An unannounced inspection was conducted on 06/04/2024 in response to a self report that was received by the department on 5/28/2024. The inspection was regarding staffing and behavior guidance based on an incident that occurred on 05/20/2024. Two licensing staff were on site from approximately 9:33am until 3:15pm conducting interviews and reviewing documentation.
Based on multiple interviews, the preponderance of evidence supports the allegation of behavior management not constructive in nature and the use of forbidden actions. See the violation notice for more details.
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.
Lauren Bickford, Licensing Inspector Office of Child Care Health and Safety Division of Early Childhood Care and Education 540-280-0742 lauren.bickford@doe.virginia.gov
Based on interviews, the center did not ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. On 05/20/2024, an incident occurred where Staff 1 and Staff 2 were supervising a group of children while they were eating when a child spilled milk on another child. Staff 1 went over and disciplined the child by taking away food from the child. Staff 1 then took the child?s cup of milk and held it over child 1, asking if they would like it if milk was poured on them, causing child 1 to cry and become upset. 2. Staff witnessed a wet spot from spilled milk located on the shirt of child 1. 3. Staff 2 took child 1 out of the room to console the child and asked why the child was upset. Child 1 said their teacher spilled milk on them. 4. Leadership quickly intervened and conducted interviews with staff involved.
Plan of Correction:
1. Staff immediately ensured and administration conducted thorough investigation resulting in conflicting accounts of the incident. Staff was suspended while investigation took place and is no longer employed with school as a result. 2. full re-training on behavior guidance conducted with all faculty and staff.
Standard #:
8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:
Based on interviews with staff, the center did not ensure behavior guidance was constructive in nature, and age and stage appropriate.
Evidence: 1. On 5/20/2024, Staff 1 disciplined child 1 for spilling milk on another child and took away food from the child. Staff 1 took child 1?s milk and asked how they would like it if milk was poured on them. Based on staff interviews that witnessed the incident, child 1 began to cry. 2. Staff 2 was present and intervened after the incident to console the child. A wet spot on the front of child 1 shirt was observed by staff. When staff 2 asked the child what occurred, the child mentioned that their teacher spilled milk on them.
Plan of Correction:
1. All staff assigned developmentally appropriate practices training from birth to five to be completed by 7/5. 2. All staff will review and re-sign the behavior guidance policy by 7/5.
Standard #:
8VAC20-780-410-5
Description:
Based on staff interviews and collateral staff statements, the center failed to ensure withholding food is forbidden. Evidence: 1. On 05/20/2024, child 1 spilled milk on another child, resulting in Staff 1 reprimanding child 1 by throwing a plate of food away that child 1 was eating. Child became upset. 2. Staff 2 intervened after child 1 began to cry and took child out of the dining hall and to the nurse station where a new plate of food was offered to the child.
Plan of Correction:
1. Staff immediately ensured that child was given a new plate of food immediately. 2. Full re-training on behavior guidance and licensing forbidden action conducted with all faculty and staff.
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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