Community Action @ Amherst Community Child Care

7.07(13) — Curriculum and Activities

Classrooms were observed moving the furniture to lay out cots. All furniture should be secured down to prevent them from tipping. The Butterfly classroom sink cabinet cabinets were dirty with finger prints, paint, markers and food. The trash can lid and container in the classroom was dirty with food and stains. The floors/windows and doors in three classrooms were stained, had food, art supplies, dirt and stickers. Corrective action: Furniture bolted as needed. Classroom staff and cleaners cleaned trash cans, walls, windows, cabinets and sinks. Staff were reminded to clean their classrooms daily and our facilities director is working with the cleaning vendor to be sure they are meeting our cleaning expectations. Regulation: Safety Requirements for Equipment, Materials and Furnishings. The licensee must only use indoor and outdoor equipment, materials, furnishings, toys, and games that are appropriate to the ages, needs and developmental level of the children enrolled. They must be sturdy, safely constructed and installed, non-tippable, flame retardant, easily cleaned, and free from lead paint, protruding nails, rust, and other hazards that may be dangerous to children. Cited during: Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(07)(g) — Emergency Preparedness

The infant/toddler classrooms did not have a specific evacuation procedure indicating how non-ambulatory children would be evacuated. Corrective action: Language was added to evacuation procedure: "Children with disabilities, and non-mobile children are prioritized for transporting in the evacuation crib.". Regulation: The plan must be kept current and must meet the needs of all children in care, including infants, toddlers and any children (including but not limited to those with disabilities) who may need additional assistance during an evacuation. Cited during: Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(05)(d)(04) — Health

One child with emergency medication did not have their medication on site. Corrective action: Parent has returned medication to the classroom. All staff have been re-trained by our Health Specialist and Education Manager to review all medication sign in/sign out forms daily. If a parent has signed a medication out of the classroom, staff will be sure that the medication is signed back in the next day before the child can return to care. Any discrepancy will be reported to the Site Director who will contact parent and/or Health Specialist immediately.. Regulation: emergency or life-saving medications, such as asthma inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors, for any children for whom they have been prescribed; Cited during: Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(02)(e), 7.11(02)(c) — Health

One child’s [redacted] was expired as of May 5, 2026. Corrective action: We received notification from pediatrician extending the prescription order to 8/2026. Actual medication expiration date is 8/2026. Staff have been re-trained by Health Specialist and Education Manager to not only check the expiration date of the medication itself (in this case the inhaler) but also the expiration date on the label. Staff will continue to note on our monthly safety checklist any medication/prescriptions that will be expiring in 30 days. Family Advocates will work with parents and health providers for accurate prescriptions.. Regulation: Unless otherwise specified in a child’s individual health care plan, the educator must store all medications out of the reach of children and under proper conditions for sanitation, preservation, security and safety during the time the children are in care and during the transportation of children., All prescription medications must be in the containers in which they were originally dispensed and with their original labels affixed. Over-the-counter medications must be in the original manufacturer’s packaging. Cited during: Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(06) — Physical Space (Indoor & Outdoor)

The bathroom in the Butterfly classroom has chipped paint on the door frame and window frame. Corrective action: Facilities completed painting. Staff are trained in submitting work orders to Site Director. Monthly Safety checks are documented for each classroom monthly. Peeling/Chipping paint is an area for assessment. Staff are trained to assess their classroom daily for chipping/peeling paint and asked to put blue painters tape over the area to identify. Site Director will put in a work order via our "Facility Dude" platform. A member of facilities staff will then be assigned to come out and remedy the chipping/peeling paint.. Regulation: Chipping and Peeling Paint. The licensee must maintain the interior and exterior of the program in good repair, free of chipping, flaking, or peeling paint or broken plaster. Cited during: Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

Complaint investigation

Non-compliance identified during complaint investigation Regulation: No death, serious injury, or child abuse identified Cited during: Complaint Investigation. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).