BLOOM EARLY EDUCATION CENTERS INC EDWARDSVILLE

Two facility persons on excursions (3270.54(b))

During a trip to a local park on 3/10/26, Staff #1 acknowledged that they left the park to escort one preschooler back to the facility after the child attempted to elope, leaving Staff #5 alone to supervise 12 preschoolers. There were no additional facility persons with Staff #5 at the park during this time. Requirement: At least two facility persons shall be present when children are on an excursion away from the facility. At a minimum, one of the facility persons shall be a staff person. Correction: Correction Date: 3/11/2026 It is Bloom Early Education Centers' policy that two staff must be present when staff are away from the building. At a minimum one staff must be an assistant group supervisor, lead teacher or part of the management team that meets the qualifications for group supervisor or lead teacher. Staff #1 broke this policy by returning a child to the center, she had been fully training on supervision and ration rules including the following form our New Staff orientation training. Staff without clearances, new staff training, First Aid/CPR, mandated reporter training and a certain amount of experience cannot be alone in a classroom, there always must be a senior staff member in the classroom. On excursions away from the facility at least one staff must be an assistant group supervisor or lead teacher There must be 2 staff in the building at all times Staff cannot take children on a walk/excursion alone Inspection: Unannounced Monitoring. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Similar Age Level (3270.51)

During a trip to a local park on 3/10/26, Staff #1 acknowledged that they left the park to escort one preschooler back to the facility after the child attempted to elope, leaving Staff #5 alone to supervise 12 preschoolers. This number of preschoolers requires supervision by 2 staff at all times. 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. Staff: Child ratios must be maintained at all times, both on and off the facility premises. This portion of the plan shall have an immediate correction date. 2. The Legal Entity/Director shall establish or update a policy regarding ratios for the facility. At a minimum, the policy must include the following: 1. How the facility will demonstrate their knowledge and ability to maintain proper ratios at all times, both on and off the facility premises. 2. Specifically, how the facility will ensure appropriate supervision and ratios are maintained at all times when a group of children and staff are off the facility premises, including what will happen if a child needs to be returned to the facility for any reason (injury, behavior, etc.). 3. How proper ratios will be maintained during possible emergency situations. This ratio policy must be submitted to the Department prior to implementation for approval. Once approved by the Department, the director will ensure that all current employees and any new hires are trained on this policy. Documentation of the training must be maintained at the facility. The operator shall provide a date by when this will be completed. 3. The legal entity must arrange for all facility staff employed as of the date of the training to receive a minimum of 3 hours of PQAS-approved in-person or live training regarding supervision and ratios of children. The legal entity must receive DHS approval of the training content prior to scheduling the training. The operator shall provide a date by when this will be completed. 4. For a period of 3 months, the facility shall have no areas of non-compliance related to ratios. The operator shall demonstrate compliance on unannounced visits over the next 3 months. This portion of the plan requires a date of correction that is at least 3 months from the date of the submission of the plan of correction. Correction: 1. It is Bloom Early Education Center's Policy that ratio's are maintained at all times, both on and off the facility premises. Staff #1 broke this rule, rather than following the approved procedure of if you need help inside or outside of the building with a child staff contact someone from the management team and they will help you with the child. Ratio training is given to each staff upon hire. The management team is often checking ratios with staff throughout the day and ready to step in when needed for coverage. Corrected 3/11/2026 2. Bloom Early Education Centers supervision and ratio policy: The safety of the children is our most important job; the following items are necessary to properly supervise the children. The definition of supervision in childcare is to be able to see, hear, direct and assess all children in your care at all times. These rules must be upheld at all times. (a) Staff are trained on supervision and maintaining ratios on their first day of employment. This is an one on one, or small group training given by someone from the management team of the center. Staff will be assessed on their use of supervision procedures and maintaining ratios on an ongoing basis. Members of the management team will observe that staff have their list of children on their lanyards throughout

Each staff person meets quals (3270.33(a))

