Brite Beginnings

Regulation: 3270.14/3270.21

Description: Pertinent Laws & Regulations/General Health and Safety

Noncompliance Area: The inspector reviewed the emergency plan and found that it did not address continuity of operations as was required to be part of the emergency plan by 7/1/22." The OCDEL ANNOUNCEMENT C-22-04 requires facility emergency plans to include continuity of operations during and after an emergency that includes continuing daily operations, backing up or retrieving health and other key records/files and managing financial issues such as paying employees and bills during the aftermath of the disaster.

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.

Regulation: 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4)

Description: Comply with CPSL/CPSL information

Noncompliance Area: Staff #1 was hired provisionally and did not have all out of state clearances on file as is required and was working in direct care with children since hire (See LIS Code Sheet for DOH).

Correction Required: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). The CPSL was revised to include a requirement that all clearances be updated and on file at least every 60 months. As of 2/1/25 If staff are going to be hired under the 45-day provisional hire basis, the following conditions must be met; facility received the results of the applicant's PA Child Abuse History Clearance, NSOR Clearance, completed out-of-state clearances (if applicable), a signed disclosure statement, prior to employment and have received the result of the applicant's Pennsylvania State Police OR the FBI finger-print results prior to employment. Proof of submission must be on file for either the FBI or PA State Police Clearance. The employer, administrator, supervisor or other person responsible for employment decisions has no knowledge of information pertaining to the applicant which would disqualify him from employment based on CPSL. Staff #1may not work in a childcare position with direct contact and routine interaction with children.

Regulation: 3270.66(b)

Description: Original container

Noncompliance Area: The inspector observed Clorox and Windex on the same shelf as crackers for snack.

Correction Required: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be stored in an original labeled container or in a container that specifies the content. Toxics shall be stored away from food, food preparation areas and child care spaces.

Regulation: 3270.51/3270.52

Description: Similar Age Level/Mixed Age Level

Noncompliance Area: The inspector arrived unannounced on 5/21/25 and observed a group of ten children with one staff present in the infant room. Children #1 and # 2 were both infant age (See LIS Code Sheet for DOB). The remaining eight children were young toddlers. The inspector also observed one staff present with 15 mixed aged children in the young toddler room. There were five young school aged children, four older toddlers, six young toddlers with child #3 being the youngest in this room (See LIS Code sheet for DOB). The inspector also observed one staff with 20 preschool aged children present in the Preschool aged room.

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. TIERED LIS: 1.The required staff: child ratios must be maintained at all times. The correction date for this portion of the plan must be immediate. 2.The facility director will develop and implement a ratio policy that will ensure staff fully understand their responsibility regarding the adherence to staff/child ratio of children at all times. This policy should include provisions for staff call offs and other such instances where ratio may be affected and ways ensure ratios are maintained at all times. This policy must be submitted to the DHS Northeast Regional Office prior to implementation for approval. Once this policy is accepted by the DHS Northeast Regional Office the director will ensure all staff and facility persons sign off on this policy as well as all new hires moving forward. The correction for this portion of the plan shall reflect a date that is at least one month from the acceptance of this policy by the DHS Northeast Regional Office in order to ensure staff sign offs. 3. The legal entity must arrange for all staff to receive a minimum of two hours of training regarding Ratios. The training must be PQAS approved, in-person, and outside of childcare hours. The legal entity must receive approval from the DHS Northeast Regional Office regarding the training content prior to scheduling the training. The operator shall provide a date for when this training will be completed.

Regulation: 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4)

Description: Comply with CPSL/CPSL information

Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection on 1/16/25 the inspector observed the file for staff #1and found that this staff did not update their clearances every 60 months as evidenced by a previous FBI clearance dated 12/12/18 and did not update this until 12/26/23.

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.

Regulation: 3270.91(a)

Description: Stairs, exits, etc. unobstructed

Noncompliance Area: During the renewal inspection on 1/16/25 the inspector observed that both the basement emergency egress door and main floor emergency egress door were locked.

Correction Required: Stairways, hallways, exits from rooms, exits from the facility and other means of egress serving as an exit shall be unobstructed.

Regulation: 3270.23

Description: Parent Access & Participation

Noncompliance Area: Durning the course of the complaint investigation the inspector learned that staff #1 and #2 did not allow a caseworker, who presented a custody order for a child in care, access to the center while child was in care.

Correction Required: A parent of a child in care shall be permitted free access, without prior notice, throughout the center whenever children are in care, unless a court of competent jurisdiction has limited the parental right of access to the child and a copy of the order is on file at the facility. Opportunity shall be provided for parents to participate in the facility's program. The operator shall maintain a yearly file which documents general announcements to promote parent participation. The file shall be updated annually.

Regulation: 3270.31(f)

Description: Health and Safety Training

Noncompliance Area: An inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. Staff person # 1 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet): pediatric first aid/CPR.

