Signal Pine Playschool

Regulation 7.1.2.3: The licensed FCCP shall ensure that staff who are counted in the staff/child ratios shall obtain training in pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR within six (6) months of beginning work in the licensed FCCH and remain currently certified.

“Upon review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts and on-site staff files it was identified that two (2) staff members' pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR certifications had expired. Staff A expired twelve (12) months prior to the site visit and Staff B expired 10 weeks prior. One (1) staff member's (Staff C) BFIS account showed no evidence of pediatric first aid and infant and child CPR. Corrective Action: Immediately have the identified individuals complete Pediatric First Aid and Infant Child CPR training and submit to Northern Lights at CCV. Send verification of the submissions to Licensing Field Specialist Stark. Develop and implement a system to ensure First Aid/CPR certifications remain current. Email Licensing Field Specialist Stark a detailed description of the plan and when it was implemented.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 16, 2026

Regulation 3.2.5: The licensed FCCP and staff shall be trained in prevention, identification and mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.

“Upon review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts and on-site staff files it was identified that five (5) staff members that are left alone and/or counted in staff/child ratio have not completed the mandatory reporter training approved by the division: Protecting Vermont's Children: Reporting Abuse and Neglect Corrective Action: Immediately have the identified individuals complete the mandatory reporter training (Protecting Vermont's Children: Reporting Abuse and Neglect) available through Northern Lights LLC. Identified staff members must not be left alone with children until completion of mandatory reporter training. Develop and implement a system to ensure all new hires that may be left alone with children and/or counted in staff/child ratio complete mandatory reporter training prior to being left alone with children. Email confirmation of completed trainings and a detailed description of the system developed to Licensing Field Specialist Stark.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 15, 2026

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.

“Upon review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts and on-site staff files it was identified that three (3) staff members that are left alone and/or counted in staff/child ratio have not completed an approved orientation training approved by the Division. Corrective Action: Immediately have the identified individuals complete the Vermont Orientation Training or an approved on-site orientation training. Identified staff members must not be left alone with children until completion of an approved orientation training. Develop and implement a system to ensure all new hires that may be left alone with children and/or counted in staff/child ratio complete Orientation prior to being left alone with children. Email confirmation of completed trainings and a detailed description of the system developed to Licensing Field Specialist Stark.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 11, 2026

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.

“Upon review of staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts and on-site staff files it was identified that seven (7) staff members did not have documents required to verify qualifications. Missing documentation of required trainings were also cited for regulations 7.1.2 (Pediatric First Aid & CPR), 7.1.3 (Health & Safety Orientation), and 3.2.5 (Mandatory Reporter). Corrective Action: Immediately submit missing documents to Northern Lights LLC to be uploaded into the BFIS system. Develop and implement a system for monitoring the program's BFIS account for accuracy. Email conformation of Northern Lights submissions of qualifying educational documentation and a detailed description of the system developed and when it was implemented.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 15, 2026

Regulation 5.6.7: The FCCP shall ensure that all non-prescription medication shall be labeled with the child's name and be in its original container with directions for its administration. It must be administered prior to the expiration date on the container. Any deviations from the label's instructions shall be in writing from the child's health care provider.

“The locked medicine cabinet at the FCCH contained ten (10) expired non-prescription medications. Corrective Action: Immediately return expired medication to child's parent or dispose of with parental permission. Develop a system for tracking medication expiration dates and communicating with parents for timely replacement. Send this licensor a detailed description of the system created and when it was implemented.”

Correction date in the state record: Sep 8, 2026

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.

“On the date of this visit, Staff person B was listed as a substitute with a start date in 2023, Staff person C was listed as a substitute with a start date in 2024, and reportedly neither person had substituted and have not been associated with the program in over one (1) year. Staff person D reportedly substituted for one (1) week on 2024 and is no longer associated with the program and remains upon the associated parties list. Corrective Action: Folowing this visit, Staff persons B, C, & D were removed from the associated parties list. Incorporating reviewing the BFIS associated parties list for accuracy and maintaining up to date substitute information was confirmed via email following the visit.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 30, 2025

Regulation 7.1.2.1: The FCCP shall have successfully completed pediatric first aid and CPR prior to being licensed and must remain currently certified.

“The program was notified on 03/27/2023 that Staff person A was required to complete the background clearance process including fingerprinting. As of the date of this visit, Staff person A had not completed the fingerprinting process. Corrective Action: Confirmation that Staff person A had fingerprints processed was received by Licensing Field Specialist Crawford on 04/11/2025. Continue to ensure that while serving in a substitute role, Staff person A is not left alone with children until the background clearance process is complete.Send an email confirming the process created to monitor each new staff persons background clearance process to ensure completion of all requirements within a reasonable timeframe.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 25, 2025

Regulation 6.2.4.1: The FCCP and/or staff may need to step away from the children to meet basic care needs throughout the day. This shall be time limited; and the FCCP and/or staff shall be able to hear all children of pre-kindergarten age and younger at all times; and shall be able to physically respond immediately.

“On 05/02/2023, two children in care were unaccounted for 15-20 minutes. The children left the outside play area and entered the basement of the home. The basement contained accessible saws, additional items not intended for access by children, and an open sided staircase. The children were found playing with a baby stroller in the basement. This is a serious violation of supervision. Corrective Action: A serious violation of 6.2.4.1 occurred on 05/02/2023, immediate action was required during the site visit on 05/05/2023. As discussed during the visit on 05/05/2023, continue the reported new practices of ensuring staff maintain visual supervision of children whilst talking with visitors/parents, placement of staff persons separately in outdoor area to ensure full visibility of yard, increased head counts of children during outside activities, and daily practice of ensuring gates of the fencing and exterior doors of the home are unable to be opened by children while in the play yard. By 06/05/2023, send an email updating this licensor confirming that these requirements have been reviewed with each staff person and that each staff person has signed a statement that they understand the requirements, a plan for how such outside supervision expectations would be reviewed with any substitutes, and include an assessment of the suitability of the practices and if any have been modified or any additions made. Follow the requirements for the Parental Notification Letter. Send the names and contact information for all parents of children who have been in care for the past 30 days to Licensor [name] by 06/05/2023.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 26, 2023

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.

“Two of the three children's files reviewed were missing the required general health examination information. Both children have been in care for more than sixty (60) days. Corrective Action: Update the identified children's files. Develop a system to ensure all children's general health examintation records are on site as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: May 5, 2023