VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Steppin Stones Academy and Preschool Inc.
665 Newtown Road
Suites 117-121
Virginia beach, VA 23462
(757) 201-3099

Current Inspector: D'Nae Goodwin (757) 404-3063

Inspection Date: Sept. 12, 2019 and Sept. 17, 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 SANCTIONS. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191)

Technical Assistance:

During the two days of the inspection we discussed emergency exits, physical plant, certificate of occupancy, rooms used by children under the age of 2.5 years and one-day's emergency supply for infants.

Comments:

An unannounced renewal inspection was conducted on September 12, 2019 from 9am through 1:30pm and September 17, 2019 from 9am through 10:30am. There were 26 children on September 12, 2019, with six staff and two administrators. Children and staff records were reviewed. A walking tour of the facility inside and outside was completed. Required postings, emergency radio, first aid kit and flash light were reviewed. It was reported that there is not any medication being administered at the time of this inspection. Violations regarding physical plant, staffing and supervision, programs, special care provisions and emergencies, special services and background checks were identified and appear on the violation notices. The violations were reviewed with the owner/program director and the assistant program director at the conclusion of the inspections on both days.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-270-A
Description:	Based on observation and interview the center failed to ensure that areas and equipment, inside and outside, are maintained in clean, safe condition. Evidence: 1 - There were unsecured cubbies and shelving units throughout the center including but not limited to the three/four year old room, the open area next to the cafeteria and in the cafeteria. 2 - Staff 1 confirmed that there were several cubbies and shelving units not secured throughout the center. 3 - The ramp leading out of the school age room was missing two, three foot sections of hand rails and spindles. There is an approximate three to four inch drop off the side of ramp when exiting the center with no railings in place to prevent a fall. 4 - There were three posts missing caps on the ramp. The edges were rough and sharp to the touch. 5 - There was a sharp edge of an "L" shaped hook exposed, within reach of children in the school age room. 6 - The door knob leading from the infant area into the reception area had metal ring/ knob cover that had separated from the knob mechanism that created a pinch point when the door knob was grasped. 7 - There were three cots blocking the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) door and the walk way of the infant area. 8 - There were combustible items stacked up next to and touching the gas hot water heater in the FACP room. 9 - The emergency boxes located in the FACP room were not accessible due to items stacked up in front of them. 10 - In the bathroom there was a chain that is greater than six feet in length on cabinets in the bathroom. The chain was loose and had enough slack that it created a potential entanglement or strangulation hazard.
Plan of Correction:	(1&2) The cubbies were mounted to the wall during inspection. (3&4) This ramp is used for emergencies and is located outside of the school age room. There are railings on the right side and we will install railings on the left for added safety of the children. The top of the posts are made of wood located inside of plastic posts. We will also put caps on the posts as recommended. (5) The L shape hook was bent during the inspection to wrap around the cubbie for a tighter fit. (6) The door ring was tightened during the inspection. (7) The cots were removed during the inspection. We have instructed the staff not to store the cots in front of the FACP room to allow access in case of an emergency. (8) The items that were near the hot water heater was moved away and stored on the other side. (9) The items that blocked the fire panel was moved to allow access to it. (10) The chain was recommended to be placed on the cabinets by the previous inspector. It has been present during other inspections also. However, The chain will be tightened again.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-280-B
Description:	Based on observation and interview the center failed to ensure that hazardous substances are kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: Each item listed below stated keep out of reach and one additional warning including eye irritant or caution. 1 - In the infant room there was a spray can of air freshener (sitting on the floor) and a container of bleach wipes (sitting on the back of the toilet) with in reach of children. a. The bathroom was unlocked during the entire inspection. b. Staff 3 confirmed that the items were located in the bathroom, an unlocked place. 2 - In the two/three year old room there were two unlocked chemicals within reach of children; one spray can of air freshener and one spray bottle of Lysol cleaner. 3 - The the cafeteria in an unlocked cabinet over the sink there is a spray bottle of "odaban". This contents of this cabinet is accessible to children in care.
Plan of Correction:	(1 & 2) The employees will retrained on locking up all chemicals up. (3) The spray bottle was removed during the inspection and put in the adjacent locked cabinet.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-350-C
Description:	At name 9am upon entering the infant room there were 9 infants in care with two staff from approximately 8:40am through 9:10am. a. The ages of the children present ranged from 7 months through 21 months. b. Staff 6 and one other unidentified staff stated that staff 2 knew how many infants were present in the infant room. c. Staff 2 and staff 1 stated that they were not aware of the number of infants present in the infant room.- Staff 6 stated that the ninth child arrived at 8am. b. Staff 2 stated that the ninth child arrived to the infant room at 8:40am.
Plan of Correction:	We retrain staff to remember that if they become over ration that they need to communicate with the person in charge to ensure continued compliance.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-440-B
Description:	Based on observation and interview the center failed to ensure that each crib is identified for use by a specific child. Evidence: 1 - There was one infant crib that is not identified for use by a specific child. 2 - There were three cribs that had two different identifying markings at opposite ends of the cribs. 3 - Staff 3 and 4 confirmed that there was one crib that is not identified at all and three additional cribs that had two different identifying markings. 4 - In the toddler/two room the cots present were not identified use by a specific child. 5 - Staff 6 confirmed that cots were not identified for use by a specific child.
Plan of Correction:	We have created a list for the cribs and cots to identify which child uses them.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-500-B
Description:	Based on observation the center failed to ensure that the diapering surface is used only for diapering or cleaning children. Evidence: 1 - A notebook, water bottle (for drinking) and a cell phone were observed resting on top of the diaper changing surface/diaper pad in the bathroom. 2 - Staff 5 confirmed that the items belonged to her and she had placed the items on the changing pad on top of the changing table.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will be retrained to ensure the diapering surface is used for diapering only
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-570-I
Description:	Based on observation the center failed to ensure that a one-day's supply of disposable bottles appropriate for the children in care is maintained at the center. Evidence: Infant feeding bottles maintained in the one-day's emergency supply were made of hard plastic intended to be washed and reused and therefore, were not disposable as required.
Plan of Correction:	We supplied hard disposable bottles for 1 time use. These bottles are similar to the ones the children currently uses. Our intentions were to only use them 1 time, not to reuse them. However, we have purchased the recommended bottles and will use them in an emergency.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-60-C-2
Description:	Based on record review and interview the center did not have a central registry finding within 30 days of employment for each staff. Evidence: 1 - The record for staff 7 did not contain documentation of a central registry finding. a. The record for staff 7 contained a documented date of hire as June 6, 2019. 2 - Staff 1 and 2 confirmed that there was not a central registry finding in the record of staff 7.
Plan of Correction:	The central registry finding was completed. CPs returned the form due to a missing name on the form. We never received the returned mail. Upon checking during the inspection we were instructed to resubmit the copy and they will mail it back to us. We have received the final results that cleared her for work.