Sugarbush Day School

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 Member A was caring for children in a classroom at the time of the licensing visit. Director stated a Record Check Authorization Form had not been submitted because he was a returning staff member from the summer season. Staff Member A had returned and been working at the program since 4/27/2026. Corrective Action: Staff Member A submitted a Record Check Authorization Form during the licensing visit. Staff Member A was added back onto the Associated Parties list before the licensing visit was completed. The Director confirmed all returning staff will submit a Record Check Authorization Form moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 30, 2026

Regulation 5.10.1.1.1: The licensee shall ensure that children are protected from electrical outlets, such as by using protective covers, tamper-proof outlets, or other devices manufactured for this purpose.

“In the infant classroom in the area where the diaper changing table is located a power strip was on the floor in an area assessible to children and two of the outets were missing protective covers. Corrective Action: The director was asked to insert protective covers or remove the power strip from the space if protective covers were not available. Please speak to staff and remind them that when an outlet is not in use a protective cover must be in place. They should be montitoring this daily as it can be easy to remove a plugged in device and forget to insert the protective cover.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 6, 2025

Regulation 5.10.1.1.2: Children shall be protected from choking hazards presented by cords on window coverings, electric or electronic appliances or equipment and telephones.

“In the infant room in the area of the classroom where the diaper changing table is located, there was two power strips on the floor and assessible to children. There were five cords spread out on the floor. Corrective Action: The director was asked to secure the cords in accordance with this regulation and ensure they were arranged in a manner where children could not pull on them or become entangled in them. Please ensure staff are monitoring devices with cords to ensure they cords are secured when the device is added to the space and the cords remain secure over time.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 6, 2025

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 day of the visit there were nine(9) infants in care, with at least one in care that was under the age of eighteen(18) months old. When at least one child is present that is under eighteen(18) months old the maximum group size is eight(8). Based on conversation with staff and review of attendance there have been days when ten(10) infants were in care in the same group.The director stated they were not aware of this requirement, believing that as long as they met staff child ratio and the room provided a minimum thirty-five(35) square feet of space per child there were no group size limitations. This regulation was reviewed when the program relocated to the current site and the conversation with the director around group size requirements is reflected on the site visit report dated 01/10/2020. Non compliance with group size is a serious violation. Corrective Action: The program was advised of this violation and directed to come back into compliance at the start of operation on 05/21/2025. The program was advised that they could continue caring for more than eight(8) children under the age of eighteen(18) months but they must create an additional group. The infant classroom square footage would allow the room to be split in half to allow for an additional group of infants. The space must be clearly divided and the children may not be combined, with exception of when they are in the seperate nap room. As a non recurring program additional short term care children will be in attendance and each classroom may receive additional children. For this reason, by the corrective action due date, the program will post the staff/child ratio and group size chart in each classroom. All staff will review this regulation and adhere to group size requirements. During a follow up licensing visit this licensor will review if corrective action steps are complete.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 13, 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.

“There were multiple staff with expired First Aid and CPR.It should be noted that some of the staff are seasonal and although not cited sperately the program is in violation of 8.1.19 a regulation specific to non recurring programs. This is a repeat violation last cited in 2023. Corrective Action: A program improvement plan is required. The plan will include a detailed system that will be put in place to ensure all staff are completing First Aid/CPR training within three(3) months of their hire date and remain certified by renewing on or before the two(2) year expiration date. The director will ensure all staff missing first aid/CPR or have expired First Aid and CPR sign up for the next available training. Once staff have completed the training email the certificates to Northern Lights at CCV and includen this licensor. The plan will be reviewed during the follow up licensing visit.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 12, 2025

Regulation 5.2.6.5: Sanitizing of the following items shall be done on the following schedule: Before and after each use: * Food preparation surfaces; * Dining tables and highchair trays; and * Non flushing potty chairs. After each use: * Eating utensils and dishes; At the end of each day: * Food preparation appliances; * Plastic mouthed toys; and * Pacifiers.

“Preschool classroom staff did not clean and sanitize a table outside used for snack or the table inside used for lunch. The table outside was visibly dirty with dirt from the playground and stains from unknown sources. Corrective Action: Please review this regulation with staff. Please confirm it was reviewed. I did not observe any cleaning products for the tables in the outside space, please let me know where those materials will be kept.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 9, 2024

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.

“There is only one staff person at the program with a complete and up to date BFIS Quality and Credential accounts. The director stated they have had issues submitting documents through their scanner. In the past I have requested that the program include me on document submissions to Northern Lights at CCV. Required documents are on site. The director states that because they are sent through the scanner there is no email to track the submission. The director did contact [name] at Northern Lights CCV about a month before the visit as they were aware the program was not in compliance with this regulation. Corrective Action: Since the visit this licensor was included on an email between [name] and the director. The plan is for Joanne to meet with the director and support the program in getting all BFIS quality and credential accounts up to date. As part of the corrective action process the director will provide this licensor with progress updates and will share how the program will maintain compliance with this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 28, 2024

Regulation 5.4.1.5: Children shall be supervised by staff while napping or resting. Staff shall directly observe a sleeping infant at least every fifteen (15) minutes to check the infant's face, view the color of the infant's skin, and check on the infant's breathing.

