Penn State Behrend Early Learning Center - Erie PA Child Care Center

5450 MERWIN LN , ERIE PA 16510
(814) 898-6175

About the Provider

Description: Children who attend high-quality early learning programs develop skills that will help them succeed in school and in life.

Program and Licensing Details

  • License Number: CER-00174168
  • Capacity: 131
  • State Rating: 4
  • Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
  • District Office: Early Learning Resource Center for Region 1
  • District Office Phone: (814) 836-5898 (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
2019-10-22 Renewal 3270.131(e)(1) - Exemption documentation from parent/guardian Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The files for child #1 and child #2, both preschool aged, do not contain verification of a flu vaccination received during the previous 12 month period as recommended for preschoolers according to the ACIP schedule.

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.)
Going forward, all children will have updated written verification from a physician for all vaccines. If vaccines are not completed according to schedule, an exemption form will be completed by the family highlighted the vaccine not given and why. All vaccines will be entered into a computer system and verified monthly for compliance.
2019-09-06 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.113(a) - Supervised at all times Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: ***It was self-reported and verified that Child #1, an older toddler, was left in the older toddler room unsupervised for 12 minutes. Staff persons #1 and #2 who were responsible for supervising child #1 were unaware that the child was missing.

Correction Required: ***Following certification staff approval of the developed supervision improvement plan, the legal entity will include on the monthly staff meeting agenda for the next 3 months a time to evaluate the plan including feedback from classroom staff and any changes to the plan.. The written documentation from the discussion will be submitted to certification staff within 5 days following each of the 3 monthly meetings.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
As referenced above, Center leadership will work with the STARS Quality Coach on the development of a supervision improvement plan and include such plan in the agenda of staff meetings for the next three months. Feedback from staff of such plan will be written and submitted to the certification staff with 5 days of the staff meeting. Going forward, center leadership is reviewing supervision requirements at orientation as well as monthly at staff meetings, highlighting that 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. Additionally, the Center Director has added Transition Tracking as a topic for the next three months' staff meetings. Center Leadership will also do "mock" transition tracking scenarios during these staff meetings with staff highlighting what was done correctly, what was done incorrectly, and have staff do training exercises on how they would talk to their co-worker about the mistake.
2019-09-06 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.113(a)(1) - Staff assigned to specific children Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: It was self-reported and verified that Child #1, an older toddler, was left in the older toddler room unsupervised for 12 minutes. Staff persons #1 and #2 who were responsible for supervising child #1 were unaware that the child was missing.

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.)
As referenced above, the Center has developed a comprehensive plan in response to this supervision incident and reminded Center staff that all children on the facility premises must always be supervised by a specific staff member at all times. All teachers are always required to follow the Supervision in Centers/Schools Policy and Transition Tracking as it is vital to the health and safety of the children in our care. Staff were retrained on the Supervision Policy. Center Leadership are reviewing supervision requirements at orientation as well as monthly at staff meetings, highlighting that each staff person shall be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children. Of course, we are mandating that 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 Center Director and her administrative team are overseeing and monitoring supervision groups, both indoors and outdoors, on a weekly basis.
2019-09-06 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.51 - Similar Age Level Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: It was self-reported and verified that Child #1, an older toddler, was left in the older toddler room unsupervised for 12 minutes. Staff persons #1 and #2 who were responsible for supervising child #1 were unaware that the child was missing.

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. The required staff:child ratios must be maintained at all times.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
On August 22, 2019, the Center returned both Teacher A and Teacher B to the program and individually retrained each on the Center's Transition Tracking Policy and Procedure. The Center Director also met with all Center staff on August 23, 2019, and reviewed these policies and expectations in detail. From August 22, 2019 to September 27, 2019, the two teachers at fault here were observed daily by the Director and Assistant Director to ensure the Transition Tracking policy was being completed accurately and provided guidance and mentorship to ensure best practices are followed. Additionally, all classrooms were observed by Director and Assistant Director during transitions and their compliance was documented. We also note that all Center staff are required to follow the Center's supervision and transition tracking policies as these requirements are vital to the children in our care. Initially, all teachers were re-trained on the Transition Tracking and Supervision of Children policy and procedure on August 23, 2019. The Center Director placed red "stop" signs on every door to remind staff of the Transition Tracking Procedure. The Center Director and her administrative team oversee transition tracking and monitor classroom transition tracking sheets daily, including providing in-the-moment feedback and coaching. Going forward, the Center Director will review supervision requirements at orientation as well as monthly at staff meetings. 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 Center has also started the implementation of a new transition tracking system. Transition tracking is now completed on a classroom IPAD, with a specifically designed child tracking app. The implementation process is a three week cycle with regular feedback from staff on what works and what needs improvement. Guidelines during implementation are: Leadership is required to review Transitions reports and Name-to-Face reports intermittently during the day for accuracy and compliance. Teachers are to know the names and the number of children in their care at all times; Teachers conduct a Name-to-Face Roll Call with Child Count, at the following times: when leaving a location or entering a new location through a door or gate; when a teacher leaves the room for a lunch break; at the end of the day; and at least every 2 hours.
2019-02-05 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.113(a) - Supervised at all times Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: It was reported and verified that a preschool aged child, who was under the supervision of staff person #1 and staff person #2, was left alone unsupervised in a small room used for breastfeeding for approximately 4 minutes.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Going forward, all children on the facility premises must be supervised by a staff member at all times. All teachers must follow the Supervision in Centers/Schools Policy, and Transition Tracking at all times as it is vital to the health and safety of the children in our care. The two staff members involved were place on Administrative Leave so that a review could be done. The two staff members were returned to the Center two days later with appropriate written progressive counseling. Upon their return to the center and prior to caring for children again, the two staff members were retrained on the following policies: Review of the Supervision in Centers, with signed acknowledgement. Review of the Transition Tracking Policy, with signed acknowledgement. Review of Job Description, with signed acknowledgement. All teachers will have regular training on these policies and ongoing formal and informal observations of the procedures. In the future, all children will be supervised on the facility premises, on facility excursions, as well as in the outdoor play space.
2019-02-05 Complaints- Legal Location 3270.51 - Similar Age Level Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: It was reported and verified that a preschool aged child, who was under the supervision of staff person #1 and staff person #2, was left alone unsupervised in a small room used for breastfeeding for approximately 4 minutes.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Going forward, all children on the facility premises must be supervised by a staff member at all times. All teachers must follow the Supervision in Centers/Schools Policy, and Transition Tracking at all times as it is vital to the health and safety of the children in our care. The two staff members involved were place on Administrative Leave so that a review could be done. The two staff members were returned to the Center two days later with appropriate written progressive counseling. Upon their return to the center and prior to caring for children again, the two staff members were retrained on the following policies: Review of the Supervision in Centers, with signed acknowledgement. Review of the Transition Tracking Policy, with signed acknowledgement. Review of Job Description, with signed acknowledgement. All teachers will have regular training on these policies and ongoing formal and informal observations of the procedures. In the future, all children will be supervised on the facility premises, on facility excursions, as well as in the outdoor play space.
2018-10-16 Renewal 3270.124(c) - Each child care space Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: In the infant room, where child #1 was observed receiving care, there was not complete emergency contact information available in the child care space.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Moving forward all emergency contact forms will be copied and placed in the evacuation bags. The bags will be present in the space where the child is receiving care.
2018-10-16 Renewal 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4) - Comply with CPSL/CPSL information Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file for staff person #1, hire date 12/7/17, contains a volunteer criminal history clearance and a volunteer child abuse clearance which are not acceptable for employment in child care under the CPSL. Facility Person #1 may not work in a child care position at the facility until the correct clearances for the purpose of employment are obtained..

