Licensed Child Care Center
✓ Licensed
Catoctin Sun Nature Preschool
Walkersville, MD
· Frederick County
2 Chapel Place,
Walkersville, MD 21793
Quick Facts
Capacity
15 children
Age Range
2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 5 years to 15 years
Subsidized Program
Does not participate
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Contact Information
📞 (240) 457-3143
Licensed Licensed Child Care Center
Active License
License Number
161318
Issued By
Maryland State Department of Education
District Office
Region 12 - Frederick County Office
Reviews
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About the Provider
Catoctin Sun Nature Preschool is a progressive, specialized nature preschool program following the Reggio Emilia, project approach method of exploring topics of interest in-depth, over a longer period of time.
What we will do OUTSIDE:
~We go on daily nature walks, in many kinds of weather
~Feed the birds
~Document wildlife sightings and tracks
~Nurture our little garden
~Upcycle, recycle and build with materials
~Play in our Mud Pie Kitchen (all weather-suit covers over clothing)
~Chart & graph seasonal findings on clipboards
~Collect and curate found nature objects
~Learn about native plants, trees and wildlife around our school
~Cultivate our creative sides with paint and sensory play
~We run, jump and strengthen our gross/fine motor skills
What we will do INSIDE:
~We learn & practice peaceful, cooperative play
~Take part in long-term, child-guided units using The Project Approach
~ Share & explore our universe through open-ended classroom centers
~Draw, paint and create
~Put on plays & act out favorite stories
~Raise tadpoles to frogs and caterpillars to butterflies
~Start seeds and clippings & observe how plants grow
~ We practice yoga and dance and much much more...
***Our classroom will offer gender-neutral toys and natural materials will be used whenever possible.***
Our curriculum philosophy is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, named after the town in Italy where it was developed soon after World War II. Reggio Emilia has become a curriculum model of excellence that has attracted worldwide attention.
*The Hundred Languages of Children*
Throughout the learning process, children are encouraged to depict their understanding in one of many symbolic "languages" - including drawing, sculpture, dramatic play & re-telling, writing, and designing. Graphic representation is one of the key ways that teachers have a “window” into the learning process of young children. Children take part in long-term projects - the Project Approach - with daily opportunities to explore and modify individual and cooperative work.
*Parents & Teachers as Learners*
We will include parents and volunteers in many of our activities including nature walks and culminating activities that contextualize what we have learned so far.
What we will do OUTSIDE:
~We go on daily nature walks, in many kinds of weather
~Feed the birds
~Document wildlife sightings and tracks
~Nurture our little garden
~Upcycle, recycle and build with materials
~Play in our Mud Pie Kitchen (all weather-suit covers over clothing)
~Chart & graph seasonal findings on clipboards
~Collect and curate found nature objects
~Learn about native plants, trees and wildlife around our school
~Cultivate our creative sides with paint and sensory play
~We run, jump and strengthen our gross/fine motor skills
What we will do INSIDE:
~We learn & practice peaceful, cooperative play
~Take part in long-term, child-guided units using The Project Approach
~ Share & explore our universe through open-ended classroom centers
~Draw, paint and create
~Put on plays & act out favorite stories
~Raise tadpoles to frogs and caterpillars to butterflies
~Start seeds and clippings & observe how plants grow
~ We practice yoga and dance and much much more...
***Our classroom will offer gender-neutral toys and natural materials will be used whenever possible.***
Our curriculum philosophy is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, named after the town in Italy where it was developed soon after World War II. Reggio Emilia has become a curriculum model of excellence that has attracted worldwide attention.
*The Hundred Languages of Children*
Throughout the learning process, children are encouraged to depict their understanding in one of many symbolic "languages" - including drawing, sculpture, dramatic play & re-telling, writing, and designing. Graphic representation is one of the key ways that teachers have a “window” into the learning process of young children. Children take part in long-term projects - the Project Approach - with daily opportunities to explore and modify individual and cooperative work.
*Parents & Teachers as Learners*
We will include parents and volunteers in many of our activities including nature walks and culminating activities that contextualize what we have learned so far.
Additional Information:
MSDE-Approved Education Program.
