VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Children's School Inc.
4770 Langston Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 462-5180

Current Inspector: Pamela Sneed (804) 629-2691

Inspection Date: March 7, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

Reviewed mandated reporting requirements and who is considered a mandated reporter.

Comments:

Conducted a joint investigation, with a local agency, into a self-reported incident concerning the care of children. Interviews conducted, records reviewed and observations made. There is a preponderance of evidence to support the reported concerns and therefore this investigation has been deemed to be valid. Areas of non-compliance with standards and laws reviewed were found. Questions about this inspection may be directed to pamela.sneed@doe.virginia.gov Note: The licensee should submthe plan of corrections within 5 business days of receipt of this report for the plans to be included and posted on the VDOE website.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.011-F
Description:	Repeat violation. Based on observations made, the findings from the most recent inspection were not posted on the licensed premises. Evidence: The violation notice from the 12/20/23 inspection was not posted.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Description:	Repeat violation. Based on records reviewed, 2 of 3 staff records did not include required background checks every 5 years. Evidence: 1. The most recent criminal record check for Staff #1 was dated 4/18/18. 2. The most recent criminal record check for Staff #2 was dated 4/19/18; and the most recent sworn disclosure statement was dated 10/18/17.
Plan of Correction:	Conduct an audit of all staff records to verify that all background checks have been completed. Record all background check dates in the Staff Information spreadsheet
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	Based on records reviewed, 1 of 3 staff records did not include required out-of-state background checks within the first 30-days of employment. Evidence: There was no out-of-state criminal record check and central registry search for Staff #3 who began employment on 2/5/24, and as of the date of this investigation not initiated.
Plan of Correction:	Staff member #3 has completed their Central registry investigation and TCS has filed paperwork for out-of-state background checks. Moving forward, we will conduct all out-of-state background checks within the first thirty days of employment for each staff member
Standard #:	63.2-1509-A
Description:	Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, teachers and other persons employed by the child day program did not report incidents of potential child abuse, prior to 3/6/24, that occurred in the last year and for a period of up to 15 years. [63.2-1509-A.5] Evidence: 1. Staff and board members that were witnessing or being told of yelling, rough handling and other potential child abuse in a 2 year-old classroom in the last year did not report these incidents to child protective services. 2. While Board members were aware of the October 2023 incident and instructed the previous director to address the reported concerns with Staff #1, no report was made to child protective services. 3. Multiple teachers interviewed reported telling the previous Director of concerns about how Staff #1 yelled at and roughly handled children over a period of up to 15 years, though there is no evidence of further reporting to child protective services. One staff person reported working directly with Staff #1 and reporting concerns of rough handling of children over a period of 15 years to the previous Director; while another staff person employed for over 6 years and working directly with Staff #1 said she reported concerns of rough handling of children to the previous Director. Both said after making many reports and no actions being taken, they stopped reporting. 4. According to the current "Reporting Child Abuse" school policy, staff are to immediately report all suspected child abuse/neglect to members of the management team, who in turn are required to report to the "proper authorities."
Plan of Correction:	Training: ? All staff must complete Mandated Reporter Training by May 6, 2024. ? Clear guidelines and reporting protocols have been distributed to all staff members. Support System: ? We will continue to uphold our open-door policy for all staff members, board members, and parents. Schedule for Action: ? Schedule quarterly training, policy updates, and communication strategies regarding mandated reporting. Documentation and Reporting: ? The Interim Director, Assistant Director, and Office Manager will keep detailed records of all training sessions, policy updates, and communications. ? Any risks will be discussed with the board as needed, including during monthly board meetings.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-C-2
Description:	Repeat violation and systemic deficiency. Based on records reviewed, 1 of 3 staff records did not include a central registry search within the first 30-days of employment. Evidence: There was no documentation of a central registry search for Staff #3 who began employment on 2/5/24.
Plan of Correction:	The administrative team will ensure that all central registry background checks are completed within thirty (30) days of employment
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-A
