Start Smart Learning Center - Gallitzin PA Child Care Center

865 CHURCH ST , GALLITZIN PA 16641
(814) 884-0119

About the Provider

Description: Start Smart Learning Center provides Gallitzin, PA with dependable child care services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. We are state licensed and our owner / director has a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Additional Information: Start Smart is a family-like atmosphere where children learning and grow in a safe and healthy environment. Preschoolers are well equipped with skilled needed for Kindergarten.

Program and Licensing Details

  • License Number: CER-00178468
  • Capacity: 44
  • Age Range: 6 weeks to 12 years
  • State Rating: 2
  • Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
  • Type of Care: After School, Before School, Before and After School, Daytime, Full-Time, Part-Time
  • Transportation: Field Trips
  • District Office: Early Learning Resource Center for Region 6
  • District Office Phone: (814) 623-9129 (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
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.102(a) - Clean and good repair Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Observed approximately a 1/2 by 1/2 inch hole under the back window of the white play house with a blue roof creating rough edges and pinch points in the Preschool Outdoor Play Space. Observed approximately a 1 by 1 inch hole in the turret of the castle creating rough edges in the Preschool Outdoor Play Space.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
All equipment was inspected thoroughly, and all holes were repaired to ensure they were not a hazard to children. Staff will inspect toys and equipment daily to ensure they are in good repair.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.103 - Small Toys and Objects Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Observed plastic bags in a holder attached to the changing table in the Toddler bathroom which were accessible to children.

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.)
The plastic bags were relocated to the cleaning closet which is inaccessible to children where moving forward they will remain. Staff were retrained on this regulation.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.123(a)(6)/3270.182(2) - Admission date/Application, admission, withdrawal dates Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file of Child #1 lacked the date of the child's admission on the agreement.

Correction Required: An agreement shall specify the date of the child's admission. A child's record shall contain the dates of application, admission and withdrawal of the child.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
All files were reviewed to ensure admission dates were present in each child's file. 'Admission date' section is on agreement form. Agreements will be reviewed at the time of enrollment and at updates to make sure they are complete.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.123(b)/3270.182(8) - Parent receives original/Copy of initial and subsequent agreements. Parent receives original. Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The files of Children #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5 contained the original agreement. The facility did not give the parent the original agreement and make a copy for the file.

Correction Required: A parent shall receive the original agreement. The facility shall retain a copy of the agreement. 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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
All agreements were pulled, copies made and originals placed into children's cubbies to be taken home on next business day. Moving forward, Parents will get the originals and copies will be placed in the files.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.124(c) - Each child care space Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Emergency contact information for Child #6 was not present when the child was in the Preschool Room. Emergency contact information for Children #4, #7, and #8 were not present when the children were in the Toddler Room.

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.)
All children's files were pulled, copies of emergency contact sheets made and placed in each of the three program rooms so that they are accessible regardless of the child's location within the facility. Moving forward, I will make sure emergency contact forms are present in the space where children are receiving care.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.124(f)/3270.181(c) - Updated every 6 months/Emergency info/agreement updated 6 mos Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file of Child #2 lacked a reviewed and updated emergency contact form and financial agreement which should have been reviewed at least once in a 6-month period. The file of Child #2 contained an emergency contact form reviewed on 12/10/18, 8/26/19, and 1/8/20. The file of Child #2 contained a financial agreement reviewed on 12/10/18, 8/28/19, and 1/8/20.

Correction Required: The parent shall update in writing emergency contact information once in a 6-month period or as soon as there is a change in the information. 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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
The current forms are within date. New tickler system includes reviews in January and July of each year which will include review of agreement and emergency contact form by parent. Form to ease this process was received by regional licensing representative and will be utilized effective next due date (July 2020).
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.131(e)(1) - Exemption documentation from parent/guardian Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file of Child #1, a 5 year old, lacked the 4th Pneumococcal immunization and the 2nd Hepatitis A immunization in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP.

