VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Natural Steps Child Development Center
64 Toby Way
Palmyra, VA 22963
(434) 589-5891

Current Inspector: Kelly Adriazola (804) 840-8245

Inspection Date: June 18, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Technical Assistance:

8VAC20-780-40M 8VAC20-780-245A 8VAC20-780-330B

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on-site June 18, 2024 from 11:40am until 2:00pm. The director was available during the inspection. There were 106 children present, ranging in ages from 3 months to 10 years, with 17 staff supervising. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision, programming, medication, special care and emergencies and nutrition. A total of 10 child records and 10 staff records were reviewed. 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. 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 today. 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 standard(s), 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again; and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measures. Please do not use staff names; list staff by positions only. 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.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.011-F
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the center failed to ensure the findings of the most recent inspection were posted in the facility. Evidence: The findings of the most recent inspection conducted December 13, 2023 were not posted. The center had an acknowledgement form dated August 24, 2022 posted. Administration confirmed the most recent inspection was not posted.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Description:	Based on a review of staff records and interview, the center failed to obtain fingerprint checks, central registry search results and sworn disclosure statement every five years for all employees. Evidence: The record of staff #8, hired 2/15/19, did not contain documentation of a repeat fingerprint check, central registry check, or sworn disclosure statement. The fingerprint documentation in the record was dated 2/12/19, the central registry search was dated 3/27/19, and the sworn disclosure was dated 2/7/19. Administration confirmed the background checks were not repeated.
Plan of Correction:	SEE INTENSIVE PLAN OF CORRECTION
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview the center failed to obtain results of a check of the out-of-state sex offender check prior to employment for each employee and did not request an out-of-state search of the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent by the end of the 30th day of employment for each employee who has resided in any other state in the preceding five years. Evidence: The record of staff #9, hired 6/5/20, did not contain documentation of an out-of-state sex offender check and did not contain documentation of an out-of-state central registry check. Administration confirmed the checks were not in the record.
Plan of Correction:	SEE INTENSIVE PLAN OF CORRECTION
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-C
Description:	Based on a review of staff records, the center failed to obtain results of a follow-up tuberculosis screening at least every two years from the date of the first initial screening. Evidence: The most recent documentation of a tuberculosis screening in the record of staff #10 is dated 2.14.22.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the center failed to ensure areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and operable condition. Evidence: In Junipers 2 there were several walls with chipped and peeling paint and approximately three holes in the walls. Administration confirmed there was chipped and peeling paint and holes in the wall.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Repeat Violation Based on observation and interview, the center failed to ensure that hazardous substances were kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. In the two year old class bathroom there was a bottle of Lysol on top of a locked cabinet. The label of the Lysol stated "keep out of reach of children" and "caution." 2. The two doors to the staff kitchen area were open providing access to children. In the kitchen were several containers of laundry pods, 4 bottles of febreeze and bleach. Labels state "keep out of reach of children", "caution", and "warning." 3. Administration confirmed the doors to the kitchen are left open and aren't locked.
Plan of Correction:	SEE INTENSIVE PLAN OF CORRECTION