Hours of Operation
- Monday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM September - June
- Tuesday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM September - June
- Wednesday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM September - June
- Thursday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM September - June
- Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM September - June
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
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. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Date | Type | Regulations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-02 | Full | 13A.16.03.04C | Corrected |
| Findings: Of the files reviewed, one emergency form needs to have the emergency contact's address and phone number added, and one needs to be updated. Director will send these to LS and will review all files to ensure all emergency forms are complete. | |||
| 2025-04-02 | Full | 13A.16.03.04G | Corrected |
| Findings: Of the files reviewed, one was missing immunizations. Director will send these to LS and will review all files to ensure they are all complete. | |||
| 2025-04-02 | Full | 13A.16.03.05C | Corrected |
| Findings: Two staff files are missing the center's copies of the criminal background checks, although one file had the staff member's copy. Director will see if CJIS will resend these to her, if not, then the staff will need to be reprinted. | |||
| 2025-04-02 | Full | 13A.16.06.04A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: One staff is missing a medical report in the file. This needs to be obtained, put in the file, and sent to LS ASAP. | |||
| 2025-04-02 | Full | 13A.16.06.05C(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: Director's 12 hours of training for the last full year has not been completed, she completed 7 hours and needs to complete 5 more ASAP. Director will send this and the corrected professional development plan to LS ASAP. | |||
| 2025-04-02 | Full | 13A.16.06.05C(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: Director did not complete the 2024 BHS and will do so ASAP and send to LS. | |||
| 2025-04-02 | Full | 13A.16.06.09C | Corrected |
| Findings: Two teachers need to take the 2024 BHS update ASAP and send to LS when completed. One teacher completed 9 hours of training in the last year and needs to make up 3 more, and another teacher completed 9.5 hours and needs to make up 1.5 more. These certificates, along with the completed professional development plan, will be sent to LS for correction. | |||
| 2025-04-02 | Full | 13A.16.11.04F(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: On Fridays there is not a staff member present who has completed the Medication Administration Training, when the director is not present. Director will have another staff who is present on Fridays complete this ASAP and send the certificate to LS. | |||
| 2024-04-16 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.06A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: Director notified LS in April of a staff that left in January. Director was reminded that she needed to let OCC know of staff changes within 5 days of its occurrence. | |||
| 2024-04-16 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.05C(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: The director completed 5 hours of training for the 22-23 year and needs to complete 7 more hours to complete her annual training. Director was reminded that she also needs to complete 12 hours of training for the current year. Director will send LS the missing 7 hours of training with the professional development plan as soon as possible. | |||
| 2024-04-16 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.05C(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: The director needs to complete the current BHS update and will do so as soon as possible. Certificate will be sent to LS to show it was completed. | |||
| 2024-04-16 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.09C | Corrected |
| Findings: One teacher is missing the health and safety update, and will have this completed as soon as possible. Director will send certificate to LS to show it was completed. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.03.03A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: Attendance is not being verified by children's parents. Director will begin doing so immediately and will send to LS for correction. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.03.03C | Corrected |
| Findings: The consumer education pamphlet was not on display at the center. Director will hang this up and let LS know once it's hung. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.03.04C | Corrected |
| Findings: Two of the emergency forms reviewed were not complete. One needed to be updated and another needed the parent signature and complete info for the child's physician. Director will send these to LS for correction. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.03.04G | Corrected |
| Findings: One file reviewed was missing the child's immunizations. Director will get these and send to LS for correction. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.05.10A | Corrected |
| Findings: The center's phone is the director's cell phone and she was not present at the time of the inspection, therefore no center phone was present. Staff indicated they use their cell phones. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.06.04A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: JF does not have a medical in the staff file. Director will get this and send to LS for correction. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.06.04A(4) | Corrected |
| Findings: The medical for NH was from 2012 and needs to be updated. Director will send this to LS for correction. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.06.05C(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: Director's training from the last year was not in the staff file. Director will send this and the professional development plan to LS for correction. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.06.12B(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: LM has training in the file but it's not documented on the professional development plan. Director will send that to LS for correction. | |||
