St Joseph Creative Beginnings Child Care Center - Reading PA Child Care Center

2390 BERNVILLE RD , READING PA 19605
(610) 378-2484

About the Provider

Description: ST JOSEPH CREATIVE BEGINNINGS CHILD CARE CENTER is a Child Care Center in READING PA, with a maximum capacity of 181 children. The provider also participates in a subsidized child care program.

Program and Licensing Details

  • License Number: CER-00185034
  • Capacity: 181
  • State Rating: 1
  • Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
  • Languages Supported: English, American Sign Language, Spanish
  • Schools Served: Schuylkill Valley - Pick-Up service to/from school
  • District Office: Early Learning Resource Center for Region 13
  • District Office Phone: (484) 651-8000 (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
2020-11-09 Renewal 3270.111(b) - Posted in group space Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 11/9/2020. At that time, a written plan of daily activities was not posted in the Preschool 2 Classroom.

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.)
Provider immediately posted the written plan of daily activities in the Preschool 2 Classroom. In the future, provider will add a check for the posted daily activities to the weekly classroom checks.
2020-11-09 Renewal 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4) - Comply with CPSL/CPSL information Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection, the staff files were reviewed. At that time, the file for Facility Person #1 did not contain mandated reporter training that had been completed within the past 60 months. (Date of training: 11/16/15)

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.)
Facility Person #1 will complete mandated reporter training. In the future, provider will comply with CPSL and make sure all facility persons will complete mandated reporter training at the onset of employment and every 60 months thereafter.
2020-11-09 Renewal 3270.76 - Building Surfaces Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 11/9/2020. At that time, a sharp, loose screw was observed on the finger pinch guard of the older toddler room door.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Provider immediately tightened the loose screw on the finger pinch guard. In the future, provider will add a check of the finger pinch guards to the monthly maintenance checks to make sure that the facility is in good repair and free of visible hazards.
2020-02-18 Renewal 3270.103 - Small Toys and Objects Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 2/18/2020. At that time, a small barrette, less than one inch in diameter, was observed in a child's cubby that was at floor level. The barrette was accessible to the older toddlers in the classroom. Facility Person #3 stated that some of the children in the classroom still place objects in their mouths.

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.)
Facility Person #3 immediately removed the barrette from the cubby. In the future, staff will check classrooms daily for any small objects or plastic bags that may be accessible to the children in care.
2020-02-18 Renewal 3270.131(b)(1) - Infant: updated health report every 6 months Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 2/18/2020. At that time, the file for Child #1, a young toddler, only contained one health assessment dated 1/10/2019.

Correction Required: The operator shall require the parent to provide an updated health report at least every 6 months for an infant or young toddler

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Provider will obtain a health assessment for Child #1. In the future, provider will make sure that all infants and young toddlers have updated health assessments on file every 6 months.
2020-02-18 Renewal 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4) - Comply with CPSL/CPSL information Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 2/18/2020. At that time, the file for Facility Person #1 did not contain documentation of mandated reporter training conducted within 90 days of hire. (Date of hire: 5/28/19, mandated reporter: 10/2/19) The file for Facility Person #2, hired 8/11/19, did not contain documentation of an FBI Clearance through DHS or the fingerprinting for the clearance prior to date of hire. (fingerprinting date: 8/12/19, PDE FBI Clearance: 5/25/17)

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.)
Director and assistant director will review most recent CPSL announcement. In the future, provide will comply with CPSL.
2020-02-18 Renewal 3270.76 - Building Surfaces Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 2/18/2020. At that time, a carpet at the end of the hallway was bunched up against a large flower pot, creating a tripping hazard. A large shelf in the preschool 1 classroom was not secured to the wall and presented a crushing hazard. A large drying rack was observed in the preschool 2 classroom that was not secured to the wall and presented a crushing hazard. The school age classroom was observed to be used for storage, containing large bulletin boards and shelves with screws laying around the room, and a large carpet was crumpled in a pile. Two areas of the fencing on the toddler playground were stretched open in large areas along the bottom of the fencing.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Provider immediately fixed carpet at the end of the hallway. Provider will remove drying rack, bulletin boards, shelves and carpets from the classrooms so that they do not pose a safety hazard. Provider will not use toddler playground until the fence can be repaired. The toddlers will use the bike path playground until that time. In the future, provider will check monthly to make sure the facility is in good repair.
2019-09-12 Unannounced Monitoring 3270.111(a) - Written plan Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: On 9/12/19, 9/13/19, 9/19/19, and 9/25/19 facility staff were interviewed. Through interviews, it was found that most of the young toddlers and older toddlers are frequently awake early from naptime. The toddlers are kept on their cots for up to an hour at times in order to maintain naptime ratios.

Correction Required: A written plan of daily activities and routines, including a time for free play shall be established for each group. The plan shall be flexible to accommodate the needs of individual children and the dynamics of the group.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
A daily schedule is created for and posted in each classroom, and includes time for small group and large group opportunities, free choice, and outdoor experiences. All schedules are flexible and allow for adjustments based on the emerging interests and of the individual child (see attached). A Center Specific Ratio Monitoring Policy has been implemented to ensure classrooms are being monitored every 30 minutes. Numbers of teachers and children are noted, and we can address when support is needed as young toddlers and older toddlers awake from naptime. There will always be enough staff present to supervise children and maintain ratios during napping hours, and awake children will not be made to stay on their cots.
2019-08-29 Complaints- Legal Location 20.71(a)(5) - Mistreatment or abuse of a child/children cared for in facility Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: On 8/26/19, it was reported to the Department that a child, while receiving care at the facility, was mistreated/abused by Staff Person #1.

