VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Countryside Montessori School
21724 Timberlake Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(540) 520-8006

Current Inspector: Tara K Martin (804) 588-2371

Inspection Date: Dec. 10, 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 record 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above to include standards found out of compliance during the previous inspection. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed. If there were any serious injuries or fatalities related to a violation, the details will be included in the description of the violation.

Technical Assistance:

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, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated on 12/10/2024 and completed on 12/10/2024. The on-site inspection began at 10:00 am and ended at 11:45 am The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 26 children present and 4 staff. The inspector reviewed 5 children?s records and 4 staff records on-site. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, interviews, observations, and measurements. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	The center is required to request a search of the child abuse and neglect registry prior to hire, from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. The center did not request a search of the child abuse and neglect registry from two states for Staff 1, who has been employed for more than a month and was working with children at the time of the inspection.
Plan of Correction:	Prior to hire, the provider accessed abuse and neglect check information via the State of Virginia DOE links, but offices in the other states were unresponsive. The provider will again attempt to initiate appropriate abuse and neglect checks.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-260-A
Description:	Th center shall provide the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report from the appropriate fire official having jurisdiction. The most recent fire inspection available during the inspection was dated 09/07/2023.
Plan of Correction:	Provider will contact local officials.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-530-A
Description:	At least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present shall have current certification in both CPR and first aid. Staff 3 was the only staff member providing care to a group of children. Staff 3?s certification in first aid and CPR was expired by 3 months.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will obtain certification.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-570-B
Description:	Bottle fed infants who cannot hold their own bottle shall be held when fed. Child 5 was observed laying on their back with a bottle propped.
Plan of Correction:	The child in question holds their own bottle and was beginning to doze off to sleep, the bottle was not being actively suckled and was resting on the child's snowsuit. As a Montessori program, we encourage these independent milestones.