Kids in the Country Child Care and Preschool, Inc.

Regulation 7.1.2.2: Staff who are counted in the staff/child ratios and auxiliary staff left alone with children and/or counted in staff/child ratio as specified in the rule 6.2.1.8 of these regulations shall obtain training in pediatric first aid and in

Factual basis: Staff person A has a start date within BFIS of 09/18/2025. As of the date of this visit, Staff person A does not have CPR certification. Corrective action: Have Staff person A complete CPR training. Until the training is completed, have a plan to ensure Staff person A works directly with a staff person currently qualifed in CPR. Send confirmation of the certification in CPR for Staff person A to NL@CCV and to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford. (due 05/15/2026; status: Appeal Period) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 03/20/2026.

Regulation 3.7.1.1: The licensee shall develop and maintain a written Emergency Response Plan to respond to a full range of emergencies both natural and man-made. A complete plan shall include how the licensee will address and manage the following situati

Factual basis: The Emergency Response Plan does not contain the transportation plan for an off-site evacuation location nor the re-unification plan for parents. This requirement was reviewed in the 03/07/2025 site visit. Corrective action: Update the Emergency Response plan to include a plan for an identified off-site evacuation location and how children and staff will be tranported to that location. This updated plan needs to also include how children with special need, including health needs will be accomodated at the off site location. The plan shall include how parents will be notified of the evacuation and the plan to re-unify parents at the off-site location. The program is to work with the local Emergency Management representative for the Dover area in generating this plan. Submit the plan for review and approval to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford. (due 05/15/2026; status: Appeal Period) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 03/20/2026.

Regulation 6.2.7.3: Staff shall use positive methods of guidance and behavior management that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation.

Factual basis: The Division received a copy of a video from 08/18/2025 that showed a staff person using their body to physically force a school-age child to remain in a corner. The video footage captured 1 minute and 28 seconds of the staff person's back to the room and the child's leg visible behind the staff person. It is not possible to determine the length of the intervention as the video begins and ends with the staff person in place. The child who took the video was twice heard identifying the child involved and stated one time "She is squishing ----". The staff person's hands were not visible and only the child's lower leg was visible. The staff person's head appeared to be touching the wall over the child's body. It was clear that the child did not have the room to get out of the corner. Measurements of the corner area and the estimation from the positioning of the staff person in the video feed showed the staff person and the child in a 19 inch by 30 inch space between the wall and refrigerator. Two other staff persons, who were visible in the video feed, did not address the incident nor intervene. The two staff persons in the video acknowldged during the 10/22/2025 visit that they did not address the incident, nor was the Director or parent notified of the incident. This is a serious violation requiring a parental notification letter. Corrective action: The staff person blocking the child is no longer employed at the program. As required during this visit, staff persons are to address and intervene as neccessary if a co-worker uses inappropriate guidance with a child. Develop a plan to establish concrete expectations for what is acceptable guidance, how to support/address a co-workers interactions that need to change, and what the reporting process to the Program Director or the Director's designee will be. Include in this plan, what outside supports (trainings/consultatons) the program will have to create the expectations and to educate/train staff upon the requirements. Submit this plan to Licensing FIeld Specialist Crawford for review. Send a copy of this site visit letter to the parent(s) of each child currently enrolled in the program and to the parents of children enrolled at the time of the incident by 11/10/2025. Send the names and contact information to Licensing FIeld Specialist Crawford by 11/10/2025. (due 11/10/2025; completed 11/07/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 10/22/2025.

Regulation 6.2.7.4.2: No form of inappropriate discipline or corporal punishment shall be used with children such as but not limited to: Restricting a child's movements or actions through use of physical force, binding, tying, use of any other mechanical

