Gravel Hill Church Christian Child Care - Palmyra PA Child Care Center

131 GRAVEL HILL RD , PALMYRA PA 17078
(717) 838-3620

About the Provider

Description: GHCCC is a child care facility housed within the Gravel Hill church building. The center operates under the belief that every child has the right to a safe, nuturing, and loving environment. Your child will be able to grow spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally and socially through interaction with other children and caregivers. The caregivers teach the Christian principles and beliefs of the United Methodist Church through song, activities, and prayers. More than 125 kids, ranging in age from infancy through school-age, are enrolled in the child care year-round.

In December of 2009, the facility was awarded a Star 3 rating by the Keystone Stars Initiative. Starz is a Pennsylvania initiative to ensure quality child care. The child care has worked tirelessly to secure this rating and is very excited to have made this achievement.

Program and Licensing Details

  • License Number: CER-00185290
  • Capacity: 184
  • State Rating: 3
  • Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
  • Schools Served: Palmyra Area - Serviced by school bus
  • District Office: Early Learning Resource Center for Region 9
  • District Office Phone: (717) 210-3334 (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
2020-10-07 Renewal 3270.102(a)/3270.104(a) - Clean and good repair/Clean, good repair, proper size Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Two stools in the older school age room were in poor repair. The cushions were torn and foam was exposed.

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. Furniture must be durable, safe, easily cleaned and appropriate for the child's size, age and special needs.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The unsafe stools were removed from the classroom. New stools were purchased online on 10/14/2020 and replaced on 10/15/2020. Moving forward, staff will be reminded to include a visual inspection of the stools in their daily room checks. Staff will cover the peeling stool tops once they begin to rip/tear. If the stools become irreparable, then new stools will be purchased.
2020-10-07 Renewal 3270.103 - Small Toys and Objects Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A pool noodle that was being used to cover a metal chalkboard ledge in a toddler room had multiple chunks taken out of it. Small pieces were able to be removed and this could be a choking hazard in a toddler room.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The pool noodles were removed from the classrooms. The chalk trays were removed from the bulletin boards so there is no longer a need for the pool noodles. Moving forward, if we need to use pool noodles in the center, we will make sure to inspect them daily as well as covering them with tape or fabric so the children cannot pick at them.
2020-10-07 Renewal 3270.107 - Refrigerator Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The thermometer in the refrigerator in the one year old room was reading at 48 F.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The thermostat has been turned to a colder setting on the refrigerator and has been checked daily. Moving forward, staff will be asked to check the thermometers when they open the fridge each time. If they notice the temperature is too warm the will adjust the temperature as needed. There will also be extra thermometers located in the office in case the thermometer stops reading correctly.
2020-10-07 Renewal 3270.151(a) - 12 months prior to service and every 24 months thereafter Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The most recent health assessment on file for staff person 1 was no longer valid (dated 9/20/2018).

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The staff member completed her physical on 10/19/2020 and turned in the staff health assessment form to the center director on 10/20/2020. This form is being sent to the DHS contact person ASAP. Moving forward, all clearance dates as well as physicals will be posted in the childcare office so staff can visually see when their expiration dates are for the necessary paper work that is needed to work in the center. Health assessments will be obtained timely.
2020-10-07 Renewal 3270.77(a) - No peeling paint or plaster Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Areas of peeling paint were observed on the walls in the one year old room and in the two year old room.

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

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
1. The teachers in the classroom covered the peeling paint with seasonal decorations. A request to the church has been made for the wall to be re-painted/redone with a vinyl wall so the paint won't peel anymore. The 2 year old class painted over the peeling paint. 2. Moving forward, the painted walls in the classrooms will be replaced with a vinyl wall to reduce the need to paint the walls as well as no more peeling paint. Other rooms in the center will be reminded to inspect their walls for peeling paint and first take a photo of the peeling paint, cover the peeling with blue painters tape and to notify the center director. The director will then notify the church for repairs.
2020-10-07 Renewal 3270.82(i) - Lidded waste receptacles Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A trash can located in a bathroom off of the lunchroom was not lidded.

Correction Required: A toilet area, training chair area, diapering area and sink area shall be equipped with a clean, lidded waste receptacle.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
1. The trash can in the bathroom was replaced with a trash can with a lid. 2. Moving forward, to maintain compliance with this regulation, I directed the staff to check the trash can lid more frequently as well as communicate with the center custodian to inform the director when a trashcan lid is missing or needs to be replaced. Bathrooms will be equipped with a lidded trashcan.
2020-07-16 Unannounced Monitoring 3270.113(a)(1) - Staff assigned to specific children Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: At the time of inspection, staff person 1 and staff person 2 each stated they were responsible for 3 of the children in the three year old classroom. There were 9 children in the group and only 6 of them were accounted for in primary care groups.

