VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Goddard School
7801 Heritage Village Plaza
Gainesville, VA 20155
(571) 222-5576

Current Inspector: Laura Brindle (540) 905-2062

Inspection Date: Aug. 28, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION.

Comments:

An investigation was initiated on August 28, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. with local agency to investigate a self reported incident regarding supervision, and care, protection, and guidance. Interviews were conducted, video footage and documentation was reviewed. The self reported incident regarding supervision and care, protection, and guidance is determined to be valid.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Description:	Based on interviews and review of video footage it was determined that the center failed to ensure the care and protection of children at all times. Evidence: Child A (DOB 12/27/2016) did not remain under the care and protection of staff from approximately 11:30 a.m. - 11:37 a.m. Staff B and C were unaware that Child A was not in their care until the child was found by staff A who could hear the child crying from the classroom adjacent to the sidewalk area. Child A can be seen crying in video footage from 11:36 a.m. - 11:37 a.m.
Plan of Correction:	Upon notification of the incident by Staff A, the Goddard School immediately notified VDSS and other agencies, as well as the parents of Child A. The Goddard School assisted with the VDSS investigation, providing VDSS with surveillance video footage, and allowing access to School employees for interviews. The School has a strict policy of doing threshold counts and performing name-to-face procedures when moving a group of children to/from the classroom and other areas of the school and school grounds. Due to this incident, The School suspended Staff B and C, and all staff attended a special training session on 8/30/19 to review those policies and reinforce how those procedures should be properly performed. Training included role-playing with the attendance sheets and the technology utilized to follow such procedures. The School will also be implementing the practice of using a third staff member at times when necessary to assist staff with transitioning their class. Moving forward, these, and other School policies and procedures, are being emphasized in greater depth during our orientation of new teachers. The School strives to ensure professional, quality child care and education in a safe, loving and nurturing environment and the School will work with its staff to implement the corrective actions outlined in this Plan of Correction to reinforce appropriate, nurturing child care.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews and review of video footage it was determined that children did not always remain within sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: On August 27, 2019, child A (DOB 12/27/2019) was left outside in the fenced-in area of the sidewalk from 11:30 a.m. - 11:37 a.m. At 11:37 a.m. staff A, located in a classroom adjacent to the sidewalk area heard child A crying and retrieved and comforted the child. Staff A returned the child to their classroom and informed management of the situation.
Plan of Correction:	Upon notification of the incident by Staff A, the Goddard School immediately notified VDSS and other agencies, as well as the parents of Child A. The Goddard School assisted with the VDSS investigation, providing VDSS with surveillance video footage, and allowing access to School employees for interviews. The School has a strict policy of doing threshold counts and performing name-to-face procedures when moving a group of children to/from the classroom and other areas of the school and school grounds. Due to this incident, The School suspended Staff B and C, and all staff attended a special training session on 8/30/19 to review those policies and reinforce how those procedures should be properly performed. Training included role-playing with the attendance sheets and the technology utilized to follow such procedures. The School will also be implementing the practice of using a third staff member at times when necessary to assist staff with transitioning their class. Moving forward, these, and other School policies and procedures, are being emphasized in greater depth during our orientation of new teachers. The School strives to ensure professional, quality child care and education in a safe, loving and nurturing environment and the School will work with its staff to implement the corrective actions outlined in this Plan of Correction to reinforce appropriate, nurturing child care.