Inspection · 2021-04-21
Date
2021-04-21
Complaint Related
Yes
Licensing Inspector
Lynn Powers
(804) 840-8260
(804) 840-8260
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
22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION.
22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION.
22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES.
Inspector Notes
This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia.
A complaint inspection was initiated on April 21, 2021 and concluded on May 3, 2021. A complaint was received by the department regarding allegations in the area of supervision. The director was contacted by telephone to conduct the investigation. The inspector emailed the director a list of documentation required to complete the investigation.
The evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation of non-compliance with standards or law; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. See the violation notice for more details.
Violations
2Standard 22VAC40-185-340-A
Based on a review of documentation and interviews, the center did not ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care and protection.
Evidence:
1. Administrator #1 directed staff member #1 to get child #1 and child #2 from their classroom for pick up. Staff member #1 took child #1 and child #2 to the individual believed to be the parent of the children. Staff member #1 did not verify that the individual was authorized to pick up.
2. Administrator #1 stated that the center was short staffed, she was covering a classroom, and that she did not have her glasses on when she directed staff member #1 to get child #1 and child #2 for parent pick up.
Evidence:
1. Administrator #1 directed staff member #1 to get child #1 and child #2 from their classroom for pick up. Staff member #1 took child #1 and child #2 to the individual believed to be the parent of the children. Staff member #1 did not verify that the individual was authorized to pick up.
2. Administrator #1 stated that the center was short staffed, she was covering a classroom, and that she did not have her glasses on when she directed staff member #1 to get child #1 and child #2 for parent pick up.
Plan of Correction: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we require all our families to wear masks when entering into the building. Although this is a safety protocol to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, it also is difficult to recognize parent faces, especially from a distance. When this parent arrived, a staff member was instructed by management who was in a classroom to retrieve the children and take them up front. Immediately after the children were taken up front, management was able to get a closer look at the parent and realized she instructed the staff member to get the wrong children. The children never left our building and were taken back to their classroom.
Standard 22VAC40-185-40-E
Based on a review of policies and procedures and interviews, the center did not ensure that the operational responsibilities of the licensee included, but were not limited to, ensuring that the center's activities, services, and facilities were maintained in compliance with these standards, the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department.
Evidence:
1. The center?s departure procedures were not followed when staff member #1 released child #1 and child #2 to an individual believed to be the parent of the children. Staff member #1 did not verify that the that the individual was a parent or guardian of child #1 and child #2. The center?s departure procedures state ?When a child is picked up, the teacher must be aware of the parent or guardian picking up the child.?
2. Staff member #1 did not verify the children?s registration before releasing child #1 and child #2 to an individual believed to be the parent. The center?s departure procedures state ?Children will only be released to those individuals who have been authorized on the child?s registration form or added to the list in writing? and "children will not be released to any person that has not been given parental authorization to pick up the child".
Evidence:
1. The center?s departure procedures were not followed when staff member #1 released child #1 and child #2 to an individual believed to be the parent of the children. Staff member #1 did not verify that the that the individual was a parent or guardian of child #1 and child #2. The center?s departure procedures state ?When a child is picked up, the teacher must be aware of the parent or guardian picking up the child.?
2. Staff member #1 did not verify the children?s registration before releasing child #1 and child #2 to an individual believed to be the parent. The center?s departure procedures state ?Children will only be released to those individuals who have been authorized on the child?s registration form or added to the list in writing? and "children will not be released to any person that has not been given parental authorization to pick up the child".
Plan of Correction: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we require all our families to wear masks when entering into the building. Although this is a safety protocol to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, it also is difficult to recognize parent faces, especially from a distance. When this parent arrived, a staff member was instructed by management who was in a classroom to retrieve the children and take them up front. Immediately after the children were taken up front, management was able to get a closer look at the parent and realized she instructed the staff member to get the wrong children. The children never left our building and were taken back to their classroom.