Correction Required: The Department may deny, refuse to renew or revoke a certificate of compliance for mistreatment or abuse of a child/children cared for in facility. The legal entity must arrange for all facility staff to receive 2 hours in person PQAS approved training regarding 1. Signs of abuse and neglect 2. Managing children's behavior and defining boundaries of appropriate touch. The legal entity must receive DHS approval of the training prior to scheduling.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
No child shall be mistreated or abused at child care facility. Staff Person # 1 was placed on Administrative Leave and subsequently terminated. All staff were immediately retrained on Bright Horizons Physical Interaction Between Staff and Children Policy along with a summary retraining of Mandated Reporting requirements. Additionally, both the Bright Horizons and client partner's Mandated Reporter Trainings were completed on September 20, 2019 for all staff. PQAS is scheduled to conduct a staff training on September 25, 2019 on Positive Guidance as well. PQAS will be conducting a 3 hr in person training on Signs of Abuse and Neglect and Managing Children's Behavior and Defining Boundaries of Appropriate Touch on October 16, 2019.
2019-08-12 Unannounced Monitoring 3270.113(e) - Restraints prohibited Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: An unannounced inspection was conducted on 8/12/19. At that time, Staff Person #1 stated that she will come up to a child from behind and grab him in a bear hug to carry him to the cozy cube. The child will resist when Staff Person #1 carries him to the cozy cube. Staff Person #1 stated, "I have seen his arm pulled to get him towards the cozy cube, but I feel that I don't want to hurt him, so I pick him up."

Correction Required: 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. The legal entity must arrange for all staff to receive a minimum of two hours of training regarding positive redirection and discipline techniques, focusing on the proper way to communicate and interact with children with challenging behaviors. The legal entity must receive DHS approval of the training content prior to scheduling the training.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
All staff will attend a training regarding positive redirection and discipline techniques to ensure the entirety of our staff's understanding of positive guidance practices and expectations. In the future, staff will not restrain any child.
2019-02-28 Renewal 3270.102(e) - Infant/toddler - no material less than 1 inch Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility on 2/28/19 the inspector observed a repurposed plastic bottle in the infant room being used as a sensory toy to be opened exposing the contents inside which included objects less than an inch in diameter.

Correction Required: Pea gravel and other materials with a diameter of less than 1 inch may not be used in spaces where infants or toddlers receive care.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The bottle and materials were immediately removed from the infant classroom by the center director. Additionally, all plastic water bottles with small materials were removed from the infant, young toddler and two-year-old classrooms on 3/12/2019. Going forward, Center leadership is completing weekly checks to ensure teaching staff remain in compliance with this regulation.
2019-02-28 Renewal 3270.131(d)(5) - Immunization record Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility ON 2/28/19 the inspector noted that child #1 had an immunization record on file at the facility that was not compliant with the recommendations of the ACIP.

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

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
In response to this citation, the Center Director contacted the childs mother to discuss the childs health record. The parent communicated that they preferred their child not have the immunizations according to the recommendations of the ACIP and signed a document confirming this that was placed in the childs file on 2/28/19. The assistant director reviewed all childrens immunization records to ensure each meets recommended immunization schedule for children and adolescents age 18 years or younger on 3/11/2019. If families choose to not follow the recommended schedule, the Center will ensure the family completes the Child Immunization Exemption form. Children who are not meeting the above listed requirements will not be allowed to attend the program.
2019-02-28 Renewal 3270.32(a) - Comply with CPSL Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility on 2/28/19 the inspector observed the file for staff #1 and noted that the first day of directr child care for this employee was 8/27/18. Staff #1 was hired with a volunteer Pa State Police Clearance dated 12/15/16. This clearance was not updated to an employment clearance until 2/101/9.

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

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
We note that prior to the licensing inspection on 2/28/19, the Center Director had observed the volunteer clearance in staff #1s file and was working to remedy the issue. Specifically, the staff member was required to submit a request for a non-volunteer PA State Police Clearance before returning to work and the clearance was obtained on 2/10/2019. Moving forward, the center director is reviewing all employee clearances carefully to ensure that all staff members are hired with valid, non-volunteer PA State Police Clearances on a monthly basis.
2019-02-28 Renewal 3270.66(c) - Toxic use- no contamination Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: While at the facility on 2/28/19 the inspector observed a spray bottle labeled as sanitizer sharing the same shelve space as dry snacks for the children in care.

Correction Required: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be used in a way that does not contaminate play surfaces, food, food preparation areas and does not constitute a hazard to the children.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The bottle and materials were immediately removed from the infant classroom by the center director. Additionally, all plastic water bottles with small materials were removed from the infant, young toddler and two-year-old classrooms on 3/12/2019. Going forward, Center leadership is completing weekly checks to ensure teaching staff remain in compliance with this regulation.
2018-08-21 Allocated Unannounced Monitoring 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4) - Comply with CPSL/CPSL information Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: An unannounced inspection was conducted on 8/21/18. At that time, the file for Staff #1 did not contain a disclosure statement.

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.)
Provider will have Staff #1 sign a disclosure statement and place a copy in the staff file. In the future, provider will make sure that all new staff have a copy of the signed disclosure statement in their file at time of hire.

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

Reviews

Be the first to review this childcare provider. Write a review about St Joseph Creative Beginnings Child Care Center. Let other families know what’s great, or what could be improved. Please read our brief review guidelines to make your review as helpful as possible.

Review Policy:
ChildcareCenter.us does not actively screen or monitor user reviews, nor do we verify or edit content. Reviews reflect only the opinion of the writer. We ask that users follow our review guidelines. If you see a review that does not reflect these guidelines, you can email us. We will assess the review and decide the appropriate next step. Please note – we will not remove a review simply because it is negative. Providers are welcome to respond to parental reviews, however we ask that they identify themselves as the provider.

Providers in ZIP Code 19605