Robin Therrien

Regulation 3.3.7.3: Within six (6) months of initial date of employment, the FCCP and all staff 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 sections 7.3 and 7.4 of these regulations shall be submitted to NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“Provider's Quality and Credential account is missing confirmation of the 2022-2024 & 2024-2026 CPR certification, the documentation for the emergency preparedness training completed and the certificate of completion for Protecting Vermont's Children from Abuse & Neglect that was completed in 2021. This is a repeat violation. This was cited during a compliance visit on 06/25/2025. Corrective Action: Send the training documentation to NL@CCV. Send a screen shot of tthe confirmation from NL@CCV that the documents have been submitted to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford. Develop a system to ensure training certificates are submitted to be uploaded into the Quality and Credential account in a timely manner. Notify Licensing Field Specialist Crawford of this system and the planned steps to routinely monitor the Quality and Credential account to confirm submissions appearing in account. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 5.10.3.3: Safe Use Zones For all play equipment that is thirty (30) inches or higher from the ground, including climbing equipment, slides, swings and other similar equipment, the FCCP shall ensure that the surface under and around the equipment, included recommended use zones, is of approved resilient material that protects children if they fall. * Materials in the use zone shall consist of wood chips, pea stone, mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, safety-tested shredded or rubber like material or rubber mats designed for protective cushioning; * Materials used in the use zone shall follow the recommendations listed in the most recent publication of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook regarding critical depth of tested materials determined by the height of the highest climbing surface of the equipment; * Materials used in the use zone shall be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions; * If the loose material such as sand, mulch, or shredded rubber is used in use zones, the FCCP shall ensure that the material is raked regularly and replenished to maintain depth and resilience; and * If the resilient material in use zones freezes, the FCCP shall ensure that the children will not play on the equipment until the resilient material has thawed and is once again resilient.

“There is a geodome, and swing set present in the outside play area directly over grass. As discussed, if play equipment is present and accessible then cushioning requirements apply. This is a repeat violation. This was cited during a compliance visit on 06/25/2025. Corrective Action: Block child access to the geodome and swings until cushioning is in place. Install cushioning materials in accordance with the use zone recommendations of national playground safety standards available at https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/325.pdf. Send plan to block access to equipment and the plan with timeline to install cushioning to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 3.3.7.3: Within six (6) months of initial date of employment, the FCCP and all staff 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 sections 7.3 and 7.4 of these regulations shall be submitted to NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“Provider's Quality and Credential account is missing confirmation of the 2022-2024 & 2024-2026 CPR certification and the certificate of completion for Protecting Vermont's Children from Abuse & Neglect that was completed in 2021. Corrective Action: Send the current CPR certification and certificate of completion for Protecting Vermont's Children from Abuse & Neglect to NL@CCV and CC Licensing Field Specialist Crawford. Develop a system to ensure training certificates are submitted to be uploaded into the Quaity and Credential account in a timely manner. Notify Licensing Field Specialist Crawford of this system and the planned steps to routinely monitor the Quality and Credential account to confirm submissions appearing in account. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 5.4.1.8: Bedding used by a child shall be stored in a manner that prevents contact with bedding used by other children.

“All of the children's sheets and blankets were stored in a pile directly stacked upon one another. It was confirmed that the stacked linens had been used and were intended to be used on the date of this visit. Corrective Action: Store the bedding in a manner that ensures one child's items do not touch another child's bedding. Send the new storage plan to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford. Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 5.10.3.3: Safe Use Zones For all play equipment that is thirty (30) inches or higher from the ground, including climbing equipment, slides, swings and other similar equipment, the FCCP shall ensure that the surface under and around the equipment, included recommended use zones, is of approved resilient material that protects children if they fall. * Materials in the use zone shall consist of wood chips, pea stone, mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, safety-tested shredded or rubber like material or rubber mats designed for protective cushioning; * Materials used in the use zone shall follow the recommendations listed in the most recent publication of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook regarding critical depth of tested materials determined by the height of the highest climbing surface of the equipment; * Materials used in the use zone shall be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions; * If the loose material such as sand, mulch, or shredded rubber is used in use zones, the FCCP shall ensure that the material is raked regularly and replenished to maintain depth and resilience; and * If the resilient material in use zones freezes, the FCCP shall ensure that the children will not play on the equipment until the resilient material has thawed and is once again resilient.

