program improvement plan indicating the steps you will use to handle a similar situation in the future. In this plan, indicate how you will train current staff on this plan and future staff moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 31, 2024

Regulation 3.8: The licensee, staff, auxiliary staff and partner staff shall not disclose or permit the use of any information regarding an individual child or family gained through CBCCPP interaction with the child and family, or CBCCPP records, files, videotaping, tape recording, photographing, assessments or any type of documentation unless parental permission is specifically granted, except to the Division or other entities with statutory authority for issues relating to the health, safety, and protection of children.

“Pictures of children were posted on the program social media and application without parent consent. The program director stated that she had posted the pictures taken by staff. Corrective Action: Immediately remove any pictures from social media or program application to which parents did not provide consent. By 2/12/24, submit a program improvement plan to this licensor that states how the program will ensure that pictures are not posted unless parental permission is specifically granted. The plan should include how staff will know which children they cannot take pictures of, how the program will monitor the selection of picture , how they will ensure that pictures taken at the program are completed deleted from the staff personal phone and how they will inform parents about the process and policies related to photography at the center.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 30, 2024