| 2023-05-05 | Full | 13A.16.10.02A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: At the time of the inspection no one present had first aid and CPR. Director will send a plan of correction for this to ensure there is always someone present in her absence who has this. | |||
| 2022-01-12 | Other | 13A.16.08.02B | Corrected |
| Findings: At the time of the visit, two aides were with the children. | |||
| 2022-01-10 | Other | 13A.16.03.06A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: There is a staff member who was hired in September 2021, and has been working since then, and OCC does not have her release with SSN on it. This will be sent to OCC within 24 hours. There are also two staff members working who require out of state clearances which OCC has not received to date. Center to provide proof to OCC that they have been requested by the appropriate agencies within 24 hours. | |||
| 2022-01-10 | Other | 13A.16.03.06B | Corrected |
| Findings: There is a staff member who was added in September 2021 and her full transcripts have not yet been submitted to OCC. This will be done and sent in an email to LS within 24 hours. | |||
| 2022-01-10 | Other | 13A.16.08.02B | Corrected |
| Findings: There is an aide and a staff member who has not yet been qualified at the center with the children. | |||
| 2022-01-10 | Other | 13A.16.08.03A | Corrected |
| Findings: There is a group of 4 preschool children with no qualified teacher in charge of the group. | |||
| 2021-11-03 | Other | 13A.16.03.05C | Corrected |
| Findings: Staff files for three new hires were reviewed and center's copies of the MD and FBI prints were not available for review. Director will obtain these within 5 days and send to LS for all three new staff. | |||
| 2021-11-03 | Other | 13A.16.03.06A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: A personnel list was sent to LS reporting new hires, but the rest of the new hire paperwork was not sent within 5 days. A release of information, medical with TB test, privacy forms, staffing patterns and proof of qualifications are still outstanding and will be sent to LS within 5 days. Release of information, medicals and staffing patterns were given to LS at the inspection. | |||
| 2021-11-03 | Other | 13A.16.06.03C(5) | Corrected |
| Findings: There is an alert for one new hire that has not yet been cleared by OCC. This person has been working since September 2021. | |||
| 2021-11-03 | Other | 13A.16.06.04A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: No medical was submitted for two new hires. LS reviewed the staff medicals on site and they are in the staff files. | |||
| 2021-11-03 | Other | 13A.16.06.04A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: No TB test was submitted for two new hires. LS reviewed the TB tests on site and they were in the staff files. | |||
| 2021-11-03 | Other | 13A.16.07.06C | Corrected |
| Findings: Two staff members were employed in September and a release of information has not been submitted to OCC for them. These releases were given to LS at the inspection. | |||
| 2021-04-21 | Full | 13A.16.12.01A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: Center is not currently serving milk with lunch and will being doing so immediately. Director will send a copy of letter to parents notifying them that this will be done. | |||
| 2020-08-17 | Mandatory Review | ||
| Findings: No Noncompliances Found | |||
| 2020-03-06 | Complaint | 13A.16.03.02F(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: A drop in child was present at the time of the inspection, but no paperwork was on file for this child. Director will ensure appropriate paperwork is submitted for this child within 15 days. If an appointment card is submitted showing the child has an appointment within 20 days, the health forms will also be submitted afterwards. | |||
| 2019-03-22 | Full | 13A.16.03.05C | Corrected |
| Findings: Staff files are not on site at the time of the visit. Director will bring staff files, including training, to the office for review. | |||
| 2019-03-22 | Full | 13A.16.06.05C(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: Staff files were not on site for review and will be brought to OCC for review. | |||
| 2018-05-03 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.03B(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: Snack menu was not available at the time of inspection when morning snack was served to the children. | |||
| 2018-05-03 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.03B(4) | Corrected |
| Findings: Director did not record the times at which the emergency and disaster drills took place, only the dates. | |||
| 2018-05-03 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.04C | Corrected |
| Findings: The majority of the emergency forms were outdated and need to be updated annually by families. Two emergency forms had no emergency contacts listed. One emergency form was not signed or dated. Director to have families review and update the emergency forms by May 11th and notify OCC. | |||
| 2018-05-03 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.05C | Corrected |
| Findings: There were no staff files on site for the director, a current substitute, a new teacher and a new substitute. One current teacher had a medical and orientation on file only. There were no criminal background check results on site for all staff members. | |||
| 2018-05-03 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.06A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: Director did not submit proper documentation notifying OCC of the addition of a new teacher and a new substitute. | |||
| 2018-05-03 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.05C(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: Director did not have her staff file on site for continued training review. | |||
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