Early Connections North East

Regulation: 3270.102(c)

Description: Outdoor equip.- protective surfacing

Noncompliance Area: The pea gravel at the bottom of the blue slide in the outdoor play space did not measure a depth of six inches.

Correction Required: Outdoor equipment that requires embedded mounting must be mounted over a loose-fill or unitary playground protective surface covering that meets the recommendations of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The equipment must be anchored firmly and be in good repair.

Regulation: 3270.124(b)(3)

Description: Parent home/work address, phone

Noncompliance Area: The emergency contact forms in the files for Child #1 and #2 did not include the work address and phone number of the enrolling parent.

Correction Required: Emergency contact information must include the home and work addresses and telephone numbers of the enrolling parent.

Regulation: 3270.124(b)(5)

Description: Information re: special needs

Noncompliance Area: The emergency contact form in the file for Child #1, #3 and #4 did not include information on the child's special needs, as specified by the child's parent, physician, physician's assistant or CRNP, which is needed in an emergency situation.

Correction Required: Emergency contact information must include information on the child's special needs, as specified by the child's parent, physician, physician's assistant or CRNP, which is needed in an emergency situation.

Regulation: 3270.124(b)(7)

Description: Name/address/phone release person

Noncompliance Area: The emergency contact form in the file for Child #4 did not include the address for the release persons.

Correction Required: Emergency contact information must include the name, address and telephone number of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.

Regulation: 3270.182(3)

Description: Consent for emergency medical care required prior to admission

Noncompliance Area: The emergency contact form in the file for Child #2 did not contain signed parental consent for emergency medical care for the child.

Correction Required: A child's record shall contain signed parental consent for emergency medical care for the child. Written consent is required prior to admission.

Regulation: 3270.27(a)(6)

Description: Emergency plan

Noncompliance Area: An annual emergency drill has not been documented in the past 12 months.

Correction Required: Emergency drills shall be conducted annually. Annual emergency drills shall be documented and on file at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.123(b)/3270.182(8)

Description: Parent receives original/Copy of initial and subsequent agreements. Parent receives original.

Noncompliance Area: The fee agreements in the files for Child #1 and #2 were the original forms.

Correction Required: A parent shall receive the original agreement. The facility shall retain a copy of the agreement. A child's record shall contain a copy of the initial agreement and subsequent written agreements between the parent and the operator. The parent receives the original agreement.

Regulation: 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4)

Description: Comply with CPSL/CPSL information

Noncompliance Area: The requests for out of state clearances (New York) in the file for Staff Person #1 were submitted after the staff person's first day in child care. (See LIS Code Sheet). The results for the New York Child Abuse Clearance for Staff Person #1 are not in file.

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. Facility Person #1 may not work in a child care position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.66(b)

Description: Original container

Noncompliance Area: In the Tadpole room, observed a bottle of soapy water for cleaning that was not labeled.

Correction Required: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be stored in an original labeled container or in a container that specifies the content. Toxics shall be stored away from food, food preparation areas and child care spaces.

Regulation: 3270.69(b)

Description: 110º F or less

Noncompliance Area: The hot water temperature in the Frogs and Tadpoles rooms measured 119° F.

Correction Required: Hot water temperature, in areas accessible to children, may not exceed 110° F.

Regulation: 3270.75(c)

Description: Has all items

Noncompliance Area: The first aid kit in the Frogs room 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.

Regulation: 3270.76

Description: Building Surfaces

Noncompliance Area: The bolts securing the new fence in the outdoor play space were facing inward and not capped or covered.

Correction Required: Floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces, including the facility's outdoor play space surfaces shall be kept clean, in good repair and free from visible hazards.

Regulation: 3270.81

Description: Glass

Noncompliance Area: A visual strip or other visual identification was not placed on the glass door in the Frogs Room.

Correction Required: A visual strip or other visual identification shall be placed on glass located in a traffic area, a child care space or a play space.

Regulation: 3270.131(e)(1)

Description: Exemption documentation from parent/guardian

Noncompliance Area: The files for Child #1, 2 and 3 all contain immunization records that are lacking the annual influenza vaccine.

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.

Regulation: 3270.14/3270.21

Description: Pertinent Laws & Regulations/General Health and Safety

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff #1 and #2 were both lacking the one hour Health and Safety Update.

Correction Required: A facility shall be operated in conformity with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.State agencies whose regulations may relate to the operation of a facility include the Department of Environmental Resources, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Department of Transportation. Conditions at the facility may not pose a threat to the health or safety of the children.

Regulation: 3270.82(h)

Description: Handwashing signs

Noncompliance Area: In the Tadpole Room, there was no handwashing sign above the toilet in the restroom.

Correction Required: A facility person and an able child shall wash his hands after toileting and before eating. A sign on which this requirement is written shall be posted at each toilet, training chair, diapering area and sink in the facility.