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.)
Parent was provided with information on 3/12/2020. All information as requested to be completed prior to next date of service for child. Parent provided explanation of missed vaccine and doctors office was contacted requesting documentation of missed vaccine for child's file. Moving forward, I will make sure children have their immunizations or obtain a note from the parent and/or doctor with an explanation as to why they do not as needed.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.133(3) - Name on bottle Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Observed Babyganics Diaper Rash Cream and Aveeno Baby Daily Moisturizer Lotion which did not identify the name of the child for whom the medication is intended in the Toddler Room.

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.)
The child's name was added to the labels of these medications and all personal items were reviewed to ensure children's names were present on them. All staff were retrained on this regulation. Moving forward, staff will make sure all medications are labeled with the name of the child.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.135(a)(3) - Disposable diapers Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The Toddler Room lacked a plastic-lined, hands-free covered can to immediately discard a soiled diaper.

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.)
The use of the diaper genie being used was stopped immediately. A new hands free version was purchased and began use on 3/13/20.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.21 - General Health and Safety Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Observed a crib labeled #1 with a loose sheet in the Infant Room creating a potential suffocation hazard. Observed 2 pairing knives and an apple slicer in the top drawer to the right of the sink in the Preschool Room which were accessible to children.

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

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Mini crib sheets were purchased to use on mini cribs. All staff were retrained on this and utilization began immediately. A sign was hung to remind staff that only the mini crib sheets, which are also marked, should be used on the mini cribs. Paring knives and apple slicer were immediately removed from the drawer in question. All items were placed into cabinets which are out of the reach of children. Child proof locks will be added to drawers before putting these items back. Staff were retrained on the regulation as well as use of mini crib sheets.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.66(a) - Locked or inaccessible Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: Observed Bic White Out which indicated "keep out of the reach of children" in the top drawer to the left of the sink in the Preschool Room which was accessible to children. Observed Member's Mark Dish Detergent which indicated "keep out of the reach children" on the counter in the Preschool Room which was accessible to children. Observed a Bath and Body Works Plug-In which indicated "keep out of the reach of children" above the counter in the Preschool Room which was accessible to children.

Correction Required: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be kept in an area or container that is locked or made inaccessible to children.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
White Out, Dish washing liquid, and plug in were removed from accessible areas. Childproof locks will be placed on all drawers and on cabinet below sink so that children do not have access to these areas. Staff were retrained on these regulations and new protocol for where these items will be stored.
2020-03-11 Renewal 3270.82(h) - Handwashing signs Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The first toilet in the Preschool bathroom lacked a hand washing sign.

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.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Additional signage was placed in preschool bathroom where moving forward it will remain.
2019-09-04 Unannounced Monitoring 3270.32(a) - Comply with CPSL Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file of Staff #1 lacked documentation of application for the child abuse clearance prior to or on the date of initial hire. The file of Staff #1 with a start date of 8/6/19 contained a child abuse clearance dated 8/8/19. Staff #1 was not removed from care because a current child abuse clearance was in the file at the time of the inspection.

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.)
As noted, clearance is now on file for employee #1. Effective immediately, no staff will be permitted to begin work prior to all clearances being on file. Director will utilize "Child Care Staff Data" Sheet on department website to ensure all clearances are in place prior to employee start date. All employees' files were reviewed and contain current clearances. Director will comply with all CPSL and Chapter 3490 requirements and regulations.
2019-09-04 Unannounced Monitoring 3270.37(b)(1) - HS/GED Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file of Staff #1, who was designated as an aide, lacked documentation of a high school diploma or general educational development certificate.

Correction Required: An aide shall have a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Director obtained a copy of employee's permanent record card with graduation date noted on 9/4/19. All files were reviewed to ensure that proper education requirements are on file, all were. Moving forward, Director will utilize "Child Care Staff Data" sheet on department website to ensure proof of education are in place prior to employee start date for each employee.
2019-06-17 Initial review 3270.124(b)(7) - Name/address/phone release person Compliant - Finalized

Noncompliance Area: The file of Child #1 lacked the complete address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released on the emergency contact form. The file of Child #5 lacked the address of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released on the emergency contact form.

Correction Required: Emergency contact information must include the name, address and telephone number of the individual designated by the parent to whom the child may be released.

Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.)
Information was added. A checklist has been developed to ensure all information is complete.

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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