VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

KinderCare Learning Center #301094
9749 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 273-3155

Current Inspector: Karen Dickens (571) 423-6978

Inspection Date: March 31, 2021 and April 27, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

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

Comments:

A self reported incident involving supervision, care and protection of two children was jointly investigated with another local government agency. Observation of the center's playground area and the center's parking lot was made. A review of the center's playground safety policy, staff and child records was completed. Both staff and parent interviews were conducted. During the investigation, violations were determined pertaining to care and protection, supervision and physical plant.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on a staff interview, staff failed to follow the center?s own policy on playground safety. Evidence: 1. Section 390-5 of the center's playground safety policy requires that "Staff Members must walk around their assigned zone, positioning themselves to actively supervise and participate in activities with the children . Staff Members must not congregate together or sit on equip- ment." The policy also requires that "Children must be in Staff Members' view at all times." 2. On 03/26/2021 at approximately 10:50am, Child #1 (20 months) and Child #2 (18 months) left the fenced playground area unsupervised. Staff #1 was supervising a total of 5 children on the playground when Child #1 and Child #2 left the playground. 3. Staff #1 stated that "I sat down by the gate while holding another child who was crying." Staff #1 confirmed seeing Child #1 and Child #2 walking towards the other side of the play- ground from where Staff #1 was sitting . Staff #1 further stated that "I got distracted with all the crying." Staff #1 admitted that the area the two children walked to was not visible from where they were sitting.
Plan of Correction:	Center leadership received support from District Leader and Quality Business Partner regarding the incident and retraining on all management areas of opportunity. (Playground safety checks, work order completion, and verifying active supervision) -Employee was separated due to not being able to follow company policy and ensure children?s safety. -Management will complete a Playground safety checklist before any classrooms are allowed to go outside. This will ensure that all hazards are removed, and the area is properly secured. (a) Playground Checklists for the first 4 weeks will be submitted directly to the Quality Business Partner to verify completion. (Submit dates are as follows 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23) - Each staff member has reviewed and was retrained on Playground Supervision and CSR usage. (Completed 3/29-4/2 with all staff) A statement of understanding will be placed in employees personnel file for review. (a) Center Management/Pod Managers shall perform random unannounced supervision checks at least twice a day and initial on the Child Supervision Record to monitor CSR usage and active supervision. (b) Staff will continue to perform visual name-of-face attendance at least every two hours and during large threshold transitions. During outside time teachers will complete an additional name to face on top of the initial transitions to the playground. (c) Teachers have been retrained that children will always be within sight and sound at all times, especially during outside times, bathroom routines, and transitions. This includes how we zone/position ourselves within the classroom and playground to view all areas. (d) Staff will begin to utilize ?Take is outdoors? and Gross motor activities during outside time to continue to engage children in active play. All adult seating has been removed to make sure that teachers are walking around and zoning during outside time. (e) During all new staff onboarding, special attention will be given to center safety and playground supervision to establish clear expectations and understanding. - Center management will be conducting unannounced monthly classroom observations and providing feedback to teachers. Observations will be scheduled during transitions and other stressful times of the day, when children arrive, during toileting, preparing and settling children for naps, before and after meals and during play times. Observations during these times will help management understand their supervision and classroom management techniques. Copies of observations will be available for inspection in the center administrative office - Center will reach out to Virginia Quality to have TA support on supervision practices and coaching within the classroom or outside environment - Performance Management will be completed with any staff member who does not support the safety and supervision of children within the center.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-330-A
Description:	Based on observation and staff interviews, playgrounds are located in areas that do not protect children from hazards. 1. The area used as a playground for the Toddler class has two HVAC systems. The two systems are large and obstruct the view for approximately half of the playground area. A gate is located on the far side of the playground behind the HVAC systems that leads directly to the center?s parking lot. 2. Staff #1 stated that she told Staff #3 that ?many times we can?t see the other side of the playground.? Staff #1 further stated that ?I noticed my kids were going to the other side where you can?t see them.? and that "I had to put the wagon and cars across so they couldn?t go past to get to the other half of the playground where I can?t see them? and ?my playground is very long and you can?t see the other side?. 3. Staff #3 stated that the area the toddlers were playing is not a designated playground and the space was used to socially distance the children. Staff #3 stated that this area had been used since June 2020. 4. The walkway the school aged children take to access the playground was observed with standing water and mud. The walkway is uneven and narrow in areas where the standing water was observed.
Plan of Correction:	- ?Approved? playground areas have been identified to all staff as the only areas for children to safely play outdoors. - All items and toys have been removed from the side areas to reinforce that these are not approved areas to play. (see attached picture #3) - 4/26 Powers Landscaping replaced fence gate on the right side of the building to ensure proper closure. (See attached picture #1) - 5/5 KCE Facilities Technician replaced left gate latches to support proper closure and safety. (See picture #2) - KCE maintenance supervisor ordered top push latches for interior gates as an added precaution. Installation is scheduled for 5/10. - A quote has been submitted from Powers of landscaping on re-routing the daylight drains on the side playground for proper drainage of any standing water. Waiting approval to start work. Estimated start date is 5/17.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Description:	Based on a verbal report from center management, and review of records, staff failed to always ensure the care, protection and guidance of two children. Evidence: 1. On 03/26/2021 at approximately 10:50am, Child #1 (20 months) and Child #2 (18 months) left the fenced playground area unsupervised for an undetermined length of time. 2. Child #1 and Child #2 were found in the parking lot of the Center by a UPS driver who was making a delivery. 3. Staff #1 was assigned to the Toddler class and had a total of 5 children on the playground during this approximate time. When the children were returned to the center, Staff #1 had no knowledge that 2 of the 5 children were missing from the playground. 4. Child #1 has a medical diagnosis that requires emergency medication. When interviewed, Staff #1 and management staff had no knowledge of the diagnosis or that medication was on site at the Center for Child #1 if needed. 5. Staff #1 had knowledge that the gate the two children used to leave the playground did not close properly. Staff #1 stated that the week before 03/26/2021, ?I noticed the gate was not latched. I tried to close it but it?s not lined up and it was hard to close and latch it?. Staff #1 stated that the gate was often found unlatched and at times left open.
Plan of Correction:	- Updated medication and allergy lists will be printed throughout the center and communicated with each classroom of teachers. o MAT trained employees will be identified in the building and a more through explanation of medication or allergies will be done 1 on 1 to ensure understanding. - In addition to the above implementation to support playground safety and supervision; Staff will be retrained on ?Respecting Children?. This will help them to understand the importance and impact that they have on a child?s social/physical/emotional wellbeing. - District leader will do periodic visits (physical or virtual) to ensure improvements to the center and that all commitments are being completed. - Quality Business Partner will schedule a center check in within 90 days to support the district leader and provide any additional support needed based on any opportunities that arise.