VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Cottage School
3601 Seminary Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 310-8917

Current Inspector: Heather Dapper (804) 625-2304

Inspection Date: Jan. 12, 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. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 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:

n/a

Comments:

An unannounced focused inspection was conducted on January 12, 2024 at approximately 11:00 AM. There were infant to preschool children present in the center, with seven staff supervising. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision, programming, medication, special care and emergencies and nutrition. A total of five child records and five staff records were reviewed. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Please complete the plan of correction and the date to be corrected for each violation listed on the violation notice and return it to the department within 5 business days from receipt. Your plan of correction should contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard(s); 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again; and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measures. Please do not use staff names, list staff by positions only. Heather Dapper Licensing Inspector Office of Child Care Health and Safety Division of Early Childhood Care and Education Phone # (804) 625-2304 heather.dapper@doe.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-2
Description:	Based on a review of staff records and interview, the center did not ensure staff had the satisfactory results of the fingerprint-based national criminal background check prior to employment. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #2 (employed: 8/14/23) had fingerprint results dated 8/25/23. record for 2. The record for staff #4 (employed: 01/02/24) did not contain the results of the fingerprint-based national criminal background check.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-B
Description:	Based on record review and interview, the center did not ensure one of two staff records had documentation of a completed sworn statement or affirmation prior to the first day of employment. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #1 (employed: 8/14/23) had documentation of a completed sworn statement or affirmation dated 1/11/24. 2. A member of management stated that staff # 1did not complete a sworn statement prior to hire.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-A
Description:	Based on review of records and interview, the center did not ensure that each staff member shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening (TB) at the time of employment and prior to coming in contact with children. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 (employed: 8/14/23) had documentation of a TB screening on 11/08/22. The record for staff #3 (employed: 9/12/23) had documentation of a TB screening on 1/27/23.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	Based on a review of children's records, the center did not ensure that each record contains all required information. Evidence: The records for child #1 (enrolled: 9/08/23), child #2 (enrolled: 10/20/23), child #3 (enrolled: 10/13/23), child #4 (enrolled: 8/07/23), and child #5 (enrolled: 8/14/23) did not contain documentation of viewing proof of the child's identity and age.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not ensure that each staff record contains all required information. Evidence: The records for staff #3 (employed: 9/12/23) and staff #4 (employed: 1/02/24) did not contain documentation of two or more references before employment.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-210-A
Description:	Based on record review, the center failed to ensure that program leaders shall meet all the required qualifications. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 (employed: 8/14/23) did not have documentation on file to demonstrate program leader qualifications.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-360-A
Description:	Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that the variety of daily activities for all age groups shall be age and stage appropriate and provide opportunities for teacher-directed, self-directed, and self-chosen tasks and activities; a balance of active and quiet activities; individual and group activities; and curiosity and exploration. Evidence: There were jingle bells tied to piece of fabric in the infant classroom. One infant had one of the jingle bells in their mouth. The jingle bells were one inch in diameter posing a choking hazard.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.