Little One's University

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.

“A review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts prior to the visit and of personnel files on site indicate a teacher assistant hired in October 2017 was not a high school graduate or had not obtained their GED prior to becoming employed at the center. Director confirmed the teacher assistant was hired in October 2017 without completing high school or a GED program. The director also stated the staff person has recently successfully completed a GED program and is expected to receive certificate of completion in the next few days. Corrective Action: Program provided licensor with verification the staff person was awarded their GED on November 8th, 2020. By 11/30/2020, submit an improvement plan on how the program will ensure staff meet qualifications of position hired for prior to securring employment.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 24, 2020

Regulation 6.2.6.1: Staff shall be able to hear all children of pre-kindergarten age and younger at all times, shall be able to see the children with a quick glance, and shall be able to physically respond immediately.

“Staff statements confirm children in the preschool classroom located on the second floor of the center have been unsupervised in the art room, block room, closet in the block room, and cubby area. There were times staff were not able to see children at a quick glance when they were in these four spaces. On January 29th 2020, a child went into the block room unsupervised and not in eye sight of staff to get the set of manga tiles. The magna tiles fell on the child, the child was not injured. This lack of supervision puts children in unsafe situations and could lead to children being injured or engaging in unsafe/inappropriate play. This is a serious violation. Corrective Action: Staff must supervise children at all times. By 3/16/2020 submit a program improvement plan that specifies how staff will supervise all areas of the preschool classroom located on the second floor. The plan shall include how the children will have access to the art and block rooms for activities and how the staff will ensure all children are able to seen with a quick glance in all areas of the classroom. By 3/16/2020, mail or email the parent notification letter as outlined above and submit a list of all parents who were sent the parent notification letter and their contact information to this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 11, 2020

Regulation 6.2.5.10: Staff's voices shall not dominate the overall sound of the group.

“Staff in the preschool room located on the second floor were observed using loud voices to talk to one another from across the room and to give direction to children from across the room. As staff voices became louder, the children's voice became louder. Staff statements confirmed they have used loud voices to communicate from across the room with one another and to give direction to the children. Corrective Action: By 3/16/2020 submit a program improvement plan on how the staff will use an appropriate volume when speaking to each other and to the children to ensure their voices are not heard over the voices of the children.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 11, 2020

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.

“While preschool children were using the downstairs restroom located off the entrance to the playground, a staff member was heard using a harsh tone of voice and inappropriate language to redirect children's behavior. The staff member said the following statement to children in the restroom; "Girls you need to finish and get back outside! The staff member then used the same harsh tone of voice and inappropriate language to one of the children in the restroom stating; "Out! No out! You are done, get out of the bathroom!" Using a harsh tone of voice and inappropriate language to redirect children's behavior are not positive methods of guidance. Corrective Action: By 3/16/2020 submit an improvement plan on how the program will ensure staff use positive methods when guiding children's behavior, which includes staff development on positive methods of guidance for children. Submit verification of the training to Northern Lights at CCV and to this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 11, 2020

Regulation 5.10.4.5.5: Hard surfaces accessible to children shall be smooth, non-porous, and easy to clean. See the rules in section 5.2.6 of these regulations for a schedule for cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of specific surfaces and items.

“In the Panther room a table used by children has multiple areas of missing paint exposing the wooden material underneath. The climbing mats in the Little Joey room have multiple rips and tears.The toilet roll dispenser in the Tiger room has rust in multiple areas. The grout along the sinks in the single use and multiple stall bathrooms near the Lions room has come off in places. The metal wall dividing the two stalls in the Lion's bathroom is rusted. Corrective Action: The program will develop a plan to address items listed. The plan will be submitted to the Child Development Division for review.”

Correction date in the state record: May 31, 2018

Regulation 5.10.1.1.3: Furniture and equipment shall be sturdy. Furniture and equipment that present a tipping or falling hazard shall be secured.

“In the Little Joey room there is a brown shelf that is not secure and is a tipping hazard. In the Lions room there is a shelf not secure with a glass lamp on top that are tipping and falling hazards. Corrective Action: Secure shelves and lamp so that they do not present a tipping and falling hazard.”

Correction date in the state record: May 31, 2018

Regulation 5.10.3.2.1: All outdoor play equipment shall be sturdy, safe, clean and free from rough edges, sharp corners, pinch and crush points, splinters and exposed bolts. * To prevent entrapment, no openings in equipment shall be between 3.5 and nine (9) inches. * Chains on swings shall have protective coverings and swing seats shall be made of soft materials with no sharp edges.

“The yellow slide on the 2 year old play ground is broken and has sharp, jagged pieces accessible to children. Corrective Action: Repair or remove the yellow slide from children's accessibility.”

Correction date in the state record: May 31, 2018

Regulation 5.10.3.1.4: If fencing is used, it shall be sturdy, safe and reinforced to give support, constructed to discourage climbing, and shall not prevent visual supervision of children by staff.

“A portion of the wire fence along the preschool play ground is broken and has several long spokes portruding from it. Corrective Action: Repair or replace the broken portion of wire fence.”

Correction date in the state record: May 31, 2018

Regulation 5.10.1.1.2: Children shall be protected from choking hazards presented by cords on window coverings, electric or electronic appliances or equipment and telephones.

“Electrical cords in the Tiger and Lion rooms are accessible to children. In the Tiger room, a lamp set upon a half wall near the diaper changing area has a plugged in cord that hangs down near a child-sized chair. In the Lion room, there is a glass lamp set upon a bookshelf, a wall mounted light above the light table, a sound machine, and a fish tank that all have electric cords that are not secured and are accessible to children. Corrective Action: Secure all loose cords or make inaccessible.”

Correction date in the state record: May 31, 2018

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

“In the Lion classroom, a large wooden shelf was unbolted from the wall and had a sharp threaded screw exposed. There was an exposed power strip with open outlets adjacent to the dramatic play area. Corrective Action: Secure the identified hazards and implement a system that is known to staff to identify and address potential hazards as they occur.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 19, 2016