Neck of the Woods After School Program

Regulation 12.1: Children in care shall be protected from any and all conditions which threaten a child's health, safety and well-being.

“Child A's epi pen expired in August of 2024 and their Benedryl expired in January of 2024. Corrective Action: Please contact Child A's family and request new medication, please return the expired medication to the family. Although the family provides the medication it is the program's responsibility to ensure that all medications on site are not expired. Create a monitoring system that ensures you maintain compliance with this regulation. Please email this licensor when you have obtained the new medication for Child A.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 11, 2025

Regulation 5.14: The licensee shall ensure that no person shall be left alone with children without approval from the Division which shall be based on the results of the background check to include fingerprinting.

“Staff A and Staff B have not completed the fingerprint supported background clearance process through the Child Development Division(CDD) and therefore may not be left alone with children. During the visit this licensor observed Staff A and Staff B working alone with children in the gymnasium. This is a repeat violation last cited on 06/23/2022 Corrective Action: Staff A and Staff B may not be left alone with children until the Child Development DIvision receives the results from their fingerprint supported background clearance. Please schedule fingerprint appointments for Staff A and B and send a copy of the fingerprint receipt to this licensor. This is a repeat violation and therefore a program improvement plan is required. This plan shall address how the program will ensure staff are scheduled in a manner that they are not left alone with children until the program has received the fingerprint clearance letter from the Child Development Division. Additionally the program will identify whether it is the director or program administrator that will track when staff complete fingerprinting, will manage staff who may need to submit out of state paperwork and will collect and keep fingerprint receipts.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2025

Regulation 13.7: Staff and children shall all wash their hands with soap under warm, running water: * before they eat or prepare food * after they use the toilet * after handling animals * after playing outside.

“When the children came inside from outdoor play, none of the children were observed washing their hands. Children were observed eating snack and they did not wash their hands first. Corrective Action: Review this regulation with all staff and ensure staff are aware of the times when handwashing is required. Email this licensor and confirm this regulation was reviewed.”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2024

Regulation 10.10: The Licensee shall assure that a written Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is developed and maintained at the facility. For Afterschool Child Care Programs located in public schools the Emergency Response Plan shall be in concert with the school's preparedness or safety plan. * All Afterschool Child Care Program Staff shall be aware of the location of the plan. * The plan shall be reviewed and updated annually. * Copies of the plan shall be sent to the Vermont Division of Emergency Management upon their request. * For programs located in public schools, the Emergency Response Plan shall reflect relevant physical spaces of the school's preparedness or safety plan.

“Staff stated they were not sure of emergency protocols or evacuation locations. Corrective Action: Please have all staff review the emergency response plan. Please email a document signed by all staff acknowledging that they have reviewed the emergency response plan”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2024

Regulation 3.5: The Licensee shall notify the Division within 5 business days of any change or vacancy of the Site Director and/or Program Administrator position. If this position is not filled within 5 business days of the vacancy, the Licensee shall submit a written plan for interim coverage to the Division. A qualified replacement or interim plan approved by the Division shall be in place within thirty days from the date the position became vacant.

“In the Fall of 2023 the program changed the director of the program and did not notify licensing. The program administrator stated they knew the new director met qualification requirements but forgot to notify licensing. Corrective Action: Since the visit the program submited a new record check form identifying Staff A as the program director. Staff A's BFIS account was reviewed and they are approved to hold the position of director at the program. Please ensure in the future that licensing is notified if a new program administrator or director is identified. No further corrective action required.”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2024

Regulation 10.9: Emergency evacuations shall be practiced with the children each month. A record of practice drills for the previous and current year shall be maintained and available onsite. Practice drills may be pre-announced. There shall be: * a system in place to assure that all children are accounted for at a predetermined safe place; * a safety plan that may include additional lock down practices and procedures.

