VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Epworth United Methodist Church
124 West Freemason Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 313-5301

VDSS Contact: Heather Harrell (757) 334-4329

Inspection Date: May 7, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-790-490.-850 Subsidy Program Vendor Requirements for Child Day Centers

Technical Assistance:

The following areas of subsidy regulations were discussed with the program director: 1. Required information for children's records; 2. Required time frames for staff TB screening; 3. 90-day training requirement for staff to obtain first aid/CPR and the preservice training; 4. All staff must obtain 16 hours of annual training AND obtain annually the 3-hour preservice training update; 5. Requirements for the emergency plan for the facility to include adding the location of where to shelter-in-place on the posted evacuation map; 6. Diaper changing pads must be non-absorbent. As a requirement for "Safe Sleep" crib sheets should be tight fitting.

Comments:

An announced subsidy health and safety inspection was conducted on 05/07/2024 from 9:30 am - 2:35 pm. At the time of the tour there were 75 children in care with 18 staff supervising. The children in care ranged in age from infant - four years. Children were observed during morning program time which included large group, free play and outdoor play. Diapering procedures was observed in the infant/waddler, toddler and two-year old classrooms. Records were reviewed for seven children and eight staff. The information gathered determined violations with applicable regulations and law. These violations are listed on the violation notice issued to the vendor and were reviewed with the program director at the conclusion of the inspection.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.058
Description:	Based on interview, the vendor failed to ensure that each building that was built before 2015 and that houses a child day program that is licensed pursuant to this chapter or any program described in subdivision A 4, B 1, or B 5 of ? 22.1-289.030 that serves preschool-age children shall be equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector. Evidence: 1. The program director stated that a carbon monoxide detector had not been installed in the facility.
Plan of Correction:	A request will be made for installation of a carbon monoxide detector.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-560-A
Description:	Based on record review, the vendor failed to ensure that documentation of the tuberculosis screening was completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment. Evidence: 1. The TB screening for staff 1, hire date 02/05/2024, lacks written documentation of the date the screening was completed by the health department.
Plan of Correction:	The director stated that staff 1 would be asked to take the TB screening back to the health department for documentation of actual date of screening.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-630-A
Description:	Based on observation, the vendor failed to ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and operable condition. Unsafe conditions shall include splintered, cracked or otherwise deteriorating wood; chipped or peeling paint; visible cracks, bending or warping, rusting, or breakage of any equipment; head entrapment hazards; protruding nails, bolts, or other components that entangle clothing or skin; and unstable heavy equipment, furniture, or other items that a child could pull down on himself. Evidence: 1. The following safety hazards were observed inside of the facility: a. The A/C unit in the toddler classroom is dusty and paint chips were observed on the window ledge surrounding the A/C unit. b. The diaper changing table in the waddler classroom has been placed within reach of a mini-blind cord and cord from the window unit A/C. c. Approximately 2 inches of standing water was observed in the hand washing sink in the 2-year old classroom. Staff stated that the sink has been slow to drain for over a month. d. Dangling cords from the tablet charger and the A/C window unit were observed in the 2-year old classroom. e. Dishes and sippy cups were observed drying on the hand washing sink in the 2-year old classroom. This is the same sink utilized for hand washing after diapering. Staff report it is the usual process to wash children's cups and plates at this sink. f. Dangling cords, peeling paint and areas of missing drywall were observed in the 3-year old classroom. g. Dangling cords and an unsecured metal electrical conduit was observed in the 3 & 4 year old classroom. The metal conduit was observed dangling down on the floor beside two cots placed in this area for napping. i. An uncovered ( closed/not in use) metal pipe was observed in the hallway beside the children's bathroom ( 3-year old classroom). This pipe is at face height of a child and is a protrusion hazard. j. The wooden door to the 4th floor bathroom, utilized by children, has areas of peeling wood near the bottom of the door. An area of broken tile was observed in this bathroom near the floor- boarder area. k. The carpet in the 4-year old classroom has areas of fray that are a trip hazard. l. All four windows in the 4th floor multipurpose classroom have areas of peeling paint and dangling mini blind cords. Children were observed playing in this area during the inspection. j. The ceiling vent in the 3rd floor bathroom was caked in dust. 2. The following safety hazards were observed on the children's playground: a. Multiple areas of cracked plastic was observed within the circular play boarder. Cracked plastic is a pinch point for children's fingers. b. An area of cracked/peeling wood was observed in one area, near the bottom, of the front play train.
Plan of Correction:	All dangling cords were removed during the inspection. Mini blind cords were placed up and out-of-reach of children. Diaper changing tables will be moved away from dangling cords/windows. Outdoor play boarder will be removed. Additional physical plant repairs will be made within 30-45 days. Staff will be reminded to closely supervise children when playing near areas of concern.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-630-A