Regulation: 3270.124(b)(4)/3270.182(3)

Description: Written consent/Consent for emergency medical care required prior to admission

Noncompliance Area: The file for Child #1 contained an emergency contact form that was lacking signed parental consent for emergency medical care.

Correction Required: Emergency contact information must include the written consent signed by a parent for emergency medical care. A child's record shall contain signed parental consent for emergency medical care for the child. Written consent is required prior to admission.

Regulation: 3270.131(e)(1)

Description: Exemption documentation from parent/guardian

Noncompliance Area: The files for Child #2 and #3 contained immunization records that were lacking the annual influenza vaccine.

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.

Regulation: 3270.182(5)

Description: Consent for administration of minor first-aid required prior to admission

Noncompliance Area: The file for Child #1 contains an emergency contact form that was lacking signed parental consent for the administration of minor first aid by facility staff.

Correction Required: A child's record shall contain signed parental consent for administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff. Written consent is required prior to admission.

Regulation: 3270.123(b)/3270.182(8)

Description: Parent receives original/Copy of initial and subsequent agreements. Parent receives original.

Noncompliance Area: The files reviewed for the five children contained the original fee agreements.

Correction Required: A parent shall receive the original agreement. The facility shall retain a copy of the agreement. A child's record shall contain a copy of the initial agreement and subsequent written agreements between the parent and the operator. The parent receives the original agreement.

Regulation: 3270.182(3)/3270.182(5)

Description: Consent for emergency medical care required prior to admission/Consent for administration of minor first-aid required prior to admission

Noncompliance Area: The Emergency Contact Form in the file for Child #1 did not include signed parental consent for emergency medical care for the child or signed parental consent for administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff.

Correction Required: A child's record shall contain signed parental consent for emergency medical care for the child. Written consent is required prior to admission. A child's record shall contain signed parental consent for administration of minor first-aid procedures by facility staff. Written consent is required prior to admission.

Regulation: 3270.34(a)(6)

Description: Staff evaluations

Noncompliance Area: The most recent written evaluations in the file for Staff Person #1 exceeded 12 months between evaluations: 10/24/19-January 2021.

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

Regulation: 3270.95(a)/3270.95(b)

Description: Devices must be compliant/Director or designated staff person ensure compliance

Noncompliance Area: The annual fire alarm inspection, dated August 20, 2021, reports defects that have not been corrected.

Correction Required: Fire detection devices or systems must be in compliance with standards established under section 1016(c) of the act (62 P.S. §  1016(c)). The Director or designated staff person who is responsible for compliance with this chapter shall ensure the requirements under subsection (a) are met.

Noncompliance Area: The Emergency Contact Form in the file for Child #3 did not include the policy number for the health insurance coverage.

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.

Noncompliance Area: The most recent immunization records in the files for Child #1 and #2 did not contain documentation of a flu shot administered within the past twelve months or a letter of exemption from the parent.

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. A child's record shall contain initial and subsequent health reports.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff Person #1 did not include a health assessment conducted within the past 24 months.

Correction Required: A facility person providing direct care who comes into contact with the children or who works with food preparation shall have a health assessment conducted within 12 months prior to providing initial service in a child care setting and every 24 months thereafter. A health assessment is valid for 24 months following the date of signature, if the person does not contract a communicable disease or develop a medical problem. A facility person's record shall include a written report of initial and subsequent health assessments, including the results of initial and subsequent tuberculin skin tests, x-rays or other medical documentation necessary to confirm freedom from communicable tuberculosis.

Noncompliance Area: The most recent parental updates for the Emergency Plan and Fee Agreement in the file for Child #1 exceeded 6 months between updates: 8/27/19-8/24/20. The most recent parental updates for Child #1 are current.

Correction Required: A parent is required to review and update the emergency contact information and the financial agreement at least once in a 6-month period or as soon as there is a change in the information.

Noncompliance Area: The files for Staff Persons #1, 2, 3 and 4 did not include an NSOR Certificate.

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. Facility Person #1, 2, 3 and 4 may not work in a child care position at the facility.

Noncompliance Area: Observed two bottles of hand sanitizer, which were accessible to children, on the teacher's desk in the Frogs Room.

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

Noncompliance Area: The glass doors in each preschool room lacked a visual strip or other visual identification placed on the glass.

Correction Required: A visual strip or other visual identification shall be placed on glass located in a traffic area, a child care space or a play space.

Noncompliance Area: The Emergency Contact Form in the file for Child #1, did not include the name, address and telephone number of the child's physician or source of medical care.

Correction Required: Emergency contact information must include the name, address and telephone number of the child's physician or source of medical care.

Noncompliance Area: The Emergency Contact Binder in the Frogs Room did not include the Emergency Contact Form for Child #1 who was receiving care in this space.

