Early Connections/union City - Union City PA Child Care Center

Noncompliance Area: In the Purple room an oversized approximately 2' x 3' spiraled drawing was observed to have a sharp piece of flexible metal at the end of the spine of the pad. The concern was observed in an area accessible to children in care and presented the potential for laceration and/or puncture injuries. Also in an area accessible to children, in the Pink room, an approximately 2'x3' easel with a wooden tray was observed to be attached to the drywall with screws that were beginning to become unsecure presenting the possibility that it could fall and cause a blunt force injury.

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.

Noncompliance Area: The files for Child #1 and #2 contained emergency contact forms that did not include the addresses to persons to whom each child can be released.

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 file for Staff #1 did not contain documentation of the completion of emergency plan training in the past 12 months.

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: In areas accessible to children in care, the Blue, Purple, and Green rooms respectively, two 12"x12" linoleum floor tiles were observed to be cracked/broken resulting in a tripping hazard or, due to the rigidity of the material, the potential for laceration injury.

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.

Noncompliance Area: Although the file for Child #1 contained a current health assessment, Child #1's initial health assessment was dated more than 60 days after the initial date in care at the facility.

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 instructions/manual for the use of safety restraints for the school bus used by the facility for transportation of children, which is equipped with seatbelts, was not available in the bus. Said document was available inside of the facility.

Correction Required: Manufacturers' instructions for use of safety restraints shall be kept in the vehicle at all times.

Noncompliance Area: In the purple room, ages 3-5, a sink cabinet drawer containing a sharply-toothed staple remover was observed to be accessible to children in care. Although the drawer was equipped with a child-proof locking mechanism, said mechanism was not functioning and could easily be opened. The staple remover could cause a laceration and/or puncture injury.

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

Noncompliance Area: In the first restroom to the right as the building is entered was observed to have a spray bottle labeled to contain bleach setting atop a cabinet. Next to the container were diapers/pull-ups used by children in care. Additionally, on a shelf underneath of noted spray bottle were several rolls of toilet paper and extra clothing used by children in care. There was not a protective barrier that would serve to contain potential spillage, which could result in the leaking of bleach onto items that come in contact with the skin of children in care.

Correction Required: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be used in a way that does not contaminate play surfaces, food, food preparation areas and does not constitute a hazard to the children.

Noncompliance Area: A metal heating register was observed at the base of the corridor used by and accessible to children in care. Said register had sharp, pointed edges that could cause laceration injuries.

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.

Noncompliance Area: A garden hose was observed hanging from a fence in an area accessible to children in care. Said hose was secure at both ends.

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

Noncompliance Area: One unused, unprotected electrical outlet was observed in the blue room in an area accessible to children under the age of six.

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

Noncompliance Area: Observed on the chain link fence enclosing the pre-k and above playground were numerous aluminum clips that have sharp ends and are accessible to children in care. Two exposed, protruding toilet bolts were observed on either side of the toilet in the Green room. Several exposed nails were observed protruding from landscape timbers adjacent to the younger children's playground in an area accessible to children in care.

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.

Noncompliance Area: In the purple room, a small area of peeling paint, approximate 1" in diameter, was observed in an area accessible to children in care.

Correction Required: Peeled or damaged paint or damaged plaster is not permitted on indoor or outdoor surfaces in the child care facility.

Noncompliance Area: In the green room (1-3 year-old children), a plastic drinking bottle was observed that was filled about 3/4 full with sea shells/beads that are less than 1 inch in diameter. The lid to the bottle had been glued on in the past to prevent children from accessing the material inside. The glue had worn to the point that the lid was removable, which would allow children under the age of two to access the shells/beads.

Correction Required: Pea gravel and other materials with a diameter of less than 1 inch may not be used in spaces where infants or toddlers receive care.

Noncompliance Area: The file for Staff #1, who is listed as an Assistant Group Supervisor, lacked sufficient experience for said job title. Staff #1 had 900 hours of documented experience. Staff #1 would need a total of 2500 hours to be qualified for the position of Assistant Group Supervisor. Director acknowledged that Staff #1 has worked alone with children.

Correction Required: A staff person or a substitute staff person shall meet one of the applicable staff qualifications for the position in which the person is performing.An assistant group supervisor shall have a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 2 years experience with children.