Brightside Academy Early Care Education - Mckeesport PA Child Care Center

415 LYSLE BLVD # 2 , MCKEESPORT PA 15132
(412) 672-5510

About the Provider

Description: BRIGHTSIDE ACADEMY EARLY CARE EDUCATION is a Child Care Center in MCKEESPORT PA, with a maximum capacity of 137 children. The provider does not participate in a subsidized child care program.

Program and Licensing Details

  • License Number: CER-00181737
  • Capacity: 137
  • State Rating: 4
  • Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: No
  • Schools Served: McKeesport Area
  • District Office: Early Learning Resource Center for Region 5
  • District Office Phone: (412) 261-2273 (Note: This is not the facility phone number.)

Location Map

Inspection/Report History

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
2020-09-22 Unannounced Monitoring 3270.113(a)(1) - Staff assigned to specific children Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: At approximately 12:02 p.m. staff #2 who was assigned the responsibility for supervision of 2 younger school-age children and 8 preschoolers in the nap room left the room and was not physically present with the children in her supervisory group. Staff #2 was observed in the infant room assisting staff #3 with one child.

Correction Required: 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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The teaching staff will be trained on tracking children and maintaining staff:child ratios. We will implement a child ID card process to ensure all children are accounted for in the care of teachers. At all times, teachers must have the ID cards for the children currently in their care. ID cards for children not on site will be placed in a designated spot with easy access for staff to retrieve upon arrival. If a child moves to another room their ID card must move with them. Upon departure ID card is placed in the designated spot for the next day. This procedure will continue to be followed ongoing.
2020-09-22 Unannounced Monitoring 3270.52 - Mixed Age Level Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: At approximately 12:02 p.m. staff #1 was observed to be the only staff person supervising a group of 13 children of mixed age levels, including 3 younger toddlers, 8 preschool children and 2 younger school-age children in the nap room and the children were not napping at the time so naptime ratios could not be applied. PREVIOUSLY CITED ON 8/4/2020 (SIN-00174511).

Correction Required: **A sign stating that staff must be present in the classroom in order to be counted in staff:child ratio will be submitted to the Department for approval. Upon approval, the sign will be posted in a conspicuous location in all child care spaces at the facility.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The academy has created a sign stating staff must stop and check the ratio before leaving the classroom to ensure the classroom is compliant and submitted it to the Department for approval. Upon approval by the Department, the signs will be posted in every child care space and remain posted ongoing.
2020-08-18 Renewal 3270.21 - General Health and Safety Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The following conditions were observed in areas accessible to children and posed a potential threat to their health and safety: A step ladder was folded in a leaning position in the hallway by the entrance to the outdoor place space and a pair of sharp adult scissors were observed in an unlocked storage cabinet in room #9.

Correction Required: Conditions at the facility may not pose a threat to the health or safety of the children.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The ladder was immediately moved and put away back in the storage closet. Once the ladder is no longer in use it will be put away in the closet and not left accessible to children. The scissors were taken out of the unlocked cabinet and put in a cabinet with a lock. Staff are reminded to keep adult scissors out of the reach of children. During the daily academy management walk thorough any conditions that may pose a threat to the health and safety of the children should be immediately corrected.
2020-08-18 Renewal 3270.32(a)/3270.192(2)(iii) - Comply with CPSL/Exp, educ., training at facility Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The record for staff #1 included verification of mandated reporter training completed on 6/24/2020, more than 60 months following the previous training completed on 1/29/2015.

Correction Required: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services).A facility person's record shall include verification of child care experience, education and training following the outset of service at the facility.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
All staff had current Mandated Reporter training completed as of inspection date. The academy director and assistant academy director will make sure that all staff complete the required training in the required time frames. To make sure this is done the Academy Director will keep an updated child care staff data sheet so that these dates can be closely accessible and checked frequently for needed updates/renewals for staff.
2020-08-18 Renewal 3270.34(a)(6) - Staff evaluations Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A director did not complete a minimum of one evaluation every 12 months for staff #1 during the period from 4/25/2019 to 6/11/2020.

