Inspection · 2024-08-14
Date
2024-08-14
Complaint Related
Yes
Licensing Inspector
Diana DeSilva
(571) 596-3656
(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
Inspector Notes
An unannounced inspection was initiated on 08/14/2024 and completed on 09/09/2024 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 08/08/2024 relating to allegations of the areas of standards for operational responsibilities and behavioral guidance. The inspector reviewed 1 child record and 2 staff records on-site on 08/14/2024. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, observations and interviews.
The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation(s); therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. Information gathered during the inspection determined noncompliance 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 days from today, which will be the close of business on 09/20/2024. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.
Violations
2Standard 8VAC20-780-40-E
Based on review of records, video observations, and interviews, the center did not ensure that their activities and services are 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. Staff #1 and Staff #5 stated and confirmed that a video recording was made during potty training of Child #1, who was 2.5 years old.
2. Staff #1 received a disciplinary report which stated that Staff#1 "made an inappropriate video of the child that the admin had to delete." Staff #5 confirmed deleting the video from the parent communication application and confirmed it was recorded during potty training.
3. Staff #1's disciplinary report states under the policy and procedure violation that "teachers are not allowed to record the children in such manner."
Evidence:
1. Staff #1 and Staff #5 stated and confirmed that a video recording was made during potty training of Child #1, who was 2.5 years old.
2. Staff #1 received a disciplinary report which stated that Staff#1 "made an inappropriate video of the child that the admin had to delete." Staff #5 confirmed deleting the video from the parent communication application and confirmed it was recorded during potty training.
3. Staff #1's disciplinary report states under the policy and procedure violation that "teachers are not allowed to record the children in such manner."
Plan of Correction: Al Playful Platos, our dedication to providing an exceptional standard of care confidently affirms our commitment to the well-being of all our students. This commitment extends to our vigilant monitoring of all classrooms and communication within the school. All video recordings need prior administration approval and are deemed inappropriate if no prior authorizations were taken. Secondly, positive discipline, a core value of the Montessori philosophy, is strictly implemented at Playful Platos Montessori and we are committed to upholding these principles. During the recording, the teacher did not use the positive discipline techniques practiced at Playful Platos Montessori. The school takes both these things very seriously. Hence, the teacher received disciplinary action, which stated that she must always follow our communication and positive discipline policies. She had to complete training on effective communication, building relationships, and positive discipline in the next two weeks. AIl these actions were taken months before the complaint was filed and show our unwavering dedication to providing a high standard of care is a testament to our commitment to the well-being of all our students.
Standard 8VAC20-780-400-A
Based on review of records, video observations and interviews, the staff did not interact with a child and one another to provide the needed help, comfort, support and respect of personal privacy.
Evidence:
1. Staff #1, Staff #4, and Staff #5 confirmed a video recording was taken on February 15, 2024 of Child #1 during potty training.
2. Staff #1 confirmed that the video was sent to the parent through the parent communication application to demonstrate the child struggling to lift their pants up over the pull up during potty training.
3. Staff #5 confirmed that a recorded video from February 15, 2024, wad deleted from the parental communication app because Staff #5 believed the recording made by Staff #1 was inappropriate.
4. Staff #5 stated the video recording was Staff #1 demonstrating that child #1 could not pull their pants over their pull up and that Staff #1 then sent the video to Child #1's parent.
5. The video recording showed Child #1 attempting to pull up their pants by holding the side of the pants while Staff #1 was saying "Pull it up." Staff #1 was then seen holding the child by the shoulder, turning the child to face away from Staff #1, and saying, "From the back". The video showed the back of the child which included the child's pull up and when the child started to bend to pull the pants up, Staff #1 turned the child again and said "from the back, from the back, we always do it, we do this every day your hands should be here from the back." The child could not pull the pants up and Staff #1 then stated, "Your pants need to be loose, these are too tight, right, pull it up." At the end Staff #1's hand is seen holding the back of child #1's pants and Staff #1 pull the pants up.
Evidence:
1. Staff #1, Staff #4, and Staff #5 confirmed a video recording was taken on February 15, 2024 of Child #1 during potty training.
2. Staff #1 confirmed that the video was sent to the parent through the parent communication application to demonstrate the child struggling to lift their pants up over the pull up during potty training.
3. Staff #5 confirmed that a recorded video from February 15, 2024, wad deleted from the parental communication app because Staff #5 believed the recording made by Staff #1 was inappropriate.
4. Staff #5 stated the video recording was Staff #1 demonstrating that child #1 could not pull their pants over their pull up and that Staff #1 then sent the video to Child #1's parent.
5. The video recording showed Child #1 attempting to pull up their pants by holding the side of the pants while Staff #1 was saying "Pull it up." Staff #1 was then seen holding the child by the shoulder, turning the child to face away from Staff #1, and saying, "From the back". The video showed the back of the child which included the child's pull up and when the child started to bend to pull the pants up, Staff #1 turned the child again and said "from the back, from the back, we always do it, we do this every day your hands should be here from the back." The child could not pull the pants up and Staff #1 then stated, "Your pants need to be loose, these are too tight, right, pull it up." At the end Staff #1's hand is seen holding the back of child #1's pants and Staff #1 pull the pants up.
Plan of Correction: At Playful Platos, our unwavering dedication to providing a high standard of care is a testament to our commitment to the well-being of all our students. This commitment extends to our vigilant monitoring of all classrooms and
communication within the school. The teacher had communicated to the parent
about their child's difficulty in pulling up tight clothes, and had suggested sending the child in loose clothes for easier bathroom use. To demonstrate the child's challenge with tight clothes, the teacher decided to record a demonstrative video and send it through our secure app. The video showed the child fully clothed in the classroom, attempting to pullup the tights over the pull-up. The video was only accessible to the parent and the school administrator.The administration's swift response to the issue was as follows:
1) Deleted the video as the teacher had not sought prior authorization to record the
video. All video recordings need prior administration approval.
2) Talked to the parents to apologize and explain the situation. We arranged to meet with the parent the very next day with the teacher to be on the same page and to discuss how we can better support the child's needs in the future.
3) Coached all the teachers on communication and building relationships with our families.
4) Coached the teachers on positive discipline, as the situation should have been
handled differently. Positive discipline, a core value of the Montessori philosophy, is strictly implemented at Playful Platos Montessori and we are committed to
upholding these principles.
5)The teacher had to complete training on effective communication, building
relationships, and positive discipline in the next two weeks.
communication within the school. The teacher had communicated to the parent
about their child's difficulty in pulling up tight clothes, and had suggested sending the child in loose clothes for easier bathroom use. To demonstrate the child's challenge with tight clothes, the teacher decided to record a demonstrative video and send it through our secure app. The video showed the child fully clothed in the classroom, attempting to pullup the tights over the pull-up. The video was only accessible to the parent and the school administrator.The administration's swift response to the issue was as follows:
1) Deleted the video as the teacher had not sought prior authorization to record the
video. All video recordings need prior administration approval.
2) Talked to the parents to apologize and explain the situation. We arranged to meet with the parent the very next day with the teacher to be on the same page and to discuss how we can better support the child's needs in the future.
3) Coached all the teachers on communication and building relationships with our families.
4) Coached the teachers on positive discipline, as the situation should have been
handled differently. Positive discipline, a core value of the Montessori philosophy, is strictly implemented at Playful Platos Montessori and we are committed to
upholding these principles.
5)The teacher had to complete training on effective communication, building
relationships, and positive discipline in the next two weeks.