VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Learning Experience
8710 Park Central Drive
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 264-3054

Current Inspector: Lauren Bickford (540) 280-0742

Inspection Date: Feb. 12, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies. 8VAC20-780 Special Services.

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was initiated on 2/12/2024 in response to related complaints that were received by the licensing department on 2/2/2024, 2/5/2024 and 2/9/2024 regarding allegations in the areas of behavioral guidance, forbidden action, supervision and ratio, nutrition, and the spread of disease. The inspection was initiated on 2/12/2024 and completed on 2/20/2024. On 2/12/2024, two inspectors were on site from approximately 7:55 am to 9:25 am. Interviews with staff were completed, observations were made in the center, and documentation was reviewed. Additional interviews were conducted remotely. The preponderance of the evidence gathered during the investigation supports part of the allegation; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. See the violation notice for more details. If you have any questions about this inspection, please contact the licensing inspector at (540) 430-0384. Please complete the plan of correction and date to be corrected for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to me within 5 business days from today. You will need to specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Just writing the word corrected is not acceptable. Your plan of correction must contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard(s), 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again; and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measures. Please do not use staff names; list staff by positions only.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-4
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interview, the center did not ensure to follow the required staff to child ratios for children age three through school age eligible as required. Evidence: 1. In interview, administration and staff stated that the preschool classroom had run out of ratio by several children for up to 10 minutes in the mornings due to short staffing. The staff to child ratio for the classroom is one staff to ten children. (1:10)
Plan of Correction:	Center director has adjusted morning schedules to accomadate ratios. Center director has been actively hiring staff to maintain child teacher ratios.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the center did not ensure that when children are in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio and group size applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group. Evidence: 1. On 2/12/2024, 9 infant/toddler children were observed with two staff. The children ranged in age from 6 weeks to 16 months. The ratio for infants is one staff to four children (1:4) meaning they could only have a total of eight children without requiring an additional staff. The staff acknowledged they were over ratio when combined. 2. In interview, administration and staff stated there were several days when they were over ratio in the infant room for up to 10 minutes in the morning when short staffed.
Plan of Correction:	Center director has been actively hiring staff to accomadate child to staff ratios. Staff have been retrained that they are to immediately separate and go to their assigned classroom and not linger in other classroom. This will prevent mixed ages groups and classrooms being out of ratio.