“There is a geodome, and swingset present in the outside play area directly over grass. As discussed, if play equipment is present and accessible then cushioning requirements apply. The need to have cushioning material for these items was reviewed during a previous licensing visit. Corrective Action: Block child access to the geodome and swings until cushioning is in place. Install cushioning materials in accordance with the use zone recommendations of national playground safety standards available at https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/325.pdf. Send plan to block access to equipment and the plan with timeline to install cushioning to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford Status: Appeal Period.”

Regulation 5.10.1.3.4: The FCCP shall ensure that drinking water is potable by meeting Vermont standards at all times or shall provide bottled water for drinking.

“Children were served water from the taps in the home. As of the date of this visit, the water system has not been tested and shown to meet the Vermont Department of Health's water testing requirements. As explained during the visit, testing conducted by the installer of a water system does not meet the requirements of this rule. Corrective Action: As required during the visit, bottled water is to be served until such time as water samples have been tested and approved for use by a Vermont Department of Health approved laboratory. Send email confirmation that bottled water has continued to be used and send confirmation of the date the water samples were sent for testing. Upon receipt of the test results, send them to the licensing unit as required by the condition added to the registration certificate.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 21, 2023

Regulation 3.2.3: It is the responsibility of the FCCP to ensure that staff and partner staff working with children in the FCCH understand that abuse and/or neglect of children is against the law and that all child care workers are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect as specified in the rule 3.2.2 of these regulations.

“No documentation is available to confirm completion of the Protecting Vermont's Children Mandated Reporter training, and Robin stated that she has not completed this training. Corrective Action: Complete the Protecting Vermont's Children online training. Send completion certificate to Northern Lights for entry into your BFIS Quality and Credential account, and copy elaine.crawford@vermont.gov.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 7, 2023

Regulation 5.10.4.4.1: The FCCP shall ensure that the FCCH has at least one (1) bathroom equipped with one (1) properly functioning toilet and hand sink.

“The home has been without running water for the Monday-Thursday of care provided for the four days of this current week. The provider and children have been using bottled water to flush the toilet and wash hands. Corrective Action: Ensure the program has access to an operational toilet and hand sink. As discussed, it is expected that a provider will contact the licensing unit at 1 (800) 649 2642 Option 3 to discuss identified areas of non-compliance prior to care being provided. This timely contact allows the licensing unit to provide technical support to ensure the health safety and welfare of children are maintained.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 2, 2021

Regulation 5.2.3.11: Each diaper changing procedure shall include: * Preparation: assemble supplies, staff member washes hands, prepares changing surface with either a disposable covering or ensure that the surface was recently cleaned and disinfected and bring the child to the diaper changing area. * Dirty Phase: remove soiled diaper and cleanse diaper area of the child. * Clean Phase: put on clean diaper, dress child, and wash the child's hands. * Clean up: clean and disinfect the diaper changing surface, dispose of diaper, and staff member washes their own hands. * Record diaper change.

“It was acknowledged that one child's hands have been wiped with a disposable diaper changing wipe after diaper changes in place of handwashing for the past four (4) days. Corrective Action: All required steps for the handwashing procedure are to be followed. As of the date of this visit, children's hands are to be washed following each diaper change.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 29, 2021

