VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Walnut Grove Academy
4238 Burrough Drive
Warrenton, VA 20187
(540) 347-0116

Current Inspector: Laura Brindle (540) 905-2062

Inspection Date: Aug. 9, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs.

Technical Assistance:

Effective January 1, 2025, the VDOE will begin determining compliance with ? 22.1-289.057 of the Code of Virginia, which is legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2020. The law requires all licensed child day programs, religious exempt child day centers that serve preschool age children, and certified preschools to test potable drinking water. The law requires that programs submit their plans and test results to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (VDH ODW) and the Superintendent. If the results of the testing indicate elevated lead levels, the program shall remediate, retest, and resubmit results to VDH ODW and the Superintendent. There is an additional alternative bottled water option that comes with additional requirements. The statutory requirement can be found online at https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter14.1/section22.1-289.057/. Resources are now available for providers on the "What's New" webpage on the ChildCareVA website at https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/providers/what-s-new. Discussed with the Director: ?Safe Sleep? requirements and best practices.

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted on 8/9/24 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 8/6/24 regarding allegations related to ratios and Safe Sleep. This inspection included document review, classroom observation, and interviews. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports an allegation; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and the violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Please complete the plan of correction (POC) and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice. Specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on 8/19/24. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	(Repeat Violation) Based on interview, the center did not ensure that the required staff: child ratio of 1 staff: 4 infants was maintained for children aged birth to 16 months. Evidence: Staff reported that the infant classroom regularly goes over ratio between approximately 7:30am-8:00am. A second staff member is not with the class until approximately 8:30am.
Plan of Correction:	As of 8/9/2024 teacher to staff ratios in the Infant room have been corrected. Teachers will work 12-hour days as needed to ensure ratios are met. We are still in the middle of a staffing crisis recognized by the Virginia Department of Education. We will continue to interview all applicants. The hiring process can be very lengthy and costly for the applicant in order for the center to be in compliance with state regulations pertaining to FBI Fingerprinting, Central Registry Criminal History Search, tuberculosis screenings and any out-of-state background searches when necessary. We will continue to work diligently to hire additional staff.