Stepping Stones Preschool

Regulation 7.4.4: All staff shall complete fifteen (15) clock hours of annual professional development activities as required in the rule 7.4.2 of these regulations. Substitutes filling a staff position for less than thirty (30) consecutive days within a

Factual basis: One staff member did not have any professional development documents in BFIS for the period under review, the documents were not available on site, and no documentation was sent to licensing in the two weeks following the site visit. Corrective action: Staff A must complete 15 hours of professional development by 6/1/2026. She must also complete an additional 7 hours by the end of her year (based on start date) to ensure that she has the required 15 hours of professional development for the next review period. Please send the completion certificates for the 15 hours to sarah.crosier@vermont.gov when complete. All certificates should also be submitted to Northern Lights for entry into BFIS. Create a plan to ensure that each staff member completes 15 hours of professional development each year. Substitutes must complete 4 hours. (due 06/01/2026; completed 04/22/2026; status: Appeal Period) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/02/2026.

Regulation 3.3.5: The licensee, staff, and auxiliary staff shall be trained in prevention, identification and mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.

Factual basis: One staff member has does not have documentation of completing the Protecting Vermont's Children mandated reporter training in her BFIS account, it was not available on site and it was not provided to licensing within the two weeks following the site visit. Corrective action: Staff B must immediately complete the Protecting Vermont's Children training. The certificate should be sent to sarah.crosier@vermont.gov upon completion, and should also be sent to Northern Lights for entry into her BFIS account. (due 05/05/2026; completed 04/22/2026; status: Appeal Period) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/02/2026.

Regulation 5.6.7: A record of the administration of all medications shall be made including medication dosage, time of administration, name of staff administering, and any adverse effects observed. These records shall be maintained for 365 days from the s

Factual basis: Upon review of documentation on site it was found medications being administered were not documented ongoing. Corrective action: Program shall ensure a medication documentation log is kept on site to include: name of staff administering, time of administration, medication dosage, and any adverse effects. Ensure log is kept for 365 days. (due 05/30/2025; completed 04/21/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/09/2025.

Regulation 5.10.4.5.1: The program director shall ensure that the CBCCPP, its furnishings, and toys are kept in a clean and orderly condition.

Factual basis: Observations were made of the program space; toys in the toddler room were found with dirt and grime, rugs were noted to have several stains, straps in the highchairs were found with dark staining, and the tray where silverware was stored had dirt, grime and hair. Corrective action: Ensure furnishings, and toys are kept in a clean and orderly condition. Maintain a regular cleaning schedule to ensure ongoing compliance wtih this rule. (due 05/30/2025; completed 05/21/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/09/2025.

Regulation 5.10.1.10.4: Materials required for routine cleaning shall be stored and used in a safe manner out of the reach of children.

Factual basis: Clorox Hydrogen Peroxide disinfectant was observed on the shelf in the kitchen space. Children were observed on multiple times entering that room alone and could easily reach this item. Corrective action: Ensure all routine cleaning products labeled 'Keep out of reach of children', are kept out of children's reach. Ensure ongoing compliance with this rule. (due 05/30/2025; completed 04/21/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/09/2025.

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 A, Staff B, Staff C, Staff D, and Staff F were found not to have completed Vermont Orientation Training. Staff D had taken 7hr. Orientation, which does not meet requirement. Same staff, have not completed Mandated Reporter Training. Corrective action: Staff A, Staff B, Staff C, Staff D, Staff E and Staff F shall complete the required Vermont Orientation & Mandated Reporter required courses, submit certificates to Northern Lights @ CCV. (due 05/30/2025; completed 05/08/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/09/2025.

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: Two (2) individuals identified as Parter Staff who have been working at the program, one (1) of whom was on site had not submitted/had a record check processed by the Child Development Division. Corrective action: The program has submitted a record check for one (1) of the two (2) identified staff. Ensure prior to the other identified staff being present in the program again, that they submit a record check to the Division, and it is monitored to ensure the staff person is ultimately reflected on the associated parties list. In the corrective action email, confirm the additional record check has been submitted, and identify the system the program has created to ensure ongoing compliance with this rule. (due 05/30/2025; completed 05/21/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/09/2025.

Regulation 6.2.6.6: The program director shall ensure that no person be left alone with children without approval from the Division based on the results of a background check that includes fingerprinting; with the exception of a parent may be left alone w

Factual basis: Staff D was working alone with children without fingerprint results returned to Division. Corrective action: Staff F shall not be alone with children until results of fingerprinting is back from Division. Program shall create a system to ensure staff are not working alone with children with out fingerprint results. (due 05/30/2025; completed 05/21/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/09/2025.

Regulation 3.4.7.3: Within six (6) months of the initial date of employment; staff 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, and the program director shall maint

Factual basis: Upon review of BFIS account, it was found five (5) of nine (9) staff BFIS Quality and Credential accounts were not up to date within six (6) months of the initial date of employment. Corrective action: Ensure all staff documentation, verification of qualifications, and all annual professional are submitted to Northern Lights at CCV and cc: kristy.haapala@vermont.gov. Maintain ongoing compliance with this rule. (due 05/30/2025; completed 05/21/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/09/2025.

Regulation 6.2.1.7: Partner staff shall not be left alone with children and shall not count in staff/child ratios at the CBCCPP.

Factual basis: Staff F, who was not reflected on the program associated parties list, yet had been employed since March 2025, was identified as a Partner Staff working 1:1 with a child. Staff F was observed bringing the assigned child into the building and was observed with this child alone inside. Upon review of the child's file, the parent/guardian of this assigned child had not given permission for this individual to be alone with their child. Corrective action: Ensure written permission is obtained for any child in care to be left alone with partner staff prior to doing so. Identify the system the program has implemented to maintain compliance with this rule. (due 05/30/2025; completed 04/21/2025; status: Final) Source: Vermont BFIS site visit 04/09/2025.