VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Montessori Academy of Virginia - Chesapeake
1468 Kempsville Road
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 436-3995

Current Inspector: Brandie Viscayda (757) 636-3427

Inspection Date: Oct. 24, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-780 Special Services.

Comments:

An investigation was initiated on 10/12/23 in response to a complaint received by the department on 10/10/23 regarding allegations in the areas of handwashing, toileting procedures, transportation and field trips. The complaint was investigated jointly with the local agency. An on-site inspection was conducted on 10/24/23 and 10/27/23. Interviews with staff were completed and center documents related to the complaint were reviewed. The investigation was concluded on 12/12/23. Based on the information gathered during the investigation, the complaint regarding handwashing and toileting procedures is determined to be valid. Violations are cited on the violation notice and were discussed with center management during the exit interview on 3/19/24.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that staff shall interact with the child to provide needed help, comfort and support in order to promote the child's physical, emotional, and social well-being and growth. Evidence: Center staff failed to provide needed help, comfort and support to child 1 during the following incident: 1. On 9/19/23, child 1 (age 3 years) had a toileting accident while using the bathroom in the pre-k classroom. Child 1, who had gotten feces on her body and clothing, was left in a dimly lit bathroom with the door mostly closed by center staff for a period of at least 30 minutes until her mother arrived to clean and change her. a. Staff 1, the pre-k teacher working in the classroom on 9/19/23, and staff 2, center director, acknowledged that they did not provide any needed help or support to child 1 in washing her hands, cleaning feces off her body or changing into clean clothes after she had a toileting accident. Staff 1 stated that she could not go into the bathroom to help child 1, that she was busy with the other children in the classroom and stated "I am not required to help her wipe with poop accidents." Staff 2 stated it is school policy that staff do not help wipe children in the pre-k class if there is a toileting accident and do not assist in changing the child if their clothing becomes soiled, as they are supposed to be fully toilet-trained. She stated that if a child has a toileting accident they will call the parents or the emergency contact to come to the center and assist the child. c. Child 1's mother stated when she arrived at the center on 9/19/23 her child was naked in the bathroom with the door closed and there was dried feces on her legs, vagina, buttocks and clothing, as well as the floor and wall. She stated the bathroom was "very dim", the light was flickering, and was only furnished with toilet paper and a step stool. Child 1's mother stated she used half a pack of wipes she brought with her from home to clean the feces off her child and brought clean clothes for her to wear. She stated that even though her child had a change of clothing at the center, they were not put on her.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that children's hands shall be washed with soap and running water after toileting and any contact with feces. Evidence: 1. On 9/19/23, child 1 (age 3 years) had a toileting accident while in the bathroom of the pre-k classroom. Child 1, who had feces on her hands was left in the bathroom by center staff for at least 30 minutes until her mother arrived to clean her. Child 1 was not allowed to come out of the bathroom to wash her hands nor was she given any wipes or wet paper towels to do so. a. Child 1's mother stated that on 9/19/23 she received a phone call from the center at approximately 2:30pm that her child had a toileting accident and that she needed to come to the center to assist her daughter. Child 1's mother stated she arrived at the center at around 3:00pm and her child was in the bathroom with feces on her hands and there was no sink in the bathroom for her to do so. b. Staff 1, who was the pre-k teacher working in the classroom on 9/19/23, and staff 2, center director, were aware that child 1 had a toileting accident and had feces on her hands. Both acknowledged that there is no sink in the bathroom and that they did not provide child 1 with any wipes or wet paper towels to clean her hands. c. The licensing inspector observed the bathroom in the pre-k classroom to have no sink or soap. The sink that children use to wash their hands after toileting is located outside of the bathroom in the classroom.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-B
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interview, the center failed to ensure that when a child's clothing becomes wet or soiled, that child shall be cleaned and changed immediately. Evidence: On 9/19/23, child 1 (age 3 years) had a toileting accident while in the bathroom of the pre-k classroom. Child 1, who had feces on her clothing, was left in the bathroom by center staff for at least 30 minutes without changing her soiled clothing until her mother arrived to change her. a. Child 1's mother stated that on 9/19/23 she received a phone call from the center that her child had gotten feces on her clothing during a toileting accident and she needed to come to the center to assist her daughter. Child 1's mother stated when she arrived to the center her child was in the bathroom with no clothes on except for her socks. Child 1's mother stated that her clothing was covered in feces and tied up in a plastic bag hanging on the bathroom door. She stated that there was an extra change of clothing in the classroom for child 1 but they were not given to her to put on. b. Staff 1, the pre-k teacher working in the classroom on 9/19/23, and staff 2, center director, were aware that child 1 had gotten feces on her clothing while in the bathroom and had taken her clothes off. Both staff acknowledged that child 1 was told to wait in the bathroom for her mother and that she could not put on her clean change of clothes because she had feces on her body.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.