VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Skipwith Academy At Pebble Creek (#24)
7386 Creighton Parkway
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
(804) 569-1717

Current Inspector: Lauren Bickford (540) 280-0742

Inspection Date: Sept. 3, 2019

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 PHYSICAL PLANT. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION.

Technical Assistance:

N/A

Comments:

An unannounced complaint inspection was conducted on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM in response to a complaint that the licensing department received on August 22, 2019 regarding staff and supervision. Interviews with staff were completed and the outdoor space was inspected. The preponderance of the evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. See the violation notice for more details. The director and another member of management were available for the inspection and were present at the exit interview at which time inspection findings were reviewed and an Acknowledgement of Inspection form was signed and left with the licensee. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, please contact the licensing inspector, Heather Dapper, at (804) 662-7014.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on review of the center's policies and procedures, the center did not ensure activities and services were maintained with the center's own policies and procedures required by the standards. Evidence: 1. The center?s policies and procedures state ?All staff assigned responsibility for the supervision of children will ensure their care, protection and guidance at all times?; ?Children must be within sight and sound of the teacher at all times?; ?Teachers must station themselves to ensure that every child can be seen at all times.? 2. Child #1 (date of birth 01/17/2019) left the toddler and two's outside play area unsupervised and proceeded around part of the building; staff responsible for supervising child #1 were unaware the child left the play area.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-270-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, the center did not ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. Based on staff reports, the fence gate, between the toddler and two?s and preschool outdoor play area, was in need of repair for at least one month before the child exited through the fence gate and around part of the building. 2. Staff #3 stated that the fence gate latch connecting the toddler play area to the other play areas was broken and did not latch. 3. Staff #1 stated that the metal pole to the fence gate was bent preventing the gate from latching.
Plan of Correction:	"On Wednesday, August 21st one of our toddler students walked from one enclosed playground to another through a small opening in the gate separating the two playgrounds while outside with the class. The child was met by another teacher. The child was then escorted inside and returned to the appropriate class. The small opening in the gate was reported to maintenance immediately and repaired. Additional planned renovations began the following week to replace all fencing and gates surrounding the playgrounds."
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, the center did not ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. On August 21, 2019, child #1, 19 months of age, exited the toddler and two's outside play area through the fence gate and made it around part of the building before a staff member responsible for supervising a different group of children observed child #1 at the outside door of preschool play area. That staff member escorted child #1 inside to staff #4. Staff #4 proceeded to take child #1 to the outside toddler and two's play area and ask staff #2 (teacher for classroom #2) if child #1 belonged in her group. Staff #2 told staff #4 that the child belonged in a different classroom. 2. Staff responsible for supervision of child#1 were not aware child #1 was missing from the group until child #1 was returned to the group by staff #4. 3. Staff reported that the fence gate was in need of repair for at least 30 days prior to child #1 exiting the play area. Staff reported that management was made aware of needed repairs.
Plan of Correction:	"On Wednesday, August 21st one of our toddler students walked from one enclosed playground to another through a small opening in the gate separating the two playgrounds while outside with the class. The child was met by another teacher. The child was then escorted inside and returned to the appropriate class. The small opening in the gate was reported to maintenance immediately and repaired. Additional planned renovations began the following week to replace all fencing and gates surrounding the playgrounds."
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-F
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interview, the center did not ensure that children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On August 21, 2019, child #1 (date of birth 1/17/2018) left the toddler and two's outside play area unsupervised and proceeded around part of the building; staff responsible for supervising child #1 were unaware the child left the play area. 2. Staff #1, #3 and #4 responsible for supervision to the toddler and two's outside play area did not provide direct sight supervision. A staff member assigned to supervise another grouping of children was the first person to find child #1 alone and unsupervised on the outside preschool play area.
Plan of Correction:	"On Wednesday, August 21st one of our toddler students walked from one enclosed playground to another through a small opening in the gate separating the two playgrounds while outside with the class. The child was met by another teacher. The child was then escorted inside and returned to the appropriate class. The small opening in the gate was reported to maintenance immediately and repaired. Additional planned renovations began the following week to replace all fencing and gates surrounding the playgrounds."