Inspection · 2024-08-21
Date
2024-08-21
Complaint Related
Yes
Licensing Inspector
Pamela Sneed
(804) 629-2691
(804) 629-2691
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
22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide
63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect
Inspector Notes
An unannounced inspection was initiated on 8/21/24, with off-site interviews and video observations; and initiated on-site 8/26/24, continued on 9/5/24 and completed on 9/6/24 in response to complaints received by the licensing office on 8/21/24 relating to allegations of forbidden actions, behavioral guidance and ratios. The inspector reviewed 2 children's records and 4 staff records while on-site. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, interviews and video observations for the following dates: 8/20/24 and 8/21/24. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegations; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. Though not a part of the original complaint, violations that were not reported were also found related to Programs and Special Care Provisions. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and the 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 deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five (5) business day from the date the report was sent to you, which will be close of business on 10/1/24 . A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.
12/3/24-Revised inspection report issued to the licensee. No changes were made to findings.
Violations
5Standard 8VAC20-780-350-B-1
The staff to child ratios, of 1 staff to 4 children for children ages birth to 16 months, are required whenever children are in care.
On 8/20/24, the staff-to-child ratios were not maintained at different times. The first time, Staff #1 was working alone with 5 children for approximately 1 1/2 minutes. The second time, Staff #2 left the classroom for approximately 13 seconds leaving Staff #1 alone with 8 children.
On 8/20/24, the staff-to-child ratios were not maintained at different times. The first time, Staff #1 was working alone with 5 children for approximately 1 1/2 minutes. The second time, Staff #2 left the classroom for approximately 13 seconds leaving Staff #1 alone with 8 children.
Plan of Correction: We have hired more staff and have already adjusted other staff's hours to maintain ratio
Standard 8VAC20-780-370-4
There shall be a flexible daily schedule for infants based on their individual needs. During the day, infants shall be provided with comfort as needed.
On 8/20/24, in an infant room, twice staff did not provide comfort to a crying child. The first time, Child #2 was crying for approximately 38 minutes with no staff providing comfort to the child. The second time, Child #2 was crying for approximately 9 minutes with no staff providing comfort to the child. Both times, Staff #1, #3 and #4 were heard discussing with one another the fact that the child was crying, their frustrations with the crying child and one staff person covered their ears.
On 8/20/24, in an infant room, twice staff did not provide comfort to a crying child. The first time, Child #2 was crying for approximately 38 minutes with no staff providing comfort to the child. The second time, Child #2 was crying for approximately 9 minutes with no staff providing comfort to the child. Both times, Staff #1, #3 and #4 were heard discussing with one another the fact that the child was crying, their frustrations with the crying child and one staff person covered their ears.
Plan of Correction: Education Coordinator will spend time re-training the staff on Teacher/child interactions and creating special moments with infants and toddlers. Our infant/toddler specialist (who is a behaviorist) will provide assistance to the teachers on "building relationships." Terminated staff # 1, Counseled Staff # 3 and 4.
Standard 8VAC20-780-400-A
In order to promote the child's physical, intellectual, emotional, and social well-being and growth, staff shall interact with the child to provide help, comfort and support.
On 8/20/24, in an infant room, Child #1 was observed sitting on a climbing cube. Staff #1 responded "get down...what are you doing...we know you can climb..." and proceeded to set the child on the floor beside the cube. While Staff #1 was speaking to the child she was clapping her hands in sync with the words. On the same date and in the same classroom, Child #1 was observed lying quietly on a cot for nap when Staff #5 approached to pat the child's back. During this 2 minute period Staff #5 pushed the child's head face down onto the cot 13 times, at times in quick succession, and while doing so stated "no, I'm not playing...no, I'm not kidding...stop...no...lie done..."
On 8/20/24, in a 3-year-old classroom, Child #9 was lying quietly on their back on a cot when Staff #8 stated "roll over...get on your stomach" and then rolled the child over onto their stomach and pushed the child's head face down onto the cot. On the same date and in the same classroom, Child #9, was lying quietly on their cot, when Staff #8 approached and rolled the child over onto their stomach and pushed their head face down onto the cot.
On 8/21/24, in the same classroom, Child #10 was playing with toys when Staff #8 stated " I told you 5 times to clean up, it's lunch time." Multiple staff interviewed reported that Staff #8 "yelled" at the children and spoke to them in a "cruel" and "harsh" manner. It was reported that Staff #8 "often lost her patience with the kids" and was verbally and physically "rough" with them. One staff person reported being in a nearby room and hearing through the walls Staff #8 yelling at the children.
