VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Braddock Baptist Church
6519 Braddock Road
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 750-2962

VDSS Contact: Pamela Sneed (804) 629-2691

Inspection Date: June 2, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures 22VAC40-191 Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies

Technical Assistance:

1.Discussed COVID health and safety practices. 2. It is unclear what the daily operating hours are, as the application states "5 hours" and no specific daily times. The staff handbook states 9:00am-2:00pm. Staff #2 stated operating hours to be 8:00am-3:00pm. [Note: The parent handbook references dates of operation in 2017-2018.] 3. Addressed the need for a consistent point of contact, so that communications do not include the inspector receiving texts, calls, and emails from multiple people. 4. During operating hours, staff should be such that someone is available to answer the telephone. On 6/1/21, the inspector called the preschool 3 times in an attempt to conduct this inspection, and each time got no answer. On 6/2/21, the inspector called 1 time in an attempt to conduct this inspection, got no answer, and approximately 10 minutes later, Staff #2 called the inspector back. 5. The preschool website states the preschool is "licensed" by Fairfax County however, this is not accurate. 6. The mandated reporting policy states that staff will report any suspected child abuse/neglect to the Director, who will collect information and report the suspicion however, staff should know that the law requires any staff person to report, and by telling the Director, they are not relieved of this responsibility. Additionally, staff should not "investigate" validity of the suspicion, simply report the details to the CPS Hotline. 7. Discussed with management the importance of not operating in a manner that is subject to adverse enforcement. 8. The enrollment paperwork for Child #1 indicated diagnosed allergies however, there was no written plan of how the staff will respond if such allergic reactions occur at school. Recommend the program obtain more information and develops an appropriate allergy response for the child.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by staff using an alternative remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. An on-site inspection of the facility was not conducted at this time however, a portion of the inspection included a virtual component which allowed the inspector to observe one classroom area. An unannounced code compliance monitoring inspection was conducted at 8:40ampm. The preschool was contacted by phone to initiate the inspection, and given a list of items required to complete the inspection. There were 4 children present with 1 staff person during the inspection. It was reported that the 2nd staff person arrives at 11:00am daily. The one classroom observed was sufficiently supplied with toys and equipment for children, and appeared clean and organized today. Children were playing with toys on the floor during the inspection. It was reported that there is currently no outside play area due to on-site construction. Information gathered during the inspection determined there were areas of non-compliances with applicable laws reviewed. Questions about this inspection may be directed to pamela.sneed@dss.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-C-2
Description:	Based on records reviewed and written correspondence with management, it was determined that there was no documentation that 2 of 3 preschool staff have completed background checks prior to the first day of employment. [Note: A 3rd staff person is within the first 30-days of employment, which allows a grace period for obtaining the CPS until 6/9/21.] Evidence: 1. Staff #1 - Date of hire was 8/26/19, and to-date there was not a completed Sworn Disclosure Statement (SDS), and a completed Central Registry Check (CPS) on-file. Management submitted to the inspector an incomplete CPS form that had been notarized on 5/23/21. 2. Staff #2 - Date of hire was 9/4/20, and to-date there was not a completed SDS, and a completed CPS on-file. Management submitted to the inspector an incomplete CPS form that had been notarized on 5/23/21.
Plan of Correction:	The identified staff will not continue to work in their hired positions, or provide care or supervision for children until background checks are completed. Completed background checks will be sent to the inspector for review. Moving forward, management will not allow any individual (staff or volunteer) to provide care to the children enrolled until background checks are completed.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1716-A
Description:	Based on records reviewed and written + verbal communications with management, it was determined that the preschool program is not in compliance with the provisions of this Code section. The Statement of Intent to operate a Religious Exempt Child Day Center, signed and dated by Staff #4 on 1/28/21, and received by VDSS on 2/3/21, indicated the preschool was operating in compliance with multiple requirements listed on the document however, these policies, procedures, and operations were found during the inspection to not be in compliance. [Note: Requirements cited in this Code section are not those cited elsewhere in this report.] Evidence: 1. Supervision and staffing practices were found to be inconsistent. The Statement of Intent (referenced above) indicate the preschool was implementing current ratio requirements (2020). The parent handbook stated ratios, regardless of age, were 1:10, Staff #2 told the inspector ratios were maintained at 1:10 however, ratio requirements changed in 2020 to vary with ages of children. 2. There was no documentation of written disclosure to parents/guardians of children enrolled regarding the religious exemption, qualifications of the preschool staff, the physical facilities, health requirements for the preschool staff, and disclosure of the public liability insurance. 3. There was no information provided as to how/when staff were trained to ensure they were able to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect.
Plan of Correction:	Management will review the Code of Virginia which applies to operating a Religious Exempt Child Day Center to ensure compliance in all areas of operations moving forward. Documentation of corrective actions taken will be forwarded to the inspector for review.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1716-A-4
Description:	Based on records reviewed and written communications with management, 1 of 3 preschool staff has not been certified by a practicing physician or physician assistant to be free from any disability which would prevent them from caring for children. Evidence: Staff #1, who was hired 8/26/19, had no medical documentation from a certified medical professional.
Plan of Correction:	All staff will be required to complete the health/medical evaluation and have documentation of such in their employee file.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1716-A-6
Description:	Based on records reviewed and written correspondence with management, there was no documentation that operational requirements were provided in writing to parents/guardians of children enrolled and to the general public. Evidence: There was no documentation of physical facilities, health requirements for staff, and notice of public liability insurance.
Plan of Correction:	Management will review the Code of Virginia which applies to operating a Religious Exempt Child Day Center to ensure compliance in all areas of operations moving forward. Documentation of corrective actions taken will be forwarded to the inspector for review.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1716-B-3
Description:	Based on records reviewed and written communications with management, it was determined that the preschool did not establish and implement required procedures. Evidence: 1. The center has not provided a daily health screening and exclusion of children by a staff person trained to perform such screenings. 2. Current preschool staff were hired between 8/26/19-5/10/21, and there was no documentation that any completed the required training.
Plan of Correction:	Management will review the Code of Virginia which applies to operating a Religious Exempt Child Day Center to ensure compliance in all areas of operations moving forward. Documentation of corrective actions taken will be forwarded to the inspector for review.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1716-B-5
Description:	Based on observations made, it was determined that management has not ensured that all areas of the premises accessible to children are free of obvious hazards. Evidence: Spray cleaning supplies were observed by the inspector to be accessible on the back of the toilet in a bathroom used by children.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will ensure that areas accessible to children are maintained in a safe manner, to include the storage of hazardous materials.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-B-2
Description:	Based on records reviewed and written correspondence with management, it was determined that there was no documentation that 3 of 3 preschool staff have completed background checks prior to the first day of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 - Date of hire was 8/26/19, and to-date a Criminal Record Check/fingerprinting (CRC) has not been completed. 2. Staff #2 - Date of hire was 9/4/20, and to-date a CRC has not been completed. 3. Staff #3 - Date of hire was 5/10/21, and to-date a CRC has not been completed. 4. Individual #1 told the inspector on 6/3/21, that management has not obtained the required information to initiate the fingerprinting process.
Plan of Correction:	The identified staff will not continue to work in their hired positions, or provide care or supervision for children until background checks are completed. Completed background checks will be sent to the inspector for review. Moving forward, management will not allow any individual (staff or volunteer) to provide care to the children enrolled until background checks are completed.