VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy-Springfield
8808 Redman Street
Springfield, VA 22153
(703) 451-2122

Current Inspector: Alyssa Simons (571) 423-6392

Inspection Date: May 10, 2022 and May 12, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

On 5/10/2022, an unannounced investigation was conducted, initiated by a self-reported incident made by the facility on 5/2/2022, regarding care and protection of children. This visit was conducted between 12:50pm and 2:05pm. Video footage from the date of the the incident, 4/28/2022, was viewed on 5/12/2022. After carefully reviewing video footage, interviewing staff and reviewing all documents, violations were cited and are listed on the Violation Notice. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at shahana.green@doe.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on a review of video footage, the licensee did not ensure that staff followed the center's own policies and procedures on redirection, including appropriate and inappropriate redirection. 1. Video footage from 4/28/2022, at approximately 9:30am, showed Staff A inappropriately pulling Child A's right arm multiple times. 2. The Learning Care Group's " Managing Challenging Behavior" policy states the following: "Procedure Section 6: Inappropriate Redirection. The use of physical, mental, or emotional punishment on or demeaning behavior toward any child is prohibited. No staff member is permitted to utilize the following means of punishment or redirection on any child, including his/her own or a relative?s child, while on company property. Hitting, shaking, biting, pinching, pulling, pushing, physical force or inflicting any other form of corporal punishment to hurt a child."
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on a review of video footage, staff did not always ensure care, protection, and guidance of children they are supervising. Evidence: 1. Video footage from 4/28/2022 shows Staff A pulling Child A's right arm multiple times while the child was seated on the ground, attempting to bring the child to a standing position, resulting in Child A's elbow being dislocated.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:	Based on a review of video footage and staff interview, behavioral guidance was not constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, or intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior. Evidence: 1. Video footage from the preschool classroom on 4/28/2022 at approximately 9:30am showed Child A sitting on the carpet facing Staff A who was sitting in a chair. Staff A was observed pulling Child A up by the right arm to attempt to get Child A to resume a standing position. Child A did not stand up after the first attempt and Staff A pulled Child A's right arm again to attempt to get Child A to stand up. After multiple attempts to pull Child A to a standing position, Staff A lifts Child A up into a standing position by placing both hands on each of Child A's shoulders and lifting Child A up into a standing position. Child A is then observed immediately sitting back down and less than a minute later, Child A is observed cradling Child A's right arm and Staff A is looking down at Child A's cradled arm. 2. In an interview on 5/10/2022, Staff A stated that "Child A was moving around and not listening so the other teacher wanted Child A to come to their circle, so I lifted Child A under both arms to take Child A and Child A did not want to go and laid down. I grabbed Child A's arm (not sure if left or right). I didn't think I grabbed it too hard. Later Child A said their arm hurt, but we checked it every 10 minutes and Child A said there was no pain and was acting normal."
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-N
Description:	Based on staff interview and records review, the center did not notify the parent immediately when a child sustained a serious injury requiring emergency medical treatment. Evidence: 1. In an interview on 5/10/2022, Staff A stated that Child A's arm hurt after repeatedly pulling Child A's arm to attempt to bring Child A to a standing position from the floor at approximately 9:30am on 4/28/2022. Staff A stated that Staff A checked Child A's arm every 10 minutes throughout the day, but did not notify management of the incident. 2. Child A was signed out and picked up at approximately 5:20pm, approximately 8 hours after the serious injury to Child A's right arm occurred, and was not informed of the serious injury. 3. Staff A stated, "I did not talk to the parents about what happened to Child A's arm because I left early that day." 4. Staff A stated, "I believe Child A's parents found out later that night when Child A's arm was hanging, so they took Child A to the hospital to find out that it was dislocated. I believe they talked to management in the morning."
Plan of Correction:	All staff were given "Mandated Reporter Training" on 6/2/2022.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-P
Description:	Based on a review of records, the center did not maintain a written record of children's serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. Evidence: 1. Child A's right arm was injured on 4/28/2022 while at the facility and the written record of Child A's serious injury was not written and issued to the parents until 4/29/2022.
Plan of Correction:	All staff were given "Mandated Reporter Training" on 6/2/2022.