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The Goddard School

Inspection · 2023-10-17

Date
2023-10-17
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Diana DeSilva
(571) 596-3656
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 Programs.
8VAC20-770 Background Checks
22.1 Background Checks Code

Inspector Notes

A self-reported incident was received by the department on October 16, 2023, regarding a staff member smacking two older infants on the head. The inspector was on site from 9:40am to 1:00pm on October 17, 2023 and concluded on November 1, 2023. Interviews with staff were completed, observations were made in the center, and documentation was reviewed.

The information gathered during this investigation of the self-reported incident determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and one violation was documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Please complete the ?plan of correction? and ?date to be corrected? for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to the department within 5 business days from receipt. Please specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Please do not use staff names; list staff by positions only.

Any plans of correction not received within 5 business days will result in the plans not appearing on the Violation Notice and public website.

If you have any questions about this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Stacy Doyle at Stacy.doyle@doe.virginia.gov

Violations

1
Standard 8VAC20-780-410-1
Based on review of a staff written statement and interview, a staff member used a forbidden action of striking two children in care.

Evidence:

1. On 10/12/2023 at approximately 3:00pm, while the children were sitting at the table eating snack, Staff #1 ?smacked? Child #1 (14-month-old) on the side of his head by the ear when the child attempted to get up from their chair. When Child #2 (16-month-old) began to scoot his chair back to try and leave the table, Staff #1 stood behind the child, pushed him back into the table and ?smacked? Child #2 on the side of their head by the ear.

2. Child #1 was crying prior to the ?smack? and cried approximately 5 minutes longer after the "smack". When Child #2 was ?smacked?, his head was pushed to the side and he cried for approximately 2-3 minutes.?
Plan of Correction: Staff #1 was placed on administrative leave
as soon as management was informed of
the incident.
After conducting several interviews and
seeking the counsel of licensing, CPS, and
Goddard Systems, Staff #1 was terminated
on 10/17/2023.
At our Staff Meeting on 10/18/2023, all
current teachers reviewed Goddard's Child
Guidance & Discipline Policy as well as
what it means to be a mandated reporter.
Directors will continue formal and
informal observations of teachers in
classrooms, especially teachers in their first
year of hire.
Directors will also continue to provide
Professional Development opportunities to
staff regarding appropriate interactions
with students.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services