VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Precious Pearls CCC for Children W/Special Needs
516 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757) 609-3138

Current Inspector: Heather Harrell (757) 334-4329

Inspection Date: March 9, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

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

Technical Assistance:

The following standards were discussed with the center owner during the investigation: 22 VAC 40-185-340 and 22 VAC 40-185-400.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A monitoring inspection was initiated on 3/2/21 and concluded on 5/31/21. A self-reported incident was received by the department regarding allegations in the area of supervision and was investigated jointly with the local agency. Interviews with staff and collaterals were conducted by telephone. Video footage, as well as documentation related to the incident, were also reviewed. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the self-report of non-compliance with standards or law and violations were issued in the areas of staffing and supervision.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Description:	Based on interviews and a review of video footage, it was determined that the center did not ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care and protection. Evidence: 1. On 3/2/21, child 1, age 4 years, left the center's playground area and ran across the street to a local primary school without staff knowledge. a. Video footage provided by the center shows child 1 leaving the playground through a gate and walking alone down the side porch of the center and through another open gate to the front of the center. Child 1 then walks down the steps of the center and runs through the parking lot across the street to a local primary school. 2. An individual unknown to the child (Individual 1) stated she observed several people standing in the street and waving their arms to slow down traffic. Individual 1 stated she then observed child 1 running in circles in a grassy area of the primary school next to the road. She stated she then knocked on the center's door and told them that she thinks one of their children is across the street at the primary school. Individual 1 stated that a staff person then ran outside and retrieved child 1 from across the street and brought him back to the center. 3. The parent of child 1 and center staff stated that child 1 is diagnosed with special needs and is non-verbal. 4. The center is located on a busy street across from a local primary school. At the time of the incident, the primary school was dismissing children for the day and cars were parking along the side of the street and in the parking lot for pick-up.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: All staff have been retrained on how to secure all gates with the bungee cords. All staff is never to leave the playground without notifying the Director or without another staff covering their position. Precious Pearls has also installed another secured privacy fence and another secured playground area for children who have exhibited Intermittent Explosive Disorder (runners).
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews and a review of video footage, the center did not ensure that children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. The center self-reported that on 3/2/21, child 1, age 4 years, left the center's playground area without staff knowledge and ran across the street to a local primary school. 2. Video footage provided by the center shows child 1 leaving the playground and walking alone on the side porch of the center. Child 1 goes through an open gate to the front porch of the center and then is seen running down the front steps to the parking lot and across the street to the primary school. 3. Staff 3 stated that she was inside the center when staff 2 radioed to her that child 1 had left the playground without staff supervision. Staff 3 stated at that same time, a woman came to the front door of the center to notify them that child 1 was across the street at the primary school. Staff 3 stated she went to the school and brought child 1 back to the center. 4. Child 1 was out of sight and sound supervision of center staff for approximately 5 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: All staff have been retrained on playground ratio policies and the proper way to secure the gates with bungee cords.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-350-C
Description:	Based on staff interviews and a review of video footage, it was determined that the center did not ensure that when children are regularly in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group. Evidence: 1. On 3/2/21, staff 1 and staff 2 were on the playground with a group of 13 children ranging in age from 4 years to 11 years. The number and ages of the children require two staff to be present at all times. a. Video footage provided by the center shows staff 1 leaving the playground and entering the center, resulting in staff 2 being left to supervise the 13 children by herself. Staff 2 was alone on the playground with the children for approximately 3 minutes before staff 1 returned. 2. Staff 1 confirmed that she she left the playground to bring a toy in to the center, leaving staff 2 to supervise the group of 13 children.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: All Precious Pearls staff are aware that there should always be two staff on the playground at all times and the gates should always be secured with bungee cords.