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The Learning Experience

Inspection · 2021-12-01

Date
2021-12-01
Complaint Related
Yes
Licensing Inspector
Florence Martus
(804) 389-0157
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.
8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770)
22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Inspector Notes

The licensing inspector conducted an unannounced complaint inspection in response to complaints received by the department on 11/30/2021, 12/03/2021, and 12/06/2021 regarding forbidden action, special feeding needs, and the supervision of children. The investigation was initiated on 12/01/2021 and completed on 05/05/2022. On 12/09/2021, the inspector was on site with a local agency from 2:20pm to 4:45pm. Interviews were completed, observations were made at the center, and documentation was reviewed. The inspector completed additional interviews and follow-up activities at the facility on 02/02/2022 from approximately 2:40pm to 3:55pm. The preponderance of the evidence gathered during the investigation supports part of the allegations, therefore the complaint is determined to be valid. Any violations not related to the complaint, but identified during the course of the investigation can be found on the violation notice.

Please complete the 'plan of correction' and 'date to be corrected' for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to me within 5 business days from the date of receipt. Please specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Your plan of correction should contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standards, 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again, and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measure(s).

Violations

3
Standard 8VAC20-780-400-A
Based on interviews and documentation reviewed, the center did not ensure that in order to promote a child's physical, intellectual, emotional, and social well-being and growth, staff
interacted with children and one another to provide needed respect of personal privacy and
promote ways of getting along.

Evidence: 1) Staff interviewed reported that "several times" Staff #1 and Staff #3 got "into a
little bit of an altercation" in front of the children in care. Staff interviewed reported management was contacted to "de-escalate the situation" because Staff #1 "was going off the chain" and the children were there.

2) A written document signed by Staff #5 indicated Staff #1 was "losing her temper in her classroom in front of the kids (yelling...)."

3) Staff interviewed reported that during toilet training, children in the Preppers classroom,
ages 2-3 years old, were asked to "bend over" and would "hunch over a stool" for staff to wipe
their bottom when they required a diaper change. Staff interviewed reported other children
were present in the same bathroom while the diaper changes took place.
Plan of Correction: Per the Center:
"1. Training/coaching staff on how to their express feelings in a constructive way. At any time there is a peer to peer conflict staff are instructed to meet with Center Director or Business Manager to resolve issues in a quick and constructive manner.

2. Classroom teachers were retrained in appropriate diaper changing processes. Teachers were also retrained in diaper changing requirements as it pertains to changing students in diapers, pull-ups and underwear."
Standard 8VAC20-780-500-B
Based on interviews, the center did not ensure a nonabsorbent surface for diapering or changing was used. For children younger than three years, this surface shall be a changing table or countertop designated for changing.

Evidence: 1) Staff interviewed reported it was common practice for the children in the Preppers classroom, ages 2 to 3 years old, to have their pull-ups or diapers changed while the children were standing up. Staff reported children would only be changed on a changing station if staff "needed to do anything extensive," but were otherwise changed while they were
standing up.
Plan of Correction: Per the Center: "Admin staff (Center Director, Business Manager or Assistant Director) will spot check diaper changing routines in the classroom to ensure proper practices are used."
Standard 8VAC20-780-570-D
Based on a review of documentation and interviews, the center did not ensure infants were fed in accordance with parental instructions.

Evidence: 1) The Infant Feeding Plan for Child #1 (3-month-old) had written instructions from the parent to feed Child #1 between 5.0oz-6.5oz of prepared formula.

2) The Infant Feeding log reviewed for Child #1 indicated that on 11/19/21, Child #1 was fed
8.0oz of formula.

3) The staff interviewed acknowledged Child #1 was fed 8oz of formula on 11/19/21. On a written statement dated 11/19/21, Staff #4 wrote "At 10:31 [am] when I fed [Child #1], there was 8oz, not 6.5 in his bottle. Perhaps someone added more water." The staff were unaware of who added more water to the bottle and fed it to Child #1.
Plan of Correction: Per the Center:
"Center Director, Business Manager or Assistant Director will review feeding plans monthly to ensure they are current and correct.

Staff retrained in the app used to record feedings and amounts of feedings.

Staff retrained on appropriate bottle practices and what can and not be done with bottles for students in our care."
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services