Description:	Based on observation, the vendor failed to ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and operable condition. Unsafe conditions shall include splintered, cracked or otherwise deteriorating wood; chipped or peeling paint; visible cracks, bending or warping, rusting, or breakage of any equipment; head entrapment hazards; protruding nails, bolts, or other components that entangle clothing or skin; and unstable heavy equipment, furniture, or other items that a child could pull down on himself. Evidence: 1. The following safety hazards were observed inside of the facility: a. The A/C unit in the toddler classroom is dusty and paint chips were observed on the window ledge surrounding the A/C unit. b. The diaper changing table in the waddler classroom has been placed within reach of a mini-blind cord and cord from the window unit A/C. c. Approximately 2 inches of standing water was observed in the hand washing sink in the 2-year old classroom. Staff stated that the sink has been slow to drain for over a month. d. Dangling cords from the tablet charger and the A/C window unit were observed in the 2-year old classroom. e. Dishes and sippy cups were observed drying on the hand washing sink in the 2-year old classroom. This is the same sink utilized for hand washing after diapering. Staff report it is the usual process to wash children's cups and plates at this sink. f. Dangling cords, peeling paint and areas of missing drywall were observed in the 3-year old classroom. g. Dangling cords and an unsecured metal electrical conduit was observed in the 3 & 4 year old classroom. The metal conduit was observed dangling down on the floor beside two cots placed in this area for napping. i. An uncovered ( closed/not in use) metal pipe was observed in the hallway beside the children's bathroom ( 3-year old classroom). This pipe is at face height of a child and is a protrusion hazard. j. The wooden door to the 4th floor bathroom, utilized by children, has areas of peeling wood near the bottom of the door. An area of broken tile was observed in this bathroom near the floor- boarder area. k. The carpet in the 4-year old classroom has areas of fray that are a trip hazard. l. All four windows in the 4th floor multipurpose classroom have areas of peeling paint and dangling mini blind cords. Children were observed playing in this area during the inspection. j. The ceiling vent in the 3rd floor bathroom was caked in dust. 2. The following safety hazards were observed on the children's playground: a. Multiple areas of cracked plastic was observed within the circular play boarder. Cracked plastic is a pinch point for children's fingers. b. An area of cracked/peeling wood was observed in one area, near the bottom, of the front play train.
Plan of Correction:	All dangling cords were removed during the inspection. Mini blind cords were placed up and out-of-reach of children. Diaper changing tables will be moved away from dangling cords/windows. Outdoor play boarder will be removed. Additional physical plant repairs will be made within 30-45 days. Staff will be reminded to closely supervise children when playing near areas of concern.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-630-C-2
Description:	Based on observation, the vendor failed to ensure that electrical outlets shall have protective covers that are of a size that cannot be swallowed by children. Evidence: 1. Uncovered electrical outlets were observed in the following classrooms: a. 2's - one uncovered outlet by refrigerator; b. 3's - 2 uncovered outlets to the power strip; c. 3's & 4's class - 3 uncovered outlets; d. 1 uncovered outlet beside entrance to the 3's hallway bathroom; e. 4's classroom - 1 uncovered outlet.
Plan of Correction:	All outlets were covered with protective caps during the inspection. Staff will be reminded to replace caps.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-640-A
Description:	Based on observation, the vendor failed to ensure that hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. If a key is used, the key shall not be accessible to children. Evidence: 1. A spray bottle of bleach & water solution and 2 containers of sanitizing wipes were observed stored on the window ledge of the waddler classroom. 2. A spray bottle of bleach & water solution was observed inside of an unlocked diapering cabinet in the toddler classroom. A child was observed opening the cabinet during the inspection. 3. A bottle of hand sanitizer was observed stored on the hand basin in the 2-year old classroom. 4. A bottle of bleach, Lysol and sanitizing wipes were observed stored on a low shelf in an unlocked cabinet in the 4-year old classroom. A bottle of liquid correction fluid was observed on the teacher shelf in this classroom.
Plan of Correction:	All chemicals/cleaning agents were locked up during the inspection. Staff will be reminded to lock up all chemicals.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-670-H
Description:	Based on observation, the vendor failed to ensure that children less than 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff, except that staff need only be able to hear a child who is using the restroom. Evidence: 1. The inspector observed child1, age 3 years 11 months, unattended in the hallway outside of the two-year old hallway bathroom at approximately 11:23 am. a. The staff responsible for supervising child 1 were in the classroom which is not located within sight or sound distance of this bathroom.
Plan of Correction:	The director stated that staff have been and will continue to be reminded that children must be escorted to the bathroom. Supervision requirements will be discussed at the next staff training/meeting.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-760-B-6
Description:	Based on observation, the vendor failed to ensure that disposable diapers shall be disposed in a leak-proof or plastic-lined storage system that is either foot-operated or used in such a way that neither the staff member's hand nor the soiled diaper touches an exterior surface of the storage system during disposal. Evidence: 1. The lid on the foot-operated trash can, utilized for disposal of diapers, in the toddler classroom was not working. a. A staff person was observed using her hands to open the lid in order to dispose of a child's soiled diaper.
Plan of Correction:	A new step down diaper trash can will be obtained for this classroom.