Description: BEGIN WITH US CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL is a Child Care Center in ALTOONA PA, with a maximum capacity of 80 children. The provider does not participate in a subsidized child care program.
Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns, as the provider may have already addressed some or all issues. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Inspection Date | Reason | Description | Status |
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| 2020-03-10 | Renewal | 3270.131(b)(2) - Toddler/preschool: updated health report every 12 months | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: The file of Child #1 lacked an updated health report at least every 12 months for an older toddler or preschool child. The file of Child #1 contained a current health report dated 11/21/19 with a previous one dated 10/11/18. Correction Required: The operator shall require the parent to provide an updated health report at least every 12 months for an older toddler or preschool child. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) The child's health report was self-corrected and collected as soon as it was completed by the child's physician. Moving forward, we will continue to utilize data tracking forms to assist in getting the physicals returned from the parents in a timely manner. |
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| 2020-03-10 | Renewal | 3270.69(b) - 110 F or less | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: The hot water temperature for the classroom sink used by children in Playhouse was 115 degrees. The hot water temperature for the bathroom sink in Playhouse was 116 degrees. The hot water temperature for the classroom sink used by children in Beach House was 115 degrees. The hot water temperature for the the bathroom sink in Beach House was 112 degrees. Correction Required: Hot water temperature, in areas accessible to children, may not exceed 110 F. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) A professional plumber was brought in and installed a reduction valve on the water heater. The water temperature is now in compliance. Moving forward, the custodian will monitor the temperature. |
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| 2019-12-09 | Unannounced Monitoring | 20.71(b)(5) - Perpetrator in an indicated or founded report of child abuse | Needs Verification |
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Noncompliance Area: Facility persons #1 and #2 have been named as a perpetrator in an indicated report of child abuse. Correction Required: A facility person who has been named as perpetrator in a founded/an indicated report of child abuse may not be present in the facility. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) Begin with Us respectfully disagrees with the violations as related to any staff members named in the CYS Report being present in any of the centers once the Report was received on 12/6/19, as set forth in the Inspection Summary, Inspection Date 12/9/19. Staff #3 and #4 have not been in any of the centers since 9/10/19 and 9/20/19 respectfully. Staff member #2 has not been in the centers since before the report was received as she worked from home on 12/5 and 12/6/19. Staff member #1 was asked to leave the center immediately on Friday, December 6, 2019 after the report was received by the owners. Aware of the ramification of the Indicated Report, Staff #1 and #2 made arrangements and staffing changes over the weekend so the center was staffed appropriately as of first thing Monday morning 12/9/19. Neither Staff member #1 or #2 have been in the center, when children are present since the report was received. Staff members #1 and #2 were not present in the centers during the inspection on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Also note, the letter from CYS stating that the 4 staff members were under CYS investigation was received on 12/7/19, a day after the final report was received. Due to the fact that none of the 4 staff members were present at the site any time after receiving notice of the indicated report, Begin with Us respectfully inquires how the 12/10/19 inspection resulted in these violations. However, in order to ensure compliance with the directive from OCDEL, Begin with Us respectfully submits this Plan of Correction. Effective immediately, Staff 1 and 2 fully understand that they are not to be on premises when children are in care. A qualified Director is already in place at this site. |
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| 2019-03-06 | Renewal | 3270.102(a) - Clean and good repair | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: Observed a frayed dinosaur rug in the shared space in the Greenhouse. Observed a book case containing science materials with pieces missing on the trim creating rough edges in the Greenhouse. Observed a frayed area rug of the United States in the Greenhouse. Observed a cracked bin containing musical instruments creating rough edges and pinch points in the Beach House. Observed peg boards with bite marks and pieces missing in the Playhouse. Correction Required: 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. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) The rugs and bookcase have been repaired. The bin and peg boards were discarded the day of inspection. Moving forward, staff members will conduct daily site safety checks in the classrooms and on the play yard. A form has been developed to document areas that need to be repaired. The custodian will check the forms daily and correct all identified hazards. Directors will continue to do quarterly site safety checks to reassess safety in all classrooms and on the play yard. |
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| 2019-03-06 | Renewal | 3270.106(b) - No bed linens alone | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: At approximately 1:50 PM Certification Staff observed two children using only blankets as rest equipment in the Greenhouse. At approximately 2:00 PM Certification Staff observed two children using only blankets as rest equipment in the Playhouse. Correction Required: Bed linens may not be used alone as age-appropriate rest equipment. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) All children utilize sleeping bags or mats. Moving forward, upon enrollment, parents will be required to provide appropriate bedding. |
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| 2019-03-06 | Renewal | 3270.106(f) - 2 feet apart | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: Observed children sleeping on rest equipment in both Greenhouse and Playhouse which lacked 2 feet of space on three sides. Observed approximately 1 foot of space between 2 children in Greenhouse. Observed approximately 6 inches of space between 2 children in Playhouse. Correction Required: 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. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) All rest equipment is placed at least 2 feet apart on three sides at the beginning of naptime. The children move in their sleep throughout naptime, decreasing the space. Moving forward, we will move furniture to allow for more space. |
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| 2019-03-06 | Renewal | 3270.113(a) - Supervised at all times | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: At approximately 1:50 PM Certification Staff observed one child lying between a children's sofa and a desk in the Greenhouse which did not allow facility staff to see, hear, direct, or assess the child. Correction Required: 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. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) At the beginning of naptime, all rest equipment is placed within areas that the staff can see, hear, direct, and assess the children. The child moved in her sleep. Moving forward, staff will move children during naptime if they are not able to see, hear, direct, and assess the children. |
