Inspection · 2025-11-19
Date
2025-11-19
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Kristy Atanackovic
(804) 629-5032
(804) 629-5032
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
Violations
4Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:56 pm, video footage showed Staff #1 and Staff #2 exiting the gross motor room with a group of students, leaving Child #1 (19 months), who was part of their group, in the gross motor room unsupervised and out of sight and sound of staff for approximately three minutes. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were unaware that Child #1 had been left behind. Staff #3 found Child #1 when their class entered the gross motor room.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:56 pm, video footage showed Staff #1 and Staff #2 exiting the gross motor room with a group of students, leaving Child #1 (19 months), who was part of their group, in the gross motor room unsupervised and out of sight and sound of staff for approximately three minutes. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were unaware that Child #1 had been left behind. Staff #3 found Child #1 when their class entered the gross motor room.
Plan of Correction: The Director held a Staff Meeting on 11/24/25, for all employees of Guidepost Montessori at West. The focus of the 1 hour meeting was on supervision of children and ensuring we do the proper headcounts, for all transitions, including before and after care when classes combine. The expectation was set that we must have separate trackers for combined classes. Leadership also will complete 2x daily online head counts via our staff Teams chat as well as random in-person checks of the paper trackers daily to ensure all staff are complying. It was made clear to all employees at Guidepost Montessori at West Alex that leaving a child unattended is not acceptable and if there are any violations moving forward by any staff member, they would be subject to immediate termination.
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-F
Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:56 pm, video footage showed Staff #1 and Staff #2 exiting the gross motor room with a group of students, leaving Child #1 (19 months), who was part of their group, in the gross motor room unsupervised and out of sight and sound of staff for approximately three minutes. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were unaware that Child #1 had been left behind. Staff #3 found Child #1 when their class entered the gross motor room.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:56 pm, video footage showed Staff #1 and Staff #2 exiting the gross motor room with a group of students, leaving Child #1 (19 months), who was part of their group, in the gross motor room unsupervised and out of sight and sound of staff for approximately three minutes. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were unaware that Child #1 had been left behind. Staff #3 found Child #1 when their class entered the gross motor room.
Plan of Correction: oth Staff #1 and Staff #2 have both completed the abovementioned Guidepost Montessori (Atlas LMS) childcare trainings: Positive Phrasing (1.5hrs), Montessori Essentials (10hrs), Extended Day Training (4.5hrs), These trainings also address both active and engaged supervision. Additionally, Staff #2 was placed on an immediate 2-day unpaid leave status for their involvement with leaving Child #1 in the gross motor room unattended. t was made clear to both staff members that leaving a child unattended is not acceptable (unintentional or intentional) is not acceptable and if there are any indications of further violations, they would be terminated on the spot.
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.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, video footage showed Child #2 (2? years) in the gross motor room wearing one shoe and holding the other in their hand as they walked to line up with their class. When Staff #1 noticed that Child #2 had only one shoe on, Staff #1 was heard saying in a harsh tone, ?Why did you take it off? Don?t take your shoes off. Don?t take off the shoes. No.?
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, video footage showed Child #3 (20 months) lying on the ground. As the classroom was lining up to leave, Staff #1 saw Child #3, grabbed the child by the upper arm, lifted them from the floor, and placed them in line.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, video footage showed Child #2 (2? years) in the gross motor room wearing one shoe and holding the other in their hand as they walked to line up with their class. When Staff #1 noticed that Child #2 had only one shoe on, Staff #1 was heard saying in a harsh tone, ?Why did you take it off? Don?t take your shoes off. Don?t take off the shoes. No.?
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, video footage showed Child #3 (20 months) lying on the ground. As the classroom was lining up to leave, Staff #1 saw Child #3, grabbed the child by the upper arm, lifted them from the floor, and placed them in line.
Plan of Correction: Staff #1 and Staff #2 have both completed the following Guidepost Montessori (Atlas) childcare trainings: Positive Phrasing (1.5hrs) Montessori Essentials (10hrs) , Extended Day Training (4.5 hrs) It was made clear to Staff #1 that any further behavioral redirection that does not align with the training would lead to immediate termination.
Standard 8VAC20-780-410-1
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 Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, video footage showed Child #3 (20 months) lying on the ground. As the classroom was lining up to leave, Staff #1 saw Child #3, grabbed the child by the upper arm, lifted them from the floor, and placed them in line.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, video footage showed Child #3 (20 months) lying on the ground. As the classroom was lining up to leave, Staff #1 saw Child #3, grabbed the child by the upper arm, lifted them from the floor, and placed them in line.
Plan of Correction: Staff #1 was placed on an immediate 2-week unpaid leave status to complete numerous trainings and to reflect on their approach to supervising children. During this time, Staff #1 was also placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) which listed the trainings and plan to reflect on the key learnings while not caring directly for children. It was made clear that rough handling (unintentional or intentional) is not acceptable and if there are any indications of further violations, they would be terminated on the spot. Staff #1 completed Virginia?s Health and Safety Training Course (3hrs) on 11/26/25. They also completed the following training by 11/26/25 as part of their PIP: - Positive Phrasing (1.5hrs); Positive phrasing is the art of brief and true statements that tell a young child what to do, instead of what not to do. In this course, the guide will focus on key principles for positive phrasing in Montessori communities, and how its role is effective classroom management.
- Montessori Essentials
(10hrs), this asynchronous course is designed to deepen the developing guide?s understanding of Montessori education. The course is structured into three units, each unit featuring short videos, readings, and thoughtfully selected resources. Specifically, it speaks to elements that make a Montessori classroom unique and successful. Montessori classrooms are built around underlying themes that bring consistency to how we interact with children and guide them in navigating their community. Extended Day Training (4.5hrs); this training is aimed at supporting Assistant Guides working in the Extended Day program at Guidepost Montessori Schools in early childhood classrooms. It was made clear to Staff #1 that any violation of the PIP would lead to immediate termination.
- Montessori Essentials
(10hrs), this asynchronous course is designed to deepen the developing guide?s understanding of Montessori education. The course is structured into three units, each unit featuring short videos, readings, and thoughtfully selected resources. Specifically, it speaks to elements that make a Montessori classroom unique and successful. Montessori classrooms are built around underlying themes that bring consistency to how we interact with children and guide them in navigating their community. Extended Day Training (4.5hrs); this training is aimed at supporting Assistant Guides working in the Extended Day program at Guidepost Montessori Schools in early childhood classrooms. It was made clear to Staff #1 that any violation of the PIP would lead to immediate termination.