VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

I'm A Genius Montessori Academy
29 Morton Avenue
Petersburg, VA 23805
(757) 705-2598

Current Inspector: Susan Ellington-Sconiers (804) 588-2368

Inspection Date: March 4, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 PHYSICAL PLANT. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL CARE PROVISIONS AND EMERGENCIES. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191)

Comments:

05/02/2019-The Violation Notice was amended as a result of a first step review. An unannounced monitoring inspection was completed on March 4, 2019 from approximately 10:15a.m. to 1:15p.m. There were twenty-three children in care during the inspection. Staff and children, ages infant to four years old, were observed in three classrooms. Children and staff were observed engaging in activities to include structured learning time, free play, arrival, toileting, hand washing and preparing for lunch. Children?s equipment, learning materials, indoor space, restrooms and the first aid and emergency supplies were inspected. Five children?s records, five staff records, annual fire and health inspections, fire drill, shelter in place and lock down drill logs, daily health observation certifications, daily attendance, liability insurance policy, the emergency preparedness plan and required postings were reviewed. The were no injury reports to review. The Owner/Director was available for interview and the inspection and was present at the exit interview at which time inspection findings were reviewed and an Acknowledgement of Inspection form was signed and left with the licensee. There were seven citations for violations of the Standards. See the violation notice on the Department?s public web site for violations of the Standards.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-130-A
Description:	Based on a review of children?s records, the licensee failed to obtain an immunization record for a child before the child attended the center for two of five children. Evidence: 1. Child #3's record, enrolled on October 15, 2018, contained an immunization record dated October 24, 2018. Child #5?s record, enrolled on October 16, 2017, contained an immunization record dated November 8, 2017. Therefore these immunization records were not obtained before the children attended the center. 2. Administrator #1 acknowledged these immunization records were not obtained within the required time frame.
Plan of Correction:	The center will require immunization records before attendance.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-140-B
Description:	Based on a review of children?s records, the licensee failed to obtain a physical 12 months prior to attendance for children two years of age through five years of age for one of five children. Evidence: 1. Child #4, who was 2 years and 7 months of age upon enrollment, was enrolled on October 15, 2018. Child #4's record contained a physical dated May 26, 2017 and therefore not within the 12 months prior to attendance. 2. Administrator #1 acknowledged the physical was outdated.
Plan of Correction:	The center will ensure all physicals are in compliance with time frames.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on observation, review of the license and interview, the licensee failed to ensure that the center?s activities are maintained in compliance with the terms of the current license issued by the department. Evidence: 1. The center's license includes a stipulation that no more than 5 children under the age of 2 1/2 years may be present at any one time. 2. Six children were observed in the infant and toddler classroom. In an interview with Staff #3, she reported that the six children are ages fourteen to seventeen months old. Therefore, there were more than five children under the age of 2 1/2 present. 3. Administrator #1 acknowledged there were more than 5 children under the age of 2 1/2 present at the center.
Plan of Correction:	The the new student who is under 2 1/2 years old will be dismissed from the center.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-350-C
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the licensee failed to ensure that when children are regularly in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group. Evidence: 1. Upon arrival, Staff #3 was observed alone, in the infant and toddler classroom with six children, ages fourteen months to seventeen months old, when the applicable ratio was 1:4. Staff #2 was observed in a preschool classroom alone, with nine children, ages two to three years old when the applicable ratio was 1:8. 2. Administrator #1 acknowledged these two classrooms were out of ratio and reports this was due to the absence of a regular staff member that day.
Plan of Correction:	The center will hire teacher for newly added classroom to remedy ratio issue.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-430-B
Description:	Based on observation of classroom, the licensee failed to ensure that materials and equipment available shall be age and stage appropriate for the children. Evidence: 1. Several items to include dried beans, plastic button-like discs and plastic multicolored bears, less than approximately an inch in diameter and length, were observed in a preschool classroom of children, ages two to three years old, therefore creating a choking hazard for the children under the age of three years. 2. Administrator #1 acknowledged these materials were present and accessible to children under three years old.
Plan of Correction:	Students under 3yrs will be removed from the classroom to newly added classroom with no choking hazards.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-60-B
Description:	Based on a review of staff records, the licensee failed to obtain a sworn statement completed prior to the first day of employment for one of five staff. Evidence: 1. Staff #5's record, hired on December 3, 2018, contained a sworn disclosure statement dated December 15, 2018. 2. Administrator #1 acknowledged this was not completed before employment.
Plan of Correction:	Administrator will ensure newly hired staff completes sworn statement the day of hire.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-60-C-2
Description:	Based on a review of staff records, the licensee failed to obtain a central registry finding within 30 days of employment for one of five staff and employment was not discontinued. Evidence: 1. Staff #5's record, hired on December 3, 2018, contained a central registry finding dated January 11, 2019. 2. Administrator #1 acknowledged this was not obtained within 30 days of hire and that follow up to check on the findings has not been documented.
Plan of Correction:	If CPS background checks are not received in 30 days, Administrator will call and document why documentation has not been received.