Inspection · 2022-09-27
Date
2022-09-27
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Heather Harrell
(757) 334-4329
(757) 334-4329
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 Staffing and Supervision.
8VAC20-780 Special Services.
Inspector Notes
An investigation was initiated on 9/19/22 in response to a self-reported incident received by the department regarding a child being left unattended in a center vehicle. An on-site inspection was conducted on 9/27/22 and interviews with staff were conducted. Documentation and records related to the incident were also reviewed and interviews with collaterals were conducted by telephone. Based on the information gathered during the investigation, the self-reported incident is determined to be valid. Violations in the areas of administration and staffing and supervision are cited on the violation notice and were discussed with center management at the conclusion of the investigation.
Violations
4Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
Based on interviews, it was determined that the center failed to ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care and protection.
Evidence:
1. On 9/16/22, staff 1 was transporting children from a local elementary school to the center and left child 1, age 5 years, alone on the bus in the center?s parking lot with no staff supervision.
2. Center staff were unaware that child 1 was unaccounted for until her parent arrived to pick her up and asked where she was.
3. Staff 1 stated that when he found child 1 on the bus, he could tell that she was crying.
4. Child 1?s parent stated that when she was found alone on the bus and brought back into the center, child 1 was sweaty, her face was red, she was crying and appeared ?very upset?. Child 1 stated to her parent that she could not get her seatbelt undone and that she was yelling but no one could hear her.
Evidence:
1. On 9/16/22, staff 1 was transporting children from a local elementary school to the center and left child 1, age 5 years, alone on the bus in the center?s parking lot with no staff supervision.
2. Center staff were unaware that child 1 was unaccounted for until her parent arrived to pick her up and asked where she was.
3. Staff 1 stated that when he found child 1 on the bus, he could tell that she was crying.
4. Child 1?s parent stated that when she was found alone on the bus and brought back into the center, child 1 was sweaty, her face was red, she was crying and appeared ?very upset?. Child 1 stated to her parent that she could not get her seatbelt undone and that she was yelling but no one could hear her.
Plan of Correction: The center responded with the following: First Discovery transportation policy reviewed with all staff: head count, bus sweep, attendance upon arrival to the classroom.
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-F
Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.
Evidence:
1. The center self-reported that on 9/16/22, child 1, age 5 years, was left alone on the center?s bus by staff 1 after returning to the center from afternoon pick-up at a local elementary school.
2. Child 1?s parent stated he arrived at the center at approximately 3:45pm and that his child was not in the school-aged classroom. Child 1?s parent stated that staff 3 (school-aged teacher) did not know where child 1 was. He stated center staff started looking for child 1 and staff 1 found her on the bus and brought her back into the center.
3. Staff 1 stated he arrived at the center between 3:30pm and 3:35pm after picking children up from an elementary school. Staff 1 confirmed that child 1 was left alone on the bus after arriving back at the center.
4. Child 1 was out of sight and sound supervision of staff for approximately 10-15 minutes between the time the bus arrived at the center and child 1?s parent picking her up.
Evidence:
1. The center self-reported that on 9/16/22, child 1, age 5 years, was left alone on the center?s bus by staff 1 after returning to the center from afternoon pick-up at a local elementary school.
2. Child 1?s parent stated he arrived at the center at approximately 3:45pm and that his child was not in the school-aged classroom. Child 1?s parent stated that staff 3 (school-aged teacher) did not know where child 1 was. He stated center staff started looking for child 1 and staff 1 found her on the bus and brought her back into the center.
3. Staff 1 stated he arrived at the center between 3:30pm and 3:35pm after picking children up from an elementary school. Staff 1 confirmed that child 1 was left alone on the bus after arriving back at the center.
4. Child 1 was out of sight and sound supervision of staff for approximately 10-15 minutes between the time the bus arrived at the center and child 1?s parent picking her up.
Plan of Correction: The center responded with the following: After further review and discussion staff member 1 was terminated effective immediately for violating our policy.
Standard 8VAC20-780-40-E
Based on interviews and a review of the center?s policies, the center failed to ensure that the licensee?s operational responsibilities shall ensure that the center?s services are maintained in compliance with the center?s own policies and procedures required by these standards.
Evidence:
Center staff failed to follow their written policy regarding transitioning children off of the center bus as demonstrated by the following incident:
1. The center?s policy for exiting children off of the center bus states ?Count each child off the bus. Once children are off the bus walk down the aisle to make sure no one is still on the bus. Verbally call out each child?s name to check that they are here by using name cards and count them again?.
2. On 9/16/22, child 1, age 5, was left alone on the bus in the center?s parking lot without staff supervision for approximately 10-15 minutes.
3. Staff 1 and staff 2 (center director) confirmed that staff 1 did not follow the center?s bus policy of walking down the aisle of the bus once all children have exited to ensure there are no children remaining on the bus.
Evidence:
Center staff failed to follow their written policy regarding transitioning children off of the center bus as demonstrated by the following incident:
1. The center?s policy for exiting children off of the center bus states ?Count each child off the bus. Once children are off the bus walk down the aisle to make sure no one is still on the bus. Verbally call out each child?s name to check that they are here by using name cards and count them again?.
2. On 9/16/22, child 1, age 5, was left alone on the bus in the center?s parking lot without staff supervision for approximately 10-15 minutes.
3. Staff 1 and staff 2 (center director) confirmed that staff 1 did not follow the center?s bus policy of walking down the aisle of the bus once all children have exited to ensure there are no children remaining on the bus.
Plan of Correction: The center responded with the following: Discussed the transportation policy with staff member. At this time, we determined that staff member 1 did forget to do their head count upon exiting the bus. After further discussions, we terminated staff member 1. We reviewed our center's transportation and attendance policy with all current staff members.
Standard 8VAC20-780-80-A
Based on interviews and a review of the center?s attendance records, the center failed to ensure that for each group of children, the center shall maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.
Evidence:
1. On multiple days between 9/12/22 and 9/21/22, child 1, age 5 years, was not signed into the school-aged classroom after returning to the center from a local elementary school.
a. A review of written attendance records from 9/12/22 through 9/21/22 indicate that the center failed to sign child 1 into the school-aged classroom 3 out of 8 days upon returning to the center from the elementary school.
2. Child 1?s parent stated that at least once a week he would pick his children up from the center in the afternoon and would not be able to sign them out because the center?s sign-in/sign-out application still had them signed out to school from the morning.
Evidence:
1. On multiple days between 9/12/22 and 9/21/22, child 1, age 5 years, was not signed into the school-aged classroom after returning to the center from a local elementary school.
a. A review of written attendance records from 9/12/22 through 9/21/22 indicate that the center failed to sign child 1 into the school-aged classroom 3 out of 8 days upon returning to the center from the elementary school.
2. Child 1?s parent stated that at least once a week he would pick his children up from the center in the afternoon and would not be able to sign them out because the center?s sign-in/sign-out application still had them signed out to school from the morning.
Plan of Correction: The center responded with the following: Center policy regarding attendance was in place; however, staff member 3 recently joined the team and was still familiarizing herself with rosters and children coming off the bus. Children were settling in the classroom (washing hands, prepping for snack) when parent arrived. We have reviewed our attendance policy with our entire team - check in/check out and name to face. We have adjusted our policy: Parents must wait until their child has been signed in by a First Discovery Team Member inside of the building before being released to their guardian for dismissal. This will ensure that proper attendance is taken and touch all points.