Inspection · 2022-12-05

Date

2022-12-05

Complaint Related

Yes

Licensing Inspector

Jennifer Moore
(540) 430-0384

Areas Reviewed

X 8VAC20-780 Administration.
X 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training.
X 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant.
X 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.
X 8VAC20-780 Programs.
X 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies
X 8VAC20-780 Special Services.
X 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE.
X 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS.
X 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES.
X 8VAC20-770 Background Checks
X 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education
X 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Inspector Notes

The licensing inspector conducted an unannounced complaint inspection in response to a complaint that was received by the licensing department on 11/22/2022 regarding infant ratio. The inspection was initiated on 12/05/2022 and completed on 12/05/2022. On 12/05/2022, the inspector was on site from 8:13am to 12:53pm. Interviews with staff were completed, observations were made in the center, and documentation was reviewed. The preponderance of the evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. See the violation notice for more details. If you have any questions about this inspection, please contact the licensing inspector at (804) 929-3771.

Violations

Standard 8VAC20-780-350-B-1

Based on interviews, the center did not ensure to follow the required ratio for children from birth to the age of 16 months: one staff member for every four children.

Evidence:
During the 12/05/22 inspection, the following was determined:
1. Staff #1 reported that on 12/01/2022, staff #1 was left alone to supervise 9 infant children in the Baby Birds 2 classroom for about 10-20 minutes while staff #2 supervised one sleeping infant in the Baby Birds 1 classroom. Staff #1 also stated that the center director was initially in the infant classroom to help with coverage but eventually left the classroom for about 10 to 20 minutes with one infant child to handle another task.
2. The center director reported that on 12/01/2022, the center director left the infant classrooms to finish emails while supervising one infant child.
3. Staff #2 reported that on 12/01/2022, staff #2 remained in the baby birds 1 classroom with a sleeping infant while the other 9 infants were located in the baby birds two classroom.

Plan of Correction: There was one other staff member in Baby Birds 2 classroom with Staff #1 when the Center Director arrived in the classroom. When the Center Director left the classroom with an infant, that staff member was still in the classroom with Staff #1 so the Center Director did not leave Staff #1 alone with 9 children. When the other staff member left, the remaining teachers (Staff #1 and Staff #2) were supposed to transition into one of the following methods, as they do every day without being told or prompted: either combine in one classroom together or each teacher keep an equal amount of children in both classrooms to maintain the correct ratio. For some reason, the transition did not happen. The Center Director was never notified that the transition never happened. Staff # 1 never told the Center Director that they were alone with 9 children. The other staff member who was with Staff #1 when the Center Director left the classroom was never interviewed for this incident. The Center Director spoke with all staff members and reminded then to always communicate with the Center Director when there is a problem or misunderstanding within the classroom. The Center Director also reviewed the classroom transition procedures with all staff members and going forward, will check behind staff to make sure that transitions are done when they are supposed to.

Also, in the comments/discussion section, the date of the complaint says 11/22/2022 regarding ratio, but in the description of violation, it says that Staff #1 reported that on 12/1/2022, they were left alone

View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services