VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Caterpillar Clubhouse #5
19 George Street
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(434) 266-1333

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

Inspection Date: June 12, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision 8VAC20-780 Programs 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-780 Special Services 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection, resulting from a self-reported incident received on 06/10/2024, was conducted on 06/12/2024 and concluded with electronic interviews on 06/13/2024 and 06/14/2024. The inspector reviewed at total of 1 child?s record, 4 staff records, and interviewed staff. The inspector arrived at approximately 9:00 am and departed at approximately 10:45 am and returned to continue the inspection at approximately 1:10 pm and departed at approximately 2:20 pm. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the provider. Please complete the plan of correction (POC) and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice. Specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on 06/21/2024. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	63.2-1509-A
Description:	Based on staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that the persons listed in the Code of Virginia, who, in their professional or official capacity (a person employed by a child day program), have reason to suspect that a child is an abused or neglected child, shall report the matter immediately to the local department of the county or city wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred or to the Department?s toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline. Evidence: 1. Staff 2, Staff 3, and Staff 5 confirmed that on 03/18/2024, Child 1 (age 3 years at time of incident) was left alone, unsupervised on the second floor of the building from approximately 11:30 am to approximately 2:15 pm (2 hours and 45 minutes). The child was in the ?Three?s 2? classroom at approximately 11:30 am when the other children in the group left the room with staff and was found at approximately 2:15 pm in the ?Three?s 1? classroom. 2. At approximately 12:30 pm on 03/18/2024, Staff 3 realized Child 1 was not on their cot for rest time in the nap room. Staff 3 stated they documented the time on a ?sticky note?, assumed Child 1 had left for the day, and did not attempt to locate Child 1. 3. Staff 2 stated that while changing a diaper in the ?Three?s 2? room on 03/18/2024 at approximately 2:15 pm, they heard crying coming from the ?Three?s 1? room. Staff 2 confirmed that they found Child 1 alone in ?Three?s 1? room behind a shelf. Child 1 was reportedly visibly distraught, pale, crying and clutching a stuffed animal. 4. Staff 2, Staff 3, and Staff 5 confirmed they were aware of Child 1 being left alone and unsupervised for 2 hours and 45 minutes and did not report the neglect of Child 1 to the local department or any other authority.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on review of required policies and procedures, and interviews with staff, the center failed to ensure that the center?s activities, services and facilities are maintained in compliance with the center?s own policies and procedures that are required by the standards. Evidence: The center?s procedures for identifying where attending children are at all times states teachers and aides are always to keep a head count and use this frequently to make sure all children are accounted for. Child 1 (age 3 years at time of incident) was unaccounted for approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes after being left alone, unsupervised on the second floor of the building from approximately 11:30 am to approximately 2:15 pm. A head count was not done after staff left the classroom. At approximately 12:30 pm on 03/18/2024, Staff 3 realized Child 1 was not on their cot for rest time in the nap room. Staff 3 stated they documented the time on a ?sticky note? and assumed Child 1 had left for the day. Staff 2 stated that while changing a diaper in the ?Three?s 2? room on 03/18/2024 at approximately 2:15 pm, they heard crying coming from the ?Three?s 1? room. Staff 2 confirmed that they found Child 1 alone in ?Three?s 1? room behind a shelf. Child 1 was reportedly visibly distraught, pale, crying and clutching a stuffed animal. Written documentation from Staff 4 shared that after the incident, Child 1 "regressed" in potty training and was requiring more support.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Based on interviews with staff, the center failed to ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. Staff 2, Staff 3, and Staff 5 confirmed that on 03/18/2024, Child 1 (age 3 years at time of incident) was left alone, unsupervised on the second floor of the building from approximately 11:30 am to approximately 2:15 pm (2 hours and 45 minutes). The child was in the ?Three?s 2? classroom at approximately 11:30 am when the other children in the group left the room with staff and was found at approximately 2:15 pm in the ?Three?s 1? classroom. 2. At approximately 12:30 pm on 03/18/2024, Staff 3 realized Child 1 was not on their cot for rest time in the nap room. Staff 3 stated they documented the time on a ?sticky note?, assumed Child 1 had left for the day, and did not attempt to locate Child 1. 3. Staff 2 stated that while changing a diaper in the ?Three?s 2? room on 03/18/2024 at approximately 2:15 pm, they heard crying coming from the ?Three?s 1? room. Staff 2 confirmed that they found Child 1 alone in ?Three?s 1? room behind a shelf. Child 1 was reportedly visibly distraught, pale, crying and clutching a stuffed animal. 4. Staff 2, Staff 3, and Staff 5 confirmed that on 03/18/2024, Child 1 did not receive a meal or snack between the hours of approximately 9:00 am to approximately 2:15 pm. After being located, Child 1 consumed 4 bags of Goldfish and a juice box. 5. Written documentation from Staff 4 shared that after the incident, Child 1 "regressed" in potty training and was requiring more support.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-B
Description:	SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Based on observation and interviews with staff, the center failed to ensure that during the center?s hour of operation, one adult on the premises shall be in charge of the administration of the center. This person shall be either the administrator or an adult appointed by the licensee or designated by the administrator. Evidence: 1. At approximately 1:10 pm on 06/12/2024, the inspector arrived on site and requested to speak to the administrator. The staff member that opened the door stated the administrators were on break and they could not identify an administrator in charge. Five other staff members were consulted, and they could not identify an administrator in charge. 2. At approximately 1:30 pm on 06/12/2024, Staff 5 returned and confirmed the administrators are Staff 5, Staff 3, and Staff 6. 3. Staff 5, Staff 3, and Staff 6 were not on premises from approximately 1:10 pm to approximately 1:30 pm on 06/12/2024.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Based on interviews with staff, the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: Staff 2, Staff 3, and Staff 5 confirmed that on 03/18/2024, Child 1 (age 3 years at time of incident) was left alone, unsupervised on the second floor of the building from approximately 11:30 am to approximately 2:15 pm (2 hours and 45 minutes). The child was in the ?Three?s 2? classroom at approximately 11:30 am when the other children in the group left the room with staff and was found at approximately 2:15 pm in the ?Three?s 1? classroom. Staff 2 stated that while changing a diaper in the ?Threes 2? room on 03/18/2024 at approximately 2:15 pm, they heard crying coming from the ?Three?s 1? room. Staff 2 confirmed that they found Child 1 alone in ?Three?s 1? room behind a shelf. Child 1 was reportedly visibly distraught, pale, crying and clutching a stuffed animal. From approximately 11:30 am to approximately 2:15 pm Child 1 was not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Written documentation from Staff 4 shared that after the incident, Child 1 "regressed" in potty training and was requiring more support.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.