VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Heritage Child Development Center (Clarke Co)
224 Mosby Blvd.
Berryville, VA 22611
(540) 955-4194

Current Inspector: Stephanie Reed (540) 272-6558

Inspection Date: Oct. 25, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

A non-mandated monitoring inspection was conducted with an outside agency on October 25, 2023 from 10:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M., in response to a self-reported incident that occurred on October 17, 2023 regarding sight and supervision. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, staffing and supervision, special care and emergencies and background checks. One child record, two staff records, staff handbook and orientation materials were reviewed. Four staff were interviewed, and the outdoor area was inspected and pictures taken. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Licensing Inspector at 540-430-9257.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-D
Description:	Based on interviews and review of written policies, the center failed to provide required policies and procedures in writing to staff prior to working along with children and within seven days of employment. Evidence: 1. The following procedures were not provided in writing to staff as required: procedures for supervising a child who may arrive after scheduled classes or activities including field trips have begun; procedures to confirm absence of a child when the child is scheduled to arrive from another program or from an agency responsible for transporting the child to the center; and procedures for identifying where attending children are at all time, including procedures to ensure that all children are accounted for before leaving a field trip site and upon return to the to the center. 2. Staff #3 stated these procedures are not in a written format and are only provided to staff verbally during orientation.
Plan of Correction:	1.The Policies and Procedures Manual from September 2020 was located and is currently under review as of (10/30/2023), to ensure policies are current with VA Licensing Standards. 2. A physical copy of policies and procedures Manuel will be distributed to all staff on November 14th at the staff meeting. 3. A physical copy of the policies and procedures manual will be distributed to each classroom and kept in a binder that is easily accessible to all staff. 4. HCDC New Hire Packet will now include the updated manual that wil be given to staff upon enrollment.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews and review of documentation, the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On 10/17/2023, a three-year-old child, was left outside on the playground for approximately 5 minutes. 2. Staff #1 was on the Two-Year-Old Playground with six children. At approximately 4:00 P.M., Staff #1 left the playground and returned to the classroom. 3. At approximately 4:05 P.M., Staff #2 entered the playground with approximately five children. Staff #2 found Child #1 in the tunnel. 4. Staff #1 verified that they had left Child #1 on the playground without sight and sound supervision, and was unaware that Child #1 was missing until it was brought to her attention by Staff #2.
Plan of Correction:	1. The director met with staff on 10/20/2023 to discuss ratios and counting children. Staff will announce the number of children to any staff that enters the room, and confirm before leaving a room. Children must be physically counted as the pass from one location to another. 2. As of 10/23/2023 movement logs and more frequent face to name checks have been implemented. 3. Between 10/23/2023-10/25/2023 all staff were given a copy of sight and sound procedures and ratio requirement. Staff were asked to signa copy in acknowledgement of receipt. 4. Whiteboards are installed in each classroom to write down the current number of children in the room in a place that is immediately visible as of 11/02/2023. 5. As of 10/18/2023, administrators, will regularly check in with classrooms (every 30 minutes during drop-off and pick-up time, and every hour during the day), as well as physically check the classroom and outside area to confirm the number of children.