Correction Required: When children are in the facility, emergency contact information shall be present in a child care space for children receiving care in the space.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Child #2, a Preschool Child, did not include an updated health report conducted within the past 12 months. The most recent updated health reports in the file for Child #3, a Preschool Child, exceeded 12 months between updates. The most recent updated health report in the file for Child #3 is current.

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. A child's record shall contain initial and subsequent health reports.

Noncompliance Area: The immunizations records in the files for Child #1, #2 and #3 were not in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP. Child #1 (Preschool): Missing 3rd and/or 4th dose of HIB. Child #1, 2, and 3: No flu shot within the past 12 months. Child #1: None. Child #2: September, 2018. Child #3: October, 2015.

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. A child's record shall contain initial and subsequent health reports.

Noncompliance Area: The most recent health assessments in the file for Staff Person #1 exceeded 24 months between assessments. The most recent health assessment in the file for Staff Person #1 is current.

Correction Required: A facility person providing direct care who comes into contact with the children or who works with food preparation shall have a health assessment conducted within 12 months prior to providing initial service in a child care setting and every 24 months thereafter. A health assessment is valid for 24 months following the date of signature, if the person does not contract a communicable disease or develop a medical problem. A facility person's record shall include a written report of initial and subsequent health assessments, including the results of initial and subsequent tuberculin skin tests, x-rays or other medical documentation necessary to confirm freedom from communicable tuberculosis.

Noncompliance Area: A copy of Chapter 3270 was not posted in a conspicuous location used by parents at the facility.

Correction Required: The facility's current certificate of compliance and a copy of the applicable regulations under which the facility is certified shall be posted in a conspicuous location used by parents, with instructions for contacting the appropriate regional day care office posted at the same location.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff Person #3, with a start date of 9/19/19, did not include documentation of initial training in the facility's emergency plan.

Correction Required: The operator shall assure that each facility person receives training regarding the emergency plan at the time of initial employment, on an annual basis and at the time of each plan update. The operator shall document the date of each training and the names of all facility persons who received the training and kept on file at the facility. A facility person's record shall include verification of child care experience, education and training following the outset of service at the facility.

Noncompliance Area: The disclosure statement in the file for Staff Person #3, with a start date of 9/19/19, was dated 10/15/19. The disclosure statement and all clearances in the file for Staff Person #3 are current.

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.

Noncompliance Area: The most recent written evaluation in the file for Staff Person #1 was dated October 2017. The file for Staff Person #2, who has been working in child care more than one year (8/21/18) did not include a written evaluation.

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

Noncompliance Area: The power strip, which was accessible to children under five years of age, behind the tree in the Tadpole Room, lacked one protective receptacle cover.

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

Noncompliance Area: Teeth marks were observed on three of the foam blocks in a plastic bin in the preschool room. This creates a potential choking hazard for children who are still placing objects in their mouths.

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. Toys and objects with a diameter of less than 1 inch, objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than 1 inch, plastic bags and styrofoam objects may not be accessible to children who are still placing objects in their mouths.

Noncompliance Area: The mulch chips under the embedded equipment in the outdoor playground did not measure the 9" depth recommended by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Correction Required: Outdoor equipment that requires embedded mounting must be mounted over a loose-fill or unitary playground protective surface covering that meets the recommendations of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The equipment must be anchored firmly and be in good repair.

Noncompliance Area: The initial Child Service Report in the file for Child #1 is dated more than six months after the child's first day in care. Enrollment date: 10/30/17. First CSR: 5/15/18. The most recent Child Service Report in the file for Child #1 is current.

Correction Required: The services to be provided to the family and the child, including the Department's approved form to provide information to the family about the child's growth and development in the context of the services being provided. The operator shall complete and update the form and provide a copy to the family in accordance with the updates regarding emergency contact information in 3270.124(f) (relating to emergency contact information).

Noncompliance Area: The Emergency Contact Form in the file for Child #3 did not include the address for one of the release persons.

Correction Required: Emergency contact information must include the name, address and telephone number of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.

Noncompliance Area: The most recent health report in the file for Child #2, a preschool child, is more than 12 months old and not current.

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. A child's record shall contain initial and subsequent health reports.

Noncompliance Area: The application for a PA Child Abuse Clearance in the file for Staff Person #1 was dated after the employee's first day working in child care. First Day providing care: 7/20/18. Date of Application: 8/1/18. The Child Abuse Clearance in the file for Staff Person #1 is current: 8/14/18.

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.

Noncompliance Area: The wood chips under the embedded equipment in the outdoor play area did not measure the required minimum depth of nine inches.

Correction Required: Outdoor equipment that requires embedded mounting must be mounted over a loose-fill or unitary playground protective surface covering that meets the recommendations of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. The equipment must be anchored firmly and be in good repair.

Noncompliance Area: The hot water temperature in the boy's and girl's bathrooms measured 116 F. The hot water termperature in the classroom sink measured 120 F.

Correction Required: Hot water temperature, in areas accessible to children, may not exceed 110 F.