Regulation 7.1.3: Orientation of FCCP and New Staff The FCCP shall complete an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to beginning care for children. The FCCP shall ensure staff complete an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to being left alone with children. Trainees shall complete the orientation training within one (1) month of their first date of working with children. The orientation training session shall include: * Basic knowledge of child growth and development; * Routine and emergency health protection of children including health related exclusions; * Safety and sanitation requirements including handling and storage of hazardous materials and disposal of bio contaminants; * Positive behavior management; * Supervision of children; * Child accident and injury procedures including building and physical premises safety; * Safe sleep practices; * Administration of medication requirements; * Emergency and evacuation requirements; * Nutrition and food safety including prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions; * Recordkeeping; * Transportation and child passenger safety; * Release of children; * Respectful engagement of families; * Preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect, including information about the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, sexual violence, grooming processes, recognizing the dangers of child sexual abuse, and other predatory behaviors of sex offenders; * Recognition of and response to the symptoms of common childhood illnesses; * Preventing the spread of infectious disease; * Providing developmentally appropriate activities and experiences for children; * Inclusion of children with special needs; * Guidelines for volunteers, trainees, and partner staff; * Responsibility to comply with current applicable licensing regulations; * Background check requirements to include changes in situations, restrictions, and exceptions for those prohibited by these regulations; * Staffing requirements to include opening and closing; and * Ensuring children have extra clothes and diapers available.

“Orientation training has not been completed as of 07/29/2021. This is a repeat violation. Failing to have completed orientation training was cited as a violation during a site visit on 08/01/2019. A corrective action plan was submitted and accepted that the on-line Better Kids Care Vermont Orientation would be completed by the provider as of 09/20/2019. It was acknowledged during the site visit of 07/29/2021 that the orienation has not been completed and contact to this licenser to update the corrective action plan timeframe was not made. Corrective Action: Complete the required orientation training by the noted due date. Send a copy of the certificate awarded at the end of the training to this licenser. Include in your corrective action email, what notification system will be put in place to ensure that licensing is contacted prior to the required due dates for any regulatory requirements if an extension or any technical assistance is needed before the due date passes.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 8, 2021

Regulation 3.3.7.5: The FCCP shall maintain a current list of the staff, persons who reside in the FCCH, and non-parental volunteers, as applicable, in BFIS. Any changes shall be reported through BFIS within five (5) working days of the change.

“The associated parties list has four (4) persons listed as aide, substitute or assistant who have reportedly not been a part of the program for more than two years each. Corrective Action: As discussed, the list is to be maintained up to date within the required timeframe. Remove the names of persons no longer associated with the program. Contact Childcare Business Technician [name] at tiffany.le@vermont.gov if needing assistant in this process.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 5, 2021

Regulation 5.1.2: General Health Examinations: Within forty-five (45) days of enrollment the FCCP 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.

“None of the three children's files reviewed contained the required general health examination documentation. Each child had been in care more than 45 days. Provider stated that she had not requested the required information for any children in care. Corrective Action: Ensure each child's file contains the required documentation. Review Rule 3.3.4.1 and update children's files as needed to ensure all required information is on site.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 12, 2019

Regulation 7.2.1: The FCCP shall ensure that all new staff, and any new individual with unsupervised access to children in the FCCH submits 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.

“A Fingerprint Authorization Certificate was sent to the provider for Staff person B on 07/31/2017. This electonic document explained that Staff person B was required to complete the fingerprinting process. Staff person B has reportedly worked alone with children during times of the day during the summer of 2017 and for the summer of 2019. Fingerprints have not been processed for Staff person B as of the date of this visit 08/01/2019. Corrective Action: Submit a program improvement plan which shall include staffing arrangements to ensure Staff person B is not alone with children until she has completed the fingerprinting process. Include in this plan the steps taken to confirm the fingerprinting requirements and timeframes for staff persons. This may include contacting Licensing Technician, [name] at (802) 241-0812, and/or reviewing the Child Development Division website at https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd. In the plan submitted to this licenser include dates of conversations or information reviewed, knowledge gained about fingerprinting process, and specific steps taken for Staff person B.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 12, 2019

Regulation 5.10.1.2.6: The extinguisher shall be visibly mounted to the wall near an exit door.

“The fire extinguisher was positioned upon the kitchen counter. It was not mounted to a wall. Corrective Action: Mount the correct sized inspected fire extinguisher near an exit door.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 12, 2019

Regulation 5.4.1.4: Cots, mats, and mattresses shall be nonporous or have nonporous coverings. Each child shall be provided clean, individual bed linens either by the FCCP providing them or requiring parents to provide them. No child shall nap directly on nonporous coverings.

