VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Vine and Branches Lutheran Church
25615 Lennox Hale Drive
Aldie, VA 20105
(571) 267-5900

VDSS Contact: Mahrukh Aziz (571) 835-4718

Inspection Date: May 15, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22.1 Background Checks Code 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect 22VAC40-191 Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted on 5/15/24 in response to a self reported incident that occurred on 5/9/24. The incident was related to the direct care and supervision of children. 4 staff members and two witnesses were interviewed, 1 staff record was reviewed, documentation of staff statements were reviewed and the classroom and playground were inspected. Based on the preponderance of evidence, the allegations are valid and violations have been cited. For any questions about this inspection, please contact me at 571-835-4718 or Mahrukh.aziz@doe.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.031-B-2
Description:	Based on staff interviews and records review, the child day center did not ensure appropriate supervision of all children in care. Evidence: 1. Staff # 1 stated that on 5/9/24 at approximately 4:55pm, 6 children (3-4 years old) were left alone and unsupervised in the Sunflowers classroom (4-5 years old), for approximately one minute. 2. Staff # 1 stated that at 4:55pm, she saw Staff # 2 preparing to leave for the day. Staff # 2 informed Staff # 1 that she dropped off 6 children in the Sunflower room. 3. At 4:56pm Staff # 1 was informed by a parent that children were alone in the Sunflower classroom. Staff # 1 made her way towards the room immediately and found 6 children with no staff present. 4. One of two witnesses stated that when she arrived to the classroom at approximately 4:55pm, she saw 6 children in the classroom with no staff while another parent was also there picking up. The witness stated that the children stated , "We don't think there is a teacher in here". 5. Staff # 2 stated that she had asked Staff # 3 if she could take the children to Staff # 3's classroom as Staff # 2 was about to leave for the day. Staff # 2 stated that she had this conversation while Staff # 3 and Staff # 4 were still on the playground and about to return to their room. 6. Staff # 2 stated that at approximately 4:55pm when she brought the children to the Sunflower room, Staff # 3 was cleaning tables. Staff # 2 stated that she did not have a verbal conversation with Staff # 3 about the drop off. 7. Staff # 3 stated that approximately around 4:50-4:55pm, their class (Sunflowers) were outside and she had to bring in a child to use the bathroom. Staff # 3 stood at the back door of the room which also leads to the playground, with the door ajar. While she was standing there, Staff # 2 asked Staff # 3 from her own back door if she could bring children over, to which Staff # 3 said "that's fine". Staff # 3 stated in her written statement that "within less than a minute I was back outside with the child who used the restroom, my co-teacher and the rest of my students. We played for a few more minutes and then came back inside". 8. Staff # 4 stated while her classroom was outside, at approximately 4:45-4:50pm, Staff # 2 stuck her head outside of her back door and spoke to Staff # 3. Staff # 4 stated that at approximately 4:55pm, when they returned to the classroom she saw children in the classroom without any staff present, and one parent. Staff # 4 stated that within a few seconds Staff # 1 came to get the children.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.