Staff #1 was performing the role of an AGS on 3/10/26, but does not have enough hours of childcare experience specifically documented on file to qualify as an AGS. Staff #2 has a document on file for high school completion that was provided by an organization which does not hold an accreditation that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is therefore not able to be used as a high school diploma to qualify as a staff person. No other proof of education was observed in the staff person's file. Requirement: A staff person or a substitute staff person shall meet one of the applicable staff qualifications for the position in which the person is performing. Correction: Corrected 3/11/2026 Staff person #1 did not have authority to take a child back to the center on her own. She was trained on her responsibilities and limitations as an aid during her first week of employment. It is Bloom Early Education Center's policy that aides can not be alone with children: Aides: Aides may be full or part time, aides are staff that do not have 2500 hours documented of child care experience or college credits/CDA, or have not completed their pre-service staff training (Health and Safety, Mandated Reporter and First Aide/CPR). Aides are to follow instructions left for them by the lead and assistant teachers, basic child care and cleaning. Aides must be under the direct supervision of an assistant teacher or Lead teacher; they cannot be left alone with children. Aides work under the guidance of a Lead Teacher to ensure continuity of curriculum goals for the children in care as well as following health and safety policies. Staff person #2 had what looked to be a creditable High School Diploma, with multiple seals and accreditation by outside agencies. Without further knowledge there is no way for a director to know if this Diploma did not count. On 3/26/2026 Staff #2 handed a copy of her 9nth grade report card from public school. This is now on her file. With the 8th grade + education and 2500 hours of experience Staff # 2 is now an aide. Corrected 3/26/2026. Inspection: Unannounced Monitoring. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

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

Staff person #1 admitted to caring for children unsupervised on 3/10/26, when bringing a child back to the childcare facility alone from a local park. Staff person #1 has not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Pediatric First Aid/CPR and Mandated Reporter training. 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. Until such time as the required pre-service trainings are 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: #1: Correction Date 3/11/2026 It is Bloom Early Education Centers' policy that staff who are not classified as an Assistant Group Supervisor are not allowed to be alone with children. Staff #1 took it upon herself to bring a child back to the center on her own, even though she received training on her position as an aid, not leaving any staff alone, ratios etc just weeks before. Our policy states that if a staff needs help with a child, onsite or off site one of the management team will go to help the staff. This rule has been normally followed throughout the time the center has been open. Bloom Early Education Centers, Inc policy on aides: Aides: Aides may be full or part time, aides are staff that do not have 2500 hours documented of child care experience or college credits/CDA, or have not completed their pre-service staff training (Health and Safety, Mandated Reporter and First Aide/CPR). Aides are to follow instructions left for them by the lead and assistant teachers, basic child care and cleaning. Aides must be under the direct supervision of an assistant teacher or Lead teacher; they cannot be left alone with children. Aides work under the guidance of a Lead Teacher to ensure continuity of curriculum goals for the children in care as well as following health and safety policies. To maintain compliance, it is Bloom Early Education Centers intention to continue to follow our policy and emphasize this policy during new staff training, and continued trainings. Inspection: Unannounced Monitoring. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Supervised at all times /Staff assigned to specific children (3270.113(a)/3270.113(a)(1))

On 3/10/26, the facility self-reported that Child #1 went missing from a local park, at approximately 10:40 A.M., on the same day. Through interviews, it was determined that on the morning of 3/10/26, Staff #1 and Staff #5 were supervising a group of 13 preschoolers together at the park. Staff #1 left the park to escort one preschooler back to the facility after the child attempted to elope, leaving Staff #5 alone with 12 preschoolers. Around the time that Staff #1 returned to the park, two children were injured on a seesaw, and both staff attended to them. Prior to this incident, Staff #5 had observed Child #1 on the swings. After providing first aid to the injured children, Staff #5 conducted a head count and discovered that Child #1 was missing. Approximately 15 minutes later, Child #1 was located at a nearby housing development in the care of residents. Requirement: Children on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the premises shall be supervised by a staff person at all times. Outdoor play space used by the facility is considered part of the facility premises. Each staff person shall be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children. The staff person shall know the names and whereabouts of the children in his assigned group. The staff person shall be physically present with the children in his group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises. TIERED LIS: 1. Children must be supervised at all times. This portion of the plan shall have an immediate correction date. 2. The Legal Entity/Director will update the supervision policy for the facility. At minimum, the policy must include the following: 1. How the facility will demonstrate their knowledge and ability to adequately supervise children, ensuring that each child is seen, heard, assessed and able to be directed at all times, both on and off the facility premises. 2. A plan for each staff to be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children while maintaining proper ratios, including the requirement that the staff person know the names and whereabouts of the children in his assigned group, be physically present with the children in his group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises. 3. Specifically, how the facility will ensure appropriate supervision and ratios are maintained at all times when a group of children and staff are off the facility premises, including what will happen if a child needs to be returned to the facility for any reason (injury, behavior, etc.) 4. How proper supervision will be maintained during possible emergency situations This updated supervision policy must be submitted to the Department prior to implementation for approval. Once approved by the Department, the director will ensure that all current employees and any new hires are trained on this policy. Documentation of the training must be maintained at the facility. The operator shall provide a date by when this will be completed. 3. The legal entity must arrange for all facility staff employed as of the date of the training to receive a minimum of 3 hours of PQAS-approved in-person or live training regarding supervision and ratios of children. The legal entity must receive DHS approval of the training content prior to scheduling the training. The operator shall provide a date by when this will be completed. 4. For a period of 3 months, the facility shall have no areas of non-compliance related to supervision. The operator shall demonstrate compliance on unannounced visits over the next 3 months. This portion of the plan requires a date of correction that is at least 3 months from the date of the submission of the plan of correction. Correction: 2026 It is Bloom Early Education Center's policy that children are supervised at all times off and on premises. Staff #1 and Staff #5 did not follow Bloom Early Education center's policies and their training when making the decisi

