VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

SACC at Armstrong
11900 Lake Newport Road
Reston, VA 20194
(703) 618-7653

Current Inspector: Derek Acosta (703) 554-4995

Inspection Date: April 9, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 PHYSICAL PLANT. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL CARE PROVISIONS AND EMERGENCIES. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 63.2 Facilities & Programs.

Technical Assistance:

Technical Assistance was offered to ensure that all children are accounted for during transitions and to improve communication between staff while on the playground.

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted from 10:10am to 12:35pm in response to a self reported incident that occurred on 4-3-19. The inspection was conducted jointly with a representative from a local agency. The incident was related to a 6 year old child left out of sight and sound supervision. 1 child and 4 staff members were interviewed. The school's indoor gym and the playground were inspected. Based on the preponderance of evidence, violations were cited. For any questions regarding this inspection, please contact me at 571-835-4718 or mahrukh.aziz@dss.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on record review and staff interviews, the center did not follow their own policies and procedures required by the licensing standards. Evidence: 1. The center?s General Safety Rules state that ?Children must be accompanied by teacher at all times? and the 'Center Safety and Accountability Plan' is in place to account for all children at all times." 2. On 4/3/19, a child was not accompanied by a teacher at all times. At approximately 5:00pm, Staff # 1 took Child # 1 (6 years old), Child # 2 (8 years old) and Child # 3 (8 years old) through school entrance # 5 to the elementary school?s gym to use the bathroom and drink water. Staff # 1 stood at the entrance with the door open. 3. Staff # 1 stated that at approximately 5:10pm, she got distracted as Child # 4 was running out of the playground and into the parking lot. During this time, Child # 2 and Child # 3 ran out of the gym back to the playground. Staff # 1 thought all three children ran out, and did not check the gym to ensure that no one was left behind, closed the door and went to the playground. Child # 1 was left unaccompanied by staff in the elementary school's gym.
Plan of Correction:	All center staff will follow SACC policies and procedures at all times, including implementing the center safety and accountability plan and passport system. Each step of the safety and accountability system including checklists and passports will be consistently implemented.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Description:	Based on staff and child interviews, staff supervising children did not always ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1. On 4/3/19, center staff did not ensure care, protection and guidance for Child # 1 for approximately 45 minutes. 2. On 4/3/19, Staff # 1 and Staff # 2 took 21 children to the L-shaped playground outside of the school?s gym. Staff # 1 was supervising children on the blacktop and Staff # 2 was supervising children on the playground adjacent to the blacktop. 3. Staff # 1 stated that at approximately 5:00pm she took Child # 1(6 years old), Child # 2 (8 years old) and Child # 3 (8 years old) into the school?s gym to use the bathroom and drink water. 4. At approximately 5:10pm, Child # 2 and Child # 3 quickly ran out of the gym, going past Staff # 1 to the playground. Staff # 1 thought all three children ran out, closed the door and went to the playground behind them, not realizing that Child # 1 was left behind in the gym. 5. Child # 1 stated that after drinking water and using the bathroom, he was going to go outside but when he got to the gym door it was closed shut and locked. Child # 1 stated that from the gym he went to the music room, from there he walked towards a classroom where he heard some noise. At approximately 5:55pm Child # 1 found Witness # 1 in that room. Witness # 1 took Child # 1 to the SACC room to reunite with SACC staff.
Plan of Correction:	All center staff will ensure the care, protection and guidance of the children through consistent implementation of SACC's supervision procedures and safety and accountability plan. The center plan has been modified and the gym will no longer be used for bathroom and water breaks. Water will be taken outside and children will use the bathrooms in the SACC rooms.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-F
Description:	Based on staff and child interviews, the center did not always ensure that children under the age of 10 years were within actual sight and sound supervision. Evidence: 1. On 4/3/19, Child # 1 (6 years old) was left out of sight and sound supervision for approximately 45 minutes, in the elementary school?s gym after using the gym?s bathroom and water fountain. 2. Staff # 1 and Staff # 2 took 21 children to the L-shaped playground outside of the school?s gym. Staff # 1 was supervising children on the blacktop and Staff # 2 was supervising children on the playground adjacent to the blacktop. 3. Staff # 1 stated that at approximately 5:00pm she took Child # 1, Child # 2 (8 years old) and Child # 3 (8 years old) into the school?s gym to use the bathroom and drink water. 4. Staff # 1 stated that she stood at Entrance # 5, with the door open to the gym while Child # 1, Child # 2 and Child # 3 walked into the gym to first use the bathroom and then drink water from the water fountain. 5. The bathroom is located straight across from the gym door (entrance # 5) where Staff # 1 was standing. The water fountain is located around a small corner facing the other gym door that leads into the school building. The water fountain is not within sight of Entrance # 5. 6. At approximately 5:10pm, Child # 2 and Child # 3 quickly ran out of the gym, going past Staff # 1 to the playground. Staff # 1 stated that while she was waiting, she got distracted as she saw Child # 4 walking out of the unlocked fenced playground gate into the parking lot. Staff # 1 thought all three children ran out, closed the door and went to the playground behind them, not realizing that Child # 1 was left behind in the gym. 7. Staff # 1 and Staff # 2 stated that they did not realize that Child # 1 was not outside on the playground with them until Child # 1?s parent arrived and asked for him at approximately 5:35pm. 8. Staff # 3 stated that she was informed by Staff # 1 and Staff # 2 at approximately 5:45pm that Child # 1 was missing. 9. Child # 1 stated that after drinking water, he went to use the bathroom. Child # 1 stated that after using the bathroom he was going to go outside but when he got to the gym door it was closed shut and locked. Child # 1 stated that from the gym he went to the music room and sat for some time. Child # 1 stated that from there he walked towards a classroom where he heard some noise. Child # 1 found Witness # 1 in that room. 10. Witness # 1 stated that at approximately 5:55pm, while in a classroom with a colleague, she saw Child # 1 walking alone in the hallway. Witness # 1 stated that she walked Child # 1 through the school?s cafeteria to the SACC room. When they arrived to the SACC room, Witness # 1 met with a SACC staff member who was looking for Child # 1. Child # 1 was then handed over to the SACC staff and the child?s parent.
Plan of Correction:	All center staff will ensure children under 10 are within sight and sound supervision at all times. Based on feedback from staff, regional supervisors and licensing inspector, modifications have been made specifically to the center's safety and accountability plan, and all staff have received training on the new procedures. Specific modifications include: Water will be taken outside, the gym will no longer be used for the bathroom - instead a roving staff will accompany children to the SACC room bathroom, the latch will be put down for the gate to the parking lot, staff were retrained on the use of passports and the accountability checklist. (Date corrected 4/22/19). Center staff will received additional training in child supervision and center safety and accountability procedures at the beginning of the school year.