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Stepping Stones Learning Academy

Inspection · 2024-11-18

Date
2024-11-18
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Margaret Allworth
(703) 209-3521
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 Staffing and Supervision

During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed. If there were any serious injuries or fatalities related to a violation, the details will be included in the description of the violation.

Inspector Notes

An unannounced monitoring inspection was initiated on 11/18/2024 and completed on 11/18/2024 in response to a self-report received by the licensing office on 11/18/2024 relating to Administration and supervision of children. This inspection included document review, interviews, and observations.

Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations

3
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection and guidance.
On 11/14/2024 at 10:28 am, Child #1 (age 20 months) was left alone on the playground.
1. Staff #1 decided to bring the children inside from the playground, she lined them up and instructed staff #2 to open the door. While the children were moving towards the open door, one of the children ran inside of the building. Staff #2 ran after that child. Staff #1 followed the other children into the building without properly conducting a name to face count of the children per the centers own policy.
2. At 10:30 am another staff from the adjacent playground noticed child # 1 alone on the smaller playground. The staff used the walkie talkie to request assistance from administration to come outside quickly.
Plan of Correction: I spoke to the staff about the importance of supervising children at all times. I also explained the importance of actively engaging with the children throughout the day, which allows us to provide the individualized attention and support the need in all aspects of their development.
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-F
Children under 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.
At 10:28 am on 11/14/2024 staff #1 brought the children inside from the playground. Child #1, (age 20 months) was left alone on the playground. By 10:30 am another staff on the adjacent playground observed the child alone and used the walkie talkie to ask for assistance from administration.
Plan of Correction: I have reviewed our supervision policies with the team to ensure everyone understands the importance of always maintaining both sight and sound supervision of children.
Standard 8VAC20-780-40-E
The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center's activities and services are maintained in compliance with the center's own policies.
Staff #1 failed to follow the centers own policy in regards to leaving
the playground, resulting in a child, (20 months) being left alone for 2 minutes. The staff handbook says "staff must count heads and match names to faces to ensure the proper and correct number of children being supervised".
Plan of Correction: We have implemented a buddy system where staff will cross-check and ensure all children are accounted for when transitioning between indoor and outdoor areas. This will include verbal headcounts and physical checks before and after children move between spaces.
I have also instructed the admin to conduct periodic spot-checks to ensure that the team is following the updated supervision protocols and to ensure that any potential issues are addressed immediately.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services