Brightpath - New Milford

Toys and other objects: Toys used for infants shall be kept separate, washed and sanitized at least daily. Toys for toddlers, including floor and riding toys, shall be washed and sanitized at least weekly and as needed. Toys and other objects with a diameter of less than one and one-quarter inches, objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than one and one-quarter inches, balloons and Styrofoam objects shall not be accessible to children under three years of age unless such objects are part of a designated and directly supervised activity. Plastic bags, not in use, shall be stored out of reach and inaccessible to children under three years of age. Plastic bags, while in use, may be stored within reach of children under three years of age provided access to such bags is only under direct and immediate supervision.

Rule 19a-79-10(h)(1)-(2).

Past Employment History: Obtain from each prospective employee, who is eighteen years of age or older, for a position that requires the provision of care to a child or involves unsupervised access to a child, a listing of all employment held in the United States for an organization that provides care or services to children in the preceding five years. The operator shall take reasonable steps to contact each previous employer provided by the prospective employee to verify at a minimum the prospective employee’s job title, description of his/her regular duties, confirmation of employment dates, and whether such previous employer would recommend the prospective employee for rehire. This information shall be made accessible to the Office upon request.

Rule 19a-79-4a(b)(2).

Children’s Enrollment information: 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. The record shall include enrollment information signed and dated by the parent(s) that shall include, but not be limited to: the child’s name, address, date of birth and date enrolled, the residence, business address(es) and telephone number(s) of the parent(s) and the name and telephone number of the child’s physician or other primary health care provider.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(1)(A)-(C).

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).

Air Temperature 65F at 3 ft-Thermometer affixed: Every area used by children shall be adequately ventilated and programs serving children younger than school age shall have a non-mercury thermometer affixed to the wall. The ambient air temperature shall be at least sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit as measured three feet from the floor. Programs that serve exclusively school age children may utilize program space with the ambient air temperature less than sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit provided the temperature is warm enough to accommodate the activities with comfort. When the temperature exceeds eighty degrees Fahrenheit, the operator shall provide more fluids and increase ventilation.

Rule 19a-79-7a(e)(1-2).

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).

Licensed premises-clean, good repair, hazard free-maintenance program: For programs serving children younger than school age, the building, equipment and furnishings 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-79-7a(c)(2). From a complaint.

Ratios- 1:4 (6wks-24mths), 1:5 (24-36mths): There shall be at least one program staff qualified under section 19a79-4a(e) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for every four children or fraction thereof who are under the age of two years in attendance and for every five children or fraction thereof who are two years old in attendance, indoors and outdoors.

Rule 19a-79-10(c)(2). From a complaint.

Group size- max 8 (6wks-24mths), max 10 (24-36mths): The group size shall not exceed eight for children that are under the age of two years and shall not exceed ten for children that are two years old, indoors and outdoors.

Rule 19a-79-10(c)(3). From a complaint.

Policies- complete, implemented: The operator shall implement and annually review specific written policies, plans and procedures that include, but not necessarily be limited to discipline, when a child is not picked up as planned, multi-hazard and medical emergencies, supervision of children, general operating policies, administrative oversight and personnel policies. The operator shall notify the parent(s), staff and the Office of Early Childhood within five (5) days of changes in these policies, plans and procedures.

Rule 19a-79-3a(d)(2)-(7). From a complaint.

Injury, Illness, Incident, Accident reports: A written report shall be produced and maintained on the licensed premises, and for a period of not less than 2 years, documenting any injuries or accidents that result in an injury to a child, or illness of a child enrolled at the facility, an incident that is required to be reported to DCF. This report shall be available to the OEC upon request and a copy shall be provided to the parent no later than the next business day.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(3)(A). From a complaint.

Local Health Inspection: At least every two (2) years, the local health director shall make unannounced visits, inspections or investigations of the licensed child care center or group child care home.

Rule 19a-79-2a(c)(8).

Postings: The operator shall post the following items in a conspicuous place, accessible to the public: the license, the OEC complaint procedure, menus, No Smoking signs, the plan for administrative oversight, the radon test, the OEC Inspection report (posted or available), the safe sleep policy and the OEC Developmental Milestones document.

Rule 19a-79-3a(d)6)(C), (e)(1-6), 7a(e)(17), 10(g)(8).

Past Employment History: Obtain from each prospective employee, who is eighteen years of age or older, for a position that requires the provision of care to a child or involves unsupervised access to a child, a listing of all employment held in the United States for an organization that provides care or services to children in the preceding five years. The operator shall take reasonable steps to contact each previous employer provided by the prospective employee to verify at a minimum the prospective employee�s job title, description of his/her regular duties, confirmation of employment dates, and whether such previous employer would recommend the prospective employee for rehire. This information shall be made accessible to the Office upon request.

Rule 19a-79-4a(b)(2).

Children’s Enrollment information: 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. The record shall include enrollment information signed and dated by the parent(s) that shall include, but not be limited to: the child�s name, address, date of birth and date enrolled, the residence, business address(es) and telephone number(s) of the parent(s) and the name and telephone number of the child�s physician or other primary health care provider.

Rule 19a-79-5a(a)(1)(A)-(C).

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).

Food Service Inspection: All areas used for the preparation and serving of meals in child care centers shall meet the requirements as set forth in the Department of Public Health�s Model Food Code, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Child care centers that prepare food shall maintain at the child care center and make available to the Office upon request a copy of a current and full food service inspection report issued by the local director of health.

Rule 19a-79-6a(a)(5).

Policies- complete, implemented: The operator shall implement and annually review specific written policies, plans and procedures that include, but not necessarily be limited to discipline, when a child is not picked up as planned, multi-hazard and medical emergencies, supervision of children, general operating policies, administrative oversight and personnel policies. The operator shall notify the parent(s), staff and the Office of Early Childhood within five (5) days of changes in these policies, plans and procedures.

Rule 19a-79-3a(d)(2)-(7). From a complaint.

Policies- complete, implemented: The operator shall implement and annually review specific written policies, plans and procedures that include, but not necessarily be limited to discipline, when a child is not picked up as planned, multi-hazard and medical emergencies, supervision of children, general operating policies, administrative oversight and personnel policies. The operator shall notify the parent(s), staff and the Office of Early Childhood within five (5) days of changes in these policies, plans and procedures.

Rule 19a-79-3a(d)(2)-(7).

Supervision: Children shall be supervised at all times while at the facility, indoors or outdoors, or on field trips. At no time shall a child be left unsupervised.

Rule 19a-79-4a(d)(4)(D).

Non-Prescription Topical Medications: The written permission of the parent(s) shall be required prior to the administration of the nonprescription topical medication shall be kept on file at the facility for each child administered a nonprescription topical medication. The parent(s) shall be immediately notified of any medication error, and notified of such error in writing not more than seventy two hours after the medication error occurred, and such medication error shall be documented in the child�s record. The medication shall be stored in the original container and shall contain the following information on the container or packaging indicating the individual child�s name; the name of the medication; and directions for the medication�s administration. The medication shall be stored away from food and inaccessible to children. Any unused portion of the medication shall be returned to the parent(s). Any expired medication shall be destroyed in a safe manner or returned to the parent.

Rule 19a-79-9a(a)(2-3). From a complaint.