VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Little Steps Academy, LLC.
7934 Glade Road
Norfolk, VA 23518
(757) 351-0688

Current Inspector: Adrianna Walden (757) 404-2487

Inspection Date: Dec. 15, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

Technical Assistance was given, and licensing standards were reviewed regarding areas of physical plant, emergency evacuation log, injury reports, and cribs and mats.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on December 15, 2023. The inspector arrived at 8:15am and departed at approximately 10:15am. There were 28 children present and 6 staff members. A sample size of 11 records were reviewed which included 5 children?s records and 6 staff records. The Inspector observed staff and children?s interactions throughout the inspection. Children were observed during early arrival to the center, group activity, free play, and morning snack. First aid kits and emergency preparedness documents were observed. No medications are administered at the center. Transportation is not provided at the center. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented. The violations are listed on the violation notice issued to the center and were reviewed with the Owner at the exit interview.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Description:	Based on record review and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that all employees shall undergo a background check in accordance with subsection B every five years thereafter. Evidence: 1. In reviewing staff records, Staff #2 has an expired background checks that expired August 16, 2023. 2. Staff #1, the owner, confirmed that Staff #2 has an expired background check.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: The center will obtain the criminal background check for Staff #2 and will send a copy of the results to DOE within 10 business days. The copy will also be in the staff member?s record.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-140-A
Description:	Based on record review and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that each child shall have a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician before the child's attendance or within 30 days after the first day of attendance. Evidence: 1. Three of the five children?s records reviewed did not have physical examinations in their record. a. Child #1 (date of enrollment 10/18/2022) did not have documentation of a physical; b. Child #2 (date of enrollment 11/22/2021) did not have documentation of a physical; c. Child #3 (date of enrollment 1/03/2023) did not have documentation of a physical. 2. Staff #2, program director, confirmed that the physical examinations were missing from the records of Child #1, Child #2, and Child #3.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: The center will obtain physical examinations for Child #1, Child #2, and Child #3 and review files to ensure that physical examinations are in all records.