At the time of this self report, we discussed the requirement of mandated reporters to report suspected abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services. In any situation where you are unsure if the incident rises to the level of abuse or neglect, or whether the situation is one that would be investigated, report it anyway as a precaution and let the agency determine whether it should be or will be investigated.
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 9/3/2020 and concluded on 12/23/2020 A self-reported incident was received by the department regarding allegations in the areas of Supervision and Programs. The Administrator was contacted by telephone to conduct the investigation. Interviews were conducted, documentation was reviewed and classroom video footage was viewed.
The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the self-report of non-compliance with standards or law and violations were issued. Any violations not related to the self-report) but identified during the course of the investigation can be found on the violation notice.
Based on the review of video footage, photographs and interviews, a staff failed to interact with children in order to promote the child's physical, intellectual, emotional, and social well-being and growth, and did not provide the needed help, comfort and support to children, or promote ways of children getting along with each other.
Evidence: 1. Video footage of the preschool classroom (4-5 years old) for 9/2/2020 was provided to the inspector as part of a self report of an incident. The footage showed child #2 grab child #1 by the face during a conflict over a toy. Child #1 cried out and held the side of his face after child #2 let him go. 2. Child #2 quickly ran to staff #1 and said something to her while, simultaneously, child #1 began crying loudly. 3. Staff #1 called child #1 to the front of the room and said "let me see". She turned his head with her hand looked at his face and then turned from child #1 to speak to child #2. 4. Child #1 dropped a toy with multiple pieces as he stood crying loudly next to staff #1. Staff #1 told child #1 to "pick up that stuff off the floor" and continued with other activities including talking with another child in the classroom and walking over to hang her back pack up. 5. Staff #1 failed to offer any comfort or support to child #1 who was crying from an injury. Pictures reviewed of child #1's face reveal 2 scratch marks on the cheek and temple which were approximately an 1/2 inch and 1inch long and deep enough to reveal red, raw under layers of the skin. 6. When both children were standing in front of the staff member, just after child #1 was scratched, Staff #1 said to child #2 "So you hit him back? Good!" 7. Staff #1 failed to assist the children in ways of getting along with each other and instead encouraged them to hit back.
Plan of Correction:
The administrator terminated employment of staff #1 upon review of the video footage after child #1's injury was reported to her the on the same date as the occurrence.
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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