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 teachers have been reminded that they must know who is on their primary care list each day. They can carry this with them for when they go out of the classroom, have it posted on the classroom wall or in their book. But they must know each day who they are responsible for when they are here. I spoke to the teachers listed on this form and included the information in our staff meeting memo.
2019-10-16 Renewal 3270.106(f) - 2 feet apart Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: An infant was observed sleeping in a pack and play that had less than 2 feet of space on three sides of the rest equipment. (CORRECTED ON SITE)

Correction Required: At least 2 feet of space is required on three sides of a bed, cot, crib or other rest equipment while the equipment is in use.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Items were removed from in between pack and plays in the infant rooms. Staff have been reminded that they must have 2 feet of space between pack and plays clear from any mats or other items to ensure space for safe escape in case of an emergency. I will be checking classrooms periodically for compliance.
2019-10-16 Renewal 3270.131(e)(1) - Exemption documentation from parent/guardian Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: At the time of inspection, the record for child 1 (7 months old) did not include documentation regarding the child's immunizations (that are recommended by the ACIP) at 4 months and 6 months. (CORRECTED ON SITE)

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Parent was emailed and we received the proper documentation the day after the inspection. Paperwork will be checked more carefully for dates of immunizations and health assessments. Parents will be required to submit updated health assessments and immunizations as they are completed to maintain up to date files.
2019-10-16 Renewal 3270.75(c) - Has all items Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The first aid kit located in the older school age space did not include band-aids. (CORRECTED ON SITE)

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.)
Bandaids have been added to the first aid kit. First Aid items will be replaced as they are used to maintain proper stock and DHS compliance. Staff will complete routine checks of items monthly during their lesson planning time to ensure items are being replaced.
2019-10-16 Renewal 3270.77(a) - No peeling paint or plaster Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The paint on an activity board located on the preschool playground was peeling off. (CORRECTED ON SITE)

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

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The activity board was removed from the location. Teachers have been asked to make sure the item has been fixed if they intend on putting it back on the fence of the playground. Peeling paint in the building or outside of the building will be properly covered until it can be painted or replaced.
2019-10-16 Renewal 3270.82(i) - Lidded waste receptacles Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The bathroom located off of the cafeteria were not equipped with lidded trash cans. (CORRECTED ON SITE)

Correction Required: A toilet area, training chair area, diapering area and sink area shall be equipped with a clean, lidded waste receptacle.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
All trashcans have been replaced and will only be replaced with a lidded trash can from now on.
2019-09-12 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.113(a)/3270.113(a)(1) - Supervised at all times /Staff assigned to specific children Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The facility self-reported the following incident: On 9-10-2019 around 11AM, Staff person #1 left child #1 (three year old) unsupervised in a classroom for a period of approximately 10-20 minutes after the group transitioned to the playground.

Correction Required: Children on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the premises shall be supervised by a staff person at all times. Outdoor play space used by the facility is considered part of the facility premises. Children must be supervised at all times. 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.)
Staff will count children as they transition through the building and onto the playground area. They will count prior to transition, as they transition and when they get to their destination point. Staff will supervise children at all times. Staff will position themselves so that children can be seen as they go through their day and transition through the building and playground area. All classrooms have a primary care group. Staff will know who the children are in their group, and will be aware when they are in attendance in the classroom. Staff will know who they have as they transition through the building and the playground area.
2019-07-10 Allocated Unannounced Monitoring 3270.192(5) - Two written references Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The record for staff person 1 included just one written, nonfamily reference. The record for staff person 4 did not include two written, nonfamily references.

Correction Required: A facility person's record shall include two written, nonfamily references from individuals attesting to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The second reference from a non-family member has been received for staff person 1. The reference has been added to her file and a copy sent to our representative. We also received the 2 references for the other employee. Which have been added to her file and sent over to our representative. Moving forward, we will ask for 2 references to be completed prior to the staff persons first day and brought in on their first day of work.
2019-07-10 Allocated Unannounced Monitoring 3270.36(b)(5)/3270.192(2)(ii) - HS/GED + 2 yrs/Exp, educ., training prior to facility Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The record for staff person 2 did not include documentation of education (high school diploma). She is serving as an assistant group supervisor. The record for staff person 3 did not include documentation of 2 years of child care experience. She is serving as an assistant group supervisor.

Correction Required: An assistant group supervisor shall have a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 2 years experience with children. A facility person's record shall include verification of child care experience, education and training prior to service at the facility.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
A high school diploma was received for staff person 2. It was added to her file and sent to our representative. Moving forward, HS diplomas will be on file for the start of employment. For staff person 3, verification of child care has been received and sent to our representative. Moving forward, verification of employment will be requested in order for employment to begin.

If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.

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