VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Fort Hunt Preschool
1909 Windmill Lane
Alexandria, VA 22307
(703) 768-7584

Current Inspector: Pamela Sneed (804) 629-2691

Inspection Date: April 23, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Technical Assistance:

1. Discussed new water lead testing requirements. 2. Reviewed length of time background checks are good after separation of employment/volunteering.

Comments:

Conducted an unannounced monitoring inspection at 10:52am. Observed 15 children + 3 direct-care staff + 1 parent volunteer. Ratios and supervision were in compliance. Children were observed having active outdoor play, washing hands, eating snack and departing for the day. Staff were actively engaged with the children and activities. The program areas were found to be clean and well supplied with toys and equipment for the children. 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 submit the plan of corrections within 5 business days of receipt of this report for the plans to be included in the report and posted on the VDOE website.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	Repeat violation. Based on records reviewed, 1 of 3 staff records did not include a required out-of-state background check. Evidence: The record for Staff #1 did not include an out-of-state child abuse and neglect central registry search by the end of the 30th day of employment. Staff #1 was hired 8/15/23 and to-date the background check has not been completed.
Plan of Correction:	Plan for Correction for the background check: Will call Maryland to try to find out the reason for the delay. May have to resubmit.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on observations made, and interviews conducted areas of the center have not been maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. The support structure of a wooden footbridge, located on the outside play area, was found to be rotten, cracked and splintered. A staff person was walking on the bridge when a top board popped out of the support structure exposing sharp screws. The inspector was able to lift a top board out of the support structure easily by hand. The board would not remain secured to the support structure due to the rotting wood underneath which it should be screwed into. [Refer to photos #1 and #2 for conditions of footbridge.] 2. 4 of 7 exterior building doors were found to be rotted, splintered, cracked, having deteriorating wood that crumbled to the touch, having holes where the sunlight could be seen through, sharp and rusted metal edges were exposed on a lower kick plate on one door, while another door was being held together with duct tape at the bottom. [ 3. Staff reported that 2 of the 4 doors no longer remain securely locked due to the deteriorating conditions. When there is a change in the indoor air pressure the doors will open, and at times have been found to be unexplainably open. 4. In addition, flaking paint was observed on the doors found to be unsafe. 5. Much of the doors with flaking paint, rot and unsafe conditions are at lower levels and within reach of the children. [Refer to photos #3, #4, #5,and #6 for conditions to exterior doors.]
Plan of Correction:	Plan for Correction for the doors: The door maintenance issue has been reported to the landlord, Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, many times over the past 18 months. The recent violation related to door maintenance has also been reported to the landlord, and Fort Hunt has asked again that the landlord repair the doors. This maintenance issue is also part of a pending lawsuit. Plan for Correction for the bridge: A new maintenance request has been issued to the landlord and the recent violation has been reported with the maintenance request.