MVSD Highgate Preschool

Regulation 5.10.1.8: Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention The licensee shall comply with the requirements of 18 V.S.A. Chapter 38 Vermont Lead Law and shall ensure that Essential Maintenance Practices (EMP) is performed. This includes but is not limited to protecting children from peeling or chipping paint, and dust build up from the friction of moving doors or windows.

“The program has not completed the Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) survey since 1/18/2023, when reviewed with the Vermont Department of Health Lead Department. The school was built in 1942 and is required to complete the IRC yearly according to the Vermont Department of Health Lead Laws. Corrective Action: By 8/1/2024, complete the required Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) survey with the Vermont Department of Health and submit confirmation of completion to this Licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 9, 2024

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.

“After a review of the staff's BFIS quality and credential accounts, it was determined that six (6) staff employed longer than six (6) months did not have an up to date BFIS quality and credential account as required and was missing qualification information and required training certificates. Corrective Action: By 4/29/2022, submit all missing documentation for qualifications such as high school diploma, transcripts and required training certificates to Northern Lights at CCV with the required cover sheet.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 28, 2022

Regulation 5.1.2: General Health Examinations: Within forty-five (45) days of enrollment, the licensee shall obtain documentation of the child's age appropriate well care exam from the parent. Documentation shall include information regarding any health conditions and medications that may impact the care of the child.

“The children's files were audited, and the required well care exam was missing for one (1) child who have been in care for more than 45 days. Corrective Action: By 4/8/2022, obtain documentation that this child has received a well care exam and develop a system on how you will comply with this rule within 45 days of children's enrollment.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 8, 2022

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 staff member reprimanded a child who did not understand the directions to a new game she was playing with the group and hid when the staff member raised her voice. This staff member raised her voice at this child, took the child roughly by the shoulders and put her in the cozy cube/time out space. The child was visibly upset and stayed in the cozy cube for an hour and half with this staff member only checking on the child once during that time period. Raising your voice, taking the child by the shoulders and putting a child in a time out space for not following or understanding the directions to a game is not an appropriate response or positive guidance practice and does not meet the needs of the child. Corrective Action: Immediately use age appropriate guidance practices and respond to children appropriately to support children's behaviors and needs. By 3/19/2020, submit a program improvement plan to this Licensor identifying how staff will be trained, how classroom practices will be modified and how supervision of staff will be monitored to assure children are being responded to appropriately.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 19, 2020