“When asked for a copy of the monthly evacuation drill log, staff stated that evacuations have not occured on a monthly basis and they were not able to identify when the last evacuation drill occured. Corrective Action: The program shall conduct two evacuation drills for the next three months. A program improvement plan is required. The plan shall include who will schedule the monthly evacuation drills, how will the program ensure that they reschedule a drill if it needs to be cancelled, a system for ensuring the drills are documented and confirm that all staff have reviewed this regulation. Additionally the program will email a copy of the evacuation log for June,July and August. If the corrective action is not received the Division of Fire Safety will be notified.”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2024

Regulation 18.79: The Licensee shall maintain a current list of the Licensee or Designee, Staff, and Volunteers, as applicable in BFIS. Any changes shall be reported through BFIS within five working days of the change.

“There were five(5) staff members listed on the associated parties list that were no longer employed or no longer working at this location. Corrective Action: Within five (5) business days remove any staff person no longer employed or present at the location from the program's associated parties list. Expectations were discussed with the director after the visit, no further corrective action is due.”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2024

Regulation 18.77: Within six months of the initial date of employment, Staff working with children and the Site Director and/or Program Administrator 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 Section 5 of these regulations shall be submitted to NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“All staff who have been employed for more than six (6) months have complete and up to date BFIS Quality and Credential accounts. Accounts were missing required training documentation. Corrective Action: Since the visit the program has submitted some of the missing documents to Northern Lights at CCV. Please include this licensor on all document submissions to Northern Lights at CCV. Please email this licensor identifying who will monitor that BFIS accounts are up to date and that staff BFIS accounts contain all of the required documents within six (6) months of their hire date.”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2024

Regulation 5.11: The licensee shall ensure that any new individuals regularly present at the Afterschool Child Care Program submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division prior to working with children in the Afterschool Child Care Program.

“Staff C was working at the program and a record check authorization form was not sent to the Child Development Division. Staff D has not completed all of the required steps in the fingerprint supported background clearance process. Corrective Action: Since the visit the program has submitted a record check authorization from in for Staff C. For Staff D please send the documents discussed in the 05/20/2024 email from this licensor. Please create a system for ensuring that current staff are reflected on the program's associated parties list and record check authorization forms are being submitted on or before their first day working with children at the program. Email this licensor a description of the system that will be used to maintain compliance with this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2024

Regulation 5.40: Before the expiration date on the card, training for First Aid and CPR shall be validated by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other equivalent, state- recognized organization, and the specific certification documentation maintained in the appropriate Afterschool Child Care Program Staff file.

“Staff B did not renew their First Aid and CPR certification before the expiration date. Corrective Action: Please have Staff B complete an approved First Aid and CPR training. Please submit the certificates to Northern Lights and include this licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: May 21, 2024

Regulation 12.1: Children in care shall be protected from any and all conditions which threaten a child's health, safety and well-being.

“Staff A was observed physically interacting with children in a manner that could have led to falls and injuries. Photographs of Staff A during these interactions were taken and submitted to the Child Development Division. The following interactions were observed. Staff A traversed the parallel ladder bar while Child W was lying on Staff A s chest. Child W had their legs and arms wrapped around Staff A as they traversed the ladder. The parallel ladder bar is 6.5 feet off the ground. Staff A held Child W by the torso and hung Child W over the ground while standing on a wooden retaining wall that has a 2.5 foot drop to the ground. Staff A held Child W on their hip while maneuvering the monkey bars. Staff A had Child W on their shoulders while sitting in the cafeteria at a table. Staff A was sitting at a table in the cafeteria, Child X had their legs on Staff A s chest, the rest of their body was stretched out with their head facing the floor. Staff A carried Child X while outside, Child X had their arms on Staff A s chest and legs wrapped around Staff A s torso. Child X and Child Y were seen sitting on Staff A lap while staff A was sitting up on the food service window in the cafeteria. Staff A carried Child Y on their shoulders while walking across the field to the playground. Staff A had Child Z in their lap with Child Z s legs wrapped around their torso, Child Z was in a reclined position. The children ranged in age from 6 to 8 years old. Corrective Action: The program was required to notify the parents/ guardians of the children who were photographed. The program will be required to provide training to Staff A that addresses safe use of playground equipment. Additionally, the program will review developmentally appropriate practices when working with school age children. The program will provide this licensor with the date the training occurred and a summary of how the required topics were covered. The program will also provide the date and time that the Program Administrator or Director conducts a follow up observation period of Staff A while they are working with the children.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 27, 2022

Regulation 5.14: The licensee shall ensure that no person shall be left alone with children without approval from the Division which shall be based on the results of the background check to include fingerprinting.

