VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Playful Learners Preschool
325 Rivanna Plaza Drive
Suite 101
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 956-4312

Current Inspector: Julie Kunowsky (540) 430-9256

Inspection Date: Oct. 21, 2021 and Nov. 4, 2021

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 8VAC20-780 Special care provisions and emergencies.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, including telephone contacts, documents review, interviews and an onsite visit to the center. A complaint inspection was conducted on 10/21/2021 and 11/04/2021. A complaint was received by the department on 10/18/2021 regarding allegations in the area of Supervision. The Director was contacted by telephone to initiate a virtual interview on 10/21/2021. An on-site visit to the center was conducted 11/04/2021 with Child Protective Services. Three staff were interviewed, documentation reviewed, and measurements to the outside area were taken. The records for one child and one staff were reviewed. The evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation and the complaint was determined to be valid. Please return the corrective plan of action within five business days. Please contact the licensing inspector at 540-430-9256 if you have any questions.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on documentation and staff interviews, the center failed to ensure the care, protection and guidance of three children in care. Evidence: 1. On October 15, 2021, the toddler classroom was coming in from the outside play area. 2. Staff B took three children inside the classroom for a diaper change. Seven children remained outside the classroom on a gated breezeway with staff A. 3. One child fell and required a Band-Aid. 4. Staff A opened the door to the toddler classroom and requested a Band-Aid from Staff B. 5. While Staff B was waiting for the Band-Aid, three children pushed the unlocked gate open and walked around the center to the front parking lot area, approximately 210 feet. 6. A parent was picking up her child when she saw the 3 children in the parking lot and alerted staff. 7. Three staff were exiting the building to look for the children. Staff C retrieved two children, standing behind one parked car, approximately 17 feet, from the entrance of the center. 8. Staff C retrieved the third child, age 23 months in the middle of the parking, lot approximately 60 feet from the entrance of the building. 9. Interviews with Staff B and C on 11/04/2021, confirmed three children had left an unlocked gate and walked to the front of the building into the parking lot.
Plan of Correction:	1. Implemented a new Opening/Closing Checklist for Classrooms and Playgrounds that is completed on each classroom?s ipad. Center Management is emailed completion rates of the Checklists for each classroom each day. The Application (titled 1Place) is specifically designed to maintain/monitor the health and safety of the environment for the children, it can also be altered to add/change any items in the Checklist to meet our programs specifications. 2. The Breezeway is closed to all children and is no longer a permissible area for play. 3. An Emergency Training/Meeting was conducted for all staff on 11/10/21. This training included review/reinforcement of all supervision guidelines, how to conduct the new 1 Place Opening/Closing Classroom, Playground, and Safety Checklists in addition general safety guidelines to include our Name-to-Face requirements and to take their First Aid backpacks whenever they leave a classroom. 4. Our Orientation Checklist was also modified to include our new 1Place Opening/Closing Classrooms and Playgrounds Checklists. 5. Each Staff Member was required to complete the DSS training titled ?Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognizing, Responding, and Reporting for Educators.?
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-G
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on documentation and staff interviews, the center failed to have three children under the age of 10, in actual sight and sound supervision. Evidence: 1. Seven children in the toddler classroom were playing outside on a gated breezeway with Staff A. 2. Three of the children pushed the unlocked gate open and walked around to the front of the building to a commercial parking lot. 3. Three children, ages 23 months to 2, were out of sight and sound supervision of staff A for an undisclosed amount of time. 4. Interview with the director on 10/21/2021 confirmed the children were out of sight and sound supervision for an undisclosed amount of time.
Plan of Correction:	1. Implemented a new Opening/Closing Checklist for Classrooms and Playgrounds that is completed on each classroom?s ipad. Center Management is emailed completion rates of the Checklists for each classroom each day. The Application is called 1 Place and is specifically designed to maintain the health and safety of the environment for the children, it can also be altered to add/change any items in the Checklist to meet our programs specifications. 2. We have closed the Breezeway to all children- access to the area and play are no longer allowed. 3. An Emergency Training/Meeting was conducted for all staff on 11/10/21. This training included review/reinforcement of all supervision guidelines, how to conduct the new 1 Place Opening/Closing Classroom, Playground, and Safety Checklists in addition general safety guidelines to include our Name-to-Face requirements and to take their First Aid backpacks whenever they leave a classroom. 4. Our Orientation Checklist was also modified to include our new 1Place Opening/Closing Classrooms and Playgrounds Checklists.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-540-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on documentation and staff interviews, the center failed to have a first aid kit accessible while the children were outside. Evidence: 1. On 10/15/2021, seven children were playing outside the toddler classroom, on a gated breezeway. 2. One child fell and required a Band-Aid. 3. Staff A opened the door to the toddler classroom and requested a Band-Aid from Staff B. 4. Staff A did not have a first aid kit accessible while the children were outside. 5. Interview with the director on 10/21/2021 confirmed the first aid kit was not taken outside with the teacher.
Plan of Correction:	1. Implemented a new Opening/Closing Checklist for Classrooms and Playgrounds. It is downloaded on every Ipad for the Teachers to complete each day, and admin is able to view completion rates of the Checklists for each classroom. The Application is called 1Place and is specifically designed to maintain the health and safety of the environment for the children, it can also be altered to add/change any items in the Checklist to meet our programs specifications. 2. Training has been completed for all current staff in a mandatory Staff Meeting on correct supervision of children as well as the Checklists. Our Orientation Packet covers correct supervision of children, but we have modified it to also include the 1Place Opening/Closing Classrooms and Playgrounds Checklists. 3. Training for all staff has been completed on taking the Emergency Backpack with them each time they go outside or leave their classroom for any reason. 4. 1Place app Playground Checklist has been modified to include bringing the Emergency Backpack outside as a point on the list.