Neck of the Woods

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.

“In the Brambles room there is a threshold between two areas of the room. On one side is carpet on the other wood flooring. The threshold appears to be a concrete material and it is cracking and not considered a non porous surface in its current state. The carpet is also frayed near the threshold. During the 01/26/2024 regular compliance the condition of this threshold was noted on the report as a talking point and the program was put on notice that this area needed repair. At the time repairs were made however the area has fallen back into disrepair. Corrective Action: Since the visit the program has covered the threshold with carpet squares. This blocks the hazards however the area will need to be monitored to ensure the carpeting remains in place. Conversation with program administrators indicate that the program intends to permantely fix this area along with carpeting that is worn and frayed.”

Correction date in the state record: May 4, 2026

Regulation 5.1.1: The licensee shall ensure that the CBCCPP environment and practices support children's health and safety.

“In the Inverness, Grasshopper, Rumbles and Periwinkle classrooms expired medications(tylenol, Ibuprofen and eye drops) were observed in the medication box and were expired. In total there were five(5) expired medications. Two(2) medications were labelled for specific children. Based on this observation and conversations with staff the program does not have consistent practice of ensuring expired medications are removed from the medication boxes. Corrective Action: Since the visit the program discussed this violation with staff and have set up a medication inventory system. Within each classroom, posted next to the medication box is an inventory sheet. As the program receives medications from parents they are entering the date received,type of medication, the medication expiration date and the child's initials. If the medication is something the program would provide like antibiotic cream or Benadryl lotion they are noting that as well. Staff have also removed any medication used by adults at the program from the classroom medication boxes. Please ensure this system remains in place and new staff are trained on the practice.”

Correction date in the state record: May 4, 2026

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.

“Multiple staff members who have worked at the program for more than six(6) months do not have complete up to date BFIS Quality and Credential accounts. Documents that are missing are, First Aid/CPR certificates, mandated reporter training, educational transcripts and Vermont Orientation. The missing documents were on site. Corrective Action: Since the visit the program has submitted some of the missing documents. Please continue to submit the documents to Northern Lights at CCV and include this licensor on the email. Please ensure staff have complete and up to date BFIS accounts within six(6) months of hire.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 9, 2025

Regulation 7.2.2: The licensee shall ensure that all new staff and auxiliary staff, prior to working with children in the CBCCPP; and any new individual designated as the representative of the licensee shall submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division and shall submit to fingerprinting at a location designated by the Division after having received the Fingerprinting Authorization Certificate by the Division.

“Staff A and B were required to complete the fingerprint supported background checks through the Child Development Division(CDD). CDD sent fingerprint authorization forms for Staff A on 02/28/2024 and Staff B on 05/21/2024. Staff A and B have not completed the fingeprint supported background check, which may have also required additional paperwork if they lived out of state in the last five(5) years. Corrective Action: Staff A and B may not be left alone until the program receives clearance letters from CDD. Since the visit the program submitted missing documents for Staff B. Please send a copy of the fingerprint receipt for Staff A. Please identify who at the program will ensure staff are completing the fingerprint supported background check and will ensure that staff that have lived out of staff fill out any additional paperwork requested by CDD.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 20, 2025

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.

“The program self-reported that a child was left unattended on the playground and had been found by a parent of another child in care. Through interviews it was learned that one (1) group transitioned from one (1) playground to another and left a child behind during that transition for up to five (5) minutes. Corrective Action: In addition to what has been done already (reviewing head count requirements and cross checking to attendance as well as additional accounting measures the program has initiated), develop a system to monitor and ensure staff upon asking are able to properly identify the number of children in their care, as well as monitoring transitions to ensure that staff are cross checking attendance before transitioning.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 30, 2024

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.

“An approximately 27 inch Apple monitor was not secured/mounted and sitting on a window ledge about four feet above the floor. The cord for the monitor was hanging down loosely and touching the side of a book case. If the cord was pulled on by a child or was accidentally moved the monitor could have fallen down potentially landing on a child or smashing on the floor in an area where children play. Corrective Action: Upon seeing the hazard I asked the Director to move the monitor off of the window sill as it was not secure and the cord was assessible to children and also not secured. The Director removed the monitor from the room. Please discuss this violation with the staff members and explain that this monitor shall not be used in the room unless it is mounted correctly or kept a height and in an area where there is no possibility that it could fall on a child. Please email this licensor confirming that staff have reviewed the regulation and violation.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 20, 2024

Regulation 6.2.1.3: The program director shall ensure that the number of staff present meets requirements described in the chart below for ages of children, maximum group size, and staff/child ratios at any time of day.

