Little Learners Child Care Center - Luzerne PA Child Care Center

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility and a physical site inspection was conducted. The mulched outdoor play area contained a child's yellow and orange little tikes picnic table. This table had a bench that was broken and not attached on one side. This table also had a table top that was cracked and exposing sharp edges.

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.

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility and a physical site review was conducted. The thermometer in the refrigerator was reading at 54 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: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility and a review of staff files was conducted. During September 2019 the CPSL was updated to include the need for the NSOR clearance. Any staff that was hired before 9/30/20 had until 7/1/20 to obtain this clearance. Staff # 1, # 2, # 3, and # 4 were all hired prior to 9/30/20 and at the time of this inspection, these listed staff did not have an NSOR clearance in their file. Staff # 2, # 3, and # 4 were working with children during this inspection.

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: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility and a physical site review was conducted. The small bathroom contained what looked to be water damage on the wall and the floor to the left of the toilet. The wall was bubbling and was wet to the touch. In the same area, the floor tiles also had marks of water damage and were also wet to the touch. The large bathroom had a toilet that was located on the door side that leaked at the bottom when flushed. The floor was wet after being flushed. Ceiling tiles in the kitchen and room that contains the office had also been damaged or showed signs of a current water leak. Ceiling tiles and the vent at the entrance to the large room that contains the kitchen had significant amounts of dust of them.

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: On the date of this renewal inspection, a physical site review was conducted. The toddler and preschool area did not have a daily activity schedule posted in each individual area.

Correction Required: The written plan of daily activities shall be posted in the group space.

Noncompliance Area: On the date of this renewal inspection, a review of children's files was conducted. Child file # 2 had an enrollment date of 10/25/18 but the file did not contain a signed agreement until 12/11/18.

Correction Required: An agreement shall be signed by the operator and the parent. 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.

Noncompliance Area: On the date of this renewal inspection, physical site review was conducted. The infant and toddler sections did not contain the emergency contact information for the children in the space that were receiving care during this inspection.

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: On the date of this renewal inspection, a review of children's files was conducted. Child file # 5 is a 7 year old child. The last child's health assessment in the file was dated for 7/6/16 but was missing documentation of the child's immunization record.

Correction Required: A health report must be written and signed by a physician, physician's assistant or a CRNP. The signature must include the individual's professional title.A health report shall include a statement that age-appropriate screenings recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics were conducted since the time of the previous health report required by this section.

Noncompliance Area: On the date of this renewal inspection, a review of staff files was conducted. Staff file # 1 had a date of hire of 9/17/18 and the director was attempting to qualify this staff for an aide position within the facility. The file was missing proof of education and this staff was unable to be appropriately qualified. Staff # 1 has been working with children since their date of hire.

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.

Noncompliance Area: On the date of this renewal inspection, a review of staff files was conducted. Staff file # 1 had a date of hire of 9/17/18 and the director was attempting to qualify this staff for an aide position within the facility. The file was missing proof of education and this staff was unable to be appropriately qualified. Staff # 1 has been working with children since their date of hire.

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

Noncompliance Area: On 7/23/2018, a complaint investigation was conducted at this facility. A video was taken at the facility on 6/28/2018 and was sent to the regional office as part of the complaint allegations. A school-aged child was viewed on the video walking out of the outdoor play area with a child of the toddler age to the area of the back door to the facility. The staff were viewed with their backs to the gate area. The gate was also left open to the outdoor play area.

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. The legal entity/director will develop a supervision policy on how the facility will ensure supervision at all times of children per regulations. The policy must also include a plan of supervision during transition times such as children moving from the outdoor play area to the indoor facility, bathrooms, naps, and escorting to the school bus. This policy must work in conjunction with appropriate staff:child ratios being maintained also at all times. This policy will be submitted to the Northeast Daycare Office for approval. Once approved the policy will be discussed with staff and staff signatures will be obtained to indicate the policy has been reviewed with the staff and that staff understand children must be supervised at all times.

Noncompliance Area: On 7/23/2018, a complaint investigation was conducted at this facility. A video was taken at the facility on 6/28/2018 and was sent to the regional office as part of the complaint allegations. A carving knife was viewed on the video accessible to children on a countertop near the kitchen.

Correction Required: Conditions at the facility may not pose a threat to the health or safety of the children.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: Refer to Inspection 00138233

Correction Required: When children are grouped in mixed age levels, the age of the youngest child in the group determines the staff:child ratio and maximum group size in accordance with the requirements in 3270.51 (relating to similar age level).

Noncompliance Area: On 7/23/2018, a complaint investigation was conducted at this facility. A video was taken at the facility on 6/28/2018 and was sent to the regional office as part of the complaint allegations. A staff person was viewed in the video as left in the main large room of the facility with 15 children. The youngest age of the children in the room was indicated by Staff # 1 as being 2-years old. This age would have required at least an additional staff person in the room. The video was shown to staff person #1 and she admits that she was the other staff person assigned to the group. Staff person #1 could not recall whether or not she was present with the group during the time of the video.

Correction Required: When children are grouped in mixed age levels, the age of the youngest child in the group determines the staff:child ratio and maximum group size in accordance with the requirements in 3270.51 (relating to similar age level).

Noncompliance Area: Refer to Inspection 00138233

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.