Correction Required: Staff person(s) shall complete professional development in the topics of 3270.31(f)(1 -- 10) within 90 days of hire. Staff person # 1will have until 1/17/24 to complete the required training. Until such time as the required training has been completed, staff person # 1 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, staff person # 1 may not work in a child-care position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.124(e)

Description: Written emergency plan posted

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A physical site review was conducted. The written emergency medical plan for the facility was not posted in a conspicuous location in every childcare space during the physical site inspection.

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: 3270.31(f)

Description: Health and Safety Training

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. Staff person # 1, # 3, # 4, and # 5 have not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire (see LIS code sheet): pediatric first aid/CPR.

Correction Required: Staff person(s) shall complete professional development in the topics of 3270.31(f)(1 -- 10)within 90 days of hire. Staff person # 1, # 3, # 4, and # 5 will have until 12/29/22 to complete the required training. Until such time as the required training has been completed, staff person # 1, # 3, # 4 and # 5 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, # 3, # 4, and # 5, staff person # 1, # 3, # 4, and # 5 may not work in a child-care position at the facility.

Regulation: 3270.31(f)

Description: Health and Safety Training

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. Staff person # 2 has acceptable pediatric first aid/CPR training in an approved curriculum; however, the trainer has not provided documentation that they are PQAS-certified in that training topic.

Correction Required: Staff persons shall complete professional development in the topics of 3270.31(f)(10), 3280.31(f) (10), or 3290.31(g)(10) within 90 days of hire. Staff person # 2 must do one of the following: provide documentation that the trainer has become PQAS-certified or at least is on the waiting list, request the instructor provide documentation, such as their Pediatric First-Aid/CPR Instructor Card from the PQAS-approved organization or the approved curriculum organization, that the instructor is approved to offer Pediatric First-Aid/CPR training on behalf of their organization, or receive pediatric first-aid/CPR training in an approved curriculum by a PQAS-certified trainer.

Regulation: 3270.61(h)

Description: Exceeding Capacity

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A physical site review was conducted. The infant/young toddler yellow room has a capacity of 9 children. On the day of this inspection, 10 children were viewed being cared for in this classroom.

Correction Required: The capacity established for an indoor space may not be exceeded.

Regulation: 3270.67(d)

Description: Contaminated trash in closed plastic-lined receptacle

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A physical site inspection was conducted. A garbage can without a lid was found in the infant/young toddler yellow room. The garbage can contained discarded items such as napkins, tissues, and plates. These items are required to be contained in a closed, plastic-lined receptacle.

Correction Required: Trash that has been contaminated by human secretions or excrement shall be contained in closed, plastic-lined receptacles.

Regulation: 3270.82(h)

Description: Handwashing signs

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A physical site review was conducted. The young toddler/older toddler tan room contained a sink. This sink did not contain 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.

Regulation: 3270.95(a)/3270.95(b)

Description: Devices must be compliant/Director or designated staff person ensure compliance

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of the facility's log documenting when the fire safety system was testing was conducted. The facility did not test the fire safety system at least every 30 days as directed by regulation. Testing of the fire safety system was documented as occurring on the following dates: 1/5/22, 2/9/22, 3/16/22, 4/21/22, 5/12/22, 6/21/22, 7/14/22, 8/18/22, 9/7/22, 10/20/22, and 11/4/22.

Correction Required: Fire detection devices or systems must be in compliance with standards established under section 1016(c) of the act (62 P.S. §  1016(c)). The Director or designated staff person who is responsible for compliance with this chapter shall ensure the requirements under subsection (a) are met.

Regulation: 3270.32(a)/3270.192(4)

Description: Comply with CPSL/CPSL information

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection occurred at the facility. A review of staff files was conducted. Staff # 1 had a state police clearance dated for 6/9/16 and it was not updated until 8/1/21; a child abuse clearance dated for 6/13/16 and it was not updated until 8/2/21; and mandated reporter training dated for 6/14/16 and it was not updated until 10/22/21. Staff # 2 had a child abuse clearance dated for 3/5/15 and it was not updated until 5/21/20; and mandated reporter training dated for 12/15/15 and it was no updated until 11/22/21. Staff # 3 had mandated reporter training dated for 12/11/15 and it was not updated until 2/26/21. Staff # 5 had a state police clearance dated for 10/18/16 and it was not updated until 11/3/21; a child abuse clearance dated for 10/24/16 and it was not updated until 11/3/21; an FBI clearance dated for 10/20/12 and it was not updated until 12/10/21; and mandated reporter training dated for 3/27/15 and it was not updated until 8/3/20. Staff # 7 had a state police clearance dated for 1/8/15 and it was not updated until 8/5/20; a child abuse clearance dated for 2/6/15 and it was not updated until 8/10/20; and an FBI clearance dated for 1/12/15 and it was not updated until 2/26/20. These clearances and mandated reporter training were not updated every 60 months as required by the CPSL. The Legal Entity does not have an approved provisional hire waiver as required by the CPSL to hire staff on a provisional basis. The following staff were hired as provisional hires Staff # 4 (date of hire 10/25/21) and Staff # 6 (date of hire 9/28/21). Staff # 4 did not receive their NSOR clearance until 11/15/21 and Staff # 6 did not receive their NSOR clearance until 12/3/21.

