Pine Forest Children's Center

Regulation 6.2.6.6: The program director shall ensure that no person be left alone with children without approval from the Division based on the results of a background check that includes fingerprinting; with the exception of a parent may be left alone with his/her own child(ren).

“Two (2) staff who had not yet received notification that their background checks had cleared were working alone with a group of children. Corrective Action: The director sent communication to the staff to remind them who was not yet cleared to be left alone with children and reiterated that they must always have a cleared person working with an uncleared person, and that the program will announce when individual staff are cleared. Send a plan to Licensor [name] to describe steps that would be taken in the event that coverage does not allow for cleared staff to be paired with uncleared staff.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 16, 2026

Regulation 6.2.1.4: Staff who are qualified as defined in the rules in section 7.3 of these regulations, meet professional development requirements as defined in the rules in section 7.4 of these regulations, and are physically present and working with children may be counted in staff/child ratios.

“Staff A has not completed the requirements to qualify for any of the positions recognized by the Division. A violation was cited on 4/7/2022 and the plan was that Staff A would complete requirements by 8/31/2022. Staff A did not meet the requirements and a variance was issued on 1/18/2023 which gave Staff A until 8/1/2023 to complete the necessary requirements. Staff A did not meet requirements by 8/1/2023. Corrective Action: Staff A must meet the requirements to qualify for a staff position by 7/1/2025. If Staff A does not meet the requirements by 7/1/2025, they will no longer be allowed to count in ratio. By 2/25/2025, email a plan to Licensor [name] that describes steps that will be taken so that Staff A meets all requirements by 7/1/2025.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 21, 2025

Regulation 7.3.2.3: Teacher Assistant A teacher assistant is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications: * At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level One (1) or Two (2) Certificate; or * At least a current CDA (Child Development Associate) and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least a State Board of Education approved Human Services Program Certificate that emphasizes child development or early childhood education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals' course or the Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or * At least successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in child or human development or a three (3) college credit course for school age care and education and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger.

“Staff A does not meet qualifications for the position they hold, or for any other staff positions because they do not have a high school diploma or equivalent. Corrective Action: Submit a plan to Licensor [name] that describes how the program will come into compliance with qualification requirements for this staff member. If the plan includes the staff member finishing the required education, submit a timeline for when that education will be complete.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 25, 2022

Regulation 5.10.1.3.3: The licensee shall ensure that the CBCCPP is in compliance with applicable rules from the Department of Environmental Conservation at all times.

“It was observed and discussed that this program cooks and prepares daily meals for children in care. It was reviewed that the current waste water permit for this facility does not include approval of preparing meals on site. Corrective Action: Immediately contact the Department of Environmental Conservation for guidance on operating in compliance with existing permits. Submit to this licensor a plan that addresses how the program will operate in compliance with the Department of Environmental Conservation at all times and if the program will prepare and serve meals.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 18, 2020