Richford Elementary School Early Childhood Program

Regulation 3.3.5: The licensee, staff, and auxiliary staff shall be trained in prevention, identification and mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.

“A review of staff's BFIS Quality and Credential account and verbal confirmation that three (3) auxiliary staff members working in the program have not completed the required Protecting Vermont's Children Mandated Reporter training. Corrective Action: By 1/6/2026 ensure all auxiliary staff have completed the Protecting Vermont's Children Mandated Reporter training and send this training certificate to Northern Lights with the required cover sheet. Submit confirmation of completion to this Licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2026

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.

“Three auxiliary staff members who have been working for over one (1) year in the program have not completed the fingerprint process for the Child Development Division. One of the auxiliary staff members without fingerprints was working with children during this licensing visit. Corrective Action: Immediately, have the three (3) staff members submit new record check authorization forms and complete the fingerprint process for the Child Development Division. By 1/6/2026, submit confirmation of completion with the date fingerprints were completed to this Licensor.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 30, 2026

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 children were getting ready to go outside, the children were in line, staff counted the children before opening the door. Staff A stood holding the door while staff B led the children to the playground. Staff A closed the door once scanning the classroom, leaving a child behind in the classroom. The child went out of the classroom door leading to the hallway of the school and was found by staff C as the child was trying to open the outside door. Staff D brought the child outside to the playground. Both staff A and staff B did realize they were missing one (1) child once they counted the children on the playground. They were unaware of who was missing from their group until the child was brought to the playground. This was the child's third day of school. The child was not with their group for approximately five (5) minutes. Corrective Action: Immediately instruct staff to count children as they are exiting the classroom. By 11/7/2025, submit a program improvement plan with what the staff have put in place to maintain supervision of all children while exiting the classroom.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 31, 2025

Regulation 7.1.2.2: Staff who are counted in the staff/child ratios 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 shall obtain training in pediatric first aid and in infant and child CPR within three (3) months of beginning work in the CBCCPP and remain currently certified.

“A review of staff's BFIS quality and credential account and verbal confirmation from the staff member that they had not renewed their CPR and First Aid certificate prior to the expiration date of 7/15/2022. Corrective Action: Immediately complete the CPR and First Aid training and maintain currently certified. By 2/24/2023, submit the CPR and First Aid training certificate to Northern Lights with the proper cover sheet.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 17, 2023

Regulation 3.3.5: The licensee, staff, and auxiliary staff shall be trained in prevention, identification and mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.

“A review of staff's BFIS Quality and Credential accounts and the verbal confirmation, seven (7) auxiliary staff who currently work for the program have not completed the required Protecting Vermont Children Mandated Reporter training. This rule was cited previously on 3/4/2022. Corrective Action: By 3/10/2023 ensure all auxiliary staff have completed the Protecting Vermont Children Mandated Reporter training and send this training certificate to Northern Lights with the required cover sheet. Submit confirmation of completion to [name].”

Correction date in the state record: May 15, 2023

Regulation 3.3.5: The licensee, staff, and auxiliary staff shall be trained in prevention, identification and mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.

“After a review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential account and discussion with the program director, it was found that 11 staff, employed longer than six (6) months, had not completed the required mandatory reporter training. Corrective Action: By 3/30/22, have staff complete the Protecting Vermont's Children: Reporting Abuse & Neglect training. Send copies of the completion certificates to Northern Lights at CCV and copy this licensor on the email.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 10, 2023

Regulation 3.4.7.5: The licensee shall maintain a current list of the licensee or designee, staff, auxiliary staff, and volunteers as in the rules in section 7.7.5 of these regulations, as applicable in BFIS. Any changes shall be reported through BFIS within five (5) working days of the change.

“There are six (6) people listed on the Associated Parties list that no longer work in this program. Corrective Action: Remove the persons who no longer work for this program from the Associated Parties list. Develop a system to ensure compliance with this rule moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 14, 2022

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 BFIS Quality and Credential accounts, it was determined that four (4) 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 5/28/2021, review all staff's BFIS Quality and Credential accounts, submit all missing documentation for professional development, required training certificates and qualifications such as transcripts or high school diplomas to Northern Lights at CCV with the required cover sheet. Submit confirmation to this Licensor when all required information has been sent to Northern Lights at CCV.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 11, 2021

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 four (4) children who has been enrolled since 9/2020. Corrective Action: By 5/28/2021, obtain documentation that these children have received a well care exam. Develop a plan on how you will comply with this rule within 45 days of children's enrollment.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 11, 2021

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) auxiliary staff members worked alone with preschool children in their office. They have not completed a record check authorization form or completed the fingerprinting process for the Child Development Division. Corrective Action: Immediately do not leave staff alone with children who have not completed a record check authorization form or completed the fingerprinting process for CDD. Create a system where auxiliary staff and substitute staff have completed the required record check process prior to being left alone with children.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 11, 2021

Regulation 3.4.3: A system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the CBCCPP, shall be established. The licensee shall save all daily attendance records identifying the hours of children's attendance for at least twelve (12) months from the date that care is provided.

“The attendance did not reflect the correct number of children in care in classroom two (2). There were 11 children in care and 12 signed in during this licensing visit. It was noted one child left early and was not signed out. Classroom two (2) was missing attendance records to be reviewed for the weeks of 10/4/2019 to 11/15/2019. Corrective Action: Immediately create a system for all staff to review the attendance at time of arrival and departure daily to make sure it is accurate. Create a system where attendance records will be kept on file for review.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 20, 2019

Regulation 5.2.3.12: The licensee shall post the diaper changing procedure at each diaper changing area.

“The diaper changing procedures were not posted in the bathroom where diapers or pull ups are being changed. Corrective Action: Immediately post the diaper changing procedures in the bathroom where diapers and pull ups are changed as stated in this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 20, 2019

Regulation 3.4.6.1: The licensee shall maintain a record of the date of each evacuation drill as required in the rules in section 3.7.2 of these regulations that includes the number of children and staff evacuated, time taken to evacuate, and notation of the drill conducted while children were sleeping or resting. Evacuation records shall be kept for two (2) years.

“The last date an emergency evacuation drill was documented was 12/8/2016 for the Head Start classroom. The other two classrooms had not documented their emergency evacuation drills. Corrective Action: Submit a program improvement plan that states how monthly evacuation drills (fire drills) will be documented for the preschool program.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 14, 2017

Regulation 3.4.3: A system for taking attendance, including documentation of the time when each child arrives and departs each day he/she attends the CBCCPP, shall be established. The licensee shall save all daily attendance records identifying the hours of children's attendance for at least twelve (12) months from the date that care is provided.

“There were 4 children signed in out of 13 children present in the all-day preschool classroom. The children were still not signed in at the end of the day. Corrective Action: Effective immediately maintain compliance by signing children into the program using the time of arrival for each child. Create a system for all staff to document all children's arrival on the attendance.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 14, 2017