VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Creative World School
201 River Walk Parkway
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 410-5671

Current Inspector: Heather Harrell (757) 334-4329

Inspection Date: Aug. 26, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was initiated and completed on 8/26/24 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 6/27/24 relating to allegations in the area of staff-to-children ratios. This inspection included document review, a tour of the facility and interviews. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the 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 9/13/24. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on a review of the center's child and staff hourly count sheets and interview, the center did not ensure that when children are in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group. Evidence: 1.During the week of 6/10/24 through 6/14/24, the Dolphins class (ages 16 months-24 months), the Seals class (age 2 years) and the Giraffes class (ages 2-3 years) were combined into one classroom at various times throughout the week, requiring a staff-to-children ratio of 1:5. The combined mixed-age classroom was out of ratio on the following dates and times: a. On 6/10/24, there were 2 staff caring for up to 14 children from 8:30am until 12:00pm and 2 staff caring for up to 13 children from 2:30pm until 3:30pm. The number and ages of the children required 3 staff to be present. b. On 6/10/24, there was 1 staff caring for 14 children from 12:00pm until 2:30pm during the designated rest period. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present during the rest period. c. On 6/11/24, there were 2 staff caring for up to 11 children between 8:30am and 9:00am. The number and ages of the children required 3 staff to be present. d. on 6/12/24, there were 3 staff caring for up to 18 children from 8:30am until 12:00pm and from 3:00pm until 3:30pm. The number and ages of the children required 4 staff to be present. e. On 6/13/24, there were 2 staff caring for up to 12 children from 8:00am until 8:30am. The number and ages of the children required 3 staff to be present. f. On 6/13/24, there were 3 staff caring for up to 16 children from 9:00am until 12:00pm. The number and ages of the children required 4 staff to be present. g. On 6/14/24, there were 2 staff caring for up to 11 children from 8:30am until 9:00am and 2 staff caring for up to 14 children from 3:00pm until 4:00pm. The number and ages of the children required 3 staff to be present. h. On 6/14/24, there was 1 staff caring for 14 children from 1:00pm until 2:30pm during the designated rest period. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present during the rest period. 2. Staff 1 (center owner) confirmed that the staff-to-children ratios documented on the child and staff hourly count sheets for the week of 6/10/24 through 6/14/24 were correct and that the above mixed-age group classroom was out of ratio on those dates.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Standard 8VAC20-780-(5)-350-C has been thoroughly read and reviewed with all members of our school's leadership team who are responsible for maintaining the staff hourly count sheets to ensure complete understanding. Moving forward, all responsible members have signed in agreement to only combine classes when the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child in the group can be applied to the entire grouping, otherwise, classes must be kept separate to keep the correct staff-to-children ratio intact. All future new members of our school's leadership team will be required to sign an agreement of understanding when being in a role responsible for maintaining staff hourly count sheets. In addition, check-ins at random will be conducted by our leadership team to ensure proper compliance with the standard. We are confident that this system of checks and balances will help us to properly maintain mix grouping staff-to-children ratios when combining classes if/when needed in the future.