Mericle Family Center For Early Childhood Educatio

Regulation: 3270.113(a)/3270.113(b)

Description: Supervised at all times /No physical punishment

Noncompliance Area: Interviews conducted during complaint investigation on 6/8/26 corroborated allegations that staff #1 had inappropriately handled a child while transitioning from the playground back to the classrooms. The mishandling was also confirmed from video footage dated on 5/22/26. It was confirmed through staff interviews that Staff #2 had left a preschool child in the bathroom for 2 minutes on 5/15/26.

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. A facility person may not use any form of physical punishment, including spanking a child. TIERED LIS: 1. 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. A facility person may not use any form of physical punishment, including spanking a child. This portion shall have an immediate correction date. 2. The legal entity must arrange for all facility staff to receive the two-hour training regarding developmentally appropriate practices. The legal entity must receive DHS approval of the training content prior to scheduling the training. Training must be conducted when no children are in care. The operator shall provide a date for when this training will be completed. 3. The legal entity must revise the current supervision policy to include name to face recognition as well as a policy for supervision during transition periods. The policy must address how the classrooms will successfully and safety transition toddler children, this includes those who may be unable to walk on their own or pose great difficulty. The facility will need to develop a procedure that will account for all children both before they leave and after they return to the classroom. This policy must be approved by DHS before implementation. All staff will review and sign off that they read and understand the policy. 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 their assigned group. The staff person shall be physically present with the children in their group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises. The operator shall provide a date for when this policy will be revised.

Regulation: 3270.31(f)/3270.31(f)(10)

Description: Health and Safety Training/Health and Safety Training - Pediatric First Aid and CPR

Noncompliance Area: During complaint investigation on 6/8/26, staff files were reviewed. Staff #1 did not have an acceptable pediatric first aid/ CPR training in an approved curriculum. Staff #2 has not completed the required Part 1 or Part 2 Health & Safety training within 90 days of hire. (See code sheet for dates of hire).

Correction Required: Staff persons shall complete professional development within 90 days of hire as listed in subsections (f)1-10. Staff persons shall complete professional development in the topic of pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation within 90 days of hire. Staff #1 must be supervised until they receive pediatric first-aid/CPR training in an approved curriculum by a PQAS-certified trainer. Staff #2 must be supervised, when interacting with children, by an AGS who has completed the required training related to this citation. If there are no staff available to supervise staff person #1 & #2, both staff persons may not work in a child-care position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.113(a)/3270.113(a)(1)

Description: Supervised at all times /Staff assigned to specific children

Noncompliance Area: Based on interviews during a complaint investigation on 11/6/25, it has been determined that a staff had left child #1 in the hallway during transition from the classroom to the outside playground. Child was reportedly unsupervised for under 4 minutes. The child was then found by another staff and reunited with their class.

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. TIERED LIS: 1. Children must be supervised at all times. This portion of the plan should have an immediate correction date. 2. The legal entity must arrange for all facility staff to receive a minimum of two hours of in person supervision training. The legal entity must receive DHS approval of the training content prior to scheduling the training. The training cannot be conducted when children are in care. The operator shall provide a date for when this training will be completed. 3. The legal entity must create a supervision policy to include name to face recognition as well as a policy for supervision during transition periods. This policy must also include the procedure for counting children before & after transition periods. This policy must be approved by DHS before implementation. 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 their assigned group. The staff person shall be physically present with the children in their group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises. The operator shall provide a date for when this policy will be created.

Regulation: 3270.27(a)(6)

Description: Emergency plan

Noncompliance Area: During renewal inspection, the facilities drill log was reviewed. The facility did not have any documentation of completing an annual emergency drill on file.

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

Regulation: 3270.31(f)

Description: Health and Safety Training

Noncompliance Area: During renewal inspection, staff files were reviewed. Staff #1 completed Health and Safety Part 1 on 7/8/25. Staff #1 did not complete Health & Safety Part 2. This review shows that Staff #1 did not complete the required pre-service training within 90 days of hire. (See code sheet for date of hire).

Correction Required: Staff persons shall complete professional development within 90 days of hire as listed in subsections (f)1-10.

Regulation: 3270.113(d)

Description: No harsh language

Noncompliance Area: During complaint investigation on 10/15/25, it was discovered that a staff utilized inappropriate, harsh & demeaning language towards a child. The facility acted upon the incident by terminating the staff member the same day.

Correction Required: A facility person may not use harsh, demeaning or abusive language in the presence of children.

Regulation: 3270.124(e)

Description: Written emergency plan posted

Noncompliance Area: During renewal inspection, it was observed in the Pre-K (H) and the School Age (M) room did not have an emergency transportation plan posted.

Correction Required: A written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care and staffing provisions in the event of an emergency shall be displayed conspicuously in every child care space and shall accompany a staff person who leaves on an excursion with children.

