Hearth Record

Ballestrini’s Early Learning Center

A child care center in Salem, Connecticut 06420

11 Centre St Ste 2, Salem, Connecticut 06420. (860) 859-2273.

Connecticut’s own record, on elicense.ct.gov

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The short answer

Record last released by Connecticut Office of Early Childhood on Nov 5, 2026.

The last 24 months 15 violations in 4 months of the last 36. Last cited Mar 2026. Every month

Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.

What these words mean4
Inspection (survey)
A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
Deficiency, citation, violation
What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
Licence status
Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
Capacity
The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.

What did inspectors find?

4 inspections in the last three years, the latest on Oct 23, 2026.

15 violations cited in the last three years, 2 of them in investigations.

Source:

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Child Care & Youth Camp Licensing Inspections. Released Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily.

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Child Care & Youth Camp Licensing Investigations and Child Care & Youth Camp Licensing Violations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

When those violations happened

15 violations in 4 months of the last 36. Last cited Mar 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.

15 violations by month over the last 3 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 Dec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.

Each violation, in its source’s words

Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.

Source:

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Child Care & Youth Camp Licensing Violations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

Mar 30, 2026: investigation (complaint)1 violation
  • Child behavior management: The operator and program staff shall manage child behavior using techniques based on developmentally appropriate practice, including positive guidance, redirection and setting clear limits that encourage children to develop self-control, self-discipline and positive self-esteem and communicate acceptable techniques to all staff.

    Rule 19a-79-3a(b)(7)(A). From a complaint.

Dec 3, 2025: unannounced inspection (full)6 violations
  • Individual care plan- signed by parents/staff: An individual plan of care for any child with special health care needs or disabilities when it is necessary that special care be taken or provided while a child is in attendance shall be developed and implemented with the child’s parent(s) and health care provider and updated, as necessary. The plan shall include appropriate care of the child to prevent and respond to a medical or other emergency and shall be signed by the parent and program staff responsible for the care of the child.

    Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(2)(E).

  • Menus- 1 wk in advance- keep 3 mths: When a child care center or group child care home provides either meals or snacks, menus shall be prepared at least one week in advance, dated and copies posted in a conspicuous place. Changes shall be documented by the end of the program day. A copy of what was served shall be kept on file for three months.

    Rule 19a-79-6a(a)(4).

  • Walls/ceilings/floors/rugs-clean, good repair: Walls, ceilings, floors and rugs shall be maintained in a state of good repair and be washable or easily cleanable. Rugs, if used, shall not present a tripping or slipping hazard.

    Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(5).

  • Equipment-clean and safe, good repair, non-toxic-sturdy, free from protruding nails, rust: All equipment shall be of such design and material as to be readily cleaned and safe for children. Equipment shall not be colored or covered by any poisonous material. Equipment shall be sturdy, safely constructed and free from protruding nails, rust, toxic material and other hazards.

    Rule 19a-79-7a(g)(1).

  • Outdoor space: There shall be access to a minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet per child of outdoor space for the number of children using the space at any one time. The outdoor area shall be fenced or protected for safety. Outdoor play equipment shall have a shock absorbing surface, under and around, that shall effectively cushion the fall of a child, except where the child is sitting or standing at ground level. The shock absorbing surface shall be maintained at a depth of at least eight inches, be free of water and not allowed to become compacted. Acceptable shock absorbing surfaces may include mulch, sand, and wood chips. Synthetic material that is less than eight inches in depth, including but not limited to, rubber mats or tiles may be acceptable surfaces provided the operator maintains documentation on the licensed premises that the synthetic material is manufactured for this purpose, installed in accordance with the manufacturer�s specifications and sufficient to cushion the fall of a child. Concrete, asphalt, grass and dirt shall not be considered a shock absorbing surface. The playground shall be free of glass, debris, holes and other hazards. Nuts, bolts and screws shall be tight; and those that protrude shall be covered or protected. Outside equipment shall be anchored for stability when recommended by the manufacturer. Anchors shall be buried below ground level. The operator shall provide documentation to the Office, upon request, by a certified playground safety inspector that newly constructed playgrounds and all newly installed playground equipment that are set in position and anchored in such a way to last indefinitely are designed and installed in accordance with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards. Drinking water shall be available and accessible to children. Outdoor equipment shall be arranged in such a way as to avoid accidents. All play equipment, fences, and structures shall not pose a hazard.

    Rule 19a-79-7a(h)(1-9).

  • Authorized prescriber/parent permission: Except for nonprescription topical medications, no medication shall be administered to a child without the written order of an authorized prescriber and the written permission of the child’s parent(s) which shall be on file at the facility. Individual written medication administration records for each child shall be written in ink, reviewed prior to administering each dose of medication and kept on file at the facility for at least three years after the child is no longer attending the program.

