Playful Minds @ Gerena

7.04(07), 7.04(08)(b), 7.06(05)(b), 7.10(09)(a)(05) — Administration

On the day of the visit the Director was not able to get children’s records for review because they were part of the ratios. Corrective action: Staff absences due to illness impacted coverage on that day. To mitigate this moving forward, additional staff are currently being hired to ensure the Director is not required to be included in ratio. In the event of staffing shortages, we will coordinate with our other school-age program to provide supplemental support as needed. All records are being organized into a centralized binder to ensure accessibility for licensors in the event the Director is unavailable to provide them.. Regulation: Children’s Records. The licensee must maintain an individual written record for each child that includes:, For school age children, the licensee may accept either:, The licensee must obtain parental consent prior to contacting any outside social, educational or health care resource or service provider on behalf of an individual child. If such direct contacts are made by the program, the licensee must maintain a written record of such contacts and the results of such contacts., Whenever a child is considered for assignment in a fixed age group outside his chronologically defined age group, the licensee must: Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.04(17)(k), 7.09(17)(a), 7.12(02) — Administration

On the day of the visit EEC Licensor was not able to review staff meeting documentation because the Director was part of the ratios and could not go into the office to get the documentation. Corrective action: Staff absences due to illness impacted coverage on that day. To mitigate this moving forward, additional staff are currently being hired to ensure the Director is not required to be included in ratio. In the event of staffing shortages, we will coordinate with our other school-age program to provide supplemental support as needed. All records are being organized into a centralized binder to ensure accessibility for licensors in the event the Director is unavailable to provide them.. Regulation: Staff Meetings. In programs with four or more staff the licensee must develop and follow a written plan and must document regular staff meetings of at least two hours per month to consult with educators on program issues; program planning; policies and procedures; parent communication; implementation of the regulations; children’s behaviors and meeting the individual needs of children., Educator Orientation. The licensee must provide and document orientation for all employees., All educators must receive basic training in the following: Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.04(04)(a)(01), 7.10(01), 7.10(02), 7.10(03), 7.10(04), 7.10(09) — Care of Children

On the day of the visit the School Age Site Coordinator had not taken attendance 25 minutes after children had arrived. Corrective action: Staff member was spoken to about attendance not being completed. Director followed up with the School Age Site Coordinator to review proper attendance procedures and emphasize the importance of completing attendance in a timely manner. Additional support and monitoring will be provided to ensure consistency in attendance procedures moving forward.. Regulation: daily attendance records indicating each child’s attendance, including arrival and departure times;, The licensee must maintain sufficient numbers of qualified staff to promote the health, safety, growth and development of each child. Assignment of staff must take into account the physical environment, requirements of the activities children are engaged in, and the developmental levels and behavioral traits of children in care., Ratios: The program must have the number of educators necessary to:, Staff to Be Included in Ratios., Multi-Age Grouping. A group of children ranging in age from birth through thirteen years (or sixteen years, if such children have special needs), may be assigned on an ongoing basis to a single group, provided all provisions of 606 CMR 7.10(4) are met. The Multi-Age Grouping ratios and group sizes specified at 606 CMR 7.10(4)(d – h) may be used by:, Additional Provisions for Large Group and School Age Child Care. Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(02), 7.07(03) — Physical Facility - Indoors

The posted Building Inspection Certificate had an expiration date of 10/2/25 on the day of the visit. Corrective action: Emailed the maintenance department at to obtain a copy of the building inspection. Will upload into LEAD once received. Moving forward Director will make sure the new inspection is received from the school on time.. Regulation: Building Inspection. Every program that is not located in a residence and every program that has a licensed capacity of more than 10 children must provide a certificate of inspection from the Department of Public Safety or the local building inspector certifying that the facility complies with the State Building Code (780 CMR). The certificate must indicate the following:, Fire Inspection. Every program not located in a residence must submit evidence of compliance with applicable fire codes. Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

H&S 3 — Supervision

On the day of the visit the Director was alone supervising a group of 11 preschoolers and the school age Site Coordinator was alone with a group of 14 school-agers. Corrective action: Staff absences due to illness impacted coverage on that day. To mitigate this moving forward, additional staff are currently being hired to ensure the Director is not required to be included in ratio. In the event of staffing shortages, we will coordinate with our other school-age program to provide supplemental support as needed.. Regulation: Group Sizes and Ratios Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(01), 7.11(07)(h) — Emergency Preparedness

