VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Radford Early Learning Center
1511 Tyler Avenue
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 838-2408

Current Inspector: Julia Kimbrough (804) 921-7596

Inspection Date: July 7, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision 8VAC20-780 Programs 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-770 Background Checks

Comments:

An unannounced complaint inspection was initiated on 07/07/23 and concluded on 07/27/2023. A complaint was received by the department regarding allegations concerning staffing and supervision. Staff and child interviews were conducted, written reports were reviewed, two staff records and one child record was reviewed, a video recording and photographs were reviewed. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program. An amended violation notice was provided to the provider on 10/5/2023.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, written reports, video recording, and photographs, the center failed to ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. On June 26, 2023, staff #1 roughly handled child #1, (age 4 yrs. 10 mo.) that resulted in bruising on the neck of child #1. 2. Staff #2 provided in a written statement and in an interview that she heard staff #1 tell the child, ?that?s what happens when you try to hit me.? 3. Child #1 reported in a video interview that his neck was grabbed by two hands, and he could not breathe. Child reported he was told by staff #1, ?That is what I get for doing bad things.?
Plan of Correction:	Action Taken: The center will review active supervision and conduct a one-to-one training on appropriate behavioral guidance techniques to ensure consistent safe supervision by 8/4/23. Center Director and leadership team will continue to conduct twice-daily (unannounced) supervision, transition, and child supervision record accuracy checks for every classroom by 8/4/23. Center Director and leadership team conducting ongoing monitoring and reinforcing center?s regulatory compliance, safety, supervision, interactions, and employee ethics. Educators receiving immediate retraining, coaching, and modeling to ensure standards of performance and supervision for children is unequivocally being met to both licensing regulatory compliance as well as KinderCare Learning Companies standards of supervision, guidance, redirection, and Code of Ethics. We are committed to ensuring our staff, children, and their families are provided a safe, healthy, nurturing, and educationally rich learning experience within our learning environment to grow and thrive. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our team at any time. We will have all items completed by 8/4 for all staff members currently employed by Radford KinderCare.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, written reports, video recording, and photographs, the center failed to prevent occurrences of forbidden actions. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 provided in a written statement that on June 26, 2023, between 5:40-5:45 pm that: ?I moved on and asked him to please go over and he went to hit me again. I blocked it with my arm / hand repeating you may not hit me. When I blocked, it did land at his neck, but it wasn?t a grab. He went to the couch crying and I told him I was sorry I hit him at the neck while blocking his hit.? The child referenced as ?him? is 4 years, 10 months old. 2. Staff #1 stated during an interview with CPS and law enforcement that, ?When I went to put my hands up my hand kind of hit right here.? Staff #1 then pointed to their neck in the same area in which the injury was observed on the child. 3. Staff #2 provided in a written statement and in an interview that ?I did not see what happened but a few seconds later child #1 started crying and staff #1 was talking to him about that?s what happens when you try to hit me.? ?Staff #1 then told me that child #1 had ran into her hand.? 4. Child #1 stated in a video interview that: ?Someone grabbed me on the neck like this.? ?It hurt real bad.? ?I cried.? ?I could not breathe.? ?She said that is what I get for doing bad things.?
Plan of Correction:	Action Taken: The staff will be re- trained on positive behavioral guidance techniques and a review of the KinderCare ethics policy by completing a one-on-one training, ?Creating Safe and Positive Center Environments Through Our Service Values.? Completed by 8/4/23. All Educators re-trained annually on Mandated Reporter Training by 8/4/23. All Educators re-trained annually on Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Reporting Guidelines. Center Director and leadership team will continue to conduct quarterly documented intentional classroom observations using Standards of Excellence in Teaching (SET) observation forms and will engage in scheduled quarterly 1 to 1 teacher reflection and goal setting discussions within 72hrs of each observation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-P
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on record review, the center failed to maintain a written record of children?s serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. Evidence: 1. The written record of the injury was dated on 07/07/2023. The date of the injury was 06/26/2023.
Plan of Correction:	Action Taken: The center created documentation of the incident and sent to licensing Friday July 7th. The team will review proper incident reports and will be provided with the number for CPS. This will become a classroom resource for teachers to be able to locate a reference to review when needed as well as have the resources available to report. Our staff will review mandated reporter responsibilities and KinderCare Ethics policy. Completed By 8/4/23.