Little Roots Learning

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.

“Pictures provided by the provider showed the dome on the preschool outdoor play area had an exposed screw at children level, which was still exposed on the day of this visit. The seesaw teeter totter had three (3) seats missing and exposed screws. Children were seen playing on both pieces of equipment. Corrective Action: As discussed during the visit, immediately prevent children from using the dome and the seesaw teeter totter by either removing them or creating a barrier to prevent use. By 9/18/26, install the teeter totter seats ensuring screws are inaccessible and install the missing screws cover to the dome. Status: Appeal Period.”

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.

“The preschool outdoor play area had a tether ball and pole. The Director stated that the manufacturer recommendation indicates the tether ball is meant for children five years old and over. During the visit, two children were seen pulling the rope and releasing it almost hitting an infant. They were able to push it down on the ground, barely avoiding a child, and opened its base. This playground is used for 3, 4 and 5 years old children. Corrective Action: Immediately remove the tether ball from the play area. Provide evidence that it has been removed to licensor [name]. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 6.1.4.1.1: Toys, materials and equipment shall be varied and available in a quantity that allows all children to benefit from their use, allows a range of choices, and reduces conflicts between children.

“On my arrival most preschool children were playing and or around the sandbox, which contained sand, with a staff member. Three (3) children were playing on a dome. Also on the play area were a small basketball hoop with two (2) balls. Two (2) unopened empty sensory tables, one was used to hold children's water bottles. A plastic house, next to it were on the ground a plate, a few fossil rocks, a pan, a couple baskets, a whisk, snowball and snow block makers. Dirty laminated recipes were in the bottom of the crate with no supplies to make the recipes, an art easel with no supplies. A tether ball set with two (2) paddles. A throw and catch ball with rainbow tail that children were swinging over their head barely avoiding other children and staff. Children were seen grabbing and arguing about toys, hitting and chassing one another or using unsafe equipment. The playground did not contained enough materials to keep children busy and avoid conflicts. This is a repeat violation previously cited on 7/29/26 and 11/13/2025. Corrective Action: Immediately increase the variety of materials in your preschool outdoor area to allow for choices of play and reduce conflict for children. The materials shall be appropriate for the age of children using the outdoor play area. By 9/18/2026, provide pictures of the materials in the preschool outdoor play area to licensor [name]. Status: Appeal Period.”

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 program terminated a child's care and did not provide a five (5) day written notice. The parent received a termination letter on 05/28/2026 stating that the child's last day is 05/29/2026, this provided the parent with a one (1) day notice. Corrective Action: Moving forward ensure families are provided with five (5) days of care after the termination notice is provided. No further corrective action required. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 6.1.4.1.1: Toys, materials and equipment shall be varied and available in a quantity that allows all children to benefit from their use, allows a range of choices, and reduces conflicts between children.

“When arrived all groups of children were outside on the playground. On the preschool playground, there was a plastic house, a climbing dome, a few shovels, rocks with fossils, and a couple of trucks for thirteen (13) children. There was a sensory table where the children put their water bottles and was not open for play. The infant/ toddler playground had a mat and a bin of plastic toys; there was an easel with no paint and not the appropriate size for the infants or toddlers to use. Children were seen grabbing toys and arguing about toys while on the playground. A staff member played chase when children were observed not engaged and wanting interaction from adults. The two playgrounds did not have a range of toys or a quantity of toys that allowed children choices for the number of children on the playground. It was shared that children threw the toys over the fence and staff did not bring them back onto the playground. Corrective Action: By 8/21/26, create two outdoor spaces that have more materials or equipment for children to allow for choices and to reduce conflict for children. The materials for both playgrounds shall be appropriate in size for the ages using that playground. Send photos of the two playgrounds once they are completed. Status: Appeal Period.”

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

“Staff Y was observed on video footage shared on Snapchat letting out a loud unexpected scream. Child A and Child B were sitting in close proximity of Staff Y. The caption on the video "When you have had enough of the crying lol" Corrective Action: Staff responses to screaming children is not to scream or mock them even if they are not directing it at a specific child. Staff A and B will complete the training Big Emotions Self Regulations for Adults and Children through Better Kid Care by the corrective action date. The training focuses on big emotions like anger and frustration that both adults and children experience. Staff will learn how to support children who experience strong emotions while maintaining their own emotional regulation. Submit the training certificates to Northern Lights at CCV and send the submission confirmation email to Licensor [name] Livingston.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 18, 2026

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.

“Staff Y posted a video recorded in the infant classroom to Snapchat, Child A and Child B can be clearly seen in the video. Child A's family provided permission for videos and photos to be shared internally at the program. Child B's family did not provide the program with permission to photograph or video record their child. Corrective Action: The Director will share NAEYC's Focus on Ethics article about smartphone and social media use in the early childhood classroom with all current staff. The director will create a written policy that prohibits staff from using their personal devices to obtain or post videos and/or photographs to their personal social media accounts. The plan will clearly state that staff may only use the I pad owned by the program to take pictures or videos only when permission has been granted by the child's parent/guardian.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 18, 2026

Regulation 5.10.1.10.4: Materials required for routine cleaning shall be stored and used in a safe manner out of the reach of children.

