Description: MELC is a nonprofit organization with early childhood centers located in Pottstown, Norristown, Narberth, and 2 in West Philadelphia. These centers provide early learning care for children from 6 weeks through 5 years of age. MELC serves over 600 children each year.
MELC’s school age programs serve over 675 children ages 5 to 12 years at 13 sites in Montgomery County.
In addition to direct service programs, MELC also sponsors the Southeastern Pennsylvania School Age Child Care Project (SEPASACC), and the Montgomery County Child Care Consortium (MC4). Each provides a range of professional development, technical assistance, research and other services for educators and organizations serving the field throughout Montgomery County and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
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 |
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| 2019-10-17 | Complaints- Legal Location | 3270.113(b) - No physical punishment | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: ON OCTOBER 17, 2019 DURING THE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION, THE CERT REP OBSERVED THROUGH VIDEO FOOTAGE STAFF #1 PUSH CHILD #1 WITH THEIR BODY THREE TIMES Correction Required: A facility person may not use any form of physical punishment, including spanking a child. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) All staff will participate in a center-wide thorough review of MELC's supervision policy and Code of Conduct by 11/17/19. This is tentatively scheduled for 11/1/19. The noted policy documents and sign-in sheets will be submitted immediately following this review. |
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| 2019-10-17 | Complaints- Legal Location | 3270.113(d) - No harsh language | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: ON OCTOBER 17, 2019 DURING THE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION, THE CERT REP OBSERVED THROUGH VIDEO FOOTAGE STAFF #1 PUSH CHILD #1 WITH THEIR BODY THREE TIMES WHILE YELLING AT THE CHILD Correction Required: A facility person may not use harsh, demeaning or abusive language in the presence of children. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) All staff will participate in a center-wide thorough review of MELC's supervision policy and Code of Conduct by 11/17/19. This is tentatively scheduled for 11/1/19. The noted policy documents and sign-in sheets will be submitted immediately following this review. |
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| 2019-09-03 | Renewal | 3270.131(b)(2) - Toddler/preschool: updated health report every 12 months | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE FILE OF CHILD #1 AND CHILD #2 DID NOT CONTAIN EVIDENCE OF AN UPDATED HEALTH ASSESSMENT, THE HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR CHILD #1 WAS DATED 6/5/18, THE HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR CHILD #2 WAS DATED 7/24/18. Correction Required: The operator shall require the parent to provide an updated health report at least every 12 months for an older toddler or preschool child. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) CHILD #1 AND CHILD #2 WILL BE SUSPENDED UNTIL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS ARE RETURNED, PARENTS WILL PROVIDE UPDATED HEALTH ASESSMENTS, HEALTH ASSESSMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED WITHIN 60 DAYS OF ENROLLMENT AND UPDATED ANNUALLY |
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| 2019-09-03 | Renewal | 3270.31(e)(4)(ii) - Fire safety - 1 yr. | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 DURING THE RENEWAL INSPECTION, THE FILE OF STAFF #1 THROUGH STAFF #6 DID NOT CONTAIN EVIDENCE OF ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY TRAINING, THE LAST FIRE SAFETY TRAINING WAS CONDUCTED ON 8/22/18. Correction Required: Staff persons shall participate, at least annually, in firesafety training conducted by a fire protection professional. Staff persons and volunteers shall receive training in maintenance of smoke detectors, the duties of facility persons during a fire drill and during a fire and the use of the facility's fire extinguishers, not including discharge of the fire suppressant agent. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) THE STAFF WILL PARTICIPATE IN FIRE SAFETY TRAINING ON 9/4/19, FIRE SAFETY TRAINING WILL BE CONDUCTED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS |
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| 2019-03-08 | Complaints- Legal Location | 3270.113(c)/3270.113(e) - No ridicule or threaten harm/Restraints prohibited | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: ON MARCH 8, 2019 DURING COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION, STAFF #2 ACKNOWLEDGED THAT STAFF #1 THREATENED TO TIE A CHILD'S SHOELACE TO A CHAIR AND THEY TIED THE CHILD'S SHOELACE TO THE CHAIR. Correction Required: A facility person may not single out the child for ridicule, threaten harm to the child or the child's family and may not specifically aim to degrade the child or the child's family. A facility person may not restrain a child by using bonds, ties or straps to restrict a child's movement or by enclosing the child in a confined space, closet or locked room. The prohibition against restraining a child does not apply to the use of adaptive equipment prescribed for a child with special needs. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) MELC's plan of correction, terminated employee #1 of "Staff #1". During MELC Pottstown monthly staff meetings, the center director reviews and success new articles and information pertaining to supervision and strategies on how to manage challenging behaviors. MELC implemented a Positive Behavior intervention system (PBIS). Staff are informed to treat all children with respect and equity. |
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| 2017-11-07 | Renewal | 3270.107 - Refrigerator | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection on 11/7/17, the refrigerator located in the basement preschool area contained remnants from previous food/spills. 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. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) MELC staff were instructed to clean the refrigerator and remove all food remnants. All refrigerators will be inspected weekly to ensure the refrigerators remain clean. |
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| 2017-11-07 | Renewal | 3270.111(b) - Posted in group space | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection on 11/7/17, a written plan of daily activities was not posted in the schoolage are (basement of facility). Correction Required: The written plan of daily activities shall be posted in the group space. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) A written plan of the School Age Classroom schedule was posted and the lead teacher was notified that the schedule must remain posted in the classroom. This will be checked monthly. |
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| 2017-11-07 | Renewal | 3270.181(c)/3270.181(e) - Emergency info/agreement updated 6 mos/Emergency master file updated | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection on 11/7/17, the emergency contact information for children #1 and #2 located in the Toddlers 2 Tiny tots room had not been updated within the required 6 month period. (CORRECTED ON SITE) Correction Required: A parent is required to review and update the emergency contact information and the financial agreement at least once in a 6-month period or as soon as there is a change in the information. If emergency information is updated in a master file, it shall be updated accordingly in other facility records. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) Staff will remove expired emergency contacts and replace with updates in the emergency contact binder. To ensure updates are done the binders will be checked monthly. |
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| 2017-11-07 | Renewal | 3270.76 - Building Surfaces | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection on 11/7/17, water damaged ceiling tiles were observed in the Toddler 2 Tiny Tot room, Pre-k 4 room, Pre-k 1 (room 2F), Busy Bee Toddler 1, and the school age room in the basement. 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. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) MELC will do weekly checks to ensure ceiling tiles are kept clean, in good repair and free from visible hazards. MELC will replace damaged tiles immediately. |
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| 2017-11-07 | Renewal | 3270.77(a) - No peeling paint or plaster | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection on 11/7/17, peeling paint was observed on the walls in the Pre-k 1 (room2F), and Pre k-room in basement of facility. Correction Required: Peeled or damaged paint or damaged plaster is not permitted on indoor or outdoor surfaces in the child care facility. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) MELC will do weekly walk through of each individual classroom to ensure all surfaces are free from damage such as peeling or damaged paint or damaged plaster. |
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| 2017-11-07 | Renewal | 3270.82(h) - Handwashing signs | Compliant - Finalized |
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Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection on 11/7/17, hand washing signs were not posted at the sink in toddler 2 room, boys bathroom on 1st floor and girls bathroom in the basement. Correction Required: A facility person and an able child shall wash his hands after toileting and before eating. A sign on which this requirement is written shall be posted at each toilet, training chair, diapering area and sink in the facility. |
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Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) MELC will do monthly checks to ensure a sign is posted at all sinks. MELC will ensure that the sign contains the statement that children and staff shall wash hands after toileting and before eating. |
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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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