Inspection · 2024-07-10
Licensing Inspector
Laura Brindle
(540) 905-2062
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.
8VAC20-780 Programs.
Inspector Notes
An unannounced complaint investigation was initiated on 7/10/24, and concluded on 7/11/24, in response to a complaint received in the licensing office regarding allegations related to ratio and forbidden actions- verbal remarks demeaning to a child and rough handling. Based on a review of documentation and interviews conducted, the allegation regarding ratio was determined to be valid. The allegations regarding forbidden actions were unable to be substantiated due to insufficient corroborating evidence. If you have questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Laura Brindle, at laura.brindle@doe.virginia.gov or 540-905-2062.
Please complete the "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" areas on the Violation Notice for the violation cited and return to me by close of business on 7/31/24. Plans of correction should include steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard, and measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again.
Standard 8VAC20-780-350-B-1
Based on review of documentation and interview, the center did not ensure that the required ratio of 1 staff to 4 infants was followed for children birth up to 16 months. Evidence: 1. On 7/1/24, at approximately 8:20am, the infant classroom went over ratio when the 5th infant arrived. Additional infants arrived at 8:35am and 8:45am, leaving one staff alone with seven infants until a second staff arrived at 9:00am. 2. On 7/2/24, at approximately 8:15am, the infant classroom went over ratio when the 5th infant arrived. Additional infants arrived at 8:18am and 8:40am, leaving one staff alone with seven infants until a second staff arrived at 8:48am. 3. On 7/3/24, at approximately 8:50am, the infant classroom went over ratio when the 5th infant arrived. A second staff arrived at 9:00am. 4. Interview revealed that most days the infant room went over ratio between 8:00am-8:30am and the second staff was not scheduled to start until 9:00am. 5. Interview revealed that on multiple occasions between May 2024 and July 2, 2024, the infant classroom had nine infants present with only one or two staff.
Plan of Correction: As of 7/5/2024 teacher to staff ratios in the Infant room have been corrected. Teachers will work 12-hour days as needed to ensure ratios are met. We are still in the middle of a staffing crisis recognized by the Virginia Department of Education. We will continue to interview all applicants. The hiring process can be very lengthy and costly for the applicant in order for the center to be in compliance with state regulations pertaining to FBI Fingerprinting, Central Registry, Criminal History Search, tuberculosis screenings and any out-of-state background searches when necessary. We will continue to work diligently to hire additional staff.