VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Little Light Early Learning Center
217 W. Depot Street
Bedford, VA 24523
(540) 586-0677

Current Inspector: Kelly Campbell (540) 309-2494

Inspection Date: Oct. 25, 2021 and Oct. 27, 2021

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Physical plant. 8VAC20-780 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 8VAC20-780 PROGRAMS.

Comments:

The Licensing Inspector conducted an unannounced complaint inspection in response to a complaint that was received by the licensing office on 10/25/2021. Interviews with staff relating to allegations that a staff member roughly handled and failed to protect a child in care. The information gathered during the investigation supports the allegations, so the complaint is determined to be valid. Please complete the columns for "description of action to be taken" and "date to be corrected" for each violation cited on the violation notice and then return a signed and dated copy to the licensing office within 10 calendar days of receipt. If you have any questions, contact your licensing inspector at (540) 309-2494.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on inspection, the Licensee failed to keep hazardous cleaning in a locked location. Licensing Inspector observed cleaning agents stored in an unlocked cabinet in the 2 year old classroom. Cabinet was accessible to the children.
Plan of Correction:	Cabinets were locked, and the responsible staff have been trained to keep them locked and random checks have been performed to make sure they stay locked.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-290-A-3
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on inspection, the Licensee failed to ensure electrical outlets in areas used by children of pre-school age or younger have protective covers. Licensing Inspector observed multiple electrical outlets in the lower level 2 year old classroom that were not protected with protective covers. Children sleeping cots were positioned adjacent to the areas of the outlets. The children had direct access to the uncovered outlets.
Plan of Correction:	All outlets are tamper resistant outlets.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observations, the Licensee failed to ensure children under the age of 10 years old are always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Licensing Inspector observed a 4 year old child leave the Explorer classroom unsupervised to go to the hall bathroom located approximately 10 feet down the hallway and an additional approximate 8 feet around the corner. Child #2 was not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Staff #5 told the Licensing Inspector that children are allowed to leave their classroom to go to the bathroom without adult supervision. Staff #5 said this is a common practice at the center.
Plan of Correction:	It is not common practice and staff member was written up & will be fired if it happens again.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews & review of video, the Licensee failed to ensure staff does not engage in any form of forbidden actions. On October 25, 2021, staff #1 was observed using forbidden actions on child #1. Licensing Inspector reviewed recorded video and observed child #1 crawling on the floor; staff #1 walked over to the child, bent down using her left hand as a brace and picked up child #1 by the right ankle and moved the child in mid-air over to the opposite side of the room. Licensing Inspector interviewed staff #2 who stated that she had observed staff #1 on multiple occasions in the past pick-up infant/toddler children by their wrist. Staff #2 also stated that staff #1 "neglects the babies" in the infant classroom. Staff #2 stated she was "disturbed by the ongoing actions of staff #1" and asked the center director to assign her to another classroom. That she no longer wanted to assist staff #1 in the infant classroom. Licensing Inspector interviewed staff #3 who stated that she has observed staff #1 pick-up infants by the wrist and yell at them. Staff #3 stated that staff #1 was "really rough" with the babies and has on multiple occasions told the center director about her concerns. Licensing Inspector interviewed staff #4 who stated she has witnessed staff #1 pick-up children in the infant classroom by the arm in a harsh manner. Staff #4 said that staff #1 was "known in the center for being rough with the infants." Staff #4 stated she was in "fear of losing her job." Licensing Inspector interviewed staff #1 who stated that she had grabbed the 7 month old child by the foot and moved her to the other side of the room. Staff #1 stated "without thinking I grabbed and picked her up by her foot and moved her to the other side of the room." Staff #1 stated that she had "asked the center director 2-3 weeks earlier to switch her to the toddler classroom." Staff #1 said she was "burnt out in the infant room." Said she "felt like she could be a better teacher in the toddler classroom." Licensing Inspector interviewed staff #7 who said she "spoke to staff #1 who admitted she had picked-up the infant child by her wrist. Staff #7 said "she's (staff #1) been showing signs of burn-out", that staff #1 "admitted she has been getting burnt-out" and that she had "never had any other staff complain about her (staff #1)."
Plan of Correction:	Staff member was placed on suspension with a mandatory 10 hours training in infant/toddler safe & healthy environment. As claims were made about complaints, a complaint form has been created to be filled out by staff.