Regulation: 3270.151(a)/3270.192(3)

Description: 12 months prior to service and every 24 months thereafter/Health assessment, TB test

Noncompliance Area: During renewal inspection, it was observed that Staff #1 did not obtain an updated health assessment within the 24-month requirement. Previous assessment is dated for 8/16/22 and update was not obtained until 10/13/24. It was also observed that Staff #2 did not have an updated health assessment on file. Last assessment is dated for 11/3/22.

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.

Regulation: 3270.75(c)

Description: Has all items

Noncompliance Area: During renewal inspection, it was observed in the Young Toddler F room that there were no band aids in the first aid kit.

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: 3270.113(a)/3270.113(a)(1)

Description: Supervised at all times /Staff assigned to specific children

Noncompliance Area: During unannounced visit on 9/16/24, it was observed in the Infant D room that the staff could not identify the children they were responsible for on that day.

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. The legal entity must create a policy or system to show how their staff will be able to identify child they're responsible for. 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.

Regulation: 3270.113(a)/3270.113(a)(1)

Description: Supervised at all times /Staff assigned to specific children

Noncompliance Area: During unannounced visit on 9/16/2024, it was observed in the Infant D room that the staff could not identify the children they were responsible for on that day.

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. 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.

Regulation: 3270.113(b)

Description: No physical punishment

Noncompliance Area: On 9/16/24 an unannounced visit was conducted. In interviews with staff and director, both relayed the child was pulled in an upright position by the hands/wrists. According to interviews, the child was not cooperating when the group was getting ready to go outside and would not stand up.

Correction Required: A facility person may not use any form of physical punishment, including spanking a child.

Regulation: 3270.14/3270.21

Description: Pertinent Laws & Regulations/General Health and Safety

Noncompliance Area: During an unannounced visit on 9/16/24, it was observed that staff #1 was working unsupervised in the Pre-K room. Staff #1 did not have a valid CPR training. Staff #1 is still within her 90-day window for new hire. Staff #4 did not have health and safety training on file. Staff #5 had their health and safety training on file however, it is dated for 9/18/24. This exceeds the 90-day pre-service training requirement. See LIS code sheet for dates of hire.

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. Until such time as the required pre-service trainings are completed, staff person #1 & #2 must be supervised, when interacting with children, by an AGS/GS who has completed the required training related to this citation. If there are no staff person(s) available to supervise staff person #1 & #2, staff person #1 & #2 may not work in a child-care position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.31(e)(4)(i)/3270.31(f)(10)

Description: Age and Training/Health and Safety Training - Pediatric First Aid and CPR

Noncompliance Area: Staff #2, #3, & #5 have not completed the Pediatric CPR pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet).

Correction Required: Competence is the completion of training by a professional in the field of first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). All staff persons shall renew their certification in pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on or before the expiration of the most current certification. Staff persons shall complete professional development in pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation within 90 days of hire. Staff person #2, 3, & 5 will have until 10/17/24 to complete the required training. Until such time as the required training has been completed, staff person #2, #3. & #5 must be supervised, when interacting with children, by an AGS/GS who has completed the required training related to this citation. If there are no staff available to supervise staff person #2,3,5, staff person #2,3,5 may not work in a child-care position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.51

Description: Similar Age Level

Noncompliance Area: During an unannounced visit on 9/16/24, it was observed in the older infant room that it was out of ratio. There were 5 infants to one staff.

Correction Required: When children are grouped in similar age levels, the following maximum child group sizes and ratios of staff persons apply: Infants 1:4 with a maximum group size of 8; Young toddlers 1:5 with a maximum group size of 10; Older toddlers 1:6 with a maximum group size of 12; Preschool children 1:10 with a maximum group size of 20; Young school-age children 1:12 with a maximum group size of 24; Older school-age children 1:15 with a maximum group size of 30.

Regulation: 3270.31(f)

Description: Health and Safety Training

Noncompliance Area: Staff person #2 did not complete the required pre-service health and safety training within 90 days of their hire date as was required (see the LIS code sheet).

Correction Required: Staff persons shall complete professional development within 90 days of hire as listed in subsections (f)1-10.

Regulation: 3270.32(a)

Description: Comply with CPSL

Noncompliance Area: Staff person #1 did not complete the required Pa Mandated Reporter Training within the required 90-day timeframe (see the LIS sheet for date of hire);

Correction Required: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). .

Regulation: 3270.77(a)

Description: No peeling paint or plaster

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced for the renewal inspection the inspector observed the paint in the preschool J room to be chipped.

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

Regulation: 3270.76

Description: Building Surfaces

Noncompliance Area: On 6/8/23, while closing the door to the room child #1 was in, the child's index finger got pinched in the hinge.

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: 3270.131(d)(5)

Description: Immunization record

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced on 12/29/22 for the renewal inspection the inspector observed the file for child #1 and noted that there was no proof of an Influenza vaccine.

Correction Required: A health report shall include a review of the child's immunized status according to recommendations of the ACIP.

