HRCAP St. Mary's Head Start
921 Holt Street
Norfolk, VA 23504
(757) 965-3027
Current Inspector: Rene Old (757) 404-1784
Inspection Date: Feb. 20, 2024
Complaint Related: Yes
- Areas Reviewed:
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8VAC20-780 Administration.
8VAC20-780 Physical Plant.
8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.
8VAC20-780 Programs.
- Comments:
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An unannounced complaint inspection was initiated on 02/20/2024 at 10:00 am and completed on 02/20/2024 at 11:00 am in response to an allegation that two children had been left in a classroom without adult supervision on 01/11/2024.
Based on the information gathered violations were found in the areas of administration, supervision and forbidden actions.
These violations are listed on the violation notice issued to the facility and were reviewed with administrative staff at the exit interview.
- Violations:
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Standard #: 8VAC20-780-40-E Complaint related: Yes Description: Based on staff interviews, policy review and review of center video, the center failed to ensure that the operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center's activities and services are maintained in compliance with these standards and the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards.
Evidence:
1. Written center policy states, "Cell phones will not be used in the classroom." And "Active supervision requires focused attention and intentional observation of children at all times."
a. Center video shows staff 1, who was responsible for the care of child 1 and child 2, utilizing a cell phone on 01/11/2024 from approximately 9:29 am - 9:32 am. Staff 1 was talking on a cell phone and texting on a cell phone during this time.
b. Video footage showed that staff 1 did not provide any focused attention or intentional observation for child 1 and child 2 while she was using a cell phone.
2. Staff 1 acknowledged that she had been using a cell phone during this time and that she was aware that center policy did not allow the use of cell phones during classroom instruction time.
a. Staff 2 and staff 3 stated they were aware that staff 1 was using a cell phone when they left the classroom at 9:30 am and they both acknowledged that cell phone use was not allowed by written center policy.Plan of Correction: Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #: 8VAC20-780-340-F Complaint related: Yes Description: Based on video review and staff interview, the center failed to ensure that children under the age of 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.
Evidence:
Child 1 and child 2, age 3 years, were not within sight supervision of staff as demonstrated by the following that occurred on 01/11/2024 from 9:29 am - 9:32 am:
1. Center video shows staff 1 talking on a cell phone as staff 2 and staff 3 leave the classroom with 6 children.
a. Staff 1 remained in the classroom with 2 children one of whom is not within sight supervision as he is standing in a corner area of the classroom behind a painting easel.
b. Staff 1 continues using her cell phone until 9:30 am when center video shows her picking up toothbrushes from a table and appear to leave the classroom until approximately 9:32am.
c. During the time staff 1 appears to be out of the classroom, child 1 remains in the corner area of the classroom , behind a painting easel, except for two brief moments when child 1 comes out from behind the easel to walk around the classroom only to return to playing in the corner behind the easel.
d. From the position behind the painting easel, child 2 cannot be seen from any vantage point of the classroom to include the classroom doorway.
e. Staff 1 stated that she did not leave the classroom but handed the toothbrushes to staff 2, who was in the bathroom with the children, from the doorway of the classroom however, the doorway is approximately 9 feet from the bathroom.
2. Staff 2 stated she was unsure how she received the toothbrushes as she does not recall having left the bathroom to receive them.
3. Staff 3 stated that staff 1 did leave the classroom and entered the bathroom, which is located across the hall from the classroom where child 1 and child 2 remained.Plan of Correction: Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #: 8VAC20-780-410-1 Complaint related: No Description: Based on video review, the center failed to ensure that roughly handling of a child shall be forbidden:
Evidence:
Center video shows staff 1 dragging child 1 out of the the classroom by his hand:
1. At 9:32 am on 01/11/2024 center video footage shows staff 1 taking child 1 by the hand and walking him over to the snack table at a quick pace. Once they reach the table, child 1 loses his balance falling on the floor.
a. Child 1 remains on the floor while staff 1 continues to hold onto his hand while dragging child 1 approximately 12 feet out of the classroom.Plan of Correction: Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Disclaimer:
A compliance history is in no way a rating for a facility.
The online compliance history includes only information after July 1, 2003. In addition, the online compliance history includes information regarding adverse actions that may be the subject of a pending appeal. An adverse action is not final until a provider has exhausted or waived all due process rights. For compliance history prior to July 1, 2003, or information regarding the status of pending adverse actions, please contact the Licensing Inspector listed in the facility's information. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is not responsible for any errors in or omissions from the compliance history information.