Correction Required: A director is responsible for written evaluation of staff persons on a regular basis, a minimum of one evaluation every 12 months.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Due to COVID-19, Brightside Academy was closed at the time of Staff #1 yearly evaluation. As soon as it was noted that Staff #1 needed an evaluation it was completed. In the future, the Academy Director will keep track of all needed staff evaluations by keeping an updated child care staff data sheet to reference.
2020-08-18 Renewal 3270.65 - Protective Outlet Covers 5 yrs. or less Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Protective receptacle covers were not placed in (1) electrical outlet in room #7 on the wall with the metal lock box, (2) electrical outlets on the wall by the smart board in room #8, and by the door in the gym accessible to children 5 years of age or younger.

Correction Required: Protective receptacle covers shall be placed in electrical outlets accessible to children 5 years of age or younger.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Protective receptacle covers were immediately replaced in the outlets that were missing the covers. Staff members will be reminded to keep all outlets covered with protective covering. Academy Mangement will check that outlets are covered during the daily academy walk through and replace any that are missing. By both staff and management making a point to check outlets for protective coverings Brightside Acadmey McKeesport will stay in compliance with PA Code Chapter 3270.65
2020-08-18 Renewal 3270.66(a) - Locked or inaccessible Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The following cleaning materials and other toxic materials labeled keep out of the reach of the children were observed in areas accessible to children: Spray Nine heavy duty cleaner/degreaser was stored in an unlocked supply closet in the hallway by the ramp; All purpose joint compound and Cavalier glass cleaner was stored in an unlocked cabinet under the counter in classroom #8; Spray Nine heavy duty cleaner/degreaser; Lysol spray; and Resolve carpet cleaner was stored in an unlocked white metal lock box on the wall in classroom #7; Lysol spray, Windex window cleaner, ice melt, Goo Gone, and Boost carpet cleaner was stored in an unlocked supply closet on the lower level of the facility by the entrance to the stairwell.

Correction Required: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be kept in an area or container that is locked or made inaccessible to children.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
All cleaning materials or other toxic materials were moved to an area or container that is locked or made inaccessible to children. All cabinets or closets with cleaning sprays or toxic materials are to be locked at all times to keep these items out of reach of children. Staff members will be reminded to keep these areas locked by academy management. These areas will be checked by academy management when the daily walk through is done. If for some reason cabinets are unable to be locked cleaning supplies or toxic materials will be relocated until the cabinet is fixed. By making sure all cabinets with toxic materials are locked and inaccessible to children Brightside Academy McKeesport will be in compliance with PA Code Chapter 3270.66(a)
2020-08-18 Renewal 3270.67(a) - Trash removed once a day Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Trash had not been removed from room #8 and the 2nd bathroom away from the entrance to the stairwell on the lower level of the facility at least once per day.

Correction Required: Trash shall be removed from the facility at least once per day.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Trash was removed. Both the opening staff and closing staff are to check that all trash has been removed from the facility. By requiring both opening and closing staff to remove or check trash this will ensure that it is removed at least once daily. The Academy management will check to make sure this task is being completed by the appropriate staff members. By implementing both opening and closing staff to check trash for trash and removing it from the facility Brightside Academy McKeesport will be in compliance with PA Code Chapter 3270.67(a)
2020-08-18 Renewal 3270.75(b) - Inaccessible to children Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: First-aid kits were accessible to children in the following areas: In room #8, a first-aid kit was sitting on a chair; In room #7, a first-aid kit was sitting on the floor by the door to the classroom; and in the hallway by the entrance to the outdoor play space, a first-aid kit appeared to have fallen from a cabinet and the contents were left scattered across the floor.

Correction Required: A first-aid kit must be inaccessible to children.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The first-aid kits were moved to an area inaccessible to children. All first aid kits are to be kept out of reach of children. Staff members will put all first aid kits in their designated locations that are out of reach of children. Academy management will remind staff of this statute should they see first aid kits not put away properly during their daily walk through of the academy.
2020-08-18 Renewal 3270.75(c) - Has all items Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The first-aid kit in room #9 lacked tweezers.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
A new pair of tweezers was purchased and put in the first aid kit in room 9. In the future, the Assistant Academy Director will follow up that staff are checking all first aid kits weekly. If anything is missing the Assistant Academy Director will make sure that it is replaced keeping the first aid kits stocked with all the required items. By following this plan, Brightside Academy McKeesport will be in compliance with Pa Code Chapter 3270.75 (c).
2020-08-04 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.113(a) - Supervised at all times Non Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Based on information gathered during an investigation, it was found on 07/30/2020 at approximately 12:00 p.m. staff #1 left a group of 4 children (3 younger toddlers and 1 older toddler) alone in the Early Head Start Classroom with no other staff present to supervise them to go across the hallway to the office to buzz a food delivery driver into the building while the director and a staff person were in the office and could have answered the door. The children were left unsupervised for a couple minutes until she returned. Later that same day, at approximately 2:45 p.m. staff #1 left the same group of children alone in the Early Head Start classroom with no other staff present to supervise them to leave the facility and not return. The children were left unsupervised until a staff person from another classroom noticed one of the children standing outside of the open gate in the doorway to the room for an undetermined amount of time.

