VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Courthouse Academy
3217 Monet Drive
Virginia beach, VA 23453
(757) 368-0368

Current Inspector: Rene Old (757) 404-1784

Inspection Date: June 1, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies

Comments:

A complaint was received and initiated May 26, 2023, regarding care and protection. An onsite investigation was conducted on June 1, 2023. The investigation concluded on January 19, 2024. During the investigation information was gathered from parents and staff and included interviews with both. Additionally, a child record, a staff record, and video footage were reviewed. A request for medical records was made. The information gathered supports the allegation and the complaint is valid. Violations regarding Administration, Staff and Supervision and Special Care Provisions and Emergencies were discussed with the center administrator during an exit meeting and appear on the violation notices.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interview the center failed to ensure that the operational responsibilities of the licensee include center's activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with the center's own policies and procedures. Evidence: Documentation received during the investigation stated that Staff #1 did not follow the center policy of keeping one hand on the child at all times during diaper changing which resulted in a child falling off the diaper changing table.
Plan of Correction:	Staff#1 was finished changing child #1s diaper and child #1 was sitting on the changing table with their feet hanging off. Staff #1 did have their hand on the child #1 while they filled out the diaper cream paperwork. Child #1 had a toy in their hand and hit staff #1 with it. Staff #1?s reaction was to grab their own head after being hit with the toy. When staff #1 reacted child #1 slid off the changing table. Staff#2 and the director on May 15th, 2023, counseled all the infant teachers as well as the toddler and two-year-old teachers on always keeping their hands on the children as they change their diaper and to fill out all the paperwork after they put the child on the floor, chair, or crib. Staff #2 and the director on May 15th, 2023, made signs and placed them in front of the changing table reminding staff to always keep their hands on the babies/children while they are changing a diaper. Staff #2 and the director immediately ordered a cushioned mat. When it arrived, they placed it between the rug and the floor to provide extra cushion on May 30th, 2023. The center also ordered new changing tables with 4 walls all the way around the changing table and has been awaiting delivery of them. This style changing table will help prevent falls.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interview the center failed to ensure that when staff are supervising children, they always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1 ? On May 15, 2023, Child #1 fell off the diaper changing table while in the care of Staff #1. 2 ? Staff #1 stated that as she reached for an item, she took her hand that had been holding Child #1 off the child and the child fell off the diaper changing table. 3 ? Video footage reviewed shows Staff #1 took the one hand that was holding Child #1, who was sitting on the diaper changing table, off the child and the child fell off the diaper changing table.
Plan of Correction:	The center always does their best to ensure all students in their care are looked after with love, kindness, and protection. As referenced above in our response to 8VAC20-780-(2)-40-E staff #1 did take their hand off child #1 and child #1 did slide off the changing table on May 15, 2023. The parents of child #1 were notified immediately of the incident. Child #1 stayed at school for the day and remained coming to the center each day after and continues to come to the center as of today. Child #1 showed no visible signs of injury. Child #1 is loved by all staff at the center, and everyone looks forward to seeing the child each day. The center and the family of child #1 have a good relationship. The center voluntarily gave licensing the video footage to allow them to do a complete investigation in June 2023. Staff #1 was removed from working in that classroom immediately (May 15, 2023) and is no longer an employee as of March 2024. Staff #2 and the director looked over child #1 to make sure they were okay and repeatedly checked on child #1 throughout the day. All new and current staff are constantly reminded to keep a hand on the children every time they change a diaper.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-P
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on record review and interview the center failed to maintain a written record of children's serious and minor injuries that include staff and parent signatures or two staff signatures. Evidence: The injury report completed on May 15, 2023, for Child #1 contained one staff signature. The document did not include a parent signature or a second staff signature.
Plan of Correction:	The center did not fail to maintain a written record of the incident. The center failed to have two signatures on the incident report. Staff #1 did fill out a written record of the incident on an incident report. The center was unaware that two signatures of staff members needed to be put on the incident report when a parent was notified by telephone and someone from the office was notified with their written name on it. The center has trained their staff to make sure everyone knows there needs to be two staff signatures or a staff signature and a parent signature on an incident form.