VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Pathways Early Learning Center LLC
364 Arbor Drive, NE
Christiansburg, VA 24073
(540) 381-2208

Current Inspector: Julia Kimbrough (804) 921-7596

Inspection Date: Feb. 17, 2021 , Feb. 19, 2021 , Feb. 22, 2021 and Feb. 24, 2021

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A complaint inspection was initiated on 02/17/2021 and concluded on 03/01/2021. Complaints were received by the department regarding allegations in the areas of staffing and supervision. The director was contacted by telephone to conduct the investigation. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the complaints of non-compliance with standards or law and violations were issued.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-350-E-1
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interviews and review of attendance records, the center failed to maintain staff-to-children ratio requirements for children from birth to the age of 16 months. Evidence: 1. The inspector interviewed staff #1. Staff #1 stated that on Tuesday, 02/16/2021, prior to 8:00am, there were two groups of children in care. Group one had five children in care with one staff for approximately ten minutes. The youngest child in group one was 10 months old. 2. The inspector reviewed the attendance record for Wednesday, 02/17/2021. The record listed 32 children in care. The record listed 20 children in care prior to 8:00am. 3. The inspector interviewed staff #1and staff #2. Staff #1 and staff #2 stated that on Wednesday, 02/17/2021, prior to 8:00am, there were 20 children in care in one group with two staff. The youngest child in this group was 10 months old. Staff #2 stated this occurred from approximately 7:40am to 8:00am. 4. The inspector interviewed staff #3. Staff #3 stated that on Wednesday, 02/17/2021, there were eight children in care with one staff from approximately 9:15am to 9:45am. The youngest child in this group was 10 months old. 5. For children from birth to the age of 16 months, the staff-to-children ratio is one staff member for every four children.
Plan of Correction:	We did have staffing problems on the 16th and 17th of February. We had staff who quit, two got fired and one was on medical leave. We hired new staff members. Three started already. We will schedule enough staff in for the early morning shift 3-4 teachers most of the week.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-350-E-3
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interviews and review of attendance records, the center failed to maintain staff-to-children ratio requirements for two-year-old children. Evidence: 1. The inspector reviewed the attendance record for Tuesday, 02/16/2021. The record listed 28 children in care. The record listed 21 children in care prior to 8:00am. 2. The inspector interviewed staff #4. Staff #4 stated that on Tuesday, 02/16/2021, prior to 8:00am, there were two groups of children in care. Group two had 16 children in care with one staff. Two additional children came into care in group two and there were 18 children in care with one staff for approximately 10 minutes. The youngest child in group two was two-years-old. 3. For two-year-old children, the staff-to-children ratio is one staff member for every eight children.
Plan of Correction:	We did have staffing problems on the 16th and 17th of February. We hired new staff members. Three started already. We will schedule enough staff in for the early morning shift 3-4 teachers most of the week. We will make sure younger kids are not with the older ones in the same group.