“During my twenty-five(25) minutes in the infant classroom Staff A and Staff B did not go into the napping room to check on a sleeping infant. Infants sleep off of the main classroom in a seperate napping room. This room does have an observation window. However, when I looked into the window I was not able to see the crib the infant was in. Additionally the lighting and window tint made it hard to clearly see into the other cribs. Staff must enter the napping room and directly observe the child's face, breathing and color. It should be noted that in addition to not entering the napping room staff did not look through the window either. Corrective Action: Please review this regulation will all staff members that work in the infant classroom. Please develop a system to remind staff to check on sleeping infants. Please email this licensor and confirm that staff have reviewed the regulation and share the system that will be used to ensure future compliance with this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 9, 2024

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 has not completed the fingerprint supported background clearance. The director thought they had completed fingerprinting however it has been a year and a half and the Child Development Division has not received the results. Licensing was unable to find any pending results for Staff A. This violation was cited in 2021 and the program did come back into compliance with this regulations. At this time Staff A is the only individual does not have fingerprint results other than two recently hired staff. Corrective Action: Please schedule a fingerprint appointment for Staff A. Please keep track of when staff are fingerprinted and follow up with licensing if you have not received the results notification letter from licensing. Email a copy of the fingerprinting receipt to this licensor. Ensure Staff A is not left alone with children.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 3, 2024

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.

“There are staff members who have expired First Aid and CPR certification. It is required that staff maintain valid certification in First Aid and CPR. Corrective Action: Staff that were identified as having expired First Aid and CPR certification are required to complete this training within the corrective action deadline. Once the training is complete send a copy to Northern Lights and include this licensor on that email. Email this licensor with a description of how the program will ensure staff are maintaining valid First Aid and CPR certification.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 3, 2023

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.

“There is a white picket fence with gate around the stairs and open space that descend to the basement level entrance of the building. The fence protects the children from falling approximetely 5 feet to the concrete entrance way below. Preschool children go through the gate attached to the fence to enter the basement level classroom. Of the 67 pickets on the fence only 4 did not have rot or peeling paint. 3 of the pickets had substantial rot and when this licensor gently pushed on them they wiggled as the rot was located where the nail attaches to the supporting parallel board. The gate also contained areas of rot and peeling paint. There were several large paint chips on the ground around the fence. This fence is located on the playground and the paint chips were on the ground where the children were playing. Corrective Action: Until the fence and gate are replaced children shall enter the building through the ground level entrance. Staff shall conduct a visual inspection of the ground to ensure no paint chips are present and will remove the paint chips noted during this visit.Since the visit the program has encased the fence and gate in plywood to block access to the pickets and increase its durability. They have a plan in place to install a new fence. The program will send a photo of the fence after it is complete and will put a plan in place to regularly monitor and replace fencing and outdoor equipment when deterioration occurs”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 3, 2023

Regulation 6.2.4.3: The program director shall ensure that each group of children is led by a staff member who is at least qualified as a teacher associate for at least 75% of the hours of operation.

“Review of the staff schedule for May identified that a qualfied Teacher Associate has not been present and leading the infant group at least 75% of time. Emails with the Director revealed that begining 05/01/2023 Staff A, the qualified teacher associate had reduced their hours and compliance with this regulation was no longer being met. It was identified that two qualified staff members have provided oversight of the room on days when Staff A was not present, however the support was mostly administrative in nature. Corrective Action: The program will submit a plan to this licensor that covers the following 1. What is the hiring plan? Have candidates been identified, if so when will interviews begin. 2. Identify someone who meets teacher associate qualifications and has the ability to plan time in the classroom providing direct support to the children and observing staff interactions.Please provide how many hours a week they will be in the infant classroom 4. If after 30 business days from 06/15/2023 a qualified teacher associate has not been hired the program is required to contact this licensor to discuss next steps.”

Correction date in the state record: May 24, 2024

Regulation 2.3.8.2.1: The prospective licensee shall submit a Records Check Authorization form for the licensee, every staff person and auxiliary staff person to the Division with the initial application and shall submit to fingerprinting at a location designated by the Division after having received the Fingerprint Authorization Certificate by the Division.

“Three substitute staff members have not completed the required fingerprint supported background check though the Child Development Division. Two of the staff members received notification to submit to fingerprinting on 12/17/2021 and one staff member was notified to submit to fingerprinting on 01/16/2020. Corrective Action: Arrange for the three substitute staff members to submit to fingerprinting as soon as possible. Notify this licensor when they have completed their fingerprints. Ensure that moving forward compliance in met for this regulation.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 17, 2022

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. When the CBCCPP counts lock-down drills as allowed in the rules in section 3.7.2 of these regulations, the licensee shall maintain a record of the date of each lock-down drill, the number of CBCCPP children and staff who participated, and note that the drill performed was a lock-down drill.

“A review of the evacuation drill log reflected that no evacuation drills had been conducted between December 2019 and May 2021. The program was not in operation from March through September of 2020. A total of 9 months were not reflected on the evactuation drill log. Staff A stated that the program does conduct monthly evacuation drills, however Staff A was not able to produce records of the drills conducted in January, February, October, November, and December of 2021, or records of drills conducted in January through April of 2021. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to conduct and record bi-monthly evacuation drills for the months of September, October, November, and December of 2021, and January and February of 2022. Develop a system which will prompt you to conduct and record bi-monthly evacuation drills for the next six months and monthly evacuation drills moving forward. Include details of how reminders will be set for conducting drills and who will be responsible for recording and filing the details of evacuation drills moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 26, 2021