VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Children of America Warrenton, LLC
164 West Shirley Avenue
Warrenton, VA 20186
(540) 428-2880

Current Inspector: Morgan Bryson (540) 270-0057

Inspection Date: Oct. 24, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

A complaint investigation was initiated with the center on 10/24/2023. The complaint consisted of allegations received by the Northern Licensing Office regarding allegation of a forbidden action and safe sleep. Interviews were conducted, video recording was observed, documentation was reviewed, and observations were made in the Infant classroom. The investigation was closed on 12/13/2023. There was sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation of a forbidden action-rough handling and safe sleep and the complaint is determined to be valid. Additional violations were cited as part of this inspection not part of the complaint. Please complete the columns for "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" for each violation cited on the Violation Notice, and then return a signed and dated copy to the licensing office by 5pm on 12/20/2023. Please email me at morgan.bryson@doe.virginia.gov with any questions.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-K
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on documentation review and interviews, the center has not developed written procedures for safe sleeping practices and sudden infant death syndrome awareness. Evidence: There is no written procedure for safe sleeping practices and sudden infant death syndrome awareness.
Plan of Correction:	Children of America Warrenton has previously developed written procedure for prevention of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma, including coping with crying babies, safe sleeping practices, and sudden infant death syndrome awareness. Our COA Safe Sleep Policy is also indicated on each enrollment form in the child files. Staff will be retrained on the procedure and acknowledge such training no later than 1/5/2024. Children of America Warrenton teachers will complete additional training through CCEI900 Safety in the Infant/Toddler Classroom by 11/9/2024.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Based on observation and record review, the center did not maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs. Evidence: On 10/24/23, there were 7 children present in the Infant A room and 9 were signed in on the written attendance.
Plan of Correction:	Children of America Warrenton teachers will be retrained on signing children in the moment they enter the classroom. They will be retrained again no later than 12.29.23. Children of America Warrenton managers will conduct random spot checks throughout the day to ensure this is being properly followed.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Based on interviews, behavioral guidance was not constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and was not intended to redirect child to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. On 10/12/2023 in the Toddler room, Staff #1 had an angry facial expression and "aggressive and loud tone of voice" while saying "you need to sit down" to a child while trying to force the child to sit in a chair. 2. On 10/12/2023 in the Toddler room, Staff #1 was frustrated and cursing at the children stating "f*** this," "this is b***s***" and a child asked Staff #1 to stop cursing. Staff #1 also stated "I?m tired of dealing with this, you guys don?t listen."
Plan of Correction:	Children of America Warrenton immediately terminated Staff #1. Teachers will be trained through CCEIGUI107 Practicing positive guidance with infants and toddlers by 1/5/2024. Children of America Managers will retrain staff at monthly staff meeting regarding proper interaction with children. The training that will be implemented will be provided by Children of America Education Department.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation of video recording and interviews, a staff member engaged in a forbidden action by roughly handling a child. Evidence: 1. On 10/12/23 at approximately 10:49am in the Toddler room, Staff #1 grabbed Child #2 (Age 17 months) by both upper arms, twisted the child around and roughly swung the child forward three times causing the child?s legs to go up and then put the child down into the chair. 2. On 10/12/23 at approximately 11:00am in the Toddler room, Staff #1 grabbed Child #1 (Age 17 months) by the arm and roughly yanked Child #1 up from the chair where the child was seated lifting the child?s feet off the ground. While still holding onto Child #1's arm, Staff #1 roughly yanked Child #2 (Age 17 months) up from the chair where the child was seated and let go of the child?s hand causing the child to fall on the ground. Staff #1 then grabbed Child #2's arm and roughly lifted the child to their feet. Staff #1 started walking quickly away while pulling Child #1 by the arm, with the child having trouble keeping up, around the side of the table causing the child to bump into a chair and corner of the table.
Plan of Correction:	Children of America Warrenton immediately terminated Staff #1. Teachers will be trained through CCEI GUI107 Practicing positive guidance with infants and toddlers and CCEI GUI106 Foundation of Positive Guidance by 1/5/2024. Children of America Managers will retrain staff at monthly staff meeting regarding proper interaction with children. The training that will be implemented will be provided by Children of America Education Department.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-G
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation and staff interviews, cribs were not used for children under 12 months of age. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 stated that infants do not sleep in cribs because it is difficult for them to place them in the crib due to the staff?s height. On 10/24/2023 in the Infant A classroom, Infants were observed sleeping in a swing and in a bouncer.
Plan of Correction:	Children of America Warrenton has removed all swings from the classroom and significantly reduced the bouncers. Teacher have and will continually receive ongoing training and coaching regarding safe sleep practices. Managers will complete daily spot checks to ensure children are not sleeping in bouncers. Children of America Managers will discuss proper sleeping of children on either a cot or in a crib in the next upcoming monthly staff meeting.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-L
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation and staff interviews, pillow were used by children under two years of age. Evidence: In the Infant A room, Child #3 (Age 14 months) was observed sleeping in a boppy pillow on the ground. Staff #2 stated the child was placed there to take a nap.
Plan of Correction:	Children of America Warrenton teachers have been informed and retrained that children are either to sleep in a crib or on a cot depending on age and developmentally appropriate and that boppies will not be used for anything outside of its intended use. Managers will completed daily spot checks to ensure children are not sleeping on the floor but either inside of a crib or on a cot.