VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Goddard School (East Gate)
43655 Tall Cedars Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20152
(703) 542-8474

Current Inspector: Stacy Doyle (571) 835-0386

Inspection Date: Dec. 5, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION.

Comments:

The licensing inspector conducted a joint investigation with a local agency in response to a self reported incident regarding a two year old child found unsupervised on the playground on December 3, 2019. The center's video recording was reviewed, interviews were conducted with staff, and staff and child records reviewed. The information gathered during this investigation supports violations being cited that were discussed with the center director. If you have any questions, please contact me at Stacy.Doyle@dss.virginia.gov or 571-835-0386.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on observation of the center?s video recordings and staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that the center's activities and services were maintained in compliance with the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. Evidence: 1. The Center?s ?Procedures for Moving from Indoor location to Outdoor location, and from Outdoor location to Indoor location? states the following: ?Scenarios: Classroom to Playground; Playground to Classroom (does not apply to Preschool 1 going to/from the big playground) 1. Refresh Tadpoles (pull the page down) before leaving your location. Refresh your screen frequently throughout the day so attendance is always accurate. 2. Before you leave the location, call the children by name to line up. Do a HEADCOUNT and verify your headcount with your co-teacher (if working alone, a HEADCOUNT is still required). 3. Now you may MOVE class in Tadpoles: Look at each child, say their name aloud, click on each child?s picture to move each child in Tadpoles to the new location as they cross the threshold. 4. Instruct the children to line up as soon as they get inside. 5. Do a HEADCOUNT and verify your headcount with your co-teacher (if working alone, a headcount is still required). Do not shut the door until this is done. To return to classroom, follow the same procedures.? 2. On 12/03/2019 at approximately 9:13 am (video time stamp), Staff #1 and Staff #2 transitioned their class of nine 2-year-old children from the enclosed playground to inside. The staff did not follow the center?s procedures for accounting for children at all times, and Child #1 (2 years) was left outside, alone and unsupervised, on the enclosed playground for approximately 7 minutes. 3. Staff #1 stated she did not line up the children once they got inside from the enclosed playground, and that she did not do another headcount once the children got back inside before closing the door.
Plan of Correction:	Our staff were retrained on our procedures for maintaining sight and sound supervision and our procedures for headcounts and name-to-face verification on 12/09/2019.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Description:	Based on observation of the center?s video recordings and staff interviews conducted, while supervising children, staff failed to ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1. On 12/03/2019 at approximately 9:13 am (video time stamp), Staff #1 and Staff #2 left Child #1 (2 years old) on the enclosed playground while transitioning their group of nine 2-year-old children inside to the classroom. 2. Staff #1 and Staff #2 confirmed being unaware that Child #1 had been left behind and unsupervised until they heard a child cry on the enclosed playground. Staff #1 then opened the door to the outside and found Child #1 alone on the enclosed playground and crying. 3. Based on video footage, Staff #1 found Child #1 on the enclosed playground at approximately 9:20 am (time stamp). Child #1 was left alone and unsupervised on the enclosed playground for approximately 7 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was terminated on 12/04/2019. Our staff were retrained on our procedures for maintaining sight and sound supervision and our procedures for headcounts and name-to-face verification on 12/09/2019.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-F
Description:	Based on observation of the center's video recordings and staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that all children under 10 years of age were within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. The center's video footage documents that on 12/03/2019 at approximately 9:13am (time stamp), Child #1 (2 years old) was left behind on the enclosed playground while Staff #1 and Staff #2 transitioned their group of nine 2-year-old children inside to the classroom. At approximately 9:20 am (time stamp), Child #1 was found alone and unsupervised on the enclosed playground by Staff #1. Child #1 was not within actual sight and sound supervision for approximately 7 minutes. 2. Staff #1 stated that during the transition from the enclosed playground to the classroom, Staff #1 and Staff #2 lined up the 9 children to take them inside. She stated she checked everyone in Tadpoles and thought everyone was in. She stated, ?I thought I saw Child #1 come in with me, but I guess that didn?t happen.? Staff #1 stated she assisted children and proceeded to get children ready for snack, until she heard the child crying from outside. Staff #1 then ran to the door and brought Child #1 back in. 3. Staff #2 stated that during the transitions from the enclosed playground to the classroom, Staff #1 and Staff #2 lined up the nine children to take them inside. She stated she thought Child #1 was with the rest of the class. Staff #2 stated she then helped children take off their coats, wash hands and prepare for snack. She was unaware that Child #1 had been left alone until she heard the child crying near the classroom door outside.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was terminated on 12/04/2019. Our staff were retrained on our procedures for maintaining sight and sound supervision and our procedures for headcounts and name-to-face verification on 12/09/2019.