VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Unique Little Hands Inc.
3000 Godwin Boulevard
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 925-3708

Current Inspector: Melinda Popkin (757) 802-5281

Inspection Date: Dec. 8, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

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 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

Please ensure that staff keep classroom exit doors that lead directly outside securely closed at all times that children are in care. Please ensure that staff are supervising children through both sight and sound at all times and that they continuously move around the outdoor play space interacting with the children in order to maximize their visual supervision of children who are playing and moving around the playground.

Comments:

An unannounced complaint inspection was conducted onsite on 12/8/2023 from 12:15 pm to 1:10 pm and on 1/18/2024 from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm. in response to a complaint that was received in the licensing office on 11/20/2023 regarding alleged noncompliance in the areas of supervision, care and protection. Interviews were conducted with staff onsite and remotely via telephone. Documentation to include electronic messages, photographs, medical documents, incident reports, as well as written policies and procedures 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. Therefore, the complaint is determined as Valid.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, review of documentation and photographs, and inspection of the physical plant, staff did not always ensure the care, protection and guidance of the children in their care. Evidence: 1. Staff failed to ensure the care, and protection of a two and a half year old child (child#1) who was bitten twice while in care at the center on April 13, 2023. Child #1?s parent observed two large bruises on child #1?s left arm after picking up child #1 from the center on April 13, 2023. Child #1 was examined by a physician on April 14, 2023 and a written report was obtained confirming that the bruises on child #1?s arm were consistent with human bite marks. The staff who cared for child #1 on April 13, 2023 were unable to tell the parent the circumstances surrounding child #1 being bitten and stated that they were not aware that child #1 had been bitten. 2. Staff failed to ensure the care, and protection of three year old child (child#1) when child #1 was able to open the exit door leading from the classroom to the exterior of the center where a parking lot is located. On October 20, 2023 staff reported to child #1?s parents via the center?s digital communication application that she observed child #1 independently open the classroom door that leads directly outside. On 12/8/2023, the licensing inspector pushed the actual exit door without touching the crash-bar and the door opened. The door was not closed sufficiently to engage the latch that secures it closed. After re-closing the door tightly, the door would not open without engaging the crash-bar. On 1/18/2024 the licensing inspector pushed the actual exit door without touching the crash-bar and the door did not open. The program director stated that sometimes another class will exit through that door to take their group outside and may have engaged the deadbolt so that the door would not close completely and they could re-enter the building without the door being locked to them, outside. The program director demonstrated how this could have been done
Plan of Correction:	The following written plan of correction was submitted by the program: 1. During the staff meeting held on April 14,2023, supervisors reiterated the method of ?sight and sound?. Supervisors explained to staff scan and walk playground area to keep children safe. Supervisors also reiterated to do daily health checks on children throughout the day. 2. Supervisors will ensure all doors and closed completely. Upon going outside, deadbolts will no longer be used to prop doors open.