Description:	Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, staff in one of the 2 year-old classrooms did not interact with the children and one another in a manner that promoted the children's well-being and growth, or provide needed help, comfort and support. Evidence: 1. 0n 3/6/24, Staff #1 and Staff #2 engaged in a verbal altercation and were observed by multiple other staff yelling at one another in front of children in a 2 year-old classroom. 2. Following the 3/6/24 incidents, management reported having an immediate meeting with Staff #1 to discuss "multiple incidents" as reported by staff and parents. 3. In an email to the Board in March 2024, a parent expressed concerns about Staff #1 and how she verbally interacts with children. The email described a recent incident , observed by another staff person, of Staff #1 yelling at a child for waving to their sibling through the classroom window because it caused the sibling (in Staff #1's class) to cry. 4. In the Fall of 2023, a parent observed Staff #1 yell in an "angry" tone at a child for leaving the classroom door open as they arrived to the room with their parent. 5. Since August 2023 and to-date, another witness reported hearing Staff #1 yelling at children "don't do that" and "stop that" often. The witness said they could hear Staff #1 yelling from the hallway when the classroom door was shut. 6. In February 2024, other parents reported an incident to the previous Director and to the Board where Staff #1 told a 2 year-old child to kick the wall instead of kicking others. Written communications about the incident were documented in the school's childcare management software system. 7. Multiple staff and parents interviewed said they observed Staff #1 yelling at children over a period of years in a "harsh and mean" tone of voice that often left children crying. In addition, they said they observed Staff #1 calling a co-worker in the classroom names such as "stupid" while they were working together. 8. Staff #1 stated she would yell at children if she thought it was a safety issue.
Plan of Correction:	Staff Training: ? We held a mandatory training session on March 17th to discuss and review the behavioral guidance standards outlined in the Virginia Standards for Licensed Childcare Centers. ? We have scheduled a Conscious Discipline Training on July 3rd to encourage a positive climate that values diversity and provides emotional support to staff and to all children under our care. Documentation: ? We are keeping detailed records of staff training sessions, including dates, topics covered, and attendance. ? Document instances of behavioral guidance to track the application of policies and techniques. Monitoring and Evaluation: ? Schedule monthly evaluations to assess the effectiveness of behavioral guidance practices using Conscious Discipline and CLASS assessment guidelines.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, rough handling and restricting movement of a child occurred on an ongoing basis in a 2 year-old classroom. Evidence: 1. On 3/6/24, there was an incident of Staff #1 yelling at and roughly handling a child as a result of the child "dumping books on the floor." Staff #1 yelled at and grabbed Child #1 under the arms, roughly lifting and placing the child into a sitting position resulting in the child crying. This was described by management as Staff #1 "forcibly moving" the child "with undue force." 2. On 3/6/24, minutes after the first incident, there was a 2nd incident of Child #1 being roughly handled by another staff person. Staff #2 grabbed Child #1 by the arms and roughly lifted and placed the child into a sitting position resulting in the child crying. Staff #2 did this as a "demonstration" to management of what Staff #1 had just done to Child #1. 3. On 3/5/24, a parent reported to center management an incident of Staff #1 "roughly grabbing a child by the wrist" as a result of the 2 year-old child not listening to directions. The parent learned of the incident from a staff person that witnessed the incident. 4. Between October 2023-February 2024, staff and parents interviewed reported incidents to the previous Director of a child "struggling to nap" where Staff #1 buckled Child #2 into a chair facing a wall for the nap period. 5. On 10/27/23, disciplinary actions were documented, issued, and signed by Staff #1 for "inappropriate discipline methods, yelling at children and physical handling" of children however, Staff #1 continued working in a direct-care role in the 2 year-old classroom. 6. In June 2023, there was an incident reported that a child was "bothering others and taking toys from others" and Staff #1 stated she responded by buckling the child into a chair as punishment. 7. In the summer of 2023, parents reported an incident to the previous Director where Staff #1 told a 2 year-old child to pull the hair of others in response to the child's hair being pulled. 8. Witnesses and involved parties interviewed during the course of this investigation reported repetitive and ongoing actions including confinement to chairs, yelling at and rough handling of children (grabbing, lifting, pulling) in this classroom by Staff #1 (who was employed since 1979) as an ongoing concern. One staff stated she has worked directly with Staff #1 and recalled concerns for approximately 15 years; while another staff person working at the school for over 20 years recalled concerns of inappropriate conduct with the children for years. Those interviewed said they reported the incidents to the previous Director though no apparent actions were taken and Staff #1 remained in the classroom.
Plan of Correction:	Training and Education: ? Staff Member #1 has been terminated. Staff member #2 is on a performance improvement plan. Our next check-in date ? The Interim Director and Assistant Director reviewed prohibited actions in accordance with section 22 VAC40-185-410 during TCS? bi-weekly staff meeting for Assistant Teachers and Lead Teachers on April 25, 2024. ? All staff must complete Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognition And Reporting Training through CCWA by May 6, 2024. ? Conscious Discipline Training is scheduled for July 3rd to promote a positive climate where children are emotionally supported, respected, and regarded. Supervision and Monitoring: ? The Interim Director and Assistant Director will supervise employees and implement corrective actions for any deviations. Documentation: ? The administrative team will keep records of staff training sessions on behavior management. ? Incidents will be documented along with steps taken to address them by the Interim Director and Assistant Director. Parent Communication: ? The administrative team will encourage open communication with parents on behavioral guidance practices through our weekly newsletter, by providing time for parent-teacher conferences and bringing in facilitators for parent and teacher workshops. Timeline: ? The Interim Director and Assistant Director will immediately implement corrective actions upon violation identification. ? The Interim Director and Assistant Director will provide ongoing monitoring and reinforcement as part of routine operations by the Interim Director and Assistant Director.