VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Goddard School
7801 Heritage Village Plaza
Gainesville, VA 20155
(571) 222-5576

Current Inspector: Laura Brindle (540) 905-2062

Inspection Date: April 28, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.

Comments:

An investigation was initiated on April 28, 2022 from 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. to investigate a self reported incident regarding supervision, and care, protection, and guidance. Interviews were conducted and documentation was reviewed. The self reported incident regarding supervision and care, protection, and guidance is determined to be valid. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance 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 interviews and review of documentation it was determined that the center failed to ensure the care and protection of children at all times. Evidence: On 03/25/2022 child A (DOB 06/05/2018) did not remain under the care and protection of staff from approximately 10:39 a.m. - 10:49 a.m. Staff A and B were unaware that Child A was not in their care until the child was found by staff C who could hear the child crying and knocking on the classroom door.
Plan of Correction:	Upon notification of the incident by Staff A, The Goddard School immediately notified VDSS and other agencies, as well as the parent of Child A. The Goddard School investigated internally and assisted with VDSS investigation. The School has a strict policy of doing threshold counts and performing ?name-to-face? procedures when moving a group of children to/from the classroom and other areas of the school and school grounds. Due to this incident, the School formally wrote up and put Staffs A and B on a 90-day probation period. Staffs A and B, along with the rest of the School staff, attended an emergency training session on 3/30/2022 to review those policies and reinforce how those procedures should be properly performed.? Training included visuals and role playing on how to and when to transition children, on both the classroom tablet and the paper attendance sheet. The School also implemented the following practices: 1. The paper attendance sheets have been edited to require the count of children is done every 30-60 min.; 2. the Administrative team will generate Transition and Name-to-Face reports from the School?s classroom management computer application. These reports will be reviewed weekly to ensure proper transitions; and 3. teachers are required to immediately inform the Administrative team of tablet technical difficulties. Moving forward, these and other School policies and procedures are being emphasized in greater depth during our new staff orientation.? The School strives to ensure professional, quality childcare and education in a safe, loving, and nurturing environment and the School will work with its staff to implement the corrective actions outlined in this plan of correction to reinforce appropriate, nurturing childcare.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-G
Description:	Based on interviews and review of documentation it was determined that children did not always remain within sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: On 03/25/2022, child A (DOB 06/05/2018) was left in the preschool classroom from 10:39 a.m. - 10:49 a.m. At 10:49 a.m. staff C, heard child A crying and knocking on the door, and retrieved and comforted the child. Staff A returned the child to their assigned teachers and management was informed of the situation.
Plan of Correction:	Upon notification of the incident by Staff A, The Goddard School immediately notified VDSS and other agencies, as well as the parent of Child A. The Goddard School investigated internally and assisted with VDSS investigation. The School has a strict policy of doing threshold counts and performing ?name-to-face? procedures when moving a group of children to/from the classroom and other areas of the school and school grounds. Due to this incident, the School formally wrote up and put Staffs A and B on a 90-day probation period. Staffs A and B, along with the rest of the School staff, attended an emergency training session on 3/30/2022 to review those policies and reinforce how those procedures should be properly performed.? Training included visuals and role playing on how to and when to transition children, on both the classroom tablet and the paper attendance sheet. The School also implemented the following practices: 1. The paper attendance sheets have been edited to require the count of children is done every 30-60 min.; 2. the Administrative team will generate Transition and Name-to-Face reports from the School?s classroom management computer application. These reports will be reviewed weekly to ensure proper transitions; and 3. teachers are required to immediately inform the Administrative team of tablet technical difficulties. Moving forward, these and other School policies and procedures are being emphasized in greater depth during our new staff orientation.? The School strives to ensure professional, quality childcare and education in a safe, loving, and nurturing environment and the School will work with its staff to implement the corrective actions outlined in this plan of correction to reinforce appropriate, nurturing childcare.