VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Tierra Encantada Ford dba Alexandria Day Care
4401 Ford Avenue, Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22302
(571) 312-0185

Current Inspector: Eureka Nance (703) 638-5968

Inspection Date: April 5, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

Discussion on mandataed reporting, staff training on behavioral guidance, the review of center policies and procedures.

Comments:

An investigation was conducted on April 5, 2024, after the center reported an allegation of forbidden action to the Fairfax Office of Child Care Health and Safety office on March 22, 2024. The investigation included observation of video camera footage, review of staff records, and interviews with staff. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the forbidden allegation of non-compliance with standards or law and violations were issued. Please submit plan of corrections within 5 business days in order for it to be included on the website. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, please call or email. Licensing Inspector, Eureka Nance Office of Child Care Health and Safety Division of Early Childhood Care and Education Phone# 703-638-568 eureka.nance@doe.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	63.2-1509-A
Description:	Based on staff interview and documentation, the center failed to report a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (CPS) immediately as required. Evidence: 1. On March 15, 2024, at approximately 11:10 am, Staff 2 and Staff 3 were in the Preschool A classroom when Child #1(two-year-old) was rough handled by a Staff 1, and neither staff reported the incident to management. Staff 3 and 4 were in the Preschool A classroom with Staff 1 who rough handled Child #1 and they did not report the incidents to Administration. 2. The video camera footage for Preschool A classroom was reviewed by the center Administration on March 18, 2024, and staff administration stated they saw Staff 1?s rough handling with Child #1. Administration staff stated, after viewing footage, Staff #1 was moved out of the Preschool A classroom, and an internal investigation was conducted. 3. Based on staff interviews, the center staff did not immediately report the incident to Child Protective Services. The center reported the incident to CPS on April 5, 2024. 4. Staff Handbook states ?All stated at Tierra Encantada are mandated reporters and all are trained on the prevention, recognition, and reporting of child abuse situations.? ?If any staff, volunteers, or representative of Tierra Encantada have reason to believe or suspect maltreatment has occurred, a report will be made, as soon as possible.?
Plan of Correction:	Tierra Encantada strives to protect the well being of all children in our program. The safety of all within our building is our top priority, as such Tierra Encantada takes measures of having the right people in the right seat. As a preventative measure for ensuring such violations do not take place anymore, a new Director was hired to ensure he is more vigilant of our policies being adhered to by all staff members. The new center Director will ensure to train and monitor the interactions in the center so all staff members are following our own policies and procedures.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on review of records and video camera footage, the center did not ensure the center?s own policies and procedures of discipline were maintained in compliance with required standards. Evidence: 1. Staff Handbook states ?Staff are expected to follow all policies and procedures to maintain the reputation of Tierra Encantada and to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in our care.? ?We take a proactive approach that solely seeks to apply guidance to unwanted behaviors.? Staff Handbook states ?A child will be separated if the wellbeing of the child or another child is threatened.? ?Child will return to the group as soon as the behavior is corrected. Anytime a child is removed from the group a separation report will be completed and signed by the teacher and parent/guardian. All separation from groups must be noted on a daily log that must include the following: the child?s name, staff person?s name, date, time, information indicating what less-intrusive methods were used to guide the child?s behavior, how the child?s behavior continued to threaten the well-being of the child or other children.? 2. Staff Handbooks states ?Children will only be separated from the group if other less instructive methods of guiding the child?s behavior have been tried and were ineffective?. 3. Staff 1 did not follow the center?s policies and procedures as determined by video. On March 15, 2024, Staff 1 was observed rough handling Child #1(two-year-old) by the left arm after Child #1 took a puzzle from another child. Staff 1 grabbed Child #1 the arm and placed their chair in front of the diaper changing area. Staff 1 forcefully sat Child 1 in the chair. 4. The video camera footage showed Staff 1 kept Child #1 in timeout by Child #1 sitting in a chair for approximately 15 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	Tierra Encantada strives to protect the well being of all children in our program. The safety of all within our building is our top priority, as such Tierra Encantada takes measures of having the right people in the right seat. As a preventative measure for ensuring such violations do not take place anymore, a new Director was hired to ensure he is more vigilant of our policies being adhered to by all staff members. The new center Director will ensure to train and monitor the interactions in the center so all staff members are following our own policies and procedures.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-C
Description:	Based on video camera footage, the center did not ensure that when time out is used as a behavior guidance it should be used sparingly not exceed one minute for each year of the child?s age. Evidence: 1.On March 15, 2024, Staff 1 separated Child #1 (two-year-old) from the group of children at a table. Child #1 sat in chair for approximately 15 minutes in front of the diaper changing table; isolated from other children.
Plan of Correction:	Based on the video footage it was determined that the employee in question did not comply with our behavior guidance and the employee was terminated. As a measurement to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again we have retrained everyone in the building after receiving the violation notice. We are attaching a copy of signatures from all teachers that signed the policy. The center director (Angel Reinicke) and the assistant director (Maria Palacios) will audit cameras on live and keep a log of classrooms/times audits to ensure all our policies are being adhered to by all staff members
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on staff interviews, observation of video camera footage, and documentation reviewed a staff member used forbidden actions on a child. Evidence: 1. On March 15, 2024, Staff 1 snatched a puzzle out of Child #1?s (two-year-old) hand and grabbed child by the hand. 2. Staff 1 grabbed Child #1 by the left arm to move closer toward them. Staff 1 dumbs Child 1 out of a chair, picks up the chair and held Child #1 by the arm to walk to the diaper changing table area. Staff 1 forcefully sat Child #1 in the chair in front of the diaper changing table. 3. Staff 1 squatted down to Child #1?s level and turns Child #1 face toward them. Child #1 tried to stand up from the chair. Staff 1 grabbed Child #1 by the hand to forcefully sit Child #1 back in the chair. Staff 2 and 3 interacted in a verbal conversation with Staff 1 after this incident. 4. Staff 1 forcefully moved Child # 3?s chair away from table two times while Child #3 was sitting in the chair. Child #3 scooted away from the table while sitting in a chair at least four times before Staff 1 pointed to floor for Child#3 to pick up puzzles from the floor. Staff 1 grabbed Child #3 by the arm forcefully to pick up puzzles from the floor.
Plan of Correction:	Tierra Encantada strives to provide a nurturing environment for all children in our care. It was determined that the employee in question did not comply with our behavior guidance policy and the employee was terminated and removed from the center during the investigation. The current center director at the time retrained all staff members in regards to our behavior guidance and safe handling of children policies. As a measurement to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again we have retrained everyone in the building after receiving the violation notice. We are attaching a copy of signatures from all teachers that signed the policy this week. The center director (Angel Reinicke) and the assistant director (Maria Palacios) will audit cameras on live and keep a log of classroom/times audits to ensure all our policies are being adhered to by all staff members.