WEST PITTSTON CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Emergency plan (3270.27(a)(5))

The emergency plan for the facility did not identify accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions. Requirement: The facility shall have an emergency plan that provides for accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions. Correction: The emergency operations plan for the center has been reviewed and updated to include specific accommodations for infants, toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions during emergency situations. The revised section outlines procedures for safely evacuating or sheltering infants and non-ambulatory children, guiding toddlers and young children during emergencies, and providing individualized accommodations for children with disabilities. The plan also includes procedures for ensuring emergency medications and medical information accompany children with chronic medical conditions during an emergency. The updated emergency plan has been placed in the center and will be shared with staff to ensure they are familiar with the revised procedures. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Clean, age appropriate (3270.106(a))

The inspector observed unlabeled napping equipment in the young older/toddler room. Requirement: Individual, clean, age-appropriate rest equipment shall be provided for preschool, toddler and infant children as agreed between the child's parent and the operator. The rest equipment shall be labeled for the use of a specific child and used only by the specified child. Correction: The napping equipment observed to be unlabeled in the young toddler/older toddler room was labeled for individual children on site the day of the inspection, February 25, 2026, to ensure each piece of rest equipment is assigned to a specific child. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

No peeling paint or plaster (3270.77(a))

The inspector observed chipped paint in the preschool and young toddler/older toddler rooms, both rear and side walls and within reach of children. Requirement: Peeled or damaged paint or damaged plaster is not permitted on indoor or outdoor surfaces in the child care facility. Correction: The chipped paint observed in the preschool and young toddler/older toddler classrooms was repaired by the Center Director on February 27, 2026. The affected areas were properly repaired and repainted to ensure the surfaces are smooth, clean, and free from peeling or damaged paint. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Building Surfaces (3270.76)

The inspector observed two wall-mounted paper towel dispensers in each of the preschool bathrooms to be rusted, unable to be cleaned, in poor repair and within reach of children. Requirement: Floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces, including the facility's outdoor play space surfaces shall be kept clean, in good repair and free from visible hazards. Correction: The wall-mounted paper towel dispensers observed to be rusted and in poor repair were removed from the walls immediately to eliminate the hazard and ensure the safety of the children. The bathrooms have been cleaned and inspected to ensure there are no remaining hazards. 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 did not obtain a PA State Police Clearance until 10/24/25 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. Facility Person #1 may not work in a childcare position at the facility. Correction: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). All staff will be hired with employment clearances. Upon review of the staff member's personnel file, documentation confirms that Staff Person #1 obtained the employment Pennsylvania State Police Clearance on September 24, 2025, after correcting the volunteer Pa State Police on file dated 9/9/25. Documentation verifying this clearance is maintained in the staff member's personnel file and is available for review. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Health and Safety Training (3270.31(f))

Staff person #1 has not completed the following required pre- service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet for DOH): Pediatric First Aid and CPR. Requirement: Staff persons shall complete professional development within 90 days of hire as listed in subsections (f)1-10 or (g)1-10. Until such time as the required training has been completed, staff person #1 must be supervised, when interacting with children at a minimum by, an (AGS who has completed all preservice trainings and has all qualifications to care for children unsupervised. If there are no staff person(s) available to supervise staff person #1, staff person #1 may not work in a child-care position at the facility. Correction: Staff person #1 was hired on October 22, 2025 as a student participating in a Career and Technical Center (CTC) co-op experience. Pediatric First Aid and CPR training had not yet been completed at the time of the inspection. The program is currently working to enroll the staff person in the next available Pediatric First Aid and CPR training. Until this training is completed, staff person #1 will not be left alone with children and will remain supervised at all times by a qualified staff member who has completed all required pre-service trainings, in accordance with DHS regulations. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Staff person - 18 yrs. (3270.31(b))

Staff # 1 was hired as a staff person prior to being 18 years of age or older as evidenced by staff being identified as an Aide on the Staff Data Sheet and by the director during the renewal. Requirement: A staff person shall be 18 years of age or older. Correction: Staff #1 was participating in a high school Career and Technical Center (CTC) co-op program and began the placement at the center at 17 years of age. The individual was incorrectly coded as an "Aide" on the Staff Data Sheet instead of being identified as a student intern participating in a school-based co-op experience. The individual was never left alone with children and was not counted in staff/child ratio during this time. The Staff Data Sheet has been corrected to accurately reflect the student's role. The individual is now over the age of 18 and meets the minimum age requirement for employment as a staff person. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Letter to parents (3270.27(e))

The operator's parent letter was missing an explanation of emergency procedures specific to lockdown, an identified means of contact, and a method to contact parents following an emergency. Requirement: The operator shall provide to the parent of each enrolled child a letter explaining the emergency procedures. The operator shall also provide to the parent of each enrolled child a letter explaining any subsequent update to the plan. Correction: The parent emergency notification letter has been reviewed and updated to include a clear explanation of lockdown procedures, including how children and staff will move to a secure location and remain in place until emergency personnel determine it is safe to resume normal activities. The revised letter also identifies the methods the program will use to contact parents during and after an emergency, including phone calls, text messages, email, and the program's parent communication system. The letter further explains how parents will receive information regarding their child's location and instructions for pick-up or reunification following an emergency situation. The updated parent letter will be distributed to the parents or guardians of all currently enrolled children and will be provided to families at the time of enrollment moving forward. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

No ridicule or threaten harm/No harsh language (3270.113(c)/3270.113(d))