Exam communicable disease (3270.151(c)(3))

The health assessment on file for Staff #2, dated 10/14/25, did not include an examination for communicable diseases and the results of that examination. Requirement: An adult health assessment must include an examination for communicable diseases and the results of that examination. Correction: Staff took form back to doctor, had it check marked and initialed. The health assessment now includes an examination for communicable diseases and the results of that examination. Inspection: Unannounced Monitoring. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Parent home/work address, phone (3270.124(b)(3))

The emergency contact information on file for Child #7 was observed to be missing the parent's work phone number. Requirement: Emergency contact information must include the home and work addresses and telephone numbers of the enrolling parent. Correction: Work phone number was immediately added to the emergency contact form. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Pick-up and drop-off points (3270.171(a))

The facility had documentation on file showing that they notified the local traffic safety authorities of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the childcare facility. The most recent documentation on file was dated 7/10/23. However, this was required to be done annually. Requirement: An operator shall notify local traffic safety authorities annually in writing of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the child care facility. Correction: Letter sent 7/18/2025 Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Potentially hazardous food refrigerated (3270.161(d))

A perishable food item (i.e. cut watermelon) was observed in one child's Ninja Turtles lunch bag in the Older Toddler Room. This potentially hazardous food item, that was in the child's lunch bag, was not refrigerated. Requirement: Potentially hazardous food brought from the child's home or provided by the facility shall be refrigerated. Correction: Watermelon was immediately put into refrigerator. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Arrival/departure times (3270.123(a)(4))

The agreement on file for Child #8 was observed to be missing the child's arrival and departure times. Requirement: An agreement shall specify the child's arrival and departure times. Correction: Times were added to fee agreement immediately. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Building Surfaces/Clean and good repair (3270.76/3270.102(a))

A wall air vent near the cherry blossom tree decoration in the Junior Preschool Room was observed to be dusty. Four air vents in the Older Toddler Room were observed to be dusty. Also, the Older Toddler Restroom had one dusty air vent. The hallway restroom had two brown stained ceiling tiles above the toilet. Both the Preschool Restroom and the hallway restroom had one toilet each with an exposed bolt near its base. One light gray cushion in the School Age Room was observed to have torn fabric. 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. Toys, play equipment and other indoor and outdoor equipment used by the children shall be clean, in good repair and free from rough edges, sharp corners, pinch and crush points, splinters and exposed bolts. Correction: Air vents will be vacuumed, Bolts on toilets will be covered with caps and the cushion with torn fabric was immediately thrown away. The ceiling tiles will be repaired or replaced. Inspection: Renewal. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Staff assigned to specific children/Supervision on and facility premises (3270.113(a)(1)/3270.113(a)(2))

