A self-reported incident was received by the department on October 16, 2023, regarding a staff member smacking two older infants on the head. The inspector was on site from 9:40am to 1:00pm on October 17, 2023 and concluded on November 1, 2023. Interviews with staff were completed, observations were made in the center, and documentation was reviewed.
The information gathered during this investigation of the self-reported incident determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and one violation was documented on the violation notice issued to the program.
Please complete the ?plan of correction? and ?date to be corrected? for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to the department within 5 business days from receipt. Please specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Please do not use staff names; list staff by positions only.
Any plans of correction not received within 5 business days will result in the plans not appearing on the Violation Notice and public website.
If you have any questions about this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Stacy Doyle at Stacy.doyle@doe.virginia.gov
Based on review of a staff written statement and interview, a staff member used a forbidden action of striking two children in care.
Evidence:
1. On 10/12/2023 at approximately 3:00pm, while the children were sitting at the table eating snack, Staff #1 ?smacked? Child #1 (14-month-old) on the side of his head by the ear when the child attempted to get up from their chair. When Child #2 (16-month-old) began to scoot his chair back to try and leave the table, Staff #1 stood behind the child, pushed him back into the table and ?smacked? Child #2 on the side of their head by the ear.
2. Child #1 was crying prior to the ?smack? and cried approximately 5 minutes longer after the "smack". When Child #2 was ?smacked?, his head was pushed to the side and he cried for approximately 2-3 minutes.?
Plan of Correction:
Staff #1 was placed on administrative leave as soon as management was informed of the incident. After conducting several interviews and seeking the counsel of licensing, CPS, and Goddard Systems, Staff #1 was terminated on 10/17/2023. At our Staff Meeting on 10/18/2023, all current teachers reviewed Goddard's Child Guidance & Discipline Policy as well as what it means to be a mandated reporter. Directors will continue formal and informal observations of teachers in classrooms, especially teachers in their first year of hire. Directors will also continue to provide Professional Development opportunities to staff regarding appropriate interactions with students.
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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http://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc.cgi