Rising Star Preschool

Criminal Record Clearance — Based on records reviewed and information obtained, the licensee allowed Terri Bercasio to act in the capacity of and/or on behalf of the licensee for an undetermined amount of time without a criminal record clearance or a criminal record exemption as required, which poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.

Finances — Based on records reviewed, the Licensee failed to maintain the financial stability necessary to operate the facility, as records demonstrated ongoing financial concerns affecting the facility’s ability to sustain operations and meet financial obligations, which poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.

Reporting Requirements — Based on interview and record review, C1 suffered a medical event that led to hospitalization and the facility did not report the incident to the Department by the next working day or submit a written report within seven days. This poses a potential health, safety and personal rights risk to children in care.

Infant Care Teacher Qualifications and Duties — Based on staff interview and record review, staff S1, a teacher aide, was caring for children while missing education requirements and without proof of enrollment in required courses, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the children in care.

Staff-Infant Ratio — Based on interviews, record review, the infant classroom was not supervised by a qualified teacher, but rather, staff S1, a teacher aide, effectively placing the classroom out of ratio, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the children in care.

Personnel Records — Based on record review, the facility hired (and since terminated) and employee S1 without maintaining paperwork that was specific to the facility, and was missing employee signature and duties of the employee, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the children in care.

1596.8662(b)(1) On or before March 30, 2018, a person who, on January 1, 2018, is a licensed child care provider, administrator, or employee of a licensed child day care facility shall complete… (a)…renewal mandated reporter training every two years following the date on which he or she completed the initial mandated reporter training. Based on record review, the facility did not comply with the section cited above, as of staff S1 and S2 did not have current, renewed mandated reporter certificates, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

1596.841 Current roster of children...Each child day care facility shall maintain a current roster of children who are provided care in the facility.... This roster shall be available to the licensing agency upon request. Based on record review and interview, the facility did not comply with the section cited above, as the current roster of children was not available upon request, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Criminal Record Clearance — Based record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. Rachelle Wise, facility representative, is background cleared, but did not have criminal record clearance associated to the facility. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

Personnel Records — Based on interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as licensee did not have any documentation for staff S1 at the facility for review. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in car

Reporting Requirements — Based on interview and record review, the licensee has not designated a qualified teacher in the center director’s absence. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

Teacher Qualifications and Duties — Based on interview with the interim director and staff S2, a preschool aide, has been supervising preschool children without a fully qualified teacher to supervise her, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care

Drinking water lead testing — Based on observation and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that the lead testing was not completed, and has no report on file, as required, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to children in care.

Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies — Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as trash cans throughout do not have tightly fitting covers which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision for Infants — Based on interview and record review, the facility did not maintain safe sleep logs for 2 of 2 infants in care, C1 and C2, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Staff immunization requirements — Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as 3 of 3 staff present today did not have records of immunization on file, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Infant Care Center Director Qualifications and Duties — Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above, as the the interim director did not have infant/toddler care and other ECE education requirements, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Teacher Qualifications and Duties — Based on interview with the interim director and staff S3, a preschool aide, has been supervising preschool children without a fully qualified teacher to supervise, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Immunizations — Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above, as 2 of 2 infants in care, C1 and C2, did not have immunization records on file, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Infant Needs and Services Plan — Based on interview and observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above, as 2 of 2 infants, C1 and C2, did not have Needs and Services plans on file, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Reporting Requirements — Based on interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above, as Tomi Kelly was designated as Interim Director and started her role on 11/17/25 . Licensee failed to notify the department of the change, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Limitations on Capacity and Ambulatory Status — Based on LPA observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as there was co-mingling of infants and preschool children in one classroom (infant room #1, just beyond the main entrance), which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.