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La Petite Academy-Clara Barton

Inspection · 2026-02-10

Date
2026-02-10
Complaint Related
Yes
Licensing Inspector
Alyssa Simons
(571) 423-6392
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 Staffing and Supervision

During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed. If there were any serious injuries or fatalities related to a violation, the details will be included in the description of the violation.

Inspector Notes

An unannounced inspection was initiated on February 10, 2026 and completed on March 19, 2026, with a local agency, in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on February 5, 2026, relating to allegations of Staffing and Supervision. The inspector reviewed 7 children?s records and 1 staff record on-site. This inspection included document review, interviews, observations and measurements.

The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegations; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and the violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Please complete the plan of correction (POC) and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice. Specify how the violation will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five business days from today, which will be the close of business on March 26, 2026. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations

2
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance.

On February 5, 2025, Staff #1 walked a group of seven children, Child #1(age: 7 years), Child
#2 (age: 5 years), Child #3 (age: 5 years), Child #4 (age: 5 years), Child #5 (age: 8
years), Child #6 (age: 9 years) and Child #7 (age: 9 years) from the Center to the sidewalk leading to the front doors of their Elementary School. The children started to make their way to the front door of the Elementary School as Staff #1 turned around and left the children alone unsupervised at approximately 10:51am. Staff #1 did not relinquish supervision of the seven children to Elementary School staff.

The Elementary School was running on a two hour delay and the doors to the Elementary
School were locked until 11:00am. At approximately 10:52am, a school bus pulled
into the bus loop as the children were walking towards the front door of the school. The bus
loop is located on the road next to the sidewalk that the children were walking on. An elementary school staff saw the children outside as the bus pulled up and went outside to stand with the children until the Elementary school opened its doors at 11:00am.

The temperature outside at 10:51am was approximately 31 degrees Fahrenheit and there was snow and ice on the ground to the right of the children's walking path.
Plan of Correction: Staff # 1 is no longer at this center.
All employees were retrained on proper procedures for the pick up and drop off of children, including the use of the face to name verification form. Staff were instructed to maintain active supervision at all times and to ensure that children remain within the sight and sound until they are safely transferred to the receiving party.
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-F
Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.

On February 5, 2025, seven children under 10 years of age were left out of sight and sound supervision of Staff #1 from approximately 10:51am until 11:00am. Staff #1 walked seven children from the Center to their Elementary School.

The Elementary School was running on a two hour delay and the doors to the Elementary School were locked until 11:00am.

At approximately 10:51am, Staff # 1 leaves the seven children unsupervised while they
are walking towards the front doors of the Elementary School. Staff #1 did not relinquish care to the Elementary School staff. At approximately 10:52am, a staff member of the Elementary School sees the seven children outside and goes to stand with them until the doors open at 11:00am.
Plan of Correction: Staff #1 is no longer at the center. Corrective actions were implemented to ensure that safety and supervision of all children during transitions to and from school. Children are now transported to Fairview Elementary School using the La Petite Bus to eliminate walking routes that may present safety risks.
All Staff were retrained on proper supervision procedures, including maintaining sight and sound supervision at all times ensuring that children are not left unattended during transitions. Staff were also retrained on the use of the face to name verification sheet to ensure accurate accountability of all children. Additionally, procedures were reinforced requiring that children be directly released to elementary school staff through the designated drop off & pickup line, ensuring a safe supervised transfer at all times.