“The Dominoes classroom and Tumblers classroom combined in the Tumblers classroom instead of going outside due to inclement weather. When they combined there were seven 1.5-2-year-old children and two 13-month-old children. The maximum group size when there is a child or children under the age of 18 months is 8 children. There were 9 children in this group which is considered a serious violation. When I entered the Tumblers classroom, staff explained that the Dominoes were visiting for play time. I asked how long they had all been together in the Tumblers classroom and was told about 15 minutes. I asked the staff if there were any children under the age of 18 months old and was told no. I observed children who I felt were less than 18 months old in the room. I continued my observations for another 10 minutes and then went and reviewed the files for every child present in the group. Upon reviewing the files, I noted that two of the children in the group were 13 months old. At that point I went back downstairs to the Tumblers classroom. At this time the groups had separated and there were three children with one staff member. I spoke with the staff members, confirmed who the children were and that two of them were 13 months old and were part of the combined group I observed earlier. The Director stated she suggested that the groups combine as it would be a nice opportunity for the two groups to have some indoor play time together. She made sure the staff to child ratio was met but forgot that there were two children under 18 months old present in the group. It was stated that combining the Dominoes and Tumblers is not a common practice and part of the reason was because the Tumblers group was smaller than usual due to absent children. Corrective Action: This is a serious violation, and a copy of this site visit report(considered a Parental Notification Letter) must be provided to every parent with a child enrolled at the program. As discussed you may email a copy of the report and include this licensor. You may also hand it to parents at drop off or pick up, if you hand them out please send the parents contact information to this licensor. Please review the group size chart with all staff and ensure that moving forward they are aware of the ages they are combining and basing the group size on the age of the yougest child present.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 29, 2024

Regulation 7.2.3: The Division at its discretion, may use the results of a background check on file with the Division as long as it has been completed within the last five (5) years and instead of requiring a new background check.

“Records indicate that the last time the Child Development Division received results from a fingerprint supported background clearance for Staff A was on 11/28/2017. As of this time the program was unable to locate a receipt or any other documentation to support that a new record check authorization form was submitted in November of 2022 or that Staff A completed a new fingerprint supported background check within the last 5 years. Corrective Action: Please submit a new record check authorization form for Staff A. Staff A should plan to schedule an appointment to complete fingerprinting. Please email this licensor once this appointment is scheduled.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 7, 2023

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.

“Review of staff quality and credential counts in BFIS revealed that 22 of the 32 staff members, who have been at the program for more than six months, are missing required documentation in their BFIS accounts. The missing documentation includes FA/CPR certificates, orientation and mandated reporter training and education transcripts needed to assess position qualifications. Many of these documents were also not available on site. Corrective Action: Immediately begin to submit the missing documentation to Northern Lights. Compliance with this regulation will be noted when the 22 staff identifed in this violation have up to date BFIS accounts. Corrective action was discussed during a follow up meeting on 03/18/2022, the program has discussed their plan to come into and remain in compliance with this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 18, 2022

Regulation 5.10.5.4.3: When twelve (12) or fewer enrolled children swim or play in an in ground or above ground pools or natural or manmade bodies of water at one (1) time, the licensee shall maintain the following staff/child ratios if no lifeguard is present: * One (1) adult: two (2) children for infants/toddlers and pre-kindergarten age children; * One (1) adult: six (6) children for school age children.

“Staff A and Staff B confirmed that a group of preschool children and staff from the program have accessed the Mad River, which runs behind the Neck of the Woods building. Staff A and Staff B stated that a total of seven (7) children and two (2) staff accessed the river on one occasion this summer. Staff A and Staff B confirmed that all seven (7) children were allowed to access the water up to the tops of their legs, if an adult was also in the water. Staff A and Staff B confirmed that there was not a lifeguard present when the children and staff accessed the water. This is a serious violation. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to maintain a ratio of one (1) adult: two (2) children for infants/toddler and preschool age children who swim or play in the river when a lifeguard is not present. Include in your program orientation and staff handbook, the process for ensuring all staff are aware of the aquatic plan, including but not limited to ratio requirements for water play and swimming in the river.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 15, 2022

Regulation 5.10.3.1.4: If fencing is used, it shall be sturdy, safe, and reinforced to give support, constructed to discourage climbing, and shall not prevent visual supervision of children by staff.

“Upon arrival at the program, 15 preschool age children and 3 staff members were present in the outdoor space known as the Pomerantz playground. The fencing on the Pomerantz playground was not affixed properly to the stakes intended to hold it up. The fencing was observed to bend down to a height of 18 inches, in some areas, when a small amount of weight was applied. Additionally, three of the stakes on the side of the playground nearest to the main road, were not affixed to the fencing at all. This allowed the bottom of the fencing to be pushed up at least 1 foot from the ground with a minimal amount of effort. Lastly, the fencing on the Pomerantz playground did not include any gates. This playground was approved for school age children during the technical assistance/Phase III visit on 08//2020. There was a piece of thick plastic fencing, which measured 30 inches in height, propped against the stakes on either side of the entrance to the Pomerantz playground. This thick plastic gate could be easily moved or knocked over. Staff A stated that several of the preschool age children often attempt to knock the thick plastic fencing over. Staff A also stated that several of the preschool children often lean on the fencing in an attempt to reach berries and flowers on the other side, but no children have attempted to leave the group from the playground area. Corrective Action: Immediately develop a safety plan which includes installation of sturdy, safe and reinforced fencing which meets the fencing requirements listed in regulation or a plan to use alternative, safe, outdoor space until such a time when sturdy, safe, and reinforced fencing can be installed. Include details of whom will communicate with the Licensing Division until such a time when the installed fencing is approved by the Division. Develop a long term plan which includes the details of how the playground fencing will be routinely checked for safety concerns and how any identified safety concerns will be addressed in a timely manner moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 15, 2022