Little Tots Academy On the Commons

Regulation 3.4.7.5: The licensee shall maintain a current list of the licensee or designee, staff, auxiliary staff, and volunteers as in the rules in section 7.7.5 of these regulations, as applicable in BFIS. Any changes shall be reported through BFIS within five (5) working days of the change.

“The director and licensee indicated that seven (7) persons listed on the associated parties list in BFIS were no longer associated with the program and changes had not been reported within 5 working days of the change. Corrective Action: By 07/21/2021 submit an email to this licensor confirming the associated parties list in BFIS is current and include an improvement plan to ensure any future changes to the persons associated with the program are reflected in BFIS within the required 5 business days.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 19, 2021

Regulation 6.2.7.2: Staff's expectations of children's behavior and responses to children's behavior shall be appropriate to each child's level of development and understanding. Guidance shall be designed to meet the individual needs of each child.

“A concern was brought forth to the Division that while on the playground, staff person A screamed into a preschool child's face. While at the program staff person A was interviewed and did acknowledge that she had screamed back into a preschool child's face while saying I can scream just as loud as you. Staff person A stated that when she screamed at the preschool child that she was kneeling and the two were standing face to face about eighteen inches apart. Staff person A said she knows that her screaming scared the child. The three additional staff persons interviewed each acknowledged hearing staff person A scream. Staff person B and staff person C each said they saw staff person A scream into a preschool child's face. Staff person D said while inside the preschool classroom upstairs with the window open, she heard staff person A scream. This is a repeat violation first cited on 4/26/2019. Corrective Action: The staff member is no longer at the program. Effective immediately instruct staff to use developmentally appropriate expectations of children's behavior. By 5/24/2021 submit a program improvement plan to this licensor that states how the program will ensure staff's expectations of children's behavior and responses to children's behavior are developmentally appropriate to each child's level of understanding and meets the individual needs of each child. The plan shall include the program's management team talking with all staff about positive guidance of children, providing ongoing observations of each staff member's work with children to ensure positive guidance, and ongoing mentor time to support current staff and forthcoming staff in positive guidance of children.”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2021

Regulation 3.4.5.1: A licensee shall maintain a complete and up-to-date personnel file for staff working at the CBCCPP. A complete file shall contain, at minimum, the following information: * Name, date of birth, home address and telephone number; * Copies of current first aid and CPR certification; * Signed statement verifying understanding of legal requirement to report suspected child abuse and neglect; * Documentation of a current Records Check Authorization form; * Documentation of having read and having ready access to a current copy of applicable child care licensing regulations; * Administration of Medication training certification (if applicable); * Signed statement verifying current job title and supervisor's name; * Application for employment including references or reference checks; * Employment start date; * Documentation of completed Orientation Training; * Employment end date and reason for leaving, if applicable; * IPDP; and * Written annual performance reviews.

“The majority of staff files were reviewed and there were several items missing from all with none found to be complete with the required documentation contained within this rule. Corrective Action: Beginning now and ongoing ensure each personnel file is complete with all required documentation contained within this rule. By 7/03/2019 submit to this licensor a program improvement plan for maintaining an up-to-date personnel file for all staff with all listed items.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 1, 2019

Regulation 3.4.4.2: Each child's file shall be complete with all required information within the first week that the child begins to attend care. The required annual physical shall be obtained within forty-five (45) days of enrollment as required in rule 5.1.2 of these regulations.

“Ten child files were reviewed and five were incomplete due to not containing written authorization from the parent for the program to be able to obtain emergency medical care and transportation. The director acknowledged that this requirement was missing from the reviewed child files. Corrective Action: Beginning now and ongoing ensure each child file is complete with all required documentation including written authorization from the parent for the program to obtain emergency medical care and transportation. By 7/03/2019 submit to this licensor an email confirming completion.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 1, 2019

Regulation 3.4.7.3: Within six (6) months of the initial date of employment, staff working with children 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 NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“BFIS Quality and Credential accounts for the majority of staff on the associated parties list and that have been working at the program longer than six months did not have required documentation, verification of qualifications, and annual professional development activities sent to Northern Lights to be uploaded in to BFIS. Corrective Action: Beginning now and ongoing assess required documentation, verification of qualifications, and all annual professional development activities as applicable to each staff member listed on the program's associated parties list and submit to Northern Lights at CCV. Create a system to ensure that the required documents for each new staff member and any updated documentation for current staff members are submitted to Northern Lights at CCV to maintain all BFIS Quality and Credential accounts are up-to-date. By 7/03/2019 submit to this licensor an email confirming completion and include for review the developed system.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 1, 2019

Regulation 6.2.7.2: Staff's expectations of children's behavior and responses to children's behavior shall be appropriate to each child's level of development and understanding. Guidance shall be designed to meet the individual needs of each child.

“A three year old child stood up from his chair while packing up his snack. A staff person cleaning up, immediately removed the child's chair from behind him and when he sat back down, he fell to the floor, landed on his side and began to cry. The staff member that had taken the chair did not acknowledge the child's fall, assist him or offer comfort, but continued cleaning. Corrective Action: Effective immediately instruct the staff to use developmentally appropriate expectations of children's behavior. By 5/27/2019 submit a program improvement plan to this licensor that states how the program will ensure staff's expectations of children's behavior and responses to children's behavior are developmentally appropriate to each child's level of understanding and meets the individual needs of each child.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2019

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.

“A staff member of the program walked across the playground while telling a child in a harsh voice that she was speaking to the child. The staff member grabbed the young child by a fist of hair at the top front region of the child's head and pull back sharply, causing the child's upper body and head to jerk back. The staff member told the child again that she was speaking to the child and that when she was speaking the child needed to listen. The child began to tear up, as the staff member walked away. No other staff members that were outside intervened to stop the interaction, nor did they report it to management. It was reported to someone that is identified at an assistant level, as that assistant told the staff that she could act as Director. This person did not handle the incident either. Corrective Action: Staff must be immediately instructed in the programs policies and procedures so that they understand who they report directly to and what steps to take in a similar situation. By 05/27/2019 submit a program improvement plan to this licensor that states how the program will provide support and develop a staffing pattern to ensure that at least one qualified and experienced Teacher Associate staff member works with each group of children, to provide leadership and support with decision making. This plan shall identify the staff members, their position titles and qualifications and with what group of children they work.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2019

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 email correspondence between the program director and the expelled child's mother revealed that the parents received written notice on 4/24/2019 which was two days prior to the child's expulsion on 4/26/2019. Corrective Action: Effective immediately it is required to provide written notice to a child's parent(s) within at least five days' notice prior to expulsion. By 05/27/2019 submit a statement of understanding which includes how compliance will be maintained to this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: May 22, 2019