VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Mighty Minds, Little Hands International Preschool, LLC
2117 Angus Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 975-4263

Current Inspector: Barbara Workman (540) 430-9257

Inspection Date: Feb. 22, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration 8VAC20-780 Programs 8VAC20-780 Special Care, Provisions & Emergencies

Comments:

A non-mandated inspection was initiated on December 7, 2021 and concluded on February 22, 2022. A self-reported incident was received in the Office of Child Care Health and Safety (Valley Office), on November 30, 2021, behavior guidance and forbidden actions. Interviews were conducted on 12/07/2021 and 02/22/2022 in conjunction with a local agency. One child record, two staff records, employee handbook, attendance record, and video footage time stamped 11/30/2021 were reviewed. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or laws and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Licensing Inspector at 540-430-9257.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on review of policies and procedures and classroom video footage dated 03/13/2019, the operational responsibilities of the licensee did not ensure that the center's activities and services are maintained in compliance with the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. Evidence: 1. In the Employee Handbook on page 11 & 12 the Discipline Policy states ?The goal of discipline is to maintain a safe and fair environment that encourages growth and development of the child?s self-esteem. This type of environment encourages the building of interpersonal competence and fosters self-discipline: Discipline shall include positive guidance, redirection, modeling of constructive handling of feelings and resolution of interpersonal conflict, setting of clear cut limits, and use of logical non-punitive consequences.? 2. On 11/30/2021 at approximately 2:04 P.M., Child #1 (age 20 months), was placed into a bucket seat at table by Staff #1. Staff #1 placed the security belt on the child. Child #1 was in the bucket seat for approximately 28 minutes. In the video at 2:15 P.M. and again at 2:29 P.M. you can see Child #1 trying to get out of the bucket seat. Staff #1 is observed sitting next to the child on her cell phone. He can be seen twisting in the seat, and pushing his hands on the top of the table trying to get out of the bucket seat. Staff #2 stated that Child #1 was placed in the chair because he would not sleep, and that they, (Staff #1 and Staff# 2), were afraid he would walk around and walk on top of the sleeping children. 3. In the Employee Handbook on page 9 under Important Policies it states, ?Anytime you have to handle a child that needs to be lifted up, you must ALWAYS lift children underneath of their armpits.? 4. When Staff #1 removes Child #1 from the bucket seat she, (Staff #1), grabs Child #1 by one arm and places the other hand under the inner thigh and moves Child #1 back to his cot. 5. At 3:40 p.m. Staff #1 can be seen pulling a child off the cot by one arm from a sitting position. 6. In the Employee Handbook on page 12 under Handwashing it states, ?Hands will be washed before and after snack, bathroom use, nose blowing or wiping, after outside play, and after handling children. Infant and Toddler teachers will need to wash hands after discarding gloves.? 7. Staff #1 did not wash her hands before or after changing the children, or in between diaper changes.
Plan of Correction:	Administration called DOE and reported the incident. I have cameras in all of the classrooms which I turned in voluntarily. This incident occurred one day only and we let go of Employee #1 at once. Employee #2 send in her resignation via email once she was questioned. I have met with all the employees to ensure that this will not happen. I informed all the parents that the employees are not longer with us a direct result of the actions of Employee #1 and Employee #2.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:	Based on review of classroom video footage dated 11/30/2021, the center failed to use behavioral guidance that was constructive in nature age, and stage appropriate, and intended to redirect the children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. Video footage from 11/30/2021 at approximately 2:23 P.M., shows a child waking up from a nap and crawling off the cot. Staff #1 walks over to the child and using her foot pushes the child back on the cot. 2. Video footage from 11/30/2021 at approximately 2:36 P.M>, shows a child take a sippy cup to Staff #1. Staff #1 knocks the sippy cup out of the child's hands with her hands, and tosses the sippy cup back to another cot. Staff #1 grabs the child by the mid-arm and pulls them down to the cot from a standing position.
Plan of Correction:	Administration called DOE and reported the incident. I have cameras in all of the classrooms which I turned in voluntarily. This incident occurred one day only and we let go of Employee #1 at once. Employee #2 send in her resignation via email once she was questioned. I have met with all the employees to ensure that this will not happen. I informed all the parents that the employees are not longer with us a direct result of the actions of Employee #1 and Employee #2. Administration also began retraining the remainder of the employees who were upset and shocked like we were that a "bad apple" infiltrated our loving center. Child Protective Services were contacted as well as the local police department which conducted a through investigation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on review of classroom video footage and interviews, the center failed to ensure children were not roughly handled or restricted movement through binding. Evidence: 1. Review of video footage revealed the following: a. At approximately 2:04 P.M., Child #1 (age 20 months), was placed into a bucket seat at a table by Staff #1. Staff #1 placed the safety belt on the child. b. Child #1 was in the bucket seat for approximately 28 minutes. c. At approximately 2:15 P.M., and 2:29 P.M., Child #1 can be seen twisting in the seat, and pushing his hands on the top of the table trying to get out of the bucket