VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Niko's Playworld
405 Lee Highlands Boulevard
Virginia beach, VA 23452
(757) 498-5437

Current Inspector: Arlene Agustin (804) 629-7519

Inspection Date: Feb. 6, 2024

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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

A monitoring inspection was conducted on February 6, 2024, as a result of a self-report received in the licensing office on December 8, 2023, regarding the care and protection of children. Interviews were conducted with staff members, records reviewed and observations of the program were made relating to the self report. The evidence gathered during the inspection did determine non-compliance with standards or laws with regards to supervision and the care and protection of children. Violations were documented and are listed on the violation notice discussed with the director at the exit interview.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-C
Description:	Based on record review and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that at least every two years from the date of the initial screening or testing, staff members shall obtain and submit the results of a follow-up tuberculosis screening. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 has an expired tuberculosis test with the most recent testing date of October 21, 2021. 2. Staff #2 confirmed that their tuberculosis test was last conducted on October 21, 2021, and that their test was expired.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: The center will have Staff #2 complete a new tuberculosis test or screening this week and place the results in their staff record.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center failed to ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 confirmed sitting in the doorway of their classroom holding a hot glue gun that was turned on and hot, while trying to console a 3 year old child from crying. While sitting in the doorway, Child #1 walked towards Staff #2 in which Child #1 obtaining an injury from the hot glue gun to their eye. 2. Staff #2 was using a hot glue gun while supervising 10 children from the ages of 2 to 3 years old alone which resulted in Child #1 walking into the hot glue gun causing the serious injury to their eye. The child was taken to the Emergency room by the parent. 3. The staff member confirmed that there were 10 children from the ages of 2 to 3 years old that were in their classroom without an assistant. The staff member confirmed that they were out of ratio as the staff to child ratio is one staff member to eight children. 4. Staff #1, the new Director, confirmed that in reviewing the evidence from the day of the incident, the class was out of ratio with one staff member and ten children from the ages of 2 years old to 3 years old. Staff #1 confirmed that this incident could have been prevented with the correct number of staff members.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: The center will no longer allow the use of hot glue guns or laminators in the classroom at any given time. That is now a center policy and was effective immediately as of December 7, 2023. The center will always ensure that the staff to children ratio is in compliance at all times.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-3
Description:	Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that the staff-to-children ratios of 1:8 (staff: children) for 2 year old children are required whenever children are in care. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 confirmed that on the date of the incident, December 7, 2023, they were in the classroom alone with 10 children from ages 2 years old to 3 years old. 2. The teacher assistant assigned to the classroom was not physically in the classroom at the time of the incident but was throughout the entire building serving breakfast. 3. The Injury report written on December 7, 2023, and signed by the director and parent reported that there were 10 students from the ages of 2-3 years old in the classroom and Staff #2 was the only staff member present at the time of the injury.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Since that incident, there is a new Director at the center and they will ensure that especially in the mornings and all throughout the day, the staff to children ratio for each classroom is in compliance with the standards. The new Director continues to monitor ratios at all times and assists teachers and staff members when they need to be out of the classroom. Director has made additional postings in each classroom to ensure that the staff to children ratios are written down and who is present in the classroom with the children. The new Director has notified the licensing inspector when they had to turn down children due to staff shortage.