VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Salem Village Academy
7030 Bluefield Drive
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 785-2244

Current Inspector: Sharon Allen (540) 272-2941

Inspection Date: March 18, 2021 , March 19, 2021 and March 22, 2021

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL CARE PROVISIONS AND EMERGENCIES. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures

Technical Assistance:

Consultation was provided to the owner and director regarding requirements for reporting possible child abuse and serious injuries requiring medical care for a child.

Comments:

This investigation 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 investigation was initiated with a local agency and law enforcement on 3/18/21 and concluded on 3/22/21. The complaint was regarding allegations in the areas of: a forbidden action- rough handling of a child; incident reports; and failure to notify a parent immediately of a serious injury. Interviews were conducted and a staff record and other documentation were reviewed. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the allegation of a forbidden action- roughing handling of a child. The evidence did not support the allegations regarding incident reports and failure to notify a parent immediately of a serious injury. Violations not reported in the complaint but identified during the course of the investigation can be found on the violation notice. Please complete the "Plan of Correction" and "Date to Be Corrected" sections of the Violation Notice and return to me by 5:00pm on Friday, April 9, 2021. If you have questions regarding this investigation you may contact the Licensing Inspector, Laura Brindle, at laura.brindle@dss.virginia.gov or 540-905-2062.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on review of documentation and interviews, staff did not ensure the care, protection, and guidance of children in care. Evidence: 1. On 3/10/21 Child A received a dislocated elbow when they were pulled out of a "cradle" that had been placed on the playground for books. Interviews revealed that children were previously not using the toy appropriately- i.e. climbing in and out of the cradle repeatedly- but the cradle was not removed until after the incident where Child A was injured. 2. The current COVID-19 Phase III Guidance issued to daycares to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 states: Groups of children can play outside at the same time if they maintain social distancing of 6 feet apart and do not mix between groups. Interviews revealed that on 3/10/21, and multiple other occasions, the toddlers and 2-year-old classrooms both went onto the playground at the same time and the groups were allowed to intermix.
Plan of Correction:	Equipment was removed immediately following accident (3/10/21). A "Playground Safety Checklist" will be conducted daily to ensure all items/equipment on playground are safe and age appropriate. (4/8/21) Outdoor schedules reflect complete separation of groups without any overlapping time. (3/18/21)
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-410-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on review of documentation and interviews, it was determined that a staff member engaged in a forbidden action when they roughly handled a child in care. Evidence: At approximately 11:15am on 3/10/21 Staff 2 reported repeatedly yelling for Child A to climb out of a "cradle" that children were climbing in and out of on the playground. When Child A did not climb out, Staff 2 pulled Child A by the right arm out of the cradle and reported twisting the child a bit in order to place the child on the ground. Staff 2 and Staff 3 reported that Child A began to cry immediately. Staff 2 and Staff 3 reported that Staff 3 then told Staff 2, "Oh no, you must have pulled [the child's] arm out of socket again." Staff 3 took Child A to the office and the parents were called. Child A was diagnosed with a dislocated, "or nursemaid's" right elbow.
Plan of Correction:	This incident was investigated by Child Protective Services and local law enforcement with an unfounded result. Staff removed child from equipment due to safety concerns. The child was not removed out of anger. This was an accident. All staff will be retrained with regards to proper physical handling and re-directing techniques. (3/15/21). All staff will also be re-trained on Teacher/Child Interaction and Safety & Accountability. (4/8/21)
Standard #:	63.2-1509-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interviews, staff failed to report possible child abuse to the local department as required. Evidence: On 3/10/2021 Child A had their right elbow dislocated by Staff 2. At least four staff members were aware of the injury, and that it was caused by center staff, but the incident was not reported to the local department by center staff.
Plan of Correction:	This incident was investigated by Child Protective Services and local law enforcement with an unfounded result. As previously stated, this incident was an accident. This incident was investigated by center management to include camera viewing and staff interviews and there was no suspicion of abuse.