The licensing inspector conducted an unannounced complaint inspection in response to a complaint received 05/16/2023 regarding allegations concerning staff-to-child ratio. The inspection was completed 05/30/2023. The inspector was on-site from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. A monitoring inspection was also completed on this date. Observations and staff interviews were conducted for the complaint inspection. The preponderance of the evidence gathered during the investigation supported the allegation. The complaint is determined to be valid. Please complete the plan of correction and the date to be corrected for each violation listed on the violation notice and return it to the department within 5 business days from receipt. Your plan of correction should contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard(s); 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again; and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measures. If you have any questions related to this inspection, please contact Inspector Susan Ellington-Sconiers, at 804-588-2368 or susan.ellington-sconiers@doe.virginia.gov.
Based on observation and interviews, the center did not ensure compliance with ratios of staff to children as required. Evidence: Based on observation the center did not maintain the ratio of 1 staff to 4 children in the Infant I room. The licensing inspector entered the Infant I Room at approximately 9:00 a.m. and observed 15 infants being cared for by 2 staff members. Classroom staff acknowledged they were out of ratio at that time as well as other times. Program Director stated she had been in the classroom but left the Infant I Room out of ratio to answer the door to allow licensing entry into the facility along with building contractors.
Plan of Correction:
The director came out of the infant room beside the front door to allow the licensing inspector to come inside the building because she didn't have a door code. When the director left the classroom to answer the door, the room was momentarily out of ratio. The ratio was corrected immediately when the director reentered the room with the licensing inspector. The director and assistant director will not leave a classroom to let anyone in the building if they are covering ratio due to staffing shortages. This has been communicated to all employees.
Disclaimer:
This information is provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services, which neither endorses any facility nor guarantees that the information is complete. It should not be used as the sole source in evaluating and/or selecting a facility.
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