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| 2019-03-06 | Renewal | 3270.131(e)(1) - Exemption documentation from parent/guardian | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: The files of Children #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 lacked a current influenza immunization in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP. Correction Required: The facility shall require the parent to provide updated written verification from a physician, physician's assistant, CRNP, the Department of Health or a local health department of ongoing vaccines administered to an infant, toddler or preschool child in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) We obtained notes from the parents regarding the flu shots. Providers were notified 2-weeks prior to our inspection that the ACIP had changed the immunization schedule, but we were not instructed on what the exact changes were. We were not aware that the flu shot is now required. Moving forward, we will acquire proper documentation of flu shot administration. Parents will be required to provide documentation for whatever reason they choose if they refuse the flu shot for their child. |
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| 2019-03-06 | Renewal | 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4) - Comply with CPSL/CPSL information | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: The file of Staff #1 lacked a valid FBI clearance so was removed from care that day. Correction Required: 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. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) The staff member had an FBI clearance through the Department of Education instead of the Department of Human Services. She reapplied for the clearance, which was obtained on Monday, March 25, 2019. The staff person returned to work on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. Moving forward, all staff members will submit the FBI clearance via the Department of Human Services instead of the Department of Education. |
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| 2019-03-06 | Renewal | 3270.66(a) - Locked or inaccessible | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: Observed Assured Hand Sanitizer which indicates "keep out of the reach of children" in a back pack behind the book shelf in the Playhouse which was accessible to children. Correction Required: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be kept in an area or container that is locked or made inaccessible to children. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) The teacher immediately moved his backpack out of reach of the children after the certification representative looked through his bag. Moving forward, all items that are labeled "keep out of reach of children" will be kept in a locked cabinet in the classroom including staff's personal belongings. |
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| 2019-03-06 | Renewal | 3270.75(c) - Has all items | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: The first-aid kit in the Playhouse lacked tape. Correction Required: A first-aid kit must contain the following: soap, an assortment of adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads, tweezers, tape, scissors and disposable, nonporous gloves. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) Tape was put in the first-aid kit. Moving forward, staff members will conduct daily site safety checks in the classrooms and on the play yard. A form has been developed to document supplies that need to be replaced. Directors will continue to do quarterly site safety checks to reassess safety in all classrooms and on the play yard |
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| 2018-03-13 | Renewal | 3270.102(a) - Clean and good repair | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: Observed cracked Magna-Tiles in the Green House. Observed a cracked bin containing Crayola Markers creating rough edges in the Green House. Correction Required: 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. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) The Magna-Tiles and bin were immediately discarded. Moving forward, staff members will conduct daily site safety checks in the classrooms and on the play yard. Directors will continue to do quarterly site safety checks to reassess safety in all classrooms and on the play yard. |
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| 2018-03-13 | Renewal | 3270.123(a)(6) - Admission date | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: The file of Child #2 lacked the date of the child's admission on the agreement. Correction Required: An agreement shall specify the date of the child's admission. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) The child's date of admission was corrected immediately. Moving forward, we will continue to review all paperwork to ensure completion of all required areas. |
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| 2018-03-13 | Renewal | 3270.124(b)(6) - Insurance coverage information | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: The file of Child #1 lacked the health insurance policy number for a child under a family policy or Medical Assistance benefits on the emergency contact form. Correction Required: Emergency contact information must include health insurance coverage and policy number for a child under a family policy or Medical Assistance benefits, if applicable. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) Child #1 has two Emergency Contact Forms-one for the mother and one for the father, contingent upon the custody agreement. The policy number was written on the father's form but not the mother's. The number was corrected immediately. Moving forward, we will continue to review all paperwork to ensure completion of all required areas. |
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| 2018-03-13 | Renewal | 3270.131(a) - Within 60 days | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: The file of Child #6 lacked an initial health report no later than 60 days following the first day of attendance at the facility. Child #6 had a start date of 8/28/17 with a health report dated 12/12/17. Correction Required: The operator shall require the parent of an enrolled child, including a child, a foster child and a relative of an operator or a facility person, to provide an initial health report no later than 60 days following the first day of attendance at the facility. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more
information.) The parent for Child #6 failed to return the health assessment in a timely manner. There can be a lag in return time if the parent forgets to take the form to the appointment and then has the pediatrician's office fax it to us. It has been recent practice for pediatrician's offices to fax them a few days later. In all honesty, we are trying to get the physicals back as soon as possible, but the parent and the pediatrician's office don't always cooperate. Health assessment forms are available to the parents before each well-visit. Moving forward, we will utilize data tracking forms to assist in getting the paperwork back from the parents in a more timely manner. |
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If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.
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