Thank you for your assistance during this unannounced inspection. This inspection was initiated by two complaints that were received by our licensing office on December 15, 2021 and December 29, 2021, regarding the allegation in the area of staffing and supervision. The on-site visit was conducted on March 8, 2022 from 12:04 pm through 2 pm. The evidence gathered during this investigation supports the allegation, therefore the complaint is valid.
Please complete the plan of correction and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to me within 5 business days from today. Please specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. 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 preventive measure(s).
Please contact the licensing inspector, Chrystal King at 804-297-4469 if you have any questions and/or if I may be of assistance with licensing standards.
Based on observation and interviews, the program did not ensure that the required staff-to-children ratios were followed when children were in care.
Evidence: 1. While touring the facility on March 8, 2022 beginning at 12:04 pm, the LI observed five children in the care of one staff member in the Lions room (Infants aged 3 months-9 months). 2. While touring the facility on March 8, 2022 beginning at 12:04 pm, the LI observed five children in the care of one staff member in the Monkeys room (Infants aged 9 months-14 months). 3. When Staff #1 was asked what the staff-to-child ratio was, she stated that it was 1:5. The LI informed her that it was 1:4, to which she responded in the two months of her employment, she usually had five children in her care. 4. When the LI pointed out to Staff #2 that she would have been within ratio had she not taken Child #1 into care when she arrived at 12:04 pm. Staff #2 stated that she did not feel that she could turn away children that were enrolled in the program and that was the responsibility of the director.
Plan of Correction:
The childcare industry and the restaurant industry have been hit the hardest when it comes to being able to fully staff and keep staff. We see empty restaurants with a 45 minute wait because they are so short staffed. The same has been happening in childcare since Covid. We do our best to follow the important rules and regulations of licensing, while maintaining the delicate balance of making our families happy. On this day, we fell short. Since then, our new Director has worked diligently at staffing her building and has been successful; she has hired seven staff members, and is working hard at training and coaching the new staff. Kaitlyn will continue to hire even though she is properly staffed to alleviate the stress of call outs and natural attrition. Licensing also has a Variance that allows for 1 more child per staff member that we will apply for. Had we had the variance, the infants would not have been out of ratio.
Standard #:
8VAC20-780-350-B-3
Complaint related:
Yes
Description:
Based on observation, the program did not ensure that the required staff-to-children ratios were followed when children were in care.
Evidence: 1. While touring the facility on March 8, 2022 beginning at 12:04 pm, the LI observed twenty children in the care of two staff members in the Elephant room (Two year old children).
Plan of Correction:
The childcare industry and the restaurant industry have been hit the hardest when it comes to being able to fully staff and keep staff. We see empty restaurants with a 45 minute wait because they are so short staffed. The same has been happening in childcare since Covid. We do our best to follow the important rules and regulations of licensing, while maintaining the delicate balance of making our families happy. On this day, we fell short. Since then, our new Director has worked diligently at staffing her building and has been successful; she has hired seven staff members, and is working hard at training and coaching the new staff. Kaitlyn will continue to hire even though she is properly staffed to alleviate the stress of call outs and natural attrition. Licensing also has a Variance that allows for 1 more child per staff member that we will apply for. Had we had the variance, the infants would not have been out of ratio.
Standard #:
8VAC20-780-350-B-4
Complaint related:
Yes
Description:
Based on observation and interviews, the program did not ensure that the required staff-to-children ratios were followed when children were in care.
Evidence: 1. While touring the facility on March 8, 2022 beginning at 12:04 pm, the LI observed eighteen children in the care of one staff member in the Tigers room (Children aged three and four). 2. Staff #3 admitted that there were some staff that were out with illness, but stated she is typically out of ratio.
Plan of Correction:
The childcare industry and the restaurant industry have been hit the hardest when it comes to being able to fully staff and keep staff. We see empty restaurants with a 45 minute wait because they are so short staffed. The same has been happening in childcare since Covid. We do our best to follow the important rules and regulations of licensing, while maintaining the delicate balance of making our families happy. On this day, we fell short. Since then, our new Director has worked diligently at staffing her building and has been successful; she has hired seven staff members, and is working hard at training and coaching the new staff. Kaitlyn will continue to hire even though she is properly staffed to alleviate the stress of call outs and natural attrition. Licensing also has a Variance that allows for 1 more child per staff member that we will apply for. Had we had the variance, the infants would not have been out of ratio.
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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