VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Growing Tree School
197 Patmos Road
Woodstock, VA 22664
(540) 459-3443

Current Inspector: Julie Kunowsky (540) 430-9256

Inspection Date: Nov. 15, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 PHYSICAL PLANT. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL CARE PROVISIONS AND EMERGENCIES. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 22VAC40-80 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 32.1 Report by person other than physician 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures 63.2 Facilities & Programs.

Technical Assistance:

We discussed the requirements for children's records, staff records, and records of emergency drills. The risk assessments for violations were provided. Also, we reviewed the requirements for posting the most recent licensing inspection reports, individual staff training records, and replenishment of the resilient surfacing at fall zones of equipment.

Comments:

Thank you for your assistance during today's unannounced monitoring inspection conducted from 9:44 AM to 2:10 PM. Today, there were six to seven preschool children with one teacher. At least five children, including school age, will attend during after school hours with two staff. I viewed program activities, staffing, supervision, interactions with children, lunch, fire inspection report, equipment, posted information, emergency supplies and drill records, injury records, five records for children, daily routines, lunch and snack, four records for staff, staff qualifications, staff training, indoor and outdoor areas. The children have been provided a variety of age appropriate learning experiences during teacher led activities and choices in the classroom. Music time included use of rhythm sticks. Positive methods of guidance and affirming children's behavior were observed. Active play outside has been regularly scheduled. Let me know if you need any assistance. 540/430-9259

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-160-A
Description:	Based on a review of four staff records, and an interview with administrative staff, the school failed to obtain a tuberculosis screening and statement for one staff member no later than twenty-one days after initial employment. Evidence: Staff member 1 began work on October 10, 2019 and the TB statement was completed on November 12, 2019.
Plan of Correction:	The principal will make sure new staff submit the results of a TB screening no later than twenty-one days of initial employment. As needed, different sources for obtaining a TB screening will be considered for a timely statement.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-160-C
Description:	Based on a review of four staff records, and an interview with administrative staff, the school failed to obtain updated tuberculosis screening results for two staff by two years from the dates of the last statements. Evidence: The statement completed for staff member 3 on September 14, 2017 was not updated until November 14, 2019. The statement completed for staff member 4 on September 14, 2017 was not updated until November 12, 2019. Administrative staff indicated there were cancellations for health department screenings scheduled for dates in September and November.
Plan of Correction:	The principal will make sure staff arrange for updated TB screenings weeks ahead of due dates. If appointments are cancelled, the principal will seek other sources for staff TB screenings so that the results are of screenings are obtained and submitted for school records before two years from the last statement dates.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-60-A
Description:	Based on a review of five records for children, and an interview with administrative staff, there was required information missing from records. Evidence: A second emergency contact person, including an address and phone number, was missing from the record of child 2. The work numbers and place of employment for parents were missing for child 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Plan of Correction:	The principal will make sure all records include each parent's place of employment and work phone numbers. Also, the second emergency contact will be added to the record of child 2.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-70-A
Description:	Based on a review of four records for staff, and an interview with administrative staff, the school failed to obtain written information for one staff member to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education required by the job position. Evidence: The copy of college transcripts or a current teaching endorsement were not in the record. Administrative staff indicated that the information was asked for and not received. The initial start date was September 15, 2019.
Plan of Correction:	The principal will arrange to obtain a copy of college transcripts or the current teaching endorsement for staff member 2's record. In the future, the written information about the education needed to be a lead teacher will be obtained and kept in the staff file.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-550-E
Description:	Based on a review of the emergency drill records, and an interview with administrative staff, the school failed to maintain a record of the dates of all practice drills for one year. Evidence: There was not documentation of the second shelter-in-place drill conducted during the 2018 to 2019 school year. There was not written information about the evacuation practiced in May 2019. Administrative staff indicated that the May record was discarded.
Plan of Correction:	The principal will make sure all emergency drills are documented at the time of each practice and the records are kept for at least one year.