Lori Gratton

Regulation 5.10.3.3: Safe Use Zones For all play equipment that is thirty (30) inches or higher from the ground, including climbing equipment, slides, swings and other similar equipment, the FCCP shall ensure that the surface under and around the equipment, included recommended use zones, is of approved resilient material that protects children if they fall. * Materials in the use zone shall consist of wood chips, pea stone, mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, safety-tested shredded or rubber like material or rubber mats designed for protective cushioning; * Materials used in the use zone shall follow the recommendations listed in the most recent publication of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook regarding critical depth of tested materials determined by the height of the highest climbing surface of the equipment; * Materials used in the use zone shall be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions; * If the loose material such as sand, mulch, or shredded rubber is used in use zones, the FCCP shall ensure that the material is raked regularly and replenished to maintain depth and resilience; and * If the resilient material in use zones freezes, the FCCP shall ensure that the children will not play on the equipment until the resilient material has thawed and is once again resilient.

“Three different children climbed higher than 30 inches off the ground on three separate playground items. Child A climbed a dome climber. Child B climbed a ladder and went down the slide two times, and child C climbed a blue ladder to the next to last rung before climbing back down. The ground was snow covered and did not have resilient cushioning material. Corrective Action: Immediately ensure that use of all playground equipment that allows children to get 30 inches or more off the ground is prohibited when the required cushioning materials are not resilient. Please email sarah.crosier@vermont.gov with your plan for ensuring compliance with this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 14, 2023

Regulation 3.3.7.3: Within six (6) months of initial date of employment, the FCCP and all staff 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 sections 7.3 and 7.4 of these regulations shall be submitted to NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“No documentation of Protecting Vermont's Children in BFIS for Staff A or Staff B. No educational documentation in BFIS for Staff B. Corrective Action: Ensure that the documents are sent to Northern Lights for entry into the BFIS Quality and Credential Accounts. Notify sarah.crosier@vermont.gov once all documents have been sent.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 15, 2020