VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy #7143
1569 Mill Dam Road
Virginia beach, VA 23454
(757) 481-6078

Current Inspector: D'Nae Goodwin (757) 404-3063

Inspection Date: Feb. 18, 2020 and March 11, 2020

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. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures 63.2 Facilities & Programs.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff both on-site and using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A monitoring inspection was initiated on 2/14/20 and concluded on 6/30/20. A self-reported incident was received by the department regarding allegations in the area of behavior guidance. Interviews with staff were conducted both on-site and by telephone. Video footage, as well as documentation related to the incident, were also reviewed. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the self-report of non-compliance with standards or law and violations were issued in the areas of administration and programs.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on interviews, video footage and a review of the center's policies, the center failed to ensure that the operational responsibilities of the licensee shall ensure that the center's services are maintained in compliance with the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. Evidence: The center failed to follow their written policy for positive guidance and redirection as demonstrated by the following incident: 1. The center's policy for positive guidance and redirection states "No staff member is permitted to use physical, mental, or emotional punishment on any child or demean a child in our care in any way. Staff members are prohibited from using the following means of punishment or redirection on any child: a. hitting, shaking, biting, pinching, pulling, pushing, physical force or inflicting any other form of corporal punishment to hurt a child." The policy also states "Always interact at the child's level and do not attempt to lift/carry the child unless in immediate danger." a. On 2/11/20, child 1, age 1 year, was picked up off a table by staff 1 and lifted up into the air by one arm before being sat down on the floor. That same day, staff 2 hurriedly picked up child 1 under both arms to sit him on a chair but missed the chair and then quickly pulled him back up and sat him down on the chair. 2. Staff 3 (center director) confirmed that staff 1 and staff 2 did not follow the center's policy for positive guidance and redirection.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Staff 1 and 2 were retrained on February 13, 2020. Going forward, management will conduct classroom audits to ensure all aspects of operations are followed. District managers will ensure compliance through periodic inspections.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-400-B
Description:	Based on staff interviews and a review of video footage, the center did not ensure that behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. The center self-reported that a family member reported a concern that they witnessed a staff person "inappropriately handle" child 1, age 1 year, by lifting him off a table by one arm on 2/11/20 through the center's live camera system. 2. Video footage obtained of the incident shows child 1 climbing on a toddler table and reaching for another child's pacifier. Staff 1 takes child 1 by the upper right arm and quickly lifts him off the table into the air and sits him down on the carpet. 3. Staff 1 admitted that she picked up child 1 by one arm to get him off the table. She stated that things were moving very quickly in the classroom at that time, as it was just after nap, and they were trying to put up cots, get snack ready, change diapers and manage the children at the same time. 4. Approximately 20 seconds after the first incident, video footage shows child 1 standing by the table. Staff 2 comes over and picks up child 1 under both arms and hurriedly tries to sit him down in a chair but the child misses the seat and slides down on the floor. Staff 2 immediately pulls child 1 up and sits him in the chair and walks away. Staff 2 stated in an interview that it was a very busy time in the classroom and "a lot was going on". 5. Staff 3 (center director) confirmed that staff 1 and staff 2 did not demonstrate age and stage appropriate behavior guidance in the classroom.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Staff 1 and 2 were retrained on February 13, 2020. Going forward, management will conduct classroom audits to ensure all aspects of operations are followed. District managers will ensure compliance through periodic inspections