Packard Mountain

7.07(06) — Physical Facility - Outdoors

During the infant/toddler classroom observations the window sills and floor boards had chipping paint. One wall had peeled paint from taking down art work. Corrective action: The window sills, baseboards, and the affected wall have been repainted. Teachers have been informed to perform regular checks on the window sills, baseboards, and walls for any signs of chipping or peeling paint, and to notify the program director if any issues are found.. 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: Enhanced 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

While looking at the Toddler classroom attendance they had four children singed in, six children were in attendance. The educators reported they had paper attendance and electronic attendance. Both had inaccurate attendance during the classroom observation. Corrective action: A reminder was distributed to caregivers emphasizing the importance of signing their children in and out of care. Teachers have also been instructed to carefully verify attendance during student arrivals and departures and to assist with signing in or out if a caregiver forgets.. 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: Enhanced Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.06(01)(c)(01), 7.06(01)(c), 7.06(01)(b) — Curriculum and Activities

The preschool room did not contain a sufficient quantity and variety of materials, including art, books, music, science, blocks and accessories, and sand/water/sensory materials that were visible and accessible to engage all children present in the program. Corrective action: At this time, we have a high enrollment of children with special needs. They are easily overstimulated, and do not know how to functionally play with toys. For the safety of all children in our care we remove materials that are at risk of hurting others’ bodies. We have a large array of manipulatives such as Legos, large cardboard blocks, cars, trains and tracks, books, puzzles, baby dolls, toy food, magnatiles and other building materials, and an art station visible and accessible to all children at all times. We rotate a large and varied array of curriculum materials throughout the day in structured/unstructured teacher directed activities where we have opportunities for children to learn how to functionally play with toys such as sensory bins, marble runs, playdough, dramatic play themes, and art activities along with our regular daily curriculum activities and ELA and math small and large group work. We used the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-R) to evaluate our current curriculum materials in the classroom and added additional safe items from the list to our current array of curricular materials that are visible and accessible to all children at all times.. Regulation: there is a sufficient quantity and variety of materials and equipment to engage all children present in the program;, The licensee must ensure that:, The licensee must have evidence of a plan describing how program activities support and engage children through specific learning experiences. Such plan must be appropriate to the ages and development of the children served, to the length of the program day and to the program objectives. As appropriate, children must participate in the development of the plan, and the plan must provide for: Cited during: Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(16)(e) — Physical Facility - Outdoors

The wood chips in the fall zones under and around the climbing structure in the outdoor space did not contain an adequate depth of impact absorbing material. The wood chips were compressed and measured approximately 5 inches in two areas. Corrective action: Raked and decompressed the wood chips in the fall zones to measure 9-inch regulation.. Regulation: Playground Safety. The use zones under and around swings, slides, and climbing structures must be covered with an adequate depth of an impact absorbing material, in accordance with EEC policy. Pea gravel and wood chip nuggets must not be used in areas used by infants and toddlers. Cited during: Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(07)(d), 7.07(07)(e), 7.07(10), 7.07(13)(d) — Physical Facility - Outdoors

It was observed that the infant equipment in the outdoor space, including an exersaucer and infant seat, were dirty and not properly maintained. Corrective action: Infant equipment to include exersaucer’s have been cleaned and fabric seats removed washed and are being stored in the garage when not in use.. 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., If the outdoor play space is located on a roof, it must be protected by a barrier at least seven feet high, which cannot be climbed by children., Indoor Space. The indoor space must be clean, safely maintained, well-ventilated and well-lit, of sufficient size for the children served, and must encourage play and learning., All play equipment, fences and structures must be free of entrapment hazards. Cited during: Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(07)(d) — Physical Facility - Outdoors

It was observed that the wood fence surrounding the toddler playground is not in good repair. The fence is deteriorating and has sharp edges along the bottom of the fence in several areas. Corrective action: The wood fence and all fencing is scheduled to be replaced. We are waiting on notification of grant funding that will replace the fence, determinations have been made and we are waiting on state approval before they release the award notifications (this was supposed to happen in July 2025). If we are not awarded the grant, we have a quote to remove old fencing and replace it with new fencing. In the meantime, questionable fencing slats have been replaced.. 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. Cited during: Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.07(07), 7.07(10) — Physical Space (Indoor & Outdoor)

It was observed that the program did not provide sufficient shade in the outdoor space when a mixed group of six infant/toddlers and three educators were huddled together in a small area to protect against the sun. Corrective action: Trees provide adequate shade on the playground as the sun moves throughout the day. During times of day that require extra sun protection we use an easy up tent. Our easy up tent was damaged by a recent storm and has since been replaced.. Regulation: Outdoor Space. The licensee must maintain, or have access to, an outdoor play area of at least 75 square feet per child who is outside at any one time., Indoor Space. The indoor space must be clean, safely maintained, well-ventilated and well-lit, of sufficient size for the children served, and must encourage play and learning. Cited during: Monitoring Outside Differential Licensing Cycle Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

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

During a review of children's records, two children were missing parents' signatures on Individual Health Care Plans, one child was missing a medication consent form for non-prescription medication, and two children were missing current physicals. Corrective action: Parent signatures were received on IHCP and current physicals were requested from 2 families missing current physicals. Non-prescription medication was disposed of and parent signatures will be requested if non- prescription medication is given to the center. All parent signatures will be on IHCPs.. 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: Renewal - Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).

7.11(13)(e), 7.10(05)(a) — Care of Children

During observation and inspection of the infant/toddler room, the Licensor noticed that one portacrib did not have a snug fitting sheet and an infant was placed in the portacrib with the loose fitting sheet. Corrective action: A new snug fitting sheet was placed on the portacrib. In the future all cribs will have snug fitting sheets.. Regulation: Programs serving infants must:, Children younger than six months of age at the time of enrollment must be under direct visual supervision at all times, including while napping, during the first six weeks they are in care. Cited during: Renewal - Monitoring Visit. Source: MA EEC child care provider record (childcare.mass.gov).