“Children were observed resting directly upon the nonporous surface of the rest mats. It was confirmed during the visit that linens are not placed upon the mat surface between the child(ren) and the mat(s). Corrective Action: Bed linens are to be provided for children to rest upon so they are not resting upon the mat surface.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 12, 2019

Regulation 2.3.8.6: The FCCP shall maintain on site evidence of continuous insurance as defined in the rule 2.3.7.6 of these regulations.

“Documentation of on-going insurance coverage was not available during the site visit on 08/01/2019. The provider confirmed during a telephone call on 08/07/2019 that the insurance policy had expired as of 07/31/2019. Corrective Action: Have insurance coverage in place by 08/15/2019. Send a copy of the current insurance coverage to this licenser. Establish a system to ensure insurance will remain continuous and documentation of insurance kept on site.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 9, 2019

Regulation 5.1.4: The FCCP shall submit a Vermont Child Care Immunization Report at least once every 365 days to the Vermont Department of Health, Immunization Office as required by 18 V.S.A. SS 1120 - 1129.

“Between 11/5/2018 and 12/21/2018, CDD sent 2 separate emails to all programs, 1 reminder letter using US Postal Service, 1 reminder letter sent through the program's BFIS account, and a final email reminder. This communication provided the link to be used and CDD contact information for questions or challenges with submitting the report. Corrective Action: By 08/15/2019, submit a program improvement plan that identifies the steps that will be taken to ensure that the 2019 annual immunization report will be filed between 11/1/2019 - 12/31/2019”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 12, 2019

Regulation 7.1.3: Orientation of FCCP and New Staff The FCCP shall complete an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to beginning care for children. The FCCP shall ensure staff complete an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to being left alone with children. Trainees shall complete the orientation training within one (1) month of their first date of working with children. The orientation training session shall include: * Basic knowledge of child growth and development; * Routine and emergency health protection of children including health related exclusions; * Safety and sanitation requirements including handling and storage of hazardous materials and disposal of bio contaminants; * Positive behavior management; * Supervision of children; * Child accident and injury procedures including building and physical premises safety; * Safe sleep practices; * Administration of medication requirements; * Emergency and evacuation requirements; * Nutrition and food safety including prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions; * Recordkeeping; * Transportation and child passenger safety; * Release of children; * Respectful engagement of families; * Preventing, recognizing, and reporting child abuse and neglect, including information about the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, sexual violence, grooming processes, recognizing the dangers of child sexual abuse, and other predatory behaviors of sex offenders; * Recognition of and response to the symptoms of common childhood illnesses; * Preventing the spread of infectious disease; * Providing developmentally appropriate activities and experiences for children; * Inclusion of children with special needs; * Guidelines for volunteers, trainees, and partner staff; * Responsibility to comply with current applicable licensing regulations; * Background check requirements to include changes in situations, restrictions, and exceptions for those prohibited by these regulations; * Staffing requirements to include opening and closing; and * Ensuring children have extra clothes and diapers available.

“It was confirmed on site that neither Staff person A nor Staff person B had taken an Orientation training. Provider stated that she was not aware that she and staff persons were required to complete this training. Corrective Action: Submit a program improvement plan that explains the steps taken to ensure all regulatory training requirements are understood by staff persons and the steps taken to ensure all trainings are completed. Include in this plan dates for completion of orientation for each person.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 20, 2019

Regulation 5.10.4.1: Access to Useable Space by Children The FCCP shall ensure that interior space designated for use by children is available to children when the FCCH is in operation, is sufficient, and arranged to allow each child adequate space for free movement and active play.

“The adult size table and child size table had piles of papers, boxes, food, and dishes stacked upon the table surfaces. In order for a child to sit and eat at the child height table, a tablet, papers and pens were removed to allow the child an approximately 10inch by 10inch area to use. A child sized play kitchen and dollhouse were pushed against the outer edge of the adult size table. This narrowed the walking area between the kitchen cabinets and the front aide of the dollhouse to approximately 2 feet wide. In front of the refrigerator were three empty packing boxes of varying sizes. They needed to be moved to allow for access to the livingroom area. Corrective Action: Ensure the home is clean and spaces used for care able to be used safely. Confirm that the tables are free of piles of items and that all passage areas are free of obstacles.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 22, 2016