The program had an evacuation drill log posting that listed a drill on 1/29/26. The licensor wasn’t able to review previous evacuation drills because the Director was part of the ratios and unable to leave the room. Corrective action: Due to staff illness on that day, coverage was impacted. Additional staff are actively being hired to ensure the Director is not required to be included in classroom ratios. All fire drills are documented and maintained in a binder located in the Director’s office. The Regional Director will issue regular reminders to conduct fire drills and will verify compliance during monthly site visits.. Regulation: The licensee must ensure that the physical facilities are safe, clean, in good repair and free from hazards and clutter. The licensee must monitor the environment daily to identify and remove or repair any hazards that may cause injury to children. Exits and evacuation routes must be kept clear of obstructions., The educator must hold practice evacuation drills with all groups of children and all educators from each floor level of the approved space at least monthly. Drills must be held during different times of the program day, and must use alternative exits. The educator must document the date, time, exit route used, number of children evacuated and effectiveness of each drill. Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.04(17)(p)(04) — Emergency Preparedness

The Program did not have emergency evacuation procedures posted near emergency exit on the day of the visit. Corrective action: The written procedures has been added to the maps at the emergency exits. These will be checked monthly as part of the classroom observation.. Regulation: next to each exit, emergency and evacuation procedures. Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(07)(d), 7.07(13)(g) — Health

On the day of the visit there was two containers of gel hand sanitizer accessible to children. Corrective action: Hand sanitizer has been removed from all classrooms, and its use has been formally discontinued across the center to ensure consistent adherence to updated health and safety protocols.. Regulation: The outdoor play area must be free from hazards including but not limited to: a busy street, a parking lot, poisonous plants, water hazards, debris, broken glass, chipping, peeling or flaking paint, dangerous machinery or tools, and weather-related and environmental hazards or small objects that could present a choking hazard to young children. Any such hazard must be removed or fenced by a sturdy, permanently installed barrier which is at least four feet high or otherwise protected or removed, as appropriate., Educators must ensure that all hazardous objects, including but not limited to matches, lighters, toxic materials, sharp objects, plastic bags and purses are locked or inaccessible to children. Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(03) — Health

One child with a chronic medical condition had an Individual Health Care Plan that did to include the names of educators trained to administer the treatment. Another child with a medical condition did not have an Individual Health Care Plan as required by EEC. Corrective action: Staff names have been added to the Individual Health Care Plan (IHCP), and the child’s IHCP has been fully completed and included in their file. Moving forward, IHCPs will be completed at the time of enrollment. All new staff members will be required to review and sign each IHCP to ensure understanding and compliance. Additionally, the center’s Health Care Consultant will conduct bi-monthly reviews of all medications and related documentation to ensure adherence to established policies and procedures.. Regulation: Individual Health Care Plans The licensee must maintain as part of a child’s record, an individual health care plan for each child with a chronic medical condition, which has been diagnosed by a licensed health care practitioner. The plan must describe the chronic condition, its symptoms, any medical treatment that may be necessary while the child is in care, the potential side effects of that treatment, and the potential consequences to the child’s health if the treatment is not administered. Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(01) — Administration

Review of the program's staff records checklist revealed that one Educator [redacted]. has not completed the EEC Essentials 2.0. Corrective action: The staff member submitted proof that the EEC Essentials 2.0 had been completed. Moving forward, no staff will be allowed to start unless this is completed in and their staff file.. Regulation: Training. All educators must be trained in the program’s emergency and evacuation procedures, in standard precautions and in medication administration procedures. Cited during: Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.04(18)(c)(05), 1.05(02)(a) — Administration

The desk used to store files did not have a key to keep files secured. Corrective action: Spoke with the Director and all files have been moved to the locking filing cabinet. No confidential information will be kept in the Directors desk or in any unlocked cabinet moving forward.. Regulation: evidence of completed background record checks, as required by 606 CMR 1.05(2) and 606 CMR 14.00;, Each person employed by the licensee, who has the potential for unsupervised contact with children, shall have a background free of conduct which bears adversely upon his or her ability to provide for the safety and well-being of a child. The licensee shall determine, in accordance with OFC policy, whether an employee's or potential employee's conduct, criminal or otherwise, shall disqualify that person from employment in the program. Cited during: Renewal - Full Review Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.13(01) — Transportation

Transportation plan for children did not include how children arrive or leave the program. Corrective action: The transportation plan has been updated stating whether a child arrives or departs on a bus or by a parents vehicle.. Regulation: The licensee must have a written plan for the safety and supervision of all children during transport. The plan must describe how children are transported to and from the program, in an emergency, and on field trips. The plan must also address the safety and supervision of children who walk and who arrive by public transportation. The plan must include any special arrangements for children with disabilities. 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).