VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy #7134
1025 Plantation Lakes Circle
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 479-4812

Current Inspector: Trisha Brown (757) 404-2601

Inspection Date: Nov. 29, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 ADMINISTRATION. 8VAC20-780 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, including telephone contacts, documents review, interviews and an onsite tour of the program. An incident was self-reported on October 22, 2021 regarding supervision in the infant care room. An investigation was initiated on the same day and concluded on December 2, 2021. The site director was contacted. There were 12 children present in the infant care room with three staff on the day of incident. The inspector emailed the site director a list of items required to complete the investigation. During the investigation staff were interviewed, the child care room was observed, one child record, three staff records attendance and face-to-name documentation was reviewed. Information gathered during the investigation determined non-compliance(s) with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on interview the center failed to ensure the care and protection of children. Evidence: 1 - 13-month old child 1 was found alone, crying in a closed bathroom in the infant care room. a. It was reported that child 1 was unattended and in the bathroom for approximately 20 minutes. b. Staff responsible for the care and protection of child 1were unaware that the child was not present in the classroom until the scheduled feeding and diaper changing time when he could not be located in the classroom. c. Staff 1, 2 and 3 heard crying coming from the staff bathroom located within the infant room. A staff present discovered that the child proof latch, intended to prevent children from gaining entry to the bathroom, was not engaged.
Plan of Correction:	All staff were retrained on the proper sight and sound supervision by 11/4/2021. All staff were retrained on inspecting the room to ensure it meets all safety standards upon entering and correcting/reporting any deficiencies to management by 10/24/2021. New door locks were installed on interior infant doors to ensure those doors stay closed unless in use on 11/6/2021. Management will conduct classroom observations frequently to ensure sight/sound supervision. DM will inspect periodically.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews, documentation review and observation of the classroom the center failed to maintain actual sight and sound supervision of children under 10 years of age. Evidence: 1 - 13-month old child 1 was in a closed bathroom located within the infant room for approximately 20 minutes where staff could not see or hear the child. a. Review of face-to-name sheets confirm that child 1 was present for care on the day of incident. 2 - Staff 1, 2 and 3 were present in the classroom on October 22 and stated that they were unaware that the child was not within sight and sound supervision until he could not be located in the classroom during the scheduled feeding and diaper change time. 3 ? The three staff report that they did not see the child when they searched under and around cribs.
Plan of Correction:	All staff were retrained on the proper sight and sound supervision by 11/4/2021. Infant staff will utilize our timers every 15 minutes from the time the room opens to ensure they physically know where each child is at all times and it is documented hourly. Management will conduct classroom observations several times a day to ensure sight/sound supervision. DM will inspect periodically.