    Rule 19a-79-9a(b)(3)(A-B).

Jul 10, 2024: unannounced inspection (full)7 violations
  • Plastic Bags/Balloons/Styrofoam Objects Inaccessible: Plastic bags, balloons and Styrofoam objects shall not be accessible to children under three (3) years of age.

    Rule 19a-79-10(h)(2).

  • Staff Health Records: A file shall be kept on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home which shall include an acceptable medical statement and a written report of a negative tuberculin test.

    Rule 19a-79-4a(a)(1) and/or 19a-79-4a(a)(2).

  • Professional Development: A file shall be kept on the licensed premises for each employee of the child care center or group child care home which shall include documentation of professional development for each program staff person who cares for the children, including new employee orientation and annual training for current staff on programs policies, plans and procedures. Professional development for program staff shall be required for one (1) per cent of the total annual hours worked. The operator of the child care center or group child care home shall develop, implement and maintain a written plan for professional development in child care. The operator shall have documentation of a professional development plan for each program staff member which shall be maintained on site at the facility and made available for review.

    Rule 19a-79-4a(a)(3) and/or 19a-79-4a(g).

  • Child Health Records/Immunizations/TB: The operator of a child care center or group child care home is responsible for maintaining on the licensed premises a current record for each child enrolled. A copy of the record shall be available and provided upon request to the Office of Early Childhood, the child’s parent(s) and the local health director. It shall include a health record that shall include date of birth, a physical examination form, an immunization record, and information regarding disabilities or special health care needs.

    Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(2)(A) through (E)and/or19a-79-6a(e).

  • License Premise Clean/Good Repair/Safe: The building, equipment and services shall be maintained in a good state of repair. A maintenance program shall be established that ensures that the interior, exterior and grounds of the building are maintained, kept clean and orderly, free from accumulations of refuse, dampness, stagnant water, dilapidated structures and other health and safety hazards.

    Rule 19a-79-6a and/or 19a-79-7a.

  • Potentially Hazardous Substances Locked: Potentially hazardous substances in the child care centers and group child care homes shall be stored in a separate locked area.

    Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(10).

  • Playground Free From Hazards: Hardware such as air conditioners, water heaters or fuse boxes shall be inaccessible to children. The playground shall be free of glass, debris, holes and other hazards.

    Rule 19a-79-7a(g)(4) and/or 19a-79-7a(h).

Feb 9, 2024: investigation (complaint)1 violation
  • Supervision: The operator shall be responsible for assuring the supervision of the children at all times while the children are at the facility, indoors or outdoors, or on field trips. At no time shall a child be left unsupervised.

    Rule 19a-79-4a(c)(4)(D). From a complaint.

All 6 visits on record
Visits on record
DateVisitWhat the record says
Oct 23, 2026Unannounced inspection (full)Status: In Process
Mar 19, 2026Investigation (complaint)1 violation cited
Dec 3, 2025Unannounced inspection (full)6 violations cited
Jul 10, 2024Unannounced inspection (full)7 violations cited
Jun 18, 2024Unannounced inspection (partial)No violations cited
Feb 2, 2024Investigation (complaint)1 violation cited

Is it licensed?

  • Child Care Center, first licensed Jun 14, 1999.
  • Licensed for ages 6 weeks to 12 years.
  • Connecticut’s licence classes: Under 3 years, Preschool, School age.
  • Licence DCCC.15427, valid Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2029.
  • Capacity: 81 children (27 under 3).
Source:

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Child Care & Youth Camp Licensing Program Data. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

Has Connecticut acted against it?

  • 2 investigations in the last three years: 2 from complaints.
  • How they were resolved, in Connecticut’s words: Corrective Action Plan (2).
Source:

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Child Care & Youth Camp Licensing Investigations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Child Care & Youth Camp Licensing Inspections. Released Nov 4, 2026. Updated daily.

Who does the caring?

  • Connecticut doesn’t publish staffing levels for individual providers.

Who owns it?

  • Connecticut’s open data doesn’t list owners.

How is it rated?

  • Connecticut’s licensing data has no quality rating.

How does it compare nearby?

  • Among 162 child care providers in New London County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 11.5; this one had 15.
Source:

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Child Care & Youth Camp Licensing Violations. Released Nov 5, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • Connecticut doesn’t grade violations by severity, so read what was cited.
  • Connecticut’s open data gives the rule behind each violation, not what the inspector saw.
  • Connecticut doesn’t publish whether a complaint was substantiated, only how each investigation was resolved.
  • Connecticut doesn’t publish staffing levels or owners for individual providers.
  • This page shows Connecticut’s records from the last three years; its open data goes back to 2005.

Sources

If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Connecticut’s own record is on elicense.ct.gov. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.

Source:

This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.

From the provider

The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.

Replies

None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.

Paid listing

None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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