VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Children's Int'l School Co - Clarendon
1227 North Scott Street
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 527-3607

Current Inspector: Sheila F Nelson (804) 629-7489

Inspection Date: Nov. 14, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE

Comments:

An unannounced non-mandated monitoring inspection was initiated on September 7, 2022, in conjunction with another agency and was concluded on November 14, 2022. A self-reported incident was reported to the Fairfax Licensing Office regarding care and protection and sight and sound supervision. Interviews were conducted on 9/7/22, 10/7/22, and 10/17/22 in conjunction with a local agency. Child and staff records, attendance records, class rosters, and playground safety procedures were reviewed. Five staff were interviewed, the playground area and outside perimeter where the incident occurred was observed. Based on interviews conducted and review of documentation during the investigation, the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or laws. Violations related to the self-report, identified during the course of the investigation, can be found on the violation notice issued to the program. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, you may contact sheila.nelson@doe.virginia.gov Thank you for your cooperation during this inspection. Sheila Nelson License Inspector Virginia Department of Education Office of Child Care Health & Safety Division of Early Childhood Care & Education 804-629-7489

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on record review and interviews, the center failed to ensure that the operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center?s activities, services, and facilities were maintained in compliance with the standards, the center?s own policies and procedures that are required by the standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department. Evidence: 1. A center document entitled Playground Safety Plan states ?All staff members should be placed in various areas: one by the outside gate to make sure that no children leave the area and another one on the other side to be able to see the entire playground.? A. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were not positioned by the outside gate to ensure Child A did not leave the playground. II. The center is currently licensed for children ages 2 years to 6 years. Child A and Child B were 1 year and 11 months of age at the time of inspection (9/7/22).
Plan of Correction:	Staff received additional training to ensure that one staff member be positioned on the playground so that the gate is within their view. Each staff member is trained and received a written copy of the "Playground Safety Plan."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Description:	Based on record review, and interviews, it was determined the center did not maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs. Evidence: 1. Staff #3 acknowledged Child B?s (age 1) arrival was not documented as it occurred on the Daily Sign-In/Out Sheet. 2. The Daily Sign In/Out Sheet confirmed Child B?s arrival was not documented until sometime after the arrival. 3. Staff #3 stated they documented Child B?s daily attendance after contacting their parent later that afternoon on 9/7/22.
Plan of Correction:	The center maintains a written record of daily attendance with the arrival and departure of each child. On 9/7/22 a parent failed to sign in their child upon arrival. The teacher's attendance book has the child marked present. The morning greeter will now check that all parents sign their child in and out.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on interviews and documentation reviewed, areas and equipment of the center outside, were not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. On 9/7/22 Staff #1 stated the gate would not lock and anyone including a child could open the gate. 2. On 9/7/22 Staff #3 acknowledged the gate would not lock. 3. On 8/1/2022 Parent #1 informed Staff #3 that the gate to the playground would not lock. 4. On 10/5/22 Parent #1 stated ?the gate was broken? and ?at that time (9/7/22), a child could just pull the gate open from the backyard. It?s fixed now.?
Plan of Correction:	A new lock and hinge was installed on 9/7/22. Violation was corrected on 9/7/22. "The information is incorrect. A child would not be able to open the gate if the gate was closed correctly. This was confirmed by a contract from AB Construction who came on 9/7/22 to repair the gate and replace the lock. Staff #1 was terminated.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on interviews, and documentation reviewed, staff supervising children did not always ensure their care and protection. Evidence: 1. On 9/7/22, Staff #2 stated ?At 9:00am we (the twos class) went outside to the playground.? 2. On 9/7/22, Staff #5 stated that at approximately 9:12am, Child A (age 1 year 11 months) was found unsupervised in the middle of North Scott Street (residential area) screaming and crying by Parent #1. 3. On 9/7/22 Parent #1 was driving down North Scott Street to drop their 4 year old at the facility, when Child A ran out into the street screaming and crying. Parent #1 slammed on their brakes, ran to pick up the child, dropped child at the front porch of the facility and rang the doorbell for attention. 4. Child A was found approximately a distance of 104 feet from the back gate at the playground to the middle of North Scott Street. 5. Staff #4 saw child at front door and took Child A to playground where the two year old class was playing. Staff #4 informed Staff #2 the child was found in the middle of street. 6. The staff were unaware Child A was missing from the playground for approximately ten-twelve (10-12) minutes.
Plan of Correction:	See page 4 Staff were retrained on the critical importance of knowing each child's whereabouts at all times. Staff will continue to use their attendance sheets to account for each child's presence when leaving the class, arrival on the playground, and when lining up to come inside the building and take attendance again once they are inside the classroom.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews and documentation, a child under 10 years of age was not always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On 9/7/22 at approximately 9:12am, Child A (age 1 year 11 months) was found unsupervised in the middle of North Scott Street screaming and crying by parent #1. 2. Staff #5 saw Child A being left on the porch by Parent #1. Staff #5 opened the door to bring the child inside, and yelled to Staff #4 ?Someone left a child at the door. Is he ours?? 3. Staff #4 confirmed Child A was in the twos class and took Child A to the playground. Staff #4 informed Staff #2 that Child A was found screaming and crying in the middle of North Scott Street by a parent. 4. Staff #2 acknowledged Staff #4 brought Child A to the playground. 5. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were unaware Child A was not on the playground with their class. It was determined Child A was not within actual sight and sound supervision of the staff for approximately 10-12 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	see page 2 Staff received additional training on playground supervision as written in the CIS Employee Handbook in the section titled "Playground Supervision" which states: Spread throughout the playground with each adult supervising in specific group of children and a specific piece of equipment."