On 2/12/2025, Staff were observed to be supervising preschool aged children in the Preschool Room and admitted that they did not have the children specifically assigned to a staff person, and therefore did not know which children were specifically assigned to their group. During the same inspection, Staff #2 identified 1 older toddler and 8 preschoolers in their supervision group. Staff #9 identified 7 preschoolers in their supervision group. Only 1 older toddler and 5 preschoolers should have been assigned to Staff #2 to maintain ratio within their specific supervision group. Requirement: Each staff person shall be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children. The staff person shall know the names and whereabouts of the children in his assigned group. The staff person shall be physically present with the children in his group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises. The requirement for supervision on and off the facility premises includes compliance with the staff: child ratio requirements in §§ 3270.51--3270.55. Each staff person shall be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children. The staff person shall know the names and whereabouts of the children in his assigned group. The staff person shall be physically present with the children in his group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises. The Legal Entity/Director must update existing supervision policies/procedures. The policies and procedures must include the following requirements: 1. Staff will be able to see, hear, direct and assess the children at all times. 2. Staff will know the names of the children they are specifically assigned to supervise as soon as children arrive. These assignments must maintain ratio at all times. 3. Staff will know the whereabouts of the children in their assigned group. 4. Staff will be physically present with the children in their assigned group at all times. 5. Staff will know the appropriate procedures for situations of transition, including staff lunches, bathroom breaks, and for staff to obtain items located outside of the classroom while maintaining appropriate supervision requirements. The Legal Entity/Director will submit the updated policies to the Northeast Regional Office for approval. Once approved, all existing staff and new hires must be trained on the approved policies and procedures, and it must be documented in their files. Correction: A written procedure on how to keep list of children in each classroom and each group was shared with all employees by management-they were asked if they had any questions personally. Lists will be checked by management periodically and unannounced so that we are sure that all staff are following this procedure. On both of these incidents the lists were corrected immediately. The procedure has been shared with all staff upon hire and was shared again on 2/13/2025 Inspection: Unannounced Monitoring. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Bottles labeled (3270.166(4))

Five bottles in the Infant Room were observed to be missing a label which included the child's name. Requirement: Disposable nursers and bottles shall be labeled with the child's name. Correction: Plan of Correction: Infant bottles will be immediately checked daily when given to staff by parents to be sure they are labeled with the child's name. Inspection: Complaints- Legal Location. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

2 feet apart (3270.106(f))

Two cots in the Junior Preschool Room, Older Toddler Room, and Young Toddler Room and one cot in the Preschool Room, which were occupied by sleeping children, were not spaced at least two feet on three sides. Requirement: At least 2 feet of space is required on three sides of a bed, cot, crib or other rest equipment while the equipment is in use. Correction: Plan of correction: The regulation was misunderstood - all staff were immediately informed that the cots must be 2 feet apart on 3 sides. We have a spacer in each room for the staff to measure the cot distance to be sure they are 2 feet apart. Inspection: Complaints- Legal Location. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Locked or inaccessible (3270.66(a))

Staff #14 acknowledged that an iron supplement pill, which should be kept inaccessible to children, fell from the staff's pocket and was found on the floor in the infant area of the facility, accessible to children receiving care at that time. Requirement: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be kept in an area or container that is locked or made inaccessible to children. Correction: Plan of correction: The new staff (3 day of work) while observing a classroom had a pill fall from her pocket, a staff immediately found it and removed it from the classroom. A new statement was added to new staff orientation and sent out to all staff that all keep out of reach items must be locked or made inaccessible to children. There should be nothing in your pockets/on your person that can be harmful to children. Inspection: Complaints- Legal Location. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Physician/CRNP assessment (3270.151(c)(5))

Staff person #9 had a health assessment on file dated 5/14/24, but it did not include a physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide child care. Requirement: An adult health assessment must include the physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide child care. Correction: Staff person #9 immediately made an appointment to receive a new health assessment which will include a physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide child care. This appointment is scheduled for 11/20/2024. Inspection: Unannounced Monitoring. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).

Locked or inaccessible/Toxic use- no contamination (3270.66(a)/3270.66(c))

Staff #11 acknowledged that they put diatomaceous earth under the children's carpets in the Older Toddler, Young Toddler, and Junior Preschool Rooms and behind a shelf in the Junior Preschool Room. The bag containing the diatomaceous earth was labeled "keep out of reach of children." The bag also indicated that it was to be used with "an approved respirator and goggles." Diatomaceous earth was observed to be caked onto the underside of carpets where children were in care. Staff also stated that children were present in the childcare space when Staff #11 was applying the diatomaceous earth, and no one was wearing a respirator or goggles. Additionally, an older toddler was observed to be picking up and playing with a corner of a rug in the Infant/Toddler Room. The underside of this rug was caked in diatomaceous earth, which came off the rug and onto the toddler's skin and clothing. Requirement: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be kept in an area or container that is locked or made inaccessible to children. Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be used in a way that does not contaminate play surfaces, food, food preparation areas and does not constitute a hazard to the children. Correction: We immediately cleaned up the diatomaceous earth when we realized the packaging stated keep out of reach of children. We believed the DE would be safe around the children since it was a food grade product. Inspection: Complaints- Legal Location. Source: PA DHS COMPASS provider search (compass.dhs.pa.gov).