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La Petite Academy - Dumfries Road

Inspection · 2024-02-12

Date
2024-02-12
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Angela Dudek
(804) 629-8167
SHSIA monitoring inspection of an approved subsidy vendor to determine compliance with current subsidy requirements regarding the health and safety of children and to promote quality standards for the children in their care.
No

Areas Reviewed

8VAC20-780 Administration.
8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training.
8VAC20-780 Physical Plant.
8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.
8VAC20-780 Programs.
8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies.
8VAC20-770 Background Checks
20 Access to minor?s records
22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide
32.1 Report by person other than physician
63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Inspector Notes

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 02/12/2024 from 2:15pm to 3:45pm as the result of a self-reported incident of forbidden actions of a staff member. Interviews were conducted, documentation and video recording were reviewed, and the classroom was observed. As the result of the investigation, there were 4 violations cited directly related to the incident. The findings of the investigation were reviewed with management on 2/29/24. Areas of non-compliance are identified in the Violation Notice.

Please complete the columns for "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" for each violation cited on the Violation Notice, and then return a signed and dated copy to the licensing office by 5pm on 3/7/24. Please email me at angela.dudek@doe.virginia.gov with any questions.

Violations

4
Standard 63.2-1509-A
Based on staff interview and documentation, the center failed to report a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services immediately as required.

Evidence:
1)On 2/1/24 at approximately 11:50am, the parent of Child #1 (7 months old) notified the Center that they had witnessed their child being roughly handled by a staff member. The parent had recorded a video from their phone of their child being struck repeatedly by Staff #1 and showed it to Center management at 12:30pm when they picked up their child. Based on documentation and interview with staff, the center reported the incident to Child Protective Services on 2/2/24 at approximately 9:13am.
2)In video footage from 2/1/24 at approximately 11:47am, Staff #2 is shown facing Staff #1 at a distance of approximately 1 foot away and again at 5 feet away while having conversation with Staff #1 and while Staff #1 repeatedly strikes and roughly handles Child #1. Staff #2 did not report the incident.
Plan of Correction: Management reviewed VADOE expectations regarding Mandated Reporting during teacher in-service day on February 19. Please see attached La Petite Acknowledgement on mandating reporting. Trained again on 3/6/2024.
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
Based on interview and video footage, the center failed to ensure the care, protection and guidance of all children in care.

Evidence:
1)On 2/1/24 at approximately 11:47am, Staff #2 was seen in video footage lifting Child #2 (16 months old) by 1 arm to move them to another area.
2)On 2/1/24 at approximately 11:47am, Staff #2 was seen in video footage lifting Child #3 (6 months old) by picking them up under their neck and turning them to a new position. As the child is lifted, their neck and back are placed into a hyperextended position.
Plan of Correction: Staff #2 is no longer working at La Petite.

During Teacher in-service day on February 19th management reviewed LCG & VADOE expectations as well as an open conversation regarding best practice for physical interactions and proper lifting techniques for children.
Standard 8VAC20-780-400-A
Based on video observation and staff interview, the center failed to ensure that staff interact with children to provide needed help, comfort and support.

On 2/1/24 at approximately 11:50am, Staff #1 was holding Child #1 to assist them in falling asleep. Child #1 was crying and Staff #1 was shown in video footage pressing the infant?s face into their chest and forcing the infant?s pacifier into their mouth. Staff stated that the infant did not want the pacifier, but they kept forcing the infant to take it.
Plan of Correction: Staff #1 is no longer working at La Petite.

During Teacher in-service day on February 19th management reviewed LCG & VADOE expectations and had an open discussion with staff regarding appropriate interactions and best practices for nap & sleep time for infants-pre-k.
Standard 8VAC20-780-410-1
Based on staff interviews and video footage, the center failed to ensure that the forbidden action of striking and roughly handling or shaking of a child did not occur.

Evidence:
1)On 2/1/24 at approximately 11:50am video footage shows Staff #1 striking Child #1 (7 months old) on the face, back, and collarbone area repeatedly for approximately 2 minutes while Staff #1 is trying to get the infant to fall asleep. Photos of the child taken after the incident show that the child had red marks on their face and back.
2)Next, Staff #1 is shown holding Child #1 (7 months old) and is seen in video footage roughly bouncing the child?s body up and down while holding the infant in a cradled position. The back of the infant?s head is seen bouncing up and down off Staff #1?s arm and the front of the infant?s head can bee seen repeated bouncing off Staff #1?s chest area.
3)When Child #1 does not stop crying, Staff #1 can be seen in video footage switching the infant?s position by abruptly grabbing both of the infant?s upper arms in their hands and flinging the infant to their right side into a cradled position.
Plan of Correction: Staff #1 and Staff #2 no longer work for La Petite Academy.

During Teacher in-Service day on February 19th, we reviewed LCG & VADOE expectations and had an open conversation regarding safe handling and child safety.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services