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Elsa's Blessings Day School

Inspection · 2024-11-21

Date
2024-11-21
Complaint Related
Yes
Licensing Inspector
Jessica Willis
(571) 352-1453
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 Programs.

Inspector Notes

An unannounced inspection was initiated on 11/21/2024 and completed on 01/09/2025 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 10/04/2024 relating to behavior guidance and forbidden actions. The inspector reviewed 1 child's record and 1 staff record on-site. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. 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 violation will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five business days from today, which will be the close of business on 01/16/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations

3
Standard 8VAC20-780-400-B
Behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.
During the designated rest period on 09/19/2024, Staff #1 did not provide behavioral guidance constructive in nature and age and stage appropriate. Staff #1 used restriction of movement by holding Child #1?s (age 2 years) arms behind the child's back in order to ensure Child #1 remained on their cot during the designated rest period.
Plan of Correction: All staff members will be enrolled in an in person Positive Discipline Training. This
course will specifically address age appropriate behavioral guidance techniques, constructive conflict resolution, and appropriate classroom management strategies to ensure compliance with licensing regulations. Areas of focus will also be techniques to promote appropriate rest behavior through positive reinforcement and redirection and understanding and implementing best practices for age appropriate behavioral support. The Director reviewed behavior, discipline, and nap policies with staff Jan 15-24.
Standard 8VAC20-780-410-1
The following acts are forbidden: physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, restricting movement through binding or tying, forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position, or exercise as punishment.
On 09/19/2024, Staff #1 forced Child #1 (age 2 years) to assume an uncomfortable position by holding the child?s arms behind the child's back to restrict movement during the designated rest period. Child #1 was laying face down on their cot. For approximately 15 minutes, each time Child #1 would move their arms forward, Staff #1 placed both of the child?s arms behind Child #1 and held them down to restrict movement. Staff #1 also roughly handled Child #1 while placing them back in a face down position when Child #1 attempted to get up from the cot. Staff #1 stopped attempting to restrict Child #1's movement when Staff #2 entered the classroom.
Plan of Correction: Updated nap time policy to specify that children do not need to be laying down during this time and what behavior is expected towards children who do not actually sleep.

Changing staffing plan to have two instead of one staff member in the room.

Director will conduct walkthroughs throughout nap time to offer support and ensure compliance with school policy.

Staff will review new policy with each staff member from January 15-January 24.

Director also will review the existing ?Behavior and Discipline? policy that states this behavior as forbidden.
Standard 8VAC20-780-410-5
The following act is forbidden: withholding or forcing of food or rest.
During the designated rest period on 09/19/2024, Staff #1 held the arms of Child #1 (age 2 years) behind the child's back, holding the child down and restricting the child's movement to ensure the child remained on their assigned cot and rested during the designated rest period. Staff #1 engaged in this action for approximately 15 minutes before stopping when Staff #2 entered the classroom.
Plan of Correction: Updated nap time policy to specify what behavior is allowed to help children fall asleep and strategies to create a quiet, calm, and loving atmosphere.

Changing staffing plan to have two instead of one staff member in the room.

Director will conduct walkthroughs throughout nap time to offer support and ensure compliance with school policy.

Staff will review new policy with each staff member from January 15-January 24.