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Staff #1 will obtain employment clearances. All staff will have a copy of their child abuse history clearance with the certification purpose stating Employment. Each record will comply with the CPSL and Chapter 3490 compliance.
2018-10-16 Renewal 3270.72(c) - Good repair Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: In the younger preschool classroom it was observed that the window screens that were in the open windows near the exit door were damaged and had holes with sharp wires protruding.

Correction Required: Screens shall be in good repair.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
We have removed the screens that were damaged. All screen will be checked daily and removed if damaged. Damaged screens will be fixed.
2018-07-31 Unannounced Monitoring 3270.151(c)(3) - Exam communicable disease Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file for staff person #1 contained a health assessment identifying a communicable disease but there was no information available regarding any risk that may be posed.

Correction Required: An adult health assessment must include an examination for communicable diseases and the results of that examination.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Here is the corrected health assessment. Going forward, our plan of action will be to review all health assessment prior to starting work to ensure proper documentation of communicable diseases.
2017-10-18 Renewal 3270.111(b) - Posted in group space Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A written plan of activities was not posted in the Movement Matters child care space.

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

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Corrective Action: A written plan of activities was posted in the Movement Matters Room. Maintaining Corrective Action: Moving forward, a written plan of daily activities will be posted in every group space.
2017-10-18 Renewal 3270.124(e) - Written emergency plan posted Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A written emergency transportation plan was not posted in the Movement Matters child care space.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Corrective Action: A written emergency plan was place in the Movement Matters Room. Maintaining Corrective Action: Moving forward, a written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care and staffing provisions in the event of an emergency will be displayed conspicuously in every child care space.
2017-10-18 Renewal 3270.133(3) - Name on bottle Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: In a first-aid kit in the preschool bathroom there was a packet of antibiotic ointment not labeled with the name of the child for whom it was intended.

Correction Required: The label of a medication container shall identify the name of the medication and the name of the child for whom the medication is intended. Medication shall be administered to only the child whose name appears on the container.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Corrective Action: The first aid kit, containing the packet of antibiotic ointment, was removed from the bathroom Maintaining Corrective Action: Moving forward, all first aid kits purchased will be checked for antibiotic ointment. If found, the ointment will be removed from the kit before being placed in the classrooms. In addition, all medications shall have a label with the name of the medication and the name of the child for whom the medication is intended.
2017-10-18 Renewal 3270.135(a)(3) - Disposable diapers Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: In the infant room, soiled diapers were being disposed of in a plastic-lined, covered trash can that was not hands-free.

Correction Required: If disposable diapers are provided by a parent or by a facility, a soiled diaper shall be discarded by immediately placing the diaper into a plastic-lined, hands-free covered can.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Corrective Action: The trash can in the Infant room was switched with the hands free one. A bigger hands free trash can was purchased. Maintaining Corrective Action: Moving forward, all diapers will be place in a plastic-lined, hands free covered can
2017-10-18 Renewal 3270.151(c)(3) - Exam communicable disease Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file for staff #6 contained a current health assessment that stated that the person had a communicable disease but an explanation of the possible risks was not attached.

Correction Required: An adult health assessment must include an examination for communicable diseases and the results of that examination.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Corrective Action: The file for staff #6 now contains a health assessment highlighting no communicable diseases. Maintaining Corrective Action: Moving forward, all health assessments, highlighting a communicable disease, will have written explanation of the possible risks. This form and explanation will be placed in the staff members licensing file.

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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Providers in ZIP Code 16510