seat. d. At 2:32 P.M., Staff #1 removed Child #1 from the bucket seat. Staff #1 grabs Child #1 by one arm and places the other hand under the inner thigh and moves Child #1 back to hi cot. e. At 3:40 P.M., Staff #1 can be seen pulling a child off the cot by one arm from a sitting position. Staff #1 takes the child to the changing table. Staff #1 pushes the child on the chest to get them to lay down to change the diaper. f. At approximately 3:44 P.M., Staff #1 can be seen applying an ointment to the upper left thigh of Child #1. g. At approximately 3:47 P.M., Staff #1 grabs a cold compress and takes Child #1 and sits at the table with the children eating snack and applies the ice pack to the area. 2. Interviews with Staff #2, on (12/07/2021), revealed that Child #1 was placed in the chair because he would not sleep, and that they, (Staff #1 and Staff #2), were afraid he would walk around and walk on top of the sleeping children. 3. Interview with Staff #4, on (12/07/2021), revealed that Staff #4 text Staff #1 a picture that was sent to her by the parents. Staff #1 stated it happened at naptime and she was holding Child #1 too tightly.
Plan of Correction:	Administration called DOE and reported the incident. I have cameras in all of the classrooms which I turned in voluntarily. This incident occurred one day only and we let go of Employee #1 at once. Employee #2 send in her resignation via email once she was questioned. I have met with all the employees to ensure that this will not happen. I informed all the parents that the employees are not longer with us a direct result of the actions of Employee #1 and Employee #2. Administration also began retraining the remainder of the employees who were upset and shocked like we were that a "bad apple" infiltrated our loving center. Child Protective Services were contacted as well as the local police department which conducted a through investigation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-A
Description:	Based on review of classroom video footage dated 11/30/2021, children and staff were not washed at the required times. Evidence: 1. Between 3:05 P.M. and 3:40 P.M. Staff #1 changed approximately 10 children?s diapers. The children?s diapers were changed and the children were immediately placed in the bucket seats at the table for snack. None of the children hands were washed with water and soap, or a wipe after having their diaper changed, or before being placed at the table for snack. 2. Staff #1 did not wash her hands before or after changing the children, or in between diaper changes.
Plan of Correction:	Administration called DOE and reported the incident. I have cameras in all of the classrooms which I turned in voluntarily. This incident occurred one day only and we let go of Employee #1 at once. Employee #2 send in her resignation via email once she was questioned. I have met with all the employees to ensure that this will not happen. I informed all the parents that the employees are not longer with us a direct result of the actions of Employee #1 and Employee #2. Administration also began retraining the remainder of the employees who were upset and shocked like we were that a "bad apple" infiltrated our loving center. Child Protective Services were contacted as well as the local police department which conducted a through investigation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-B
Description:	8VAC20-780-500-B?Risk A2 Based on review of classroom video footage dated 11/30/2021, the center failed to follow all diapering requirements. Evidence: Between 3:05 P.M. and 3:40 P.M., Staff #1 changed approximately 10 children?s diapers. The changing table was not cleaned or sanitized after each child was changed.
Plan of Correction:	Administration called DOE and reported the incident. I have cameras in all of the classrooms which I turned in voluntarily. This incident occurred one day only and we let go of Employee #1 at once. Employee #2 send in her resignation via email once she was questioned. I have met with all the employees to ensure that this will not happen. I informed all the parents that the employees are not longer with us a direct result of the actions of Employee #1 and Employee #2. Administration also began retraining the remainder of the employees who were upset and shocked like we were that a "bad apple" infiltrated our loving center. Child Protective Services were contacted as well as the local police department which conducted a through investigation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-O
Description:	Based on review of classroom video footage dated 11/30/2021 and interviews, the center failed to notify the parents of any known injuries. Evidence: 1. Child #1 was picked up from care at approximately 4:00 P.M., on 11/30/2021. The parents of Child #1 noticed at 5:00 P.M., when getting ready for a bath the child was saying "ouch". When they removed his pants there was a red mark that was an outline of three fingers. 2. At approximately 3:44 P.M., Staff #1 can be seen applying ointment to the child left upper thigh. 3. At approximately 3:47 P.M., Staff #1 grabs a cold compress and applies it to Child #1 leg. 4. Interviews with Staff #4, on (12/7/201), revealed that Staff #4 had text Staff #1 a picture that was sent to her by the parents. Staff #1 stated it happened at naptime and she was holding Child #1 too tightly.
Plan of Correction:	The center did not know of any injuries. If we had we would have reported it. Administration called DOE and reported the incident. I have cameras in all of the classrooms which I turned in voluntarily. This incident occurred one day only and we let go of Employee #1 at once. Employee #2 send in her resignation via email once she was questioned. I have met with all the employees to ensure that this will not happen. I informed all the parents that the employees are not longer with us a direct result of the actions of Employee #1 and Employee #2. Administration also began retraining the remainder of the employees who were upset and shocked like we were that a "bad apple" infiltrated our loving center. Child Protective Services were contacted as well as the local police department which conducted a through investigation.