Factual basis: Video feed of August 26th shows, Staff person A used physical force to put a resisting school-age child into a toddler sized high chair. During fifty-five (55) seconds of attempting to force the child to sit in the high chair, Staff person A grabs each of the child's upper arms and pushs the child back with enough force for the child's head and hair to visible rock back and touch the back of the high chair seat. There are two (2) instances of Staff person A positioning their forearm across the child's upper body as the child pushs against the arm. The child's arms are grabbed and forced against the child's body two (2) times, and the child's legs are forcibly held down after child attempted to move legs over the side of the high chair. In an eighteen (18) second section of the video, the staff person is observed pushing the high chair tray in place to lock while the child pushes out against it. At points in the struggle, the high chair is tilted and resting on the back legs only. The high chair appears to slide across the floor approximately one (1) foot. The child is restrained in the high chair for approximately fourteen (14) minutes. During that time, there are instance of the child attempting to pull themselves out of the chair and appearing to speak or yell. At these moments, Staff person A is seen re-entering the camera field and speaking to the child from across the room. The video feed did not record sound. A community member reported to the Division seeing a child through the interior door of the program near the library and hearing the child yelling "get away from me, get away from me, and other phrases during the timeframe of this incident. During the time that the child was in the high chair, two (2) staff persons and three (3) children were observed walking in and out of the room. This is a serious violation of staff to child interaction requiring a parental notification letter. The matter was referred to other entitities involved in child protection for review. Corrective action: As required during the visit to the program on 08/28/2025, high chairs or any other devices are not to be used to restrain the movement of a child for guidance/discipline purposes. All use of physical force as observed in the video is prohibited. It was confirmed that Staff Person A no longer works at the program as of 08/29/2025. The program is to submit for approval a program improvement plan that outlines the steps taken to re-establish and define acceptable behavioral guidance practices, and identifying responsibilities for staff persons regarding addressing and reporting inappropriate actions of co-workers. Include in this plan, the reported actions taken and in process including: requirement for staff persons to review mandatory reporter requirements, involvement of consulting early childhood resources (SPARQs, CIS etc.,) to enhance classroom practices, and specific trainings/activities engaged in by program staff and the program director. Indicate in this plan what on going program and staff interaction with children assessments will be occurring and by whom. In addition, a copy of this site visit report is to be sent to the parents of each child who was enrolled at the time of the incident. The names and contact information for each parent is to be submitted to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford by the the identified corrective action date with the improvement plan. (due 11/01/2025; completed 10/30/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 08/28/2025.

Regulation 6.2.5.2: Staff shall appropriately hold, touch, smile and talk to children.

Factual basis: Video feed of the morning of August 26th shows Staff person A used one arm to pick up a toddler around the torso and the child was carried in a football hold across the playroom to the kitchen area. The child's legs swung up and behind Staff person A, the child's arms flailed in the air, and the child's head was horizontal to the floor. The child was placed in a high chair with no play items. This occurred after the child was seen kicking the gate, and throwing two items towards the staff person. The child remained in the high chair for ten (10) minutes. Corrective action: As of 08/29/2025, Staff person A is no longer employed at the program. Staff persons are to appropriately pick up, carry, and interact with children. Define and review with all staff persons appropriate ways to carry children and what are reasonable expectations/interventions for toddler age children. Have staff persons sign a statement of understanding for the acceptable practices. As additionally noted, high chairs and/or any other type of equipment is not be used for guidance purposes. (due 11/01/2025; completed 10/30/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 08/28/2025.

Regulation 7.2.2: The licensee shall ensure that all new staff and auxiliary staff, prior to working with children in the CBCCPP; and any new individual designated as the representative of the licensee shall submit a Records Check Authorization form to th

Factual basis: The program was notified on 04/21/2023 that Staff Person A would need to complete the fingerprint clearance process. It was confirmed during this visit that Staff Person A was a part time employee and counted in staff to child ratios during the summer of 2023 and 2024. As of the date of this visit, Staff person A had not completed the fingerprint clearance process. Corrective action: Following this visit, the individual was removed from the associated parties list. As discussed during the visit, the program needs to develop and submit a plan to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford explaining how the program will ensure future short term or seasonal employees complete the fingerprint clearance process as required. (due 05/25/2025; completed 05/16/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 03/07/2025.

Regulation 7.1.3: The licensee, in consultation with the program director, shall establish written program policies and procedures and provide these to staff and to auxiliary staff left alone with children and/or counted in staff/child ratio as specified

Factual basis: Staff person A was employed as a Trainee during the summer of 2023 and again in the summer of 2024. This person did not complete an orientation training as required by this rule. Corrective action: This staff person is no longer associated with the program. Develop a plan to ensure trainees complete orientation within the required timeframe. Send this plan to Licensing Field Specialist Crawford. (due 05/25/2025; completed 05/16/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 03/07/2025.