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First Steps Academy

Inspection · 2025-03-28

Date
2025-03-28
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Laura Lunceford
(571) 835-5058
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 Physical Plant.
8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.
8VAC20-780 Programs.
8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies
8VAC20-780 Special Services.
8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE.
8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS
8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES
8VAC20-770 Background Checks
20 Access to minor?s records
22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education
63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect
8VAC20-790 Introduction
8VAC20-790 Administration
8VAC20-790 Staff Qualifications & Training
8VAC20-790 Physical Plant
8VAC20-790 Program
VAC20-790 Staffing & Supervision
8VAC20-790 Special Care Provisions & Emergencies
8VAC20-790 Special Services
During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above to include standards found out of compliance during the previous inspection. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed. If there were any serious injuries or fatalities related to a violation, the details will be included in the description of the violation.

Inspector Notes

An unannounced, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated and completed on 3/28/2025, as a part of the renewal process. The on-site inspection began at 10:10am and ended at 12pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 80 children present and 25 staff. The inspector reviewed 6 children?s records and 3 staff records on site. This inspection included: document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations.

Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Please complete the plan of correction (POC) and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice. Specify how the violation will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on 4/7/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations

7
Standard 8VAC20-780-130-E
The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years.

Child 3's most recent updated immunization was on 7/12/2024.
Plan of Correction: Parents called & will bring in documentation.
Standard 8VAC20-780-140-A
Each child shall have a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician: before the child's attendance, or within 30 days after the first day of attendance.

Child 2 did not have documentation of a physical exam, and has been in care for approximately 5 and a half months.
Plan of Correction: Parents called & will bring in documentation.
Standard 8VAC20-780-270-A
Areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.

Room 9 there was peeling paint and crumbling drywall in the rear of the classroom, accessible to children.
Plan of Correction: Room 9 peeling paint and crumbling drywall fixed.
Standard 8VAC20-780-280-B
Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, insecticides, and pesticides shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

Room 1 had soap water and bleach water, not in use, and not in a locked place. Room 4 had 2 air fresheners marked keep out of reach of children, on a shelf and not in a locked place.
Plan of Correction: Room 1 soap water & bleach bottled locked away in cabinet. Room for air fresheners locked away in cabinet.
Standard 8VAC20-780-290-A-3
Electrical outlets shall have protective covers that are of a size that cannot be swallowed by children.

Room 9 had an uncovered electrical outlet on a power-strip accessible to children, next to the teacher's desk.
Plan of Correction: Room 9 electrical outlets covered during inspection.
Standard 8VAC20-780-550-E
Shelter in place procedures shall be practiced a minimum of twice per year.

The facility only completed one shelter-in-place drill within the past twelve months. One was completed on 5/24/24 and the previous one was completed on 8/11/23.
Plan of Correction: Shelter in place practiced day of inspection.
Standard 8VAC20-780-60-A
Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain the following information: work phone number and place of employment for each parent who has custody.

Child 4 did not have documentation of parent work information for one of their parents listed.
Plan of Correction: At pickup parents were asked to properly fill out emergency contact form and add place of employment.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services