Upper Valley Waldorf School

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.

“Staff person A does not meet the requirements of this rule and has been serving as the teaching associate/lead for their group since the start of the school year. The additional staff persons in the group meet Teaching Assistant. Corrective Action: Develop a plan to have a qualified teaching associate working with the group the required amount of time. This plan may include actions taken with NL@CCV such as petioning for adult learning credits for Staff person A's prior trainings and/or defining a timeline for enrollment in qualifying courses. The plan is to be submitted by 12/15/2025 which is to either have the concrete plan for Staff person A to meet qualifications and/or identification of a person meeting the requirements of Teaching Associate who will be with the group the 75% of the time.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 12, 2025

Regulation 7.3.1.3: The program director of a CBCCPP licensed to serve thirteen (13) - fifty-nine (59) children shall be qualified as a teacher associate, and shall have completed either: * A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step One (1) Certificate; or * Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in program management for early care and education or for school age care and education, or in staff supervision related to early care and education of children; and a three (3) college credit course in curriculum.

“The Program Director has not completed a qualifying Director certificate nor a college course in one of the identified subjects meeting the requirements of this rule. This is a repeat violation. The Program Director has been in the role since 2021 and a variance had been granted by the Division allowing until 06/20/2023 for the required qualifications to be attained. Corrective Action: Develop and submit to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford for approval a plan that outlines what steps will be taken to ensure compliance to this rule. Include in this plan dcumentation confirming enrollment in coursework and expected timeline for compeletion of the course(s). Upon completion of the coursework, send the documentation to NL@CCV and notify Licensing Field Specialist Crawford. Failing to complete the required actions may result in the individual no longer being able to be considered as Program Director.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 12, 2025

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.

“Attedance sheets for Robin's Nest, Appleblossom, and Rosebud revealed either a check mark or a time of 8:00 was used for all children to mark their arrival. Actual times for each individual's child arrival were not used. Corrective Action: Immediately begin recording each child's arrival and departure at the moment they occur with the exact time.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 2024

Regulation 2.3.9.3: The licensee shall ensure that all staff have met ongoing background check requirements by submitting at least once every five (5) years a Records Check Authorization form to the Division and as required shall submit to fingerprinting.

“Review of BFIS determined Staff I was due to submit a new Records Check Authorization and have new fingerprinting completed by 8/30/24. Program was notified of this requirement on the Annual Assurance letter generated and issued on 9/3/23. Corrective Action: By the corrective action due date ensure Staff I submits a new Records Check Authorization. Also provide a receipt for Staff I completing fingerprintng or an appointment date for when they will be done.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 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.

“Review of BFIS accounts for Staff A and Staff B determined documentation not available to be able to determine staff qualifications for their positions. Both staff members have been employed at the program for greater than six (6) months. Corrective Action: Submit qualifications, such as transcripts, professional certifications, educator's license, etc., to Northern Lights at CCV using the cover sheet. Ensure this Licensor is CC'd on this email. Create a system for ensuring such documentation is submitted to Northern Lights at CCV within six (6) months of employee start date.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 2024

Regulation 7.3.1.3: The program director of a CBCCPP licensed to serve thirteen (13) - fifty-nine (59) children shall be qualified as a teacher associate, and shall have completed either: * A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step One (1) Certificate; or * Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in program management for early care and education or for school age care and education, or in staff supervision related to early care and education of children; and a three (3) college credit course in curriculum.

“Review of BFIS as well as site visit follow up with Staff H determined the program management course required for Staff H to meet the qualifications of this position has not yet been completed. Staff H has been in this role since 7/1/22. A variance was granted for this regulation on 8/12/22 allowing Staff H to act as Director while completing the required course. As of the expiration date of the variance, 6/30/23, the course had not been completed. Corrective Action: Submit a plan for completion of this required course.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 2024

Regulation 7.4.4: All staff shall complete fifteen (15) clock hours of annual professional development activities as required in the rule 7.4.2 of these regulations. Substitutes filling a staff position for less than thirty (30) consecutive days within a 365 day period shall be exempt.

“Review of BFIS Quality and Credential accounts for four (4) staff members revealed the fifteen (15) hours of annual professional development were not completed. Staff D completed nine (9) hours for their review period of 10/31/22 -10/31/23. Staff E completed ten and a quarter (10.25) hours for their review period of 9/1/23-9/1/24. Staff F completed eight and three quarter (8.75) hours for their period of 8/2/23-8/3/24. Staff G completed seven and a half (7.5) hours for their period of 7/21/23-7/21/24. Corrective Action: Submit a plan for advising how the four (4) staff indicated will make up the remainder of their hours from their previous annual periods during their current annual period. Create a system for tracking each staff members annual review period and hours completed to ensure the fifteen (15) hour requirement is met.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 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.

“It was determined based on review of BFIS account for Staff C that they have not completed the fingerprinting process. Staff C submitted a Records Check Authorization form on 11/23/22, on which day a letter was generated and issued to Staff C advising fingerprinting was needed. Corrective Action: Submit a receipt for Staff C having fingerprtinting completed or provide an appointment date for which fingerprinting has been scheduled.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 24, 2024

Regulation 7.1.3: The licensee, in consultation with the program director, shall establish written program policies and procedures and provide these to staff and to 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 during an orientation training session approved by the Division prior to being left alone with children. Trainees under eighteen (18) years of age and other staff not left alone with children shall complete the orientation training within at least one (1) month of their first date of working with children. Complete written information and 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, partner staff, auxiliary staff, and business managers; Responsibility to comply with current applicable licensing regulations; Staffing requirements to include opening and closing; and Ensuring children have extra clothes and diapers available.