On 8/20/24, in an infant room, Child #1 was observed sitting on a climbing cube. Staff #1 responded "get down...what are you doing...we know you can climb..." and proceeded to set the child on the floor beside the cube. While Staff #1 was speaking to the child she was clapping her hands in sync with the words. On the same date and in the same classroom, Child #1 was observed lying quietly on a cot for nap when Staff #5 approached to pat the child's back. During this 2 minute period Staff #5 pushed the child's head face down onto the cot 13 times, at times in quick succession, and while doing so stated "no, I'm not playing...no, I'm not kidding...stop...no...lie done..."
On 8/20/24, in a 3-year-old classroom, Child #9 was lying quietly on their back on a cot when Staff #8 stated "roll over...get on your stomach" and then rolled the child over onto their stomach and pushed the child's head face down onto the cot. On the same date and in the same classroom, Child #9, was lying quietly on their cot, when Staff #8 approached and rolled the child over onto their stomach and pushed their head face down onto the cot.
On 8/21/24, in the same classroom, Child #10 was playing with toys when Staff #8 stated " I told you 5 times to clean up, it's lunch time." Multiple staff interviewed reported that Staff #8 "yelled" at the children and spoke to them in a "cruel" and "harsh" manner. It was reported that Staff #8 "often lost her patience with the kids" and was verbally and physically "rough" with them. One staff person reported being in a nearby room and hearing through the walls Staff #8 yelling at the children.
Plan of Correction: Staff # 1: Terminated teacher after internal investigation findings. Staff did not follow Kiddie Academy's policies and procedures nor licensing standards. Removed staff # 4 and Staff # 5 out of the infant room. All staff have a written plan of action and have been counseled.
Will continue to provide In-depth training on care, protection, and guidance of children and incident procedures to staff # 5. Management will continue to retrain all staff on Naptime Procedures and Positive Guidance and Redirection though ongoing meetings and in person trainings, but also going over various scenarios and appropriate responses and actions. Note: After a few minutes, staff # 5 was seen on Camera footage recognizing that she was struggling putting a child to sleep on the cot so within a few minutes, staff # 3 switched with staff # 5 who was able to put the child to sleep gently. Management will perform frequent check-ins with classroom staff to ensure compliance and offer necessary support.
Terminated Staff # 8 Immediately before Investigation findings
Due to Staff #8 no longer working in our program, we are unable to provide additional training to that staff member beyond the original performance improvement plan and mandatory trainings regarding appropriate tone and supportive guidance that had already been completed. We will put all remaining staff members through a series of trainings to ensure they fully understand both the importance of appropriate and constructive use of behavioral guidance and the importance and requirement of their role in supporting the growth and development of the children by reporting any observations of inappropriate tone or lack of supportive guidance at any time to the center administration.
Management will continue to do an intense training for all staff on Naptime Procedures and Positive Guidance and Redirection though ongoing meetings and in person trainings, but also going over various scenarios and appropriate responses and actions. Management will continue to perform frequent check-ins with classroom staff to ensure compliance and offer necessary support.
Will continue to provide In-depth training on care, protection, and guidance of children and incident procedures to staff # 5. Management will continue to retrain all staff on Naptime Procedures and Positive Guidance and Redirection though ongoing meetings and in person trainings, but also going over various scenarios and appropriate responses and actions. Note: After a few minutes, staff # 5 was seen on Camera footage recognizing that she was struggling putting a child to sleep on the cot so within a few minutes, staff # 3 switched with staff # 5 who was able to put the child to sleep gently. Management will perform frequent check-ins with classroom staff to ensure compliance and offer necessary support.
Terminated Staff # 8 Immediately before Investigation findings
Due to Staff #8 no longer working in our program, we are unable to provide additional training to that staff member beyond the original performance improvement plan and mandatory trainings regarding appropriate tone and supportive guidance that had already been completed. We will put all remaining staff members through a series of trainings to ensure they fully understand both the importance of appropriate and constructive use of behavioral guidance and the importance and requirement of their role in supporting the growth and development of the children by reporting any observations of inappropriate tone or lack of supportive guidance at any time to the center administration.