“Two (2) program staff working during this licensing visit, were left alone with children, and had not completed the fingerprint process which includes receiving the results. The letter the program received states they cannot leave staff alone with children until the results of the fingerprints are confirmed and received by the program. Corrective Action: Immediately do not leave program staff alone with children if they have not completed the fingerprint process which includes results and a notification from the Division. Submit confirmation of understanding to erin.canniff@vermont.gov .”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 27, 2022

Regulation 2.42: SCHOOL AGE CHILD - A child who is five years of age or older and currently attending kindergarten or has completed kindergarten or a higher grade.

“The program had thirteen (13) children who have not entered kindergarten counted in their numbers during this licensing visit. The program has twenty-two (22) children enrolled in the summer program who have not entered kindergarten and are considered a preschool age child. Corrective Action: Immediately submit a variance request through the programs BFIS account. The Division will review the variance request to have the twenty-two (22) preschool age children attend the summer program for the parents due to the lack of childcare in the community. It is required to only serve school-age children who meet the requirements attend this program in the future.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 27, 2022

Regulation 4.3: A child shall be admitted in an Afterschool Child Care Program when there is on file on the premises, either in hard copy or accessible and printable electronic format documentation in the child's file of each child's current immunization status. * Immunization records shall include the immunization administered and the date of each immunization. * If an enrolled child is in the process of complying with immunization requirements in accordance with the Vermont recommended immunization schedule, documentation in the child's file shall include the required Vermont Department of Health form. * If a child has not had a required immunization due to a Vermont allowed exemption, documentation in the child's file shall include the required Vermont Department of Health form.

“The children's files were audited, and the required immunization record was missing for three (3) children in care. Corrective Action: By 7/1/2022, obtain the missing immunization record for the three (3) children and create a system to ensure all immunization records are in each child's file upon enrollment.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 25, 2022

Regulation 8.2: The program curriculum shall provide for the following activities every day: * inside and outside choices (weather permitting) * quiet and active choices * individual and group activities * cognitive and physical opportunities * child-initiated and Staff-directed activities * activities that allow children to express themselves creatively: i.e. dramatic play, creative arts, etc.

“Three (3) classrooms where children played and had quiet time had limited toys, books, games that were age appropriate for the group of children. The preschool classroom had one (1) bin of tinker toys, a few books and one (1) game for thirteen (13) children. The art room had a few games, one (1) or two (2) books and markers for ten (10) children. A teacher from this group left the room to get more books when a child asked for them. In the library there was a few games and a basket of books for twelve (12) children. Corrective Action: Immediately set up each classroom with enough materials that are developmentally appropriate for the age of the children and the number of children in the group. By 7/1/2022, submit photos of the classrooms to erin.canniff@vermont.gov.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 1, 2022

Regulation 5.11: The licensee shall ensure that any new individuals regularly present at the Afterschool Child Care Program submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division prior to working with children in the Afterschool Child Care Program.

“There were three (3) behavioral specialists hired by another entity working with children in the program during this licensing visit that had not filled out a record check authorization form. Corrective Action: Immediately have the behavioral specialists complete a record check authorization form and submit the forms to the Division to be processed.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 30, 2022

Regulation 18.79: The Licensee shall maintain a current list of the Licensee or Designee, Staff, and Volunteers, as applicable in BFIS. Any changes shall be reported through BFIS within five working days of the change.

“A review of the associated parties list showed there are approximately five (5) staff listed who no longer work at the program. There were two (2) staff working who were not listed on the associated parties list who have worked for the program since last summer. Corrective Action: Immediately remove staff who no longer are employed at the program and have the staff who are not listed on the associated parties list submit a record check authorization form to the Division.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 23, 2022