Correction Required: Children on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the premises shall be supervised by a staff person at all times.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Now and in the future, an Academy Director will be at the academy for a minimum of 30 hours per week until a Academy Director is hired for McKeesport. Angela Holeczy will be on site Tuesday and Thursday and Vanessa Kwaczala will be on site Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The academy also added an additional three cordless phones for means of communication. All staff have completed active supervision training, a team building training, and a training regarding self care. At this time Katie Nolder and Karen Thorton are in the EHS room with 6 children a day. No toddler enrollment will happen until a toddler staff is hired. Academy Directors, on site, are communicating daily with staff, watching for signs of being overwhelmed, communicating needs, and making sure that people get adequate daily breaks.
2020-08-04 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.52 - Mixed Age Level Non Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Based on information gathered during an investigation, it was found on 07/30/2020 at approximately 12:00 p.m. staff #1 left a group of 4 children (3 younger toddlers and 1 older toddler) alone in the Early Head Start Classroom with no other staff present to supervise them to go across the hallway to the office to buzz a food delivery driver into the building while the director and a staff person were in the office and could have answered the door. The children were left unsupervised for a couple minutes until she returned. Later that same day, at approximately 2:45 p.m. staff #1 left the same group of children alone in the Early Head Start classroom with no other staff present to supervise them to leave the facility and not return. The children were left unsupervised until a staff person from another classroom noticed one of the children standing outside of the open gate in the doorway to the room for an undetermined amount of time.

Correction Required: When children are grouped in mixed age levels, the age of the youngest child in the group determines the staff:child ratio and maximum group size in accordance with the requirements in 3270.51 (relating to similar age level).

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Now and in the future, an Academy Director will be at the academy for a minimum of 30 hours per week until a Academy Director is hired for McKeesport. Angela Holeczy will be on site Tuesday and Thursday and Vanessa Kwaczala will be on site Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The academy also added an additional three cordless phones for means of communication. All staff have completed active supervision training, a team building training, and a training regarding self care. At this time Katie Nolder and Karen Thorton are in the EHS room with 6 children a day. No toddler enrollment will happen until a toddler staff is hired. Academy Directors, on site, are communicating daily with staff, watching for signs of being overwhelmed, communicating needs, and making sure that people get adequate daily breaks.
2019-10-23 Unannounced Monitoring 20.71(b)(5) - Perpetrator in an indicated or founded report of child abuse Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Staff person #1 has been named as perpetrator in an indicated report of child abuse for an incident that occurred at the facility on 9/3/2019.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Staff member was immediately removed from the facility and employment was terminated as of 9.3.19. A facility person who has been named as perpetrator in a founded/an indicated report of child abuse will not be present in the facility.
2019-09-16 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.113(b) - No physical punishment Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Based on interviews conducted with staff and review of a picture taken of child's forearm, it was determined that staff #1 used physical punishment with a child in care by forcefully picking the child up by their forearms and continuing to grip their forearms while walking them between classrooms, which left marks on the child's right forearm.

Correction Required: A facility person may not use any form of physical punishment, including spanking a child.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Staff #1 was removed from the facility immediately on the day of the incident on 9/3/2019 and their employment was terminated as of 9/3/2019. A facility person will not use any form of physical punishment, including spanking a child.
2019-08-08 Renewal 3270.102(a) - Clean and good repair Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: There were (2) plastic sensory tubes observed in the early head start classroom that were cracked, creating a potential pinch point for children in care.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The tubes were removed from the classroom. I will do walkthroughs to make sure that there is no broken or cracked toys in the classrooms and if there is any we will remove them immediately.

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Providers in ZIP Code 15132