VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Learning Experience
4683 Pouncey Tract Road
Glen allen, VA 23059
(804) 360-4226

Current Inspector: Florence Martus (804) 389-0157

Inspection Date: March 4, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

n/a

Comments:

A monitoring inspection was initiated on Monday, March 4, 2024, and completed on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in response to a self-reported incident regarding behavioral guidance and forbidden action. The Department was notified of the incident on March 1, 2024. On March 6, two inspectors were on-site from 2:15pm until approximately 3:45pm. Interviews with staff were completed, observations were made at the center, and documentation was reviewed. Collateral interviews were conducted on March 4, 2024 and on April 4, 2024. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Please complete the 'plan of correction' and 'date to be corrected' for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to me within 5 business days from the date of receipt. Please specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Your plan of correction should contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standards, 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again, and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measure(s).

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on a review of documentation and interviews, the center did not maintain compliance with the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards regarding discipline policies. Evidence: The center's policy on behavior management was not followed on 03/01/2024 when Staff #1 spanked Child #1 (3-year-old) when Child #1 was not ready to nap. The center's Behavior Management policy was reviewed. The policy states, ?Staff must model positive behavior and use only methods of discipline which encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation among children displaying a respect for themselves, their environment, and others with whom they come in contact? and ?Under no circumstances is any kind of abuse, physical punishment, deprivation, or ridicule used as a form of discipline.?
Plan of Correction:	Per the Center: "After the incident, we quickly assembled the teachers for a meeting regarding behavior management. Everyone had a retraining on behavior management and signed our behavior management policy which is attached. We also conducted additional observations in the classroom and then throughout the live stream. Our goal is to monitor classroom management through 3 observations a month within the classroom. One will be conducted by [director], one by our curriculum specialist, and one by our assistant director. We also are focusing on frequent video observations in order to provide support to the teachers and to verify that our policies are being followed through on. Our goal for new teachers: We have modified our training to encompass the Intentional Teaching Classroom Management attachment. This allows us to give examples of ways to deal with children appropriately. It also states our expectations. It also tells the new teachers what is not allowed. Our July Staff Meeting is all dedicated to behavior management and the attached handout outlining our expectations. We also have this as a focus of each staff meeting as well."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:	Based on interviews and a review of documentation, the center did not ensure that behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1) During interviews, it was reported that on 03/01/2024, between approximately 1:45pm-1:48pm, Staff #1 was observed by Staff #2 and Staff #3 through the center's live-feed camera spanking Child #1 on his back, while the child was laying on his cot. Staff #1 reported to management that Child #1 woke the other children in the classroom from their nap, so she spanked him. 2) Management acknowledged that Staff #1's actions were not age and stage appropriate, and went against center's behavior management policy and Staff #1 was terminated as a result of her actions.
Plan of Correction:	Per the Center: "After the incident, we quickly assembled the teachers for a meeting regarding behavior management. Everyone had a retraining on behavior management and signed our behavior management policy which is attached. We also conducted additional observations in the classroom and then throughout the live stream. Our goal is to monitor classroom management through 3 observations a month within the classroom. One will be conducted by [director], one by our curriculum specialist, and one by our assistant director. We also are focusing on frequent video observations in order to provide support to the teachers and to verify that our policies are being followed through on. Our goal for new teachers: We have modified our training to encompass the Intentional Teaching Classroom Management attachment. This allows us to give examples of ways to deal with children appropriately. It also states our expectations. It also tells the new teachers what is not allowed. Our July Staff Meeting is all dedicated to behavior management and the attached handout outlining our expectations. We also have this as a focus of each staff meeting as well."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on interviews and a review of documentation, the center did not ensure that the following actions of physical punishment or striking a child are forbidden. Evidence: 1) During interviews, Staff #2 and Staff #3 reported that on 03/01/2024, between approximately 1:45pm-1:48pm, they observed through the center?s live-feed camera Staff #1 spanking Child #1 on his back, while the child was laying on his cot. Management removed Staff #1 from the classroom immediately and Staff #1 stated Child #1 woke the other children in the classroom from their nap, so she spanked him. 2) A Termination Notice dated 03/01/2024, in Staff #1?s file, stated: ?I am writing to inform you of our decision to terminate your employment with The Learning Experience effective immediately. This decision follows a thorough review of the recent incident involving inappropriate Handling with a child in the classroom.?
Plan of Correction:	Per the Center: "After the incident, we quickly assembled the teachers for a meeting regarding behavior management. Everyone had a retraining on behavior management and signed our behavior management policy which is attached. We also conducted additional observations in the classroom and then throughout the live stream. Our goal is to monitor classroom management through 3 observations a month within the classroom. One will be conducted by [director], one by our curriculum specialist, and one by our assistant director. We also are focusing on frequent video observations in order to provide support to the teachers and to verify that our policies are being followed through on. Our goal for new teachers: We have modified our training to encompass the Intentional Teaching Classroom Management attachment. This allows us to give examples of ways to deal with children appropriately. It also states our expectations. It also tells the new teachers what is not allowed. Our July Staff Meeting is all dedicated to behavior management and the attached handout outlining our expectations. We also have this as a focus of each staff meeting as well."