“It has been determined as a result of staff file review on site, follow up email corresponance, and BFIS account reviews that Staff A, Staff B, Staff C, Staff D, Staff E, Staff F, and Staff G have not completed the orientation required by this rule. All staff listed were observed as being counted in staff/child ratio on the day of this Licensor's visit. Corrective Action: Ensure members A through G complete this training by the corrective action due date provided. Develop a system of ensuring this training is completed by all new staff prior to their being counted in staff/child ratio and/or left alone with children as specified by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 28, 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.

“Review of BFIS Qualifications account and staff files on site, as well as email follow up correspondance determined Staff G has not yet completed this required training. Staff G began their employment with the program on 7/13/22. Staff G was observed as counting in ratio on the date of this Licensor's visit. Corrective Action: Ensure Staff G completes the mandated reporter training by the corrective action due date given. Create a system to ensure all new staff are trained in prevention, identification and madatory reporting of child abuse and neglect as required by this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Nov 28, 2023

Regulation 7.3.1.4: The program director of a CBCCPP licensed to care for sixty (60) or more children shall be qualified as a teacher, shall have at least an additional twenty-four (24) months of experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger, and shall have completed either: * A Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Step Two (2) Certificate or Vermont Early Childhood and Afterschool Program Director Credential, Step Three (3); or * Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in curriculum, and an additional nine (9) college credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, or human resource management.

“A review of Staff A's BFIS quality and credential account and a review of staff documentation with Northern Lights at CCV's resource advisor, [name], revealed that Staff A is not qualified as Director per rule 7.3.1.4. Staff A is qualified as teacher with a current Vermont Educator's License, and has completed a 3 credit college course in Program Management. Staff A is listed as Director and would need an additional 6 college credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, or human resources in order to meet the requirements of this rule. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to have Staff A and/or Staff B work with Northern Lights at CCV to develop a plan to become qualified as Director or develop a plan to appoint a new qualified director by June 30, 2022. Include in the plan details of intended courses or certification pathways with intended dates of completion, the name of the Northern Lights at CCV resource advisor Staff A and/or B have or will consult with to ensure the plan will result in qualifications as director, or details of how you will recruit a new qualified director within the allowed time frame. Additionally, include details of how Staff A and/or B will be mentored and supervised in regards to Program Management, Staff Supervision, and other business practices until such a time when director qualifications have been met. It is required to send updates about the progress of the plan and/or submit any changes in this plan to the Child Development Division for approval at least every 3 months until such a time when a qualified director has been approved by the Division.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 3, 2021

Regulation 3.4.7.3: Within six (6) months of the initial date of employment, staff working with children 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 NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“A review of staff BFIS Quality and Credentialing accounts reflected a lack of documentation of qualifications and annual professional development for at least 6 staff members. [name] stated that she is working on getting all of this updated and while some of the documentation has been sent to Northern Lights at CCV, there are additional documents which will need to be sent. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to collect and submit all annual professional devevlopment and qualification documentation for all staff members to Northern Lights at CCV. If you need assistance with this process, you may reach out to your Northern Lights at CVV Resource Advisor, [name] at (802) 885-8374 or amelia.struthers@ccv.edu. Develop a system which will prompt you or your staff members to submit newly acquired documentation to Northern Lights at CCV in a timely manner and to maintain routine contact with [name] until all documents are accurately reflected in staff BFIS Quality and Credentialing accounts.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 10, 2019

Regulation 5.10.4.5.5: Hard surfaces accessible to children shall be smooth, non-porous, and easy to clean. See the rules in section 5.2.6 of these regulations for a schedule for cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of specific surfaces and items.

“Multiple surfaces, including wooden chairs and wooden shelving units, in all 4 classrooms were lacking sufficient surfacing materials and were no longer non-porous. Corrective Action: Immediately plan to resurface all worn wooden items to ensure that they are non-porous and easy to clean. Create a sytem which will prompt you and/or your staff members to routinely check all wooden surfaces accesssible to children and to ensure that any worn items are resurfaced in a timely manner moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 10, 2019

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.

“In the nursery, there were 10 children present and 8 were signed in. In the preschool room located downstairs, there were 16 children present and 15 were signed in. In the preschool room located upstairs, there were 15 children present and 13 were signed in. THIS IS A REPEAT VIOLATION. Corrective Action: Create a Program Improvement Plan which will prompt you and/or your staff members to sign children into and out of classrooms in a timely manner moving forward, as this is a repeat violation.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 10, 2019

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.

“11 children are present in the Butterfly Nursery group and only 6 children were signed in. 13 children are present in the Robin's Nest group and only 8 were signed in. Staff member Shannon McLaughlin states she reviews the attendance for her group later in the day and if arrival times are not recorded for children that are present, she records this information at that time. In review of the previous days attendance the departure time for children who were present has not been consistently recorded. Corrective Action: Implement a system to record each child's presence by documenting their arrival and departure times. By 5/5/17, submit an email to danielle.palmer@vermont.gov describing such system.”

Correction date in the state record: May 5, 2017