“On 03/24/2026 this licensor was at the program and noted that cleaning supplies were stored on the kitchen floor. The Director stated that children do not have access to the gated kitchen. The Director was asked to move them in case a child opened the gate, or the gate was left open, as children would have access if this occurred. On 3/31/2026 this licensor visited the program and noted that the kitchen gate was open and the cleaning materials were still on the kitchen floor which made them accessible to children in care. Corrective Action: The director moved the products to a cabinet while this Licensor was present. Moving forward ensure cleaning products and any item that is labelled keep out of reach of children is stored in a manner that children are not able to access them.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 28, 2026

Regulation 5.10.4.5.3: The licensee shall ensure that the CBCCPP is kept free from rodent and insect infestation.

“Mice feces were found in room B-9: mechanical room, the utility room, C-2: Provider' s room, the bathroom in the toddler and pre-k area, C-6: Storage room and the pre-k classroom. Corrective Action: Immediately remove all traces of feces throughout the program. Create and implement a thorough cleaning schedule to ensure surfaces and floors are free of debris and rodent feces. Submit a copy of the schedule to this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2026

Regulation 3.7.2.2: The licensee shall ensure that evacuation drills are conducted at least once a month, and children and staff are evacuated in under three (3) minutes. Licensees of a CBCCPP located within a public or independent school building may count a lock-down drill performed while the CBCCPP is in operation in place of a monthly evacuation drill with the CBCCPP children and staff and at least three (3) of the monthly drills conducted within 365 days shall be evacuation drills.

“The evacuation drill log did not indicate an evacuation drill for January 2026. The program director confirmed that no evacuation drill were completed in January. Corrective Action: Conduct and document two (2) evacuation drills in February and two (2) in March. Identify who on site will be responsible for scheduling, conducting, documenting, and assessing the monthly drills, provide that information to the Division.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2026

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 doors labeled exit by the mechanical room and toddler rooms could not be open, the provider stated that the doors were locked. An inspection by the Division of Fire Safety revealed that a 4 foot high pile of snow and ice were blocking the doors. Once the snow removed you could open the door. Corrective Action: Ensure all exits doors remain free of snow and ice. By 03/05/2026, submit a program improvement plan on the steps you will take to ensure snow is removed and indicate staff responsibilities.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2026

Regulation 5.10.1.9.5: The licensee shall ensure that pest baits are not to be used unless in childproof bait boxes. Bait boxes shall be inaccessible to children.

“On the floor in the mechanical room were green balls later identified as Ramik Green, the label on the bag gives this warning PRECAUTIONS: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, PETS AND LIVESTOCK. May be harmful or fatal if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Rubber gloves must be worn when disposing of dead rodents, unconsumed bait and empty containers. The room was unlocked and accessible to children. The director stated that they had put the Ramik Green down after finding rodent feces. Corrective Action: Immediately remove all the Ramik Green from the center, using rubber gloves as instructed on the bag. By 03/05/2026, confirm that all Ramik Green has been removed and identify what you will be using and identify the locations the new product will be.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2026

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.

“The door to the mechanical room was unlocked and accessible to children. An inspection by the Division of Fire Safety confirmed the lock was broken. Since the visit the door has been repaired by the landlord and can now be locked. Corrective Action: Develop a system to ensure the room that children do not access remains locked or inaccessible while in care. Provide a description of the system used to this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2026

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.

“Pre-k children were allowed to leave the classroom to use the bathroom located in the hallway without staff supervision. Corrective Action: As discussed immediately ensure that staff have maintained supervision of children when they need to use the bathroom. Additionally, identify how staff will maintained supervision of the classroom and identify how children will be accounted for and supervision maintained when needing to exit the classroom. Submit a copy of this plan to your licensor”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 22, 2025

Regulation 6.1.4.1.1: Toys, materials and equipment shall be varied and available in a quantity that allows all children to benefit from their use, allows a range of choices, and reduces conflicts between children.

“The pre-k classroom contained 2 puzzles, 2 sets of manipulatives, 3 dolls, an abacus, around 15 blocks, a shoe box size of magnetic tiles, a kitchen set with a few foods with seven children present. The toddler room contained a minimum variety of material. The program director stated that she could only find building toys. Corrective Action: By 12/22/25, contact the System for Program Access to Resources and Quality Supports (SPARQS). With SPARQS support, develop a curriculum for the pre-k and toddler classrooms with enough toys, materials and equipment to support children's growth. The curriculum activities shall be age appropriate and describe how staff will engage in children's growth, play and extend their learning.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 9, 2025