Regulation: 3270.133(5)

Description: Original label

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced on12/29/22 for the renewal inspection the inspector observed Albuterol medication for child #2 to be out of date, having expired 9/2022.

Correction Required: Medication shall be stored in accordance with the manufacturer's or health professional's instructions on the original label.

Regulation: 3270.14/3270.21

Description: Pertinent Laws & Regulations/General Health and Safety

Noncompliance Area: Staff person #4 was observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff person # 4 has not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Health and Safety.

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. Until such time as the required pre-service trainings are completed, staff person # 4 must be supervised, when interacting with children, by an AGS who has completed the required training related to this citation. If there are no staff person(s) available to supervise staff person # 4, staff person # 4 may not work in a child-care position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.151(a)

Description: 12 months prior to service and every 24 months thereafter

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced on 12/29/22 for the renewal inspection the inspector observed the file for staff # 1and noted that the last health assessment on file was out of date, having a date of 8/25/20.

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.

Regulation: 3270.161(d)

Description: Potentially hazardous food refrigerated

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced on 12/29/22 for the renewal inspection the inspector observed a lunchbox with a ham and cheese Lunchables in the child's lunchbox in the cubby area versus the refrigerator.

Correction Required: Potentially hazardous food brought from the child's home or provided by the facility shall be refrigerated.

Regulation: 3270.31(f)

Description: Health and Safety Training

Noncompliance Area: Staff person # 4 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet): all trainings related to Health and Safety.

Correction Required: Staff person(s) shall complete professional development in the topics of 3270.31(f)(1 -- 10), 3280.31(f) (1-10), or 3290.31(g) (1-10) within 90 days of hire. Staff person # 4 will have until 1/17/2023 to complete the required training. Until such time as the required training has been completed, staff person # 4 must be supervised, when interacting with children, by an AGS, who has completed the required training related to this citation. If there are no staff available to supervise staff person # 4 staff person # 4 may not work in a child-care position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.32(a)

Description: Comply with CPSL

Noncompliance Area: Staff # 2 has a NSOR that was obtained after they began working in direct childcare (see LIS code sheet for date of hire). Staff #3 does not have a completed NSOR clearance on file (see LIS code sheet for date of hire).

Correction Required: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). Facility Person # 3 may not work in a childcare position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.61(e)/3270.71

Description: Halls, etc. not included/Heat Source

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced on 12/29/22 for the renewal inspection the inspector observed the kitchen area, where the stove is, to be unlocked and accessible to children.

Correction Required: Measured indoor space excludes space occupied by halls, bathrooms, offices, kitchens and locker rooms. 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.

Regulation: 3270.95(b)

Description: Director or designated staff person ensure compliance

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced on 6/15/22 the inspector asked the director to review the fire drill/detection log and the director last had a manual test on 4/15/22.

Correction Required: The Director or designated staff person who is responsible for compliance with this chapter shall ensure the requirements under subsection (a) are met.

Regulation: 3270.113(a)/3270.113(a)(1)

Description: Supervised at all times /Staff assigned to specific children

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility on 5/26/22 the inspector was informed by staff #2 that on 5/24/22 staff #1 was found laying on their back with their arm over their eyes crying while they were supposed to be supervising the 7 preschool aged children in the indoor play area. Staff #2 noted that they had to ask staff #1 to get up and return to their duties. The inspector was able to view this incident on 5/31/22 via a saved video. The video shows staff #1 laying on their back with their arm over their face and seven children left unsupervised until staff #2 enters the indoor play space and redirected staff #1.

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. 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. Children must be supervised at all times. .

Regulation: 3270.151(a)/3270.151(c)(2)

Description: 12 months prior to service and every 24 months thereafter/Mantoux TB

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced on 3/18/22 the inspector reviewed the files for staff #1, staff # 2, staff # 3, staff # 4, and staff #6 and found that all of the staff began their first day of direct care with children on 2/23/22, 2/14/22, 1/3/22, 1/26/22, 1/3/22 respectively, and none of the five staff had a health assessment or TB screening on file as of 3/18/22.

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.An adult health assessment must include tuberculosis screening by the Mantoux method at initial employment. Subsequent tuberculosis screening is not required unless directed by a physician, physician's assistant, CRNP, the Department of Health or a local health department.

Regulation: 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4)

Description: Comply with CPSL/CPSL information

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility unannounced on 3/18/22 the inspector reviewed the file for staff #5 and found that this staff began their first day of direct care with children on 1/10/22 and as of 3/18/22 the staff had a Volunteer Pa Child Abuse on file and not an Employment Child Abuse clearance as is required. Further staff #5 did not have proof of a NSOR clearance on file as is required. The Child Protective Services Law(CPSL) was revised to include the requirement for the National Sex Offender Registry(NSOR) clearance effective 9/30/2019.

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 # 5 may not work in a child care position at the facility.