Management will continue to do an intense training for all staff on Naptime Procedures and Positive Guidance and Redirection though ongoing meetings and in person trainings, but also going over various scenarios and appropriate responses and actions. Management will continue to perform frequent check-ins with classroom staff to ensure compliance and offer necessary support.
Standard 8VAC20-780-410-1
The following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: Roughly handling a child.
On 8/20/24, in an infant classroom, Staff #1 lifted Child # 3 by one arm from the floor and in an effort to move the child she swung the child roughly before sitting them on the floor.
On 8/21/24, in a 3-year-old classroom, Child #8 was lying quietly on their back on a cot for nap with a blanket covering their head and body. Staff #8 went to the child and picked them up by one arm and roughly flipped the child onto their stomach and pushed their head face down onto the cot. On the same date and in the same classroom, Staff #8 grabbed Child #8 by the upper arm and lifted them out of the chair while stating "it's quiet time." The child walked away and was holding their upper arm.
On 8/20/24, in an infant classroom, Staff #1 lifted Child # 3 by one arm from the floor and in an effort to move the child she swung the child roughly before sitting them on the floor.
On 8/21/24, in a 3-year-old classroom, Child #8 was lying quietly on their back on a cot for nap with a blanket covering their head and body. Staff #8 went to the child and picked them up by one arm and roughly flipped the child onto their stomach and pushed their head face down onto the cot. On the same date and in the same classroom, Staff #8 grabbed Child #8 by the upper arm and lifted them out of the chair while stating "it's quiet time." The child walked away and was holding their upper arm.
Plan of Correction: Terminated teacher Staff # 1 after internal investigation findings.
Staff have been retrained in person on the proper way to move and pick up children as of 8/21/2024 and a staff meeting was held on 9/4/2024 in regards to inappropriate and unacceptable behavior regarding forbitten actions. Retrained all staff on child guidance. Management will also continue to monitor through the camera footage. Classroom observations will continue daily for compliance.
Terminated staff # 8 immediately before internal investigation was completed. Due to Staff #8 no longer working in our program, we are unable to provide additional training to that staff member beyond the original performance improvement plan and mandatory trainings regarding appropriate tone and supportive guidance that had already been completed. We will put all remaining staff members through a series of trainings to ensure they fully understand both the importance of appropriate and constructive use of behavioral guidance and the importance and requirement of their role in supporting the growth and development of the children by reporting any observations of inappropriate tone or lack of supportive guidance at any time to the center administration.
Management will continue to do an intense training for all staff on Naptime Procedures and Positive Guidance and Redirection though ongoing meetings and in person trainings, but also going over various scenarios and appropriate responses and actions. Management will continue to perform frequent check-ins with classroom staff to ensure compliance and offer necessary support.
Staff have been retrained in person on the proper way to move and pick up children as of 8/21/2024 and a staff meeting was held on 9/4/2024 in regards to inappropriate and unacceptable behavior regarding forbitten actions. Retrained all staff on child guidance. Management will also continue to monitor through the camera footage. Classroom observations will continue daily for compliance.
Terminated staff # 8 immediately before internal investigation was completed. Due to Staff #8 no longer working in our program, we are unable to provide additional training to that staff member beyond the original performance improvement plan and mandatory trainings regarding appropriate tone and supportive guidance that had already been completed. We will put all remaining staff members through a series of trainings to ensure they fully understand both the importance of appropriate and constructive use of behavioral guidance and the importance and requirement of their role in supporting the growth and development of the children by reporting any observations of inappropriate tone or lack of supportive guidance at any time to the center administration.
Management will continue to do an intense training for all staff on Naptime Procedures and Positive Guidance and Redirection though ongoing meetings and in person trainings, but also going over various scenarios and appropriate responses and actions. Management will continue to perform frequent check-ins with classroom staff to ensure compliance and offer necessary support.
Standard 8VAC20-780-500-A
Children's hands shall be washed with soap and running water or disposable wipes before and after eating meals or snacks.
On 8/20/24, in an infant room, before and after the morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack each child's hands were not washed or wiped consistently. Children were observed going from playing with toys and crawling on the floor to eating and the reverse after each feeding.
On 8/20/24, in an infant room, before and after the morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack each child's hands were not washed or wiped consistently. Children were observed going from playing with toys and crawling on the floor to eating and the reverse after each feeding.
Plan of Correction: I will retrain my staff again on proper handwashing procedures