VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Basics Primary School and Day Care
1509 River Birch Run North
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 424-0994

Current Inspector: Arlene Agustin (804) 629-7519

Inspection Date: Sept. 25, 2020

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A complaint inspection was initiated on 9/24/20 and concluded on 11/2/20. A complaint was received by the department regarding allegations in the area of behavior guidance and was investigated jointly with the local agency. Interviews with staff and collaterals were conducted by telephone. Video footage, as well as documentation and records related the incident, were also reviewed. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the allegation of non-compliance with standards or law and a violation was issued in the area of programs.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-400-B
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interviews and a review of video footage, the center did not ensure that behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. The parent of child 1 reported that her child told her that staff 1 hit her. The parent stated that she viewed video footage of the classroom and observed staff 1 "smack" child 1 on the arm and "grab" her by her head. 2. Video footage provided by the center showed the following incidents of inappropriate behavior guidance occurring within an approximate 1 hour time period on the afternoon of 9/21/20: a. Child 1 is sitting at a table playing with a toy car and staff 1 walks by her and pops her on her right hand one time. b. Child 2 is standing by a toy shelf and staff 1 walks over to him and pulls him by his upper right arm and sits him down in a chair. Child 2 is seen holding his upper arm where staff 1 grabbed him and is frowning. c. Child 3 is sitting at a table with staff 1 doing an arts and crafts activity when staff 1 appears to grab child 3 by his chin and quickly turns the child's head around towards her. d. Child 4 is standing in the middle of the classroom and staff 1 pushes him on his back and child 4 then stumbles forward after being pushed. e. Child 1 is standing by the cubbies and staff 1 grabs her by her upper right arm and pushes her forward. f. Child 1 is sitting at a table playing with a toy and appears to fall out of the chair onto the floor. Staff 1 is sitting next to child 1 when she falls but does not appear to make sure the child is alright and stands up and walks away from the child. g. Staff 1 is sitting at a table when child 4 walks up beside her and begins to pick an item up off the table when staff 1 takes the item away and pops child 4 on his hand. h. Child 2 is standing at a table playing with other children when staff 1 walks over and grabs child 2 by his chin and quickly turns his head around and directs him to sit in a chair at a nearby table. 3. Staff 1 admitted that some of her interactions with multiple children in the classroom were not appropriate methods of behavior guidance.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: A. Staff 1's employment with Basics Primary School was terminated immediately upon learning of her inappropriate methods of behavioral guidance which are in violation of the "Rules of Conduct" as per Department of Social Services and documented in the Basics Primary School's Employee Handbook. B. A meeting was conducted with all staff members to re-emphasize appropriate methods of guidance. C. Conduct more frequent video monitoring of classroom activity. D. Schedule a meeting with all staff members to discuss the violation.