During the course of the unannounced complaint investigation the inspector learned that staff #1 did engage in threatening behaviors directed at the children in the classroom. Also, staff #1 did act aggressively in the presence of children by throwing objects, slamming chairs, yelling at children, threatening to quit her position, and having emotional outbursts that made the children and staff alike uncomfortable and fearful. Requirement: A facility person may not single out the child for ridicule, threaten harm to the child or the child's family and may not specifically aim to degrade the child or the child's family. A facility person may not use harsh, demeaning or abusive language in the presence of children. TIERED LIS: 1. Facility persons will not single out a child for ridicule, threaten harm to the child or the child's family and may not specifically aim to degrade the child or the child's family. Facility persons will not use harsh, demeaning or abusive language in the presence of children. The correction date for this portion of the plan must be immediate. 2. The director or legal entity must arrange for staff #1 to receive a minimum of 3 hours of training regarding stress management in the classroom. The legal entity or director must obtain DHS approval of the training content prior to obtaining the training. The correction date for this portion of the plan should allow for this staff to obtain the required training hours. Correction: 1. Correction Date 6/2/25. Facility persons will not single out children for ridicule, threaten harm to children or children's family and will not specifically aim to degrade children or the children's family. A facility person will not use harsh, demeaning, or abusive language in the presence of children. 2. Immediate Resignation: 6/2/25 Staff #1 submitted a resignation effective immediately on the morning of June 2, 2025. As this individual is no longer employed at the facility, she will not return to the classroom or participate in any future programming. Policy Review and Reinforcement: A reminder of our behavior management and professional conduct policies will be distributed and reviewed with all center directors during our upcoming Health and Safety meeting in June 2025. Directors will also be instructed to conduct mandatory policy refreshers at their monthly staff meetings, emphasizing appropriate behavior, communication, and stress management. Inspection: Complaints- Legal Location. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Availability of certificate of compliance and applicable regulations (3270.25(a))

During the annual unannounced renewal inspection on 2/25/25 the inspector observed the parent board and parent handbook and noted that the regulations and contact information for the Northeast Regional Office were not posted nor located in the parent handbook. Requirement: The facility's current certificate of compliance shall be posted in a conspicuous location used by parents. The operator shall provide the parent of each child enrolled with information on how to access the regulations in this chapter electronically and with instructions for contacting the appropriate regional child care office. Correction: The Center Director will post the DHS regulations and contact information for the Northeast Regional Office in a conspicuous location used by parents, such as the entrance or parent board. The Parent Handbook will also be updated by the Executive Director to include a link to the regulations and contact information will be provided for the Northeast Regional Office. The Center Director will then distribute the updated parent handbook to all currently enrolled parents and ensure new enrollments receive the updated version. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

No peeling paint or plaster (3270.77(a))

During the annual unannounced renewal inspection on 2/25/25 the inspector observed peeling paint in all rooms throughout the childcare facility accessible to children. Requirement: Peeled or damaged paint or damaged plaster is not permitted on indoor or outdoor surfaces in the child care facility. Correction: The Executive Director has reached out to the landlord on 2/25/2025 about the peeling paint issue and requested immediate repair, as per the lease agreement stating the landlord is responsible for all outdoor repairs of the building. The Center Director will temporary safety measures to prevent children from accessing areas with peeling paint until repairs are completed. This will include covering the affected areas and restricting access. Both Directors will work together to ensure the landlord or a qualified contractor repairs the peeling paint to eliminate the hazard. For the inside, the Executive Director will work with our maintenance worker to schedule time to paint the indoor surfaces of the Center. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Building Surfaces (3270.76)

During the annual unannounced renewal inspection on 2/25/25 the inspector observed the fenced in outdoor play space and noted that a metal fencing tube was jutting out from the fencing, into the inside of the fenced area where children play, creating a hazard. Requirement: Floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces, including the facility's outdoor play space surfaces shall be kept clean, in good repair and free from visible hazards. Correction: The Executive Director has reached out to the landlord on 2/25/2025 about the hazardous metal fencing tube and request immediate repair (if possible as we require clarification as to the importance of the pipe- e.g. ventilation purposes?), as per the lease agreement stating the landlord is responsible for all outdoor repairs of the building. The Center Director will implement temporary safety measures to prevent children from accessing the hazardous area until the repair is completed. This will include blocking off the area and covering the protruding tube. Both Directors will work together to ensure that the landlord or a qualified contractor repairs the metal fencing tube to eliminate the hazard or creates a barrier that will prevent access for the children to come in contact with the metal tube. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Contact when arises/Contact when ended (3270.27(a)(3)/3270.27(a)(4))

During the annual unannounced renewal inspection on 2/25/25 the inspector observed the emergency plan and parent handbook and noted it to be missing a method for facility persons to contact parents as soon as reasonably possible when an emergency situation arises and a method for facility persons to inform parents that the emergency has ended and to provide instruction as to how parents can safely be reunited with their children. Requirement: The facility shall have an emergency plan that provides for a method for facility persons to contact parents as soon as reasonably possible when an emergency situation arises. The facility shall have an emergency plan that provides for a method for facility persons to inform parents that the emergency has ended and to provide instruction as to how parents can safely be reunited with their children. Correction: The Emergency Plan will be revised to include methods for contacting parents as soon as reasonably possible during an emergency and informing them when the emergency has ended. This will also include instructions for safe reunification with their children. The updated emergency procedures will also be included in the parent handbook, detailing the methods of communication and reunification processes. The Center Director will then distribute the updated parent handbook to all currently enrolled parents and ensure new enrollments receive the updated version. The Center Director will also ensure all emergency contact information for parents is up-to-date and easily accessible to facility staff. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).