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. Amendments to the CPSL eliminated the ability to hire staff on a provisional hire basis beginning 12/31/19. In order to continue hiring staff provisionally the legal entity was required to apply to the Department for a waiver. The legal entity does not have provisional hire waiver approval. The CPSL also requires all clearances and mandated reporter training to be updated every 60 months.

Noncompliance Area: Cert rep. went to the facility to verify the correction on 10/18/19 from SIN-00160280 and observed a group of 8 children located in the lunch room that included 3 young toddlers , 2 older toddlers and 3 preschool children without a staff person present in the room. Facility person #1 and 2 were outside the room talking to staff and parents. Facility person #1 walked into the room about a minute later stating she was speaking with a parent. Cert. rep told her the room was unsupervised and is still out of ratio with one staff person. About another minute had passed when facility person #2, who had been sitting behind the desk in the main entrance , came into the room.

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. 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.

Noncompliance Area: Cert rep. went to the facility to verify the correction on 10/18/19 from SIN-00162492 and observed a group of 8 children located in the lunch room that included 3 young toddlers , 2 older toddlers and 3 preschool children without a staff person present in the room. Facility person #1 and 2 were outside the room talking to staff and parents. Facility person #1 walked into the room about a minute later stating she was speaking with a parent. Cert. rep told her the room was unsupervised and is still out of ratio with one staff person. About another minute had passed when facility person #2, who had been sitting behind the desk in the main entrance , came into the room now putting the room into ratio.

Correction Required: When children are grouped in mixed age levels, the age of the youngest child in the group determines the staff:child ratio and maximum group size in accordance with the requirements in 3270.51 (relating to similar age level). The required staff:child ratios must be maintained at all times.

Noncompliance Area: During an unannounced inspection visit on 8/16/19 there were a total of 37 children located in the outdoor play space with 3 staff present. Each staff person named 10 children in their assigned supervision groups leaving 7 children not assigned to a staff person. Cert rep. observed facility person #1, who had been in the infant room upon arrival , come outside and walk over to the 7 children. Facility person #1 stated that the facility person assigned to the group had to leave due to an emergency and the other staff were there until she came outside. Facility person #1 stated that the 7 children were left outside without being assigned to a staff person for approximately 5 minutes. Facility person #2 identified child #1, an infant, in her supervision group along with 2 young toddlers. Child #1 was asleep in a pack n play in the back corner of the room. Facility person #2 was standing near the entrance to the room which is located on the opposite end from where child #1 was located. Facility person #2 was not able to see, hear or assess child #1 from where she was located in the room.

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.

Noncompliance Area: During an unannounced inspection visit conducted on 8/16/19 at approximately 3:10pm Cert rep. observed child #1, an infant, sleeping in a swing with her head hanging down when entering the room. Cert rep. asked facility persons #2 and 3 to name the children in their assigned groups. While facility person #3 was naming the children in her group facility person #1 got up off of the floor and took child #1 out of the swing. Child #1 woke up and facility person #1 held her.

Correction Required: Infants shall be placed in the sleeping position recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics unless there is a medical reason an infant should not sleep in this position. The medical reason shall be documented in a statement signed by a physician, physician's assistant or CRNP and placed in the child's record at the facility.

Noncompliance Area: During the inspection Cert rep. observed child #2, an 8 month old infant, asleep in a pack n play with a bottle in his mouth.

Correction Required: Neither an infant nor a toddler is permitted to sleep with a bottle in his mouth.

Noncompliance Area: Cert rep. observed 37 children on the playground with three staff. Each staff person stated that they had 10 preschool/school-age children assigned to them. This left them out of ratio with the additional seven older toddlers on the play yard. Facility person #1 entered the outdoor play space approximately 3 minutes later to supervise the group of 7 older toddlers putting her out of ratio by one child. Facility person #1 said the group was out of ratio for approximately five minutes because a staff person left due to an emergency. Shortly after children were being picked up by parents and the group came into ratio.

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. When children are grouped in mixed age levels, the age of the youngest child in the group determines the staff:child ratio and maximum group size in accordance with the requirements in 3270.51 (relating to similar age level).

Noncompliance Area: Facility person #1 is listed as an aide and has a date of hire listed as 5/30/18. Facility person #1 does not have documents on file to verify a PA criminal clearance and a PA child abuse clearance were requested for employment at time of hire. Facility person #1 has a PA volunteer criminal clearance and volunteer child abuse clearance on file but is listed as an aide at the facility.

Correction Required: The operator shall comply with the CPSL and with Chapter 3490 (relating to protective services). LACKING REQUIRED HIRING DOCUMENTS: Facility Person #1 may not work in a child care position at the facility until all required clearances are received

Noncompliance Area: There are some liquid plug-in air fresheners plugged into outlets at facility that are 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.