VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Magnolia Ridge Child Development Center
1300 Virginia Center Parkway
Glen allen, VA 23059
(804) 515-1933

Current Inspector: Lauren Bickford (540) 280-0742

Inspection Date: May 8, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted on 5/8/24 in response to a complaint that was received by the department on 5/6/24. The inspection was regarding Staffing and Supervision. Two licensing staff were on site from approximately 1PM to 2:40 PM conducting interviews, completing observations, and reviewing documentation such as injury reports, attendance rosters, child files, and staff files. The preponderance of the evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. Though not a part of the original complaint, there was a violation found during the inspection regarding background checks. See the violation notice for more details. Please complete the plan of correction and the date to be corrected for each violation listed on the violation notice and return it to the department within 5 business days from receipt. Your plan of correction should contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard(s); 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again; and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measures. Lauren Bickford, Licensing Inspector Office of Child Care Health and Safety Division of Early Childhood Care and Education 540-280-0742 lauren.bickford@doe.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on review of documentation, the licensee failed to ensure operational responsibilities that the center?s activities, services and facilities are maintained in compliance with the center?s own policies and procedures that are required by the standards. Evidence: 1. In the center?s staff handbook under supervision of children, it states children shall be in the sight and sound of the employees at all times. 2. Video footage on 05/01/2024 showed an incident that occurred with children in care. Staff #2 was engaged in a conversation with staff #1 while children were coloring at a table. A three foot bookshelf was obstructing the view of children for staff 1 and 2. Staff acknowledged they did not have full sight supervision of the children at the table and were engaged in a conversation with one another.
Plan of Correction:	Policy Revision and Reinforcement: The current supervision policy will be reviewed, and if needed, revised to define clear expectations for maintaining sight and sound supervision. A clear guideline will be enforced that requires staff to position themselves where they can see and hear all children at all times. This policy will also ensure that staff understand the consequences of failing to adhere to the supervision policy. This plan aims to rectify the failure to adhere to the center's own policies and procedures ensuring that all activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with required standards. Environmental Modifications: The classroom layout has been re- arranged to ensure clear lines of sight to all areas where children are present. Any lower obstructions, such as shelves, will either be removed or put against the wall. Teacher stations will be positioned in a way that allows for optimal visibility and audibility to all students.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews and review of video footage and documentation, the center did not ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. Video footage was reviewed on 5/8/2024 by two licensing staff for an incident that occurred on 5/1/24. In the video, six school aged children were observed sitting at a table coloring. From approximately 4pm-4:15pm, Child #2 went under the table three different times and Child #1 went under the table two times. It was reported by a child?s parent the following day that the children were touching each other inappropriately while under the table. Two staff were engaged in conversation from approximately 4pm-4:15pm with each other and unaware of the occurrence. 2. Documentation and video footage was reviewed by the director and by licensing staff proving the statement?s accuracy.
Plan of Correction:	Staff Training and Re-Education: MRCDC will conduct a mandatory training on child supervision, focusing on maintaining vigilance and awareness. This will also include recognizing and preventing inappropriate behavior among children and staying engaged and attentive during their shifts.Policy Revision and Implementation: Revise the current supervision policy to include explicit guidelines on staff interactions and supervision standards and implementing a zero-tolerance policy for negligence in supervision. Enhanced Child Safety Measures : The classroom's physical space wasrearranged to eliminate areas where children can hide or engage in unsupervised activities. Also, staff members should always try to stay centrally located in the classroom to have the best vantage point to super- vise the entire classroom. Teachers will come up with structured activities dur- ing peak times to keep children en-gaged and consistently under supervision.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews and review of video footage and documentation, the center did not ensure that children under 10 years of age were always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. Video footage from 5/01/2024 at approximately 4pm-4:15pm showed Staff #2, the teacher assigned to supervise a group of six school age children, sitting at a teacher station engaged in a conversation with staff #1 while the children were coloring at a table approximately 18 feet away. During this period, Child #1 went under the table twice and Child #2 went under the table three times. 2. In interview, staff #2 acknowledged that they could not fully see the children from the sitting position because a shelf that measured approximately three feet was obstructing the view of the children at the table. 3. The staff member also acknowledged that they were discussing summer calendar plans which distracted them from active supervision. 4. Administration acknowledged that there was a supervision issue at the time of the incident.
Plan of Correction:	Staff Training and Re-Education:MRCDC will conduct a mandatory training on child supervision, focusing on maintaining vigilance and awareness. This will also include recognizing and preventing inappropriate behavior among children, and staying engaged and attentive during their shifts. Management will emphasize the policy that non-supervisory tasks should only be conducted at points in the day where full engagement with students is not necessary (Ex. rest period when all children are sleep-ing, staff meetings, 1-on-1 teacher meetings etc.). Ongoing Evaluation and Improvement: Management will evaluate the effectiveness of the new policies and procedures regularly. Management will conduct quarterly meetings to discuss supervision practices, review incidents, and update policies if needed. Environmental Modifications: The classroom layout has been rearranged to ensure clear lines of sight to all areas where children are present. Any lower obstructions, such as shelves, will either be removed or put again the wall. Teacher stations will be positioned 1 a way that allows for optimal visibility and audibility to all students. Furthermore, staff will introduce more structured activities to keep children engaged and within sight and sound of the supervision at all times.Parent Communication and Involvement: Staff and management will continue to inform parents about incidents in the classroom, including corrective actions taken. Management will continue to focus on open lines of communication with families in order to ensure any and all questions or concerns are addressed.