Inspection · 2022-04-15
Date
2022-04-15
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Arlene Agustin
(804) 629-7519
(804) 629-7519
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 Staffing and Supervision.
Inspector Notes
An investigation was initiated on 3/17/22 in response to a self-reported incident regarding a child being left unsupervised by a staff person on that same date. A second self-reported incident was received from the center on 4/6/22 regarding a child being left unsupervised by a staff person on that date. An unannounced inspection was conducted on 4/15/22 and interviews with staff were conducted. Documentation related to the incidents were also reviewed. Information gathered during the investigation determined non-compliance with applicable standards or laws. Violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program and were discussed with the center director during the exit interview on 5/19/22.
Violations
3Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
Based on interviews and written statements, it was determined that the center did not ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care and protection.
Evidence:
1. On 3/17/22, staff 1 observed child 1 (age 23 months) alone and unsupervised in the toddler classroom during a time when the rest of the children and staff in the center were participating in a Saint Patrick?s Day parade.
a. Staff 1 stated she was passing out lunch to the classrooms at approximately 11:15 am and heard a child talking in the toddler classroom, which is at the back of the center. Staff 1 stated she looked in the classroom and saw child 1 playing by herself and there were no staff in the room.
b. Staff 1 stated she took child 1?s hand and brought her to her class, who were up at the front of the center participating in the parade.
c. Child 1?s teachers (staff 2, staff 3 and staff 4) all confirmed that they did not know child 1 was not with the rest of the class during the parade or that she had been left alone in the classroom.
d. Center staff reported that the center was ?chaotic? during the time of the parade and that they did not know how long child 1 was left without staff supervision.
2. On 4/6/22 between 9:30am and 9:40am, staff 1 observed child 2 (age 2 years) outside on the playground alone and unsupervised.
a. Staff 1 stated she was in the kitchen washing dishes at the sink when she saw child 1 on the playground through the window and that she could not see any staff outside.
b. Staff 1 stated she went outside to the playground and brought child 2 back to the two?s classroom and that staff 5 (two?s classroom lead teacher) appeared to be ?startled? when she told her that child 2 was outside alone on the playground.
c. Staff 5 and staff 6 (two?s classroom assistant teacher) stated that staff 5 took a group of children out on the playground while she wiped down the slides and staff 6 kept the remaining children in the classroom to use the restroom before going out on the playground.
d. Staff 6 stated they had a total of 14 children in the classroom and that 8 children remained in the classroom with her while staff 5 took the other children outside. Staff 6 stated she had the children sit on the carpet and she counted 8 children.
e. Staff 5 stated when she brought the children back in the classroom from the playground she ?glanced quickly? around the playground and counted 5 children when they went in the door to the classroom. Staff 5 stated the door did not close completely, leaving a small gap, and that she did not shut the door because they were going to be going right back outside.
f. Neither staff 5 nor staff 6 were aware that child 2 was alone on the playground until staff 1 returned him to the classroom and neither could confirm how long child 2 was alone outside without staff supervision.
Evidence:
1. On 3/17/22, staff 1 observed child 1 (age 23 months) alone and unsupervised in the toddler classroom during a time when the rest of the children and staff in the center were participating in a Saint Patrick?s Day parade.
a. Staff 1 stated she was passing out lunch to the classrooms at approximately 11:15 am and heard a child talking in the toddler classroom, which is at the back of the center. Staff 1 stated she looked in the classroom and saw child 1 playing by herself and there were no staff in the room.
b. Staff 1 stated she took child 1?s hand and brought her to her class, who were up at the front of the center participating in the parade.
c. Child 1?s teachers (staff 2, staff 3 and staff 4) all confirmed that they did not know child 1 was not with the rest of the class during the parade or that she had been left alone in the classroom.
d. Center staff reported that the center was ?chaotic? during the time of the parade and that they did not know how long child 1 was left without staff supervision.
