VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Apple Tree Kids-#1002
601 West Washington Street
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 539-9000

Current Inspector: Melinda Popkin (757) 802-5281

Inspection Date: June 17, 2024

Complaint Related: No

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. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minor's records 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

Today we discussed the Food Allergy and Food Sensitivity documents posted in classrooms. Please provide more information on the form so that staff better understand the difference between children listed with "Allergies" , "Food Sensitivities" or "Food Restrictions". There appeared to be some overlap and redundancy in the terms and specification is necessary so that it is evident which children do or do not need an Allergy Action Plan. 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.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 6/17/2024 from 11:40am - 2:40pm. At the time of entrance, 44 children, ages 4 months to 5 years old, were in care with 7 staff members present. The sample size consisted of 5 children?s records and 5 staff records. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision, programming, medication, special care and emergencies and nutrition. Children were observed playing and socializing, sleeping in cribs, crawling and toddling, having lunch and being bottle fed, settling onto cots for rest time. Medication administration was not observed. One medication stored on site for emergency use was reviewed with regard to storage, written authorization and required documentation. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the licensee did not ensure that the results of a sex offender registry check is obtained from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. Evidence: Five staff records were reviewed. The record for staff #4 (hired 5/20/2024) whose documentation revealed that she resided in Missouri within the past five years, did not contain the results of a Missouri sex offender registry check.
Plan of Correction:	The Registry for Missouri will be checked digitally and printed for staff # 4's record by the end of the week. Sex offender registry searches will be conducted for all staff who have resided outside of Virginia in the past 5 years, whether the state is a "National Fingerprint File" (NFF) state or not. The program had a misunderstanding of this requirement.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-A
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, staff did not always ensure that children's hands are washed with soap and running water or disposable wipes before and after eating meals or snacks. Evidence: The licensing inspector observed staff in the toddler classroom bring children to the tables and began distributing bag lunch when the inspector inquired about handwashing. Staff confirmed that the children's hands had not been washed.
Plan of Correction:	Staff took children immediately to have their hands washed following the reminder during the inspection. Staff will ensure that children's hands are always washed before and after each snack or meal.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-560-J
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, staff did not always ensure that tables and high chair trays are sanitized before and after each use for feeding Evidence: The licensing inspector observed staff in the toddler classroom bring children to the tables and began distributing bag lunches when the inspector inquired table sanitizing. Staff confirmed that the tables had not been sanitized.
Plan of Correction:	Staff removed the bagged lunches and sanitized the tables immediately after the inspector inquired about table sanitizing. Staff will ensure that tables properly sanitized before and after each use for feeding.