Helping Hands Day Care Center

It was observed that while on the playground with the children, the staff could not see a child who went to a bin to retrieve a toy because the bin was not in the view of the staff. (corrected during inspection).

The letter to the parents explaining the emergency procedures did not provide accommodations for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities.

It was observed that the Preschool classroom contained a portable trampoline, a riding bouncy toy, a climbing tunnel, and bean bag toss game, which were being used in the classroom. (corrected during inspection).

It was observed in the PreK classroom that an ink blotter (keep out of reach of children) was accessible to children. In the Toddlers classroom, two tubes of diaper cream were accessible to children on the diaper changing table. In the Preschool classroom, calcium citrate cleaner was accessible to children in a cabinet. (all corrected during inspection).

It was observed, in the Fellowship Room, that there was a cabinet with a door hanging off of its hinges, and a broken handle. (corrected during inspection). It was observed, in the Preschool classroom, that adult scissors were accessible to children in a drawer (corrected during inspection).

It was observed, in the Infant room, that there was no operable thermometer in the refrigerator used to store the children's food and drinks.

Staff person #1 did not was a child's hands after diapering the child (corrected during inspection).

The time between staff person #2, #3, and #5's health assessments exceeded the permitted 24 months' timeframe (5/2/22, 6/4/24), (6/6/22, 7/6/24), (1/5/23, 5/19/25) respectively. Staff person #5's initial health assessment and TB test/results were conducted on 1/25/23 and 1/27/23 respectively) which was more than 12 months prior to providing initial service in the child care setting. (See Code Sheet) Staff person #6's initial health assessment was conducted more than 12 months prior to providing initial service in the child care setting, on 8/8/23. (See Code Sheet).

There was no written statement, by the parent, giving the formula and feeding schedule for child #1.

There was no documentation of an annual emergency drill.

The time between staff person #3's fire safety training exceeded the permitted annual timeframe (3/2024, 5/19/25).

Staff person #7 has been employed for more than 90 days and has not completed pre-service training: Health and Safety training basics (had completed the 10 hr training, but not the update). See code sheet

The time between staff person #4's Mandated Reporter trainings exceeded the permitted every 60 months' timeframe (3/31/20, 5/19/25).

Staff person #5 and #6's records did not include the required verification of child care experience (at least 2500 hours) required to be an Assistant Group Supervisor (AGS), yet were being utilized as an AGS (corrected during inspection). Staff person #7's record did not contain verification of child care experience.

The outdoor embedded equipment does not have the required 6 inches of depth of rubber mulch under it (had approximately 2 inches).

It was observed, in the Infant room, that there was not two feet of space on three sides of the cribs (corrected during inspection).

The dates of administration of medication for child #1 and #2 were not included on the medication logs.

The capacity of the indoor space of the area within the Fellowship Hall (approved waiver: space within non-permanent walls) is being exceeded.

Staff person #1, #2 and #3's records do not contain the required verification of child care experience. This was corrected for Staff person #2 during the inspection.

Staff person #1 did not supervise child #1 for a few minutes during an excursion.

Staff person #1 did not know the whereabouts of child #1 for a few minutes during an excursion.

Staff person #4's FBI clearance on record is not the required DHS FBI clearance. Staff person #5's following clearances on record were expired: PA State Police dated 9/9/18; Child Abuse clearances dated 10/16/18; FBI dated 9/28/18. Staff person #6's file did not contain the FBI clearance results, yet this staff person had been working at the facility beyond the permitted 45-day provisional hire period. (See Code Sheet).

It was observed during the inspection that a child was dropped off by a parent at the facility, and the child walked to her classroom, on the second floor, unsupervised.

Staff person #1 stated that her primary care group included 14 children, when the staff to child ratio only permitted 12 people to be in her group (corrected during inspection).

Staff persons #2, 3, 4, and 5 have no record of emergency plan training on file. (See Code Sheet).

The facility's emergency plan was not posted in a conspicuous location in the facility.

It was observed that the depth of the rubber mulch under the swings (embedded) on the outdoor playground was 4 inches (6 inches are required).

It was observed that the sanitizing spray in Room 2 (Infants) was not in a labeled container that specified the content (diaper changing area).

It was observed, in the back of the large Fellowship room on second floor, that a space beyond the door (left of stage, through wooden double doors) was accessible and contained several stacked tables which were a toppling hazard. To the right of the stage, through wooden double doors, the storage space is accessible to children and contains a homemade wooden staircase (5 stairs) with no railing. These steps lead to a storage area above them which could create a falling hazard.

It was observed in Room 4 (Young Toddler) that a drawer to the left of the sink was accessible and contained: paperclips, rubber bands, push pins, and ponytail holders (items less than 1 inch diameter).

The written statement giving the formula and feeding schedule for one of the infants was not updated since 12/20/23.

Written notification of safe routes was not posted by the operator at a conspicuous location in the child care facility.

Staff persons at the facility stated that they frequently allow 14 children to use the classroom (with wooden door) off of the Fellowship Room, yet the maximum capacity for that room is 9.

There was no documentation of testing the facility's fire detection system at least every 30 days. The proof of purchase of the fire detection system was not on record at the facility.

The facility's emergency plan was not sent to the county emergency management agency.

The operator did not notify local traffic safety authorities, in writing of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the child care facility.

The facility does not have a policy that identifies the prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment.

Staff person #4 was being used as a Group Supervisor without verification of 2 years of experience working with children on file. Staff person #7's record does not include verification of education.

Child #1's agreement does not specify the child's arrival and departure times.

It was observed, in the upstairs Fellowship Room that there was no written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care and staffing provisions in the event of an emergency displayed conspicuously.

Staff person #1 did not know the whereabouts of one child in her primary care group when asked to identify and locate the children. Staff person #4 was not able to supervise the children when she went into the building structure in pool area to get water (unable to see all children) and when she turned her back to the pool to speak with someone. Staff persons #2 and #3 did not establish the responsibility of specified children. (All corrected during inspection).

Staff person #2 was not in compliance with the staff/child ratios when swimming. Staff person #2 had 10 children in her group. The ratio required was 1:6 (corrected during inspection).

It was observed that the outdoor playground equipment section that is embedded (swing section) was mounted over loose fill (rubber mulch) that was less than the required 6 inches of depth.

The facility does not have an emergency plan.

The letter to the parents about an emergency plan did not include: lock-down emergency procedures; accommodations for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities; and the method to contact parents when an emergency situation arises and when it ends with instructions for how to safely be reunited with their children.

It was observed that the Fellowship Room (upstairs) is being used as both a gross motor space and fine motor/snacking space.

It was observed that all of the windows in the Fellowship Room and in the child care room within the Fellowship Room open 14 inches.

It was observed, in the Infant room (Room 2) and the Toddler Room (Room 4) that the radiators on the back walls (under windows) have dispersed rust and peeling paint. In Room 4, there is a missing ceiling tile and a water-stained ceiling tile. To the right of the child care classroom door, within the Fellowship Room, it was observed that there is a hole in the sheetrock (approximately 3"X2"). In Room 5, the wall has exposed wires in a hole in the sheetrock where the previous thermostat had been located.

It was observed that there were no hand-washing signs posted at each toilet and sink, in all of the bathrooms.

Staff person #1 and #2's TB screenings (Mantoux method) were not conducted within the past 12 months (2009, 2020 respectively).

Staff person #2 has not completed the following required pre-service training within 90 days of their date of hire: PA Health and Safety; Get Started with Center-Based Care (10 hour) (see LIS code sheet)

Staff person #1's record did not contain verification of education. Staff person #2's record did not contain the required verification of education or proof of experience required when working with children unsupervised.