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Noah's Ark Daycare Center, Inc

Inspection · 2023-06-01

Date
2023-06-01
Complaint Related
Yes
Licensing Inspector
Todd Scott
(276) 608-3749
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 Staff Qualifications and Training.
8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.

Inspector Notes

A complaint inspection was initiated on 6/1/2023 and concluded on 7/13/2023. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, staffing and supervision. A total of one child record and six staff records were reviewed. Interviews were conducted with staff and witnesses.
Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations

3
Standard 8VAC20-780-210-A-4-a
Based on record reviews the center failed to ensure that program leaders shall be at least 18 years of age, have fulfilled a high school program completion or the equivalent. Have six months of supervised programmatic experience. Within six months before being promoted or beginning work or one month after being promoted or beginning work, a minimum of 24 hours of training shall be received related to the care of children.
Evidence:
1. Staff #4 (hire date 8/19/19 was promoted to lead teacher 9/1/22. The training documentation used was dated from 4/12/21-11/9/22, which exceeds the six-month time frame for completing 24 hours of training.
Plan of Correction: The Director reviewed staff files and made corrections needed to ensure the trainings are received within the set time frames.
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
Based on interviews the center failed to ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance.
Evidence:

1. On June 1, 2023, six staff and 19 children, 16 months-five years, were on the playground. Child #1, two years old, left the fenced playground through an unlocked gate. Child #1 was missing for approximately 25-30 minutes when staff realized that the child was missing.

2. Child #1 was missing for approximately four hours. The child was located in a thicket of saw briers and had a few scratches about the face and arms. The conditions outside were sunny and 79 degrees. The FBI, State Police, local sheriffs? office, fire and rescue, local search and rescue, department of Game and Inland Fisheries, K-9 unit, drones, helicopter, and several community volunteers searched for child #1. Child #1 was not visibly upset when he was found.
Plan of Correction: The gate was locked in a matter that prevents it from being opened. June 2, 2023, all staff had in-depth training on all emergency policies and procedures and the day care handbook. This also included sight and sound supervision regulations.
All staff on the playground on June 1, 2023, received a written reprimand that was signed by the Board of Directors. The center made a new lost child policy for staff to follow.
The center installed 16 additional cameras in the classrooms and on the playground. The center is currently receiving quotes to have the fence around the playground replaced.
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-F
Based on interviews the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.
Evidence:
On June 1, 2023, at approximately 9:15 A.M., there were two staff and two children, two years old on the playground. At 9:37 AM staff #3 came to the playground with her class of five children. Staff #3 reported seeing child #1 on the playground. At approximately 9:50 A.M. staff # 1 called out to her class that it was time for snack. Staff #1 did not see child #1 at that time. At 10:15 A.M. staff #1 contacted staff #6 by phone and reported that child #1 was missing.
At approximately 2:00 pm, approximately four hours after the child was noticed to be missing, child #1 was found approximately .1 mile from the center.
Plan of Correction: The gate was locked in a matter that prevents it from being opened. June 2, 2023, all staff had in-depth training on all emergency policies and procedures and the day care handbook. This also included sight and sound supervision regulations.
All staff on the playground on June 1, 2023, received a written reprimand that was signed by the Board of Directors. The center made a new lost child policy for staff to follow.
The center installed 16 additional cameras in the classrooms and on the playground. The center is currently receiving quotes to have the fence around the playground replaced.