2. On 4/6/22 between 9:30am and 9:40am, staff 1 observed child 2 (age 2 years) outside on the playground alone and unsupervised.
a. Staff 1 stated she was in the kitchen washing dishes at the sink when she saw child 1 on the playground through the window and that she could not see any staff outside.
b. Staff 1 stated she went outside to the playground and brought child 2 back to the two?s classroom and that staff 5 (two?s classroom lead teacher) appeared to be ?startled? when she told her that child 2 was outside alone on the playground.
c. Staff 5 and staff 6 (two?s classroom assistant teacher) stated that staff 5 took a group of children out on the playground while she wiped down the slides and staff 6 kept the remaining children in the classroom to use the restroom before going out on the playground.
d. Staff 6 stated they had a total of 14 children in the classroom and that 8 children remained in the classroom with her while staff 5 took the other children outside. Staff 6 stated she had the children sit on the carpet and she counted 8 children.
e. Staff 5 stated when she brought the children back in the classroom from the playground she ?glanced quickly? around the playground and counted 5 children when they went in the door to the classroom. Staff 5 stated the door did not close completely, leaving a small gap, and that she did not shut the door because they were going to be going right back outside.
f. Neither staff 5 nor staff 6 were aware that child 2 was alone on the playground until staff 1 returned him to the classroom and neither could confirm how long child 2 was alone outside without staff supervision.
Plan of Correction: The center responded with the following: Disciplinary actions were taken for all staff members involved and one on one coaching was conducted to avoid another incident moving forward. A staff meeting was held on 23MAR22 to retrain all staff on safety and supervision. We have also implemented primary care groups to ensure every child is assigned to a specific teacher to avoid confusion moving forward in the waddler/toddler classrooms.
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-F
Based on interviews and written statements, it was determined that the center did not ensure that children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.
Evidence:
1. The center self-reported that on 3/17/22, child 1 (age 23 months) was left alone and unsupervised in the toddler classroom for an unknown period of time.
a. Staff 1 reported that she found child 1 alone in the toddler classroom without any staff supervision.
b. Staff members responsible for the direct care of child 1 confirmed that child 1 was found unsupervised in the toddler classroom.
2. The center self-reported that on 4/6/22, child 2 (age 2 years) was left alone and unsupervised on the playground for an unknown period of time.
a. Staff 1 reported that she observed child 2 alone and unsupervised on the center?s playground.
b. Staff members responsible for the direct care of child 2 confirmed that child 2 was found unsupervised on the playground.
Evidence:
1. The center self-reported that on 3/17/22, child 1 (age 23 months) was left alone and unsupervised in the toddler classroom for an unknown period of time.
a. Staff 1 reported that she found child 1 alone in the toddler classroom without any staff supervision.
b. Staff members responsible for the direct care of child 1 confirmed that child 1 was found unsupervised in the toddler classroom.
2. The center self-reported that on 4/6/22, child 2 (age 2 years) was left alone and unsupervised on the playground for an unknown period of time.
a. Staff 1 reported that she observed child 2 alone and unsupervised on the center?s playground.
b. Staff members responsible for the direct care of child 2 confirmed that child 2 was found unsupervised on the playground.
Plan of Correction: The center responded with the following: We conducted an all staff training on 23MAR22 addressing safety and supervision. We also have closed the center on May 27 for a teacher work day to retrain all staff on licensing to ensure all staff have an adequate understanding of the standards.
Standard 8VAC20-780-350-C
Based on staff interviews, it was determined that the center did not ensure that when children are regularly in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group.
Evidence:
1. On the morning of 3/17/22, the waddler and toddler classrooms were combined during a Saint Patrick?s Day parade, for a total of 13 children, ages 14 months to 2 years, with 3 staff. The number and ages of the children required four staff to be present at all times.
2. The waddler and toddler staff confirmed that they regularly combine the two classrooms and that there were only 3 staff present during the parade on 3/17/22 with 13 children, the youngest being 14 months.
Evidence:
1. On the morning of 3/17/22, the waddler and toddler classrooms were combined during a Saint Patrick?s Day parade, for a total of 13 children, ages 14 months to 2 years, with 3 staff. The number and ages of the children required four staff to be present at all times.
2. The waddler and toddler staff confirmed that they regularly combine the two classrooms and that there were only 3 staff present during the parade on 3/17/22 with 13 children, the youngest being 14 months.
Plan of Correction: The center responded with the following: Moving forward all celebrations will be organized in a way to set the teachers up for success by grouping children by age to avoid any mixing of ratios.