VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Primrose School of Virginia Beach South
1989 Fisher Arch
Virginia beach, VA 23456
(757) 721-2200

Current Inspector: Emily Walsh (757) 404-2575

Inspection Date: April 26, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.

Comments:

A monitoring inspection was begun on 04/26/2023 and continued on 5/22/2023 in response to a self-reported incident. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration and staffing and supervision. The inspection included review of documentation and video footage, observation and interviews. One staff record was reviewed. Information gathered during the inspections and investigation determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based upon review of video footage, the facility has not ensured that the center?s activities are maintained in compliance with the center?s own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. The facility?s Balanced Fun Playground Policy states that staff will ?station yourself on the playground where children can be seen at any angle? and ?circulate on the playground for better supervision from different angles?. 2. Video footage of afternoon playground time on 4/17/2023, showed that staff 1 stayed by the picnic table near the classroom doors for the duration of afternoon playground time with the exception of one time when she walked to the climbing structure.
Plan of Correction:	The facility responded with the following: We have retrained all staff on our playground policies.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based upon review of video footage and interviews, the facility has not ensured that when staff are supervising children, they always ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1. A review of video footage (between 16:03 PM and 16:47 PM on 4/17/2023) of playground time for thirteen four year old children revealed that staff 1, on duty by herself, did not circulate around the playground to ensure adequate supervision of all areas. Staff 1 remained by the picnic table near the classroom doors, allowing for two areas of the playground (behind a fence and around the back corner of the building) for which she could not see nor hear the children to intervene if needed. 2. Three children (four years old) were observed going behind the fenced area where staff 1 could not supervise from her vantage point by the picnic table. All three children reported engaging in inappropriate interaction with each other while out of the view of staff 1.
Plan of Correction:	The facility responded with the following: While the staff member was stationary and the fence line provided poor sight lines, she could hear the students. However, we have adjusted the fence line and re trained staff for improved playground supervision.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based upon review of video footage, the facility has not ensured that child under ten years of age are always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: Video footage of 4/17/2023 between 16:03 PM and 16:47 PM, revealed that there was a total of eighteen minutes during which children were not within sight or sound supervision of staff 1. The children were observed going behind the fenced area and behind the building where they were out of sight and sound supervision of staff 1 who remained by the picnic table near the classroom door.
Plan of Correction:	The facility responded with the following: While the staff member was stationary and the fence line provided poor sight lines, she could hear the students. However, we have adjusted the fence line and re trained staff for improved playground supervision.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-4
Description:	Based upon video footage, review of documentation and staff interview, the facility did not ensure that there is one staff person for every ten children between the ages of 3 years and eligibility for school. Evidence: 1. Video footage revealed that on the afternoon of 4/17/2023, there were 13 four year old children in care on the playground with one staff person (staff 1). 2. Administrative staff confirmed the 13:1 child:staff ratio evidenced on the video. 3. Attendance documentation confirmed the 13 four year old children in care on the afternoon of 4/17/2023.
Plan of Correction:	The facility responded with the following: We were utilizing in good faith the mixed balanced ratio of 1:14. Through guidance in our meeting we understand its purpose and function as 1:10 at all times.