Early Connections/city Center - Erie PA Child Care Center

Noncompliance Area: In the Kangaroo classroom, an older toddler classroom, there were small stones, sunflower seeds, Orbees, small fish rocks, pom poms, and small pieces of oil pastels that were all under 1 inch and accessible to the children.

Correction Required: 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 refrigerator in the Frogs classroom contained a thermometer that was reading 50 degrees.

Correction Required: A facility shall have an operable, clean refrigerator used to store potentially hazardous foods. The refrigerator shall be capable of maintaining food at 45 F or below. An operating thermometer shall be placed in the refrigerator.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Child # 7 contained an emergency contact form that was lacking the address of the child's physician.

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 file for Child #7 contained an emergency contact form that was lacking the child's medical insurance name and policy number.

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 file for Child #2 with an enrollment date of 12/28/19 was lacking an initial health assessment.

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.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Child #1 contained an immunization record that was lacking one dose of rotovirus, one dose of DTAP, one dose of Hib, one dose of PVC, one dose of polio and an annual influenza. The file for Child #2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 all contained immunization records that were all lacking the annual influenza vaccine. The file for Child #3 contained an immunization record that was lacking 2 doses of rotovirus.

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.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff #7 was lacking initial health assessment and TB test.

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 file for Staff #4 and 5 were lacking documentation of initial emergency plan training.

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.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff #3 was lacking verification of their annual 6 hours of training.

Correction Required: A staff person shall obtain an annual minimum of 6 clock hours of child care training.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff #1 who is in the role of volunteer, was lacking the state police clearance and a signed volunteer disclosure statement. The file for Staff #2 who is in the role of volunteer, was lacking a signed volunteer disclosure statement. The file for Staff #5 contained mandated reporter training that was completed more than 90 days after start date. The file for Staff #6 was lacking a signed disclosure statement.

Correction Required: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). LACKING REQUIRED HIRING DOCUMENTS: Facility Person #1 -- may not work in a child care position at the facility.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff #3, working in the role of group supervisor, contains proof of a Bachelor's degree, however it does not show what the degree is in and therefore cannot be verified if it is in a human services field.

Correction Required: A group supervisor shall have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff #4 who is employed in the role of Group Supervisor, was lacking proof of any college and only had 1688 hours of child care experience documented.

Correction Required: A group supervisor shall have an associate's degree from an accredited college or university, including 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 3 years of experience with children.

Noncompliance Area: In the School-Age room there was bleach located in the cupboard under the sink and that cupboard was not locked making the bleach accessible to the 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.

Noncompliance Area: In the Frog classroom, there was a lamp being used that had the hot light bulbs exposed and accessible to the children.

Correction Required: Hot water pipes and other sources of heat exceeding 110 F that are accessible to children shall be equipped with protective guards or shall be insulated to prevent direct contact.

Noncompliance Area: The first aid kit in the Butterfly classroom was lacking gloves.

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.