VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy #7137
341 Volvo Parkway
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 547-7619

Current Inspector: Arlene Agustin (804) 629-7519

Inspection Date: June 18, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

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/.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted On June 18, 2024, as a result of a self-report received in the licensing office on June 10, 2024. The on-site inspection began at 8:20am and ended at 9:40am. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 44 children present and 9 staff. The inspector reviewed 1 child?s records and 3 staff records. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and a violation was documented on the violation notice issued to the program. 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 July 1, 2024. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	The following action or threat thereof are forbidden: striking a child. Staff was observed striking Child #1, age 22 months. Evidence: 1. On June 10, 2024, Staff #1 struck Child #1, age 22 months, with her hand on the child?s hand. 2. Staff #1 admitted to ?swatting? Child #1 on the hand and that she was ?from the old school? to both the Director and Lead Teacher in the classroom.
Plan of Correction:	Staff member completed and cleared all of the required background checks including fingerprint search of criminal history, sex offender search, and child abuse search. Staff member had great references upon hiring and a great work history. Staff member completed multiple required trainings both internally and state required on positive behavior guidance. The staff member was immediately placed on ad min leave pending the investigation and was not brought back to the center around the children after the incident. Center director will retrain all current staff on positive behavior guidance during July staff meeting.