VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

KinderCare Learning Centers #000002
4616 Minor Lane
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703) 941-6424

Current Inspector: Alyssa Simons (571) 423-6392

Inspection Date: Aug. 26, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 8/26/19 in response to a self-reported incident regarding a child left unsupervised on the playground. Based on record review, staff interviews, and a review of CSR records, violations are noted on the Violation Notice. If you have any questions, please contact me at shahana.green@dss.virginia.gov .

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on record review and staff interview, the center failed to ensure that the operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include, but not be limited to, ensuring that the center's activities and services are maintained in compliance with these standards, the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. Evidence: 1. The Child Supervision Record (CSR) that all employees sign states; ?Name to face transitions-Utilized when moving between locations. Perform Name-to Face to start your transition (before leaving the location) and perform a second Name-to-Face to end the transition (once you have arrived at your final location), verifying all children made the transition. 2. Staff #1 was asked if a face to name count was conducted upon returning to the classroom, Staff #1 stated, ?No, my vision was blurry, I could not see.? 3. On 8/21/19, the CSR for the Discovery Preschool classroom indicated that the last headcount (prior to going inside from the playground) was conducted at approximately 5:00pm and signed off on by Staff #1 and Staff #3. After conducting the head count, Staff #3 left to relieve a staff member, leaving Staff #1 alone with the children on the playground. Staff #2 clocked in from a break at approximately 5:09pm and saw a man at the door. The man told her that a child was left alone on the playground. Staff #2 went through the center to get to the playground and found Child A (2 years old) sitting alone on the ground by the fence. Staff #2 picked Child A up and went inside to the infant classroom where the child?s parent was waiting. Child A was signed out at approximately 5:10pm.
Plan of Correction:	-Management will be retrained by corporate support on KinderCare policies and procedures related to supervision and transitions. - Each staff member will review and will be retrained on the supervision and sign a statement of understanding that will be placed in employees personnel file for review. (a) - Center management shall perform random unannounced supervision checks in classrooms at least twice a day and initial on the Child Supervision Record. (b) Staff will continue to perform visual name-of-face attendance at least every two hours and during large threshold transitions. (c) Teachers will use the Child Supervision Record (CSR) to account for children throughout the day. (d) Teachers will use transition activities or songs to keep children engage during transitions within the classroom or to other areas in the center (e) Teachers have been retrained that children will always be within sight and sound at all times, especially during outside and bathroom times. This includes how we zone/position ourselves within the classroom and playground to view all areas. (f) During a transition of teachers. The incoming teacher will do a name to face to verify the current amount of children in the classroom before the other teacher is allowed to clock out. - Center management will be conducting unannounced weekly classroom observations and providing feedback to teachers. Each staff member will be observed for at least 30 minutes a week and observations will be scheduled during transitions and other stressful times of the day, when children arrive, on and off the playground, during toileting, preparing children for rest time, and before and after meals. Copies of observations will be available for inspection in the center administrative office - Center will reach out to Virginia Quality to have TA support on classroom management/supervision practices and coaching within the classroom - Staffs involved were coached regarding incidents. Staffs involved have thus been terminated due to CPS findings/ previous write ups breaking policy.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Description:	Based on staff interviews conducted, staff supervising children did not always ensure their care and protection. Evidence: 1. On 8/21/19 Staff #1 left Child A (2 years old) outside on the playground unsupervised, for approximately 10 minutes after Staff #1 took the children inside the center. Staff #2 (from another room) found the child and brought the child inside. 2. Staff #2 was notified that there was a child left unattended by a man who was passing by and observed the child alone. When Staff #2 found the Child A alone on the playground, Child A was sitting on the ground by the fence with one shoe off and had a runny nose.
Plan of Correction:	- Management and Staff will go through Child Abuse and Neglect training during November?s Staff meeting. During this meeting we will discuss protection and care practices that support both the physical and emotional safety of children. - Ms. Casey will review our Teacher Standards of Excellence with everyone and have a focus on Child Advocacy and Relationships with Children. Teachers will be asked to sign commitments stating that as KinderCare employees they understand the companies promise to be child advocacy by everyone employed
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-F
Description:	Based upon multiple staff interviews, Child A (2 years old) was not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On 8/21/19, Child A was left unsupervised on the playground when the Discovery Preschool classroom went inside the center. A staff member from another room found the child after being notified by a man outside the school who observed that the child was unsupervised, after approximately 10 minutes (as determined by reviewing CSR records, interviewing staff, and reviewing staff time clock).
Plan of Correction:	-Management will be retrained by corporate support on KinderCare policies and procedures related to supervision and transitions. - Each staff member will review and will be retrained on the supervision and sign a statement of understanding that will be placed in employees personnel file for review. (a) - Center management shall perform random unannounced supervision checks in classrooms at least twice a day and initial on the Child Supervision Record. (b) Staff will continue to perform visual name-of-face attendance at least every two hours and during large threshold transitions. (c) Teachers will use the Child Supervision Record (CSR) to account for children throughout the day. (d) Teachers will use transition activities or songs to keep children engage during transitions within the classroom or to other areas in the center (e) Teachers have been retrained that children will always be within sight and sound at all times, especially during outside and bathroom times. This includes how we zone/position ourselves within the classroom and playground to view all areas. (f) During a transition of teachers. The incoming teacher will do a name to face to verify the current amount of children in the classroom before the other teacher is allowed to clock out. - Center management will be conducting unannounced weekly classroom observations and providing feedback to teachers. Each staff member will be observed for at least 30 minutes a week and observations will be scheduled during transitions and other stressful times of the day, when children arrive, on and off the playground, during toileting, preparing children for rest time, and before and after meals. Copies of observations will be available for inspection in the center administrative office - Center will reach out to Virginia Quality to have TA support on classroom management/supervision practices and coaching within the classroom - Staffs involved were coached regarding incidents. Staffs involved have thus been terminated due to CPS findings/ previous write ups breaking policy.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-B-3
Description:	Based upon review of staff records, no out of state child abuse and neglect search by the 30th day of employment was requested. Evidence: 1. Staff records (Sworn Statement & Virginia Central Registry background check) reviewed indicate that Staff #1 has lived out of the state of Virginia (in Washington D.C.) in the preceding 5 years, and no out of state child abuse and neglect results from Washington D.C. were obtained (Staff #1: DOH: 12/19/18).
Plan of Correction:	- A complete audit of files will be conducted by center management. To ensure that all backgrounds, CPS checks, and Adam Walshes are completed - Management will make sure to send Adam Walshes out prior to employee starting. - District management will do monthly check ins to monitor backgrounds and CPS checks are completed.