BRITE BEGINNINGS

Pertinent Laws & Regulations/General Health and Safety (3270.14/3270.21)

The inspector reviewed the emergency plan and found that it did not address continuity of operations as was required to be part of the emergency plan by 7/1/22." The OCDEL ANNOUNCEMENT C-22-04 requires facility emergency plans to include continuity of operations during and after an emergency that includes continuing daily operations, backing up or retrieving health and other key records/files and managing financial issues such as paying employees and bills during the aftermath of the disaster. Requirement: A facility shall be operated in conformity with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.State agencies whose regulations may relate to the operation of a facility include the Department of Environmental Resources, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Department of Transportation. Conditions at the facility may not pose a threat to the health or safety of the children. Correction: The facility will edit the current emergency plan to add the part for unforeseen circumstances (continuity of operations) and additional information as needed for continued compliance of policy updates. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Comply with CPSL/CPSL information (3270.32(a)/3270.192(4))

Staff #1 was hired provisionally and did not have all out of state clearances on file as is required and was working in direct care with children since hire (See LIS Code Sheet for DOH). Requirement: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). The CPSL was revised to include a requirement that all clearances be updated and on file at least every 60 months. As of 2/1/25 If staff are going to be hired under the 45-day provisional hire basis, the following conditions must be met; facility received the results of the applicant's PA Child Abuse History Clearance, NSOR Clearance, completed out-of-state clearances (if applicable), a signed disclosure statement, prior to employment and have received the result of the applicant's Pennsylvania State Police OR the FBI finger-print results prior to employment. Proof of submission must be on file for either the FBI or PA State Police Clearance. The employer, administrator, supervisor or other person responsible for employment decisions has no knowledge of information pertaining to the applicant which would disqualify him from employment based on CPSL. Staff #1may not work in a childcare position with direct contact and routine interaction with children. Correction: The operator will comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). Staff #1 was immediately dismissed until staff member went home for winter break to apply and receive additional out of state clearance. Facility will work with DHS to ensure all clearances and any other clearances that are required. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Original container (3270.66(b))

The inspector observed Clorox and Windex on the same shelf as crackers for snack. Requirement: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be stored in an original labeled container or in a container that specifies the content. Toxics shall be stored away from food, food preparation areas and child care spaces. Correction: Cleaning materials were removed instantly from shelf. Staff members placed materials in the closet, out of reach. Staff members will ensure all cleaning products are stored away from food. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Similar Age Level/Mixed Age Level (3270.51/3270.52)

The inspector arrived unannounced on 5/21/25 and observed a group of ten children with one staff present in the infant room. Children #1 and # 2 were both infant age (See LIS Code Sheet for DOB). The remaining eight children were young toddlers. The inspector also observed one staff present with 15 mixed aged children in the young toddler room. There were five young school aged children, four older toddlers, six young toddlers with child #3 being the youngest in this room (See LIS Code sheet for DOB). The inspector also observed one staff with 20 preschool aged children present in the Preschool aged room. Requirement: When children are grouped in similar age levels, the following maximum child group sizes and ratios of staff persons apply: Infants 1:4 with a maximum group size of 8; Young toddlers 1:5 with a maximum group size of 10; Older toddlers 1:6 with a maximum group size of 12; Preschool children 1:10 with a maximum group size of 20; Young school-age children 1:12 with a maximum group size of 24; Older school-age children 1:15 with a maximum group size of 30. TIERED LIS: 1.The required staff: child ratios must be maintained at all times. The correction date for this portion of the plan must be immediate. 2.The facility director will develop and implement a ratio policy that will ensure staff fully understand their responsibility regarding the adherence to staff/child ratio of children at all times. This policy should include provisions for staff call offs and other such instances where ratio may be affected and ways ensure ratios are maintained at all times. This policy must be submitted to the DHS Northeast Regional Office prior to implementation for approval. Once this policy is accepted by the DHS Northeast Regional Office the director will ensure all staff and facility persons sign off on this policy as well as all new hires moving forward. The correction for this portion of the plan shall reflect a date that is at least one month from the acceptance of this policy by the DHS Northeast Regional Office in order to ensure staff sign offs. 3. The legal entity must arrange for all staff to receive a minimum of two hours of training regarding Ratios. The training must be PQAS approved, in-person, and outside of childcare hours. The legal entity must receive approval from the DHS Northeast Regional Office regarding the training content prior to scheduling the training. The operator shall provide a date for when this training will be completed. Correction: 1. 5/21/25 Correction Date. The required staff: child ratios must be maintained at all times. Inspector made an unannounced visit on 5/21/25 around the time of 7:50am. Brite Beginnings opens at 6:30am. At 7:30am we typically have 7 staff members available for ratios and by 8am we typically have 8. At the time the inspector arrived, there were 5 staff members present. Director received 2 staff calls due to stomach bug which truly effected count. The call offs were sudden and right before their 7:30 shifts were to begin. In the young toddler room, there was two staff members. One of those staff members was bringing the door manager a student for speech services. Door manager was brining students in, calling staff to come in earlier and did not make it back in time to receive her ratio of the school agers before inspector appeared. Since the incident, Brite Beginnings has maintained morning ratios utilizing more part time staff for split shift hours, and bringing full timers in earlier to ensure When children are grouped in similar age levels, the following child group sizes and ratios of staff persons are in compliance with DHS regulations: Infants 1:4 with a maximum group size of 8; Young toddlers 1:5 with a maximum group size of 10; Older toddlers 1:6 with a maximum group size of 12; Preschool children 1:10 with a maximum group size of 20; Young school-age children 1:12 with a maximum group size of 24; Older school-age children 1:15 with a maximum group size of 30. This

Comply with CPSL/CPSL information (3270.32(a)/3270.192(4))

During the renewal inspection on 1/16/25 the inspector observed the file for staff #1and found that this staff did not update their clearances every 60 months as evidenced by a previous FBI clearance dated 12/12/18 and did not update this until 12/26/23. Requirement: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). A facility person's record shall include a copy of requests for the criminal history record and child abuse registry clearance information, a copy of the disclosure statement and a copy of the completed clearance information required under the CPSL. Correction: Staff #1 was given a one month window of notice that her clearance would expire and she would be unable to work at Brite Beginnings during any amount of lapse. Administration was given an appointment slip 12/9/23. This appointment was never fulfilled. At the close of business on 12/11/23 Staff #1 was again notified that she is unable to be employed by Brite Beginnings during any clearance lapse. She notified administration that she is unable to fulfill any clearance appointment at this time. She requested to use her three(3) remaining PTO days before going without pay during her lapse. Staff #1 used PTO for December 12th, 13th and 14th of 2023. On 12/15 Staff #1 reported to work ONLY being the presence of administration and signing her suspension document. On 12/22 Staff #1 presented the administration with her "identoGO receipt" that the clearance was reapplied for, and the appointment was met. Out of precaution the receipt was accepted but Staff #1 was not permitted to work at Brite Beginnings in any capacity. Brite Beginnings was closed for the weekend on 12/23 and 12/24. 12/25 and 12/26 the facility was closed for the Christmas holiday. When we reopened on 12/27 Staff #1 presented the administration with the clearance in question and was permitted to return to work. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Stairs, exits, etc. unobstructed (3270.91(a))

During the renewal inspection on 1/16/25 the inspector observed that both the basement emergency egress door and main floor emergency egress door were locked. Requirement: Stairways, hallways, exits from rooms, exits from the facility and other means of egress serving as an exit shall be unobstructed. Correction: The doors were unlocked immediately. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).