VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Astar Explorer Stem Academy
11750 Fair Oaks Mall Ste.J201
Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 677-7008

Current Inspector: Kara Vaughan (703) 537-6241

Inspection Date: July 11, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 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:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted today from 11:40am-12:20pm. There were 6 children under the supervision of 2 staff. The physical plant, 3 staff records, 3 children?s records, medications, evacuation drills, injury reports, emergency supplies, and policies were inspected. No medications were present during the inspection. Children were observed participating in group play. There was an assortment of age appropriate materials for the children in care. The center was clean and organized. Areas of non-compliance are identified in the Violation Notice. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Kara Wright at kara.vaughan@doe.virginia.gov or 703-537-6241.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not obtain the results of an out of state criminal record check or out of state central registry check for all states employees have resided in within the previous five years. Evidence: Staff 1's record did not contain a criminal record check or central registry check from a state they have listed as residing in within the previous five years.
Plan of Correction:	1 of Astar Explorer STEM Academy teachers, has VA and out of state criminal record check and DC central registry check result. A main teacher. Her central registry check was received on April 19, 2022. But it was returned last week for the need of her husband information.The update registry already. Please see her 2 copies enclosed.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-130-A
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before each child's first day of attendance. Evidence: The records for Children 1, 2, and 3 did not contain documentation of immunizations.
Plan of Correction:	Through our daily operation in the real world, it is very difficult to adhere this rule for the following 2 reasons: 1> Astar Explorer reopened on June 13 only for summer camp program from 6/13-8/19 with 4-hour or 8-hour services. Parents can choose any week as they want. That means they only buy a 5-day service not a 30-day daycare. That is why parents think it?s not necessary and do not do forms. 2> COVID has made physical examination hard to obtain. Some parents left us after reading our requirements because a 5-day summer camp is not worth tostruggle to get a physical examination. Plus, there are so many other summer camp programs for them to join without such restricted requirements. We fully understand once we are licensed, we must follow the state rules and regulations. Therefore, a dis-enroll policy will effective on July 18. Required physical address for the emergency contacts, parents information, children medication or food allergy, children?s immunizations document is not provided within 3 days, we will dis-enroll that child until an up-to- date information can be provided
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-160-A
Description:	Based on record review, two of three staff records did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening prior to the date of hire. Evidence: The records for Staff 2, and 3 did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening.
Plan of Correction:	Teacher has TB test. Please see her copy enclosed. Teacher had TB test before but could not found record. Therefore, she is required to get new test before July 24, 2022.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-60-A
Description:	Based on record review, three of three children's records reviewed did not contain all required information. Evidence: 1. Child 1's record did not contain: The addresses of two emergency contacts, the place of employment for each listed parent, an immunization record, a telephone number for the listed mother, documentation that the parent has been informed of all required policies, documentation that the age and identity of the child was verified. 2. Child 2's record did not contain: The place of employment for each parent listed, the names addresses, and phone numbers of two persons to contact in the event the parents cannot be reached, documentation of immunizations, documentation of a physical examination, documentation that the parent has been informed of all required policies, documentation that the age and identity of the child was verified. 3. Child 3's record did not contain: The place of employment for each parent listed, the addresses for two emergency contacts, documentation of immunizations, documentation of a physical examination, documentation that the parent has been informed of all required policies, the phone number of the child's physician, documentation that the age and identity of the child was verified.
Plan of Correction:	We have requested a physical address for the emergency contacts, parents information, children medication or food allergy, children?s immunizations and physician information. However, most of parents did not follow our procedures as they thought it is only one week summer camp or only 2 days. Our staff did not want to force them to do so because in parents mind this program is not a daycare but summer camp program. Enforcing parents only hurt our relationship with parents in such a competitive market. Now we must reenforce this 22VAC40-185- (2)-60-A law. If required physical address for the emergency contacts, parents information, children medication or food allergy, children?s immunizations document is not provided within 3 days, we will dis-enroll that child until an up-to- date information can be provided. This new policy will put into place immediately after we inform current and future parents: Failure to return with correct documents and information will result in delay or suspension of services until such form is completed.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-70-A
Description:	Based on record review, three of three staff records did not contain all required information. Evidence: 1. Staff 1's record did not contain: all required background checks, staff emergency contacts, or reference checks. 2. Staff 2's record did not contain all required background checks, or reference checks. 3. Staff 3's record did not contain all required background checks, or reference checks.
Plan of Correction:	Please see the section answers: 22.1-(14.1)-289.035-B-4 8VAC20-770-(BC)-60-C-2 22VAC40-185-(7)-530-A
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-240-B
Description:	Based on record review, by the end of the first day of supervising children, staff were not provided in writing with the information listed in 22VAC40-185-420 A and other required information. Evidence: There was no documentation that any staff of duty had received an orientation.
Plan of Correction:	An Staff Orientation Documentation sheet is formed and put it with Astar Employee?s Handbook. Each staff has to sign and dated after the orientation. These materials will be in each staff?s file. It is implemented immediately.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-280-B
Description:	Based on observation, hazardous substances were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. In Restroom 2 there was a canister of aerosol air freshener on the counter and a canister of air freshener on the floor. 2. In Restroom 3 there were two canisters of air freshener on the counter.
Plan of Correction:	Astar had a meeting with all the teachers and staff on July 14 to emphasis the importance of this rule. Especially, we highlighted this inspection in the manager?s job responsibility. In this way, violation like this will not be overlooked.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-F
Description:	Based on observation, children under 10 years of age were not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. 1. At the beginning of the inspection a child was observed seated alone in the main room and another child was alone in the open play room. Both supervising staff were in a separate classroom. 2. Throughout the inspection children were observed moving freely from classroom to classroom, and from classroom to restroom, where they would remain out of the sight and sound of a supervising teacher for periods of time up to three minutes.
Plan of Correction:	Based on your observation, it was determined that 2 teachersdid not always ensure the care on that day even if only 6 students on site. Astar decided to add a teacher?s team policy to divide the responsibility of each teacher into our daily routing function
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-530-A
Description:	Based on record review, there was not at least one staff member trained in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and rescue breathing as appropriate to the age of the children in care who is on the premises during the center's hours of operation. Evidence: There was no documentation that any staff present on the date of inspection was currently certified in CPR or had received training in first aid.
Plan of Correction:	All have valid CPR certificates. (Please see all the copies enclosed.) Only one did not have it as we thought she is not involved with children care but marketing.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-550-D
Description:	Based on documentation, the center did not implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. Evidence: On the date of inspection documentation of evacuation drills could not be produced.
Plan of Correction:	We have read this rule and contacted with The Fair Oaks Mall Property Manager, Jack to work with his team to have a written monthly practice evacuation drill plan . It is scheduled to finish this plan on July 25, 2022.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-C-2
Description:	Based on record review, three of three staff records checked did not contain the results of a central registry background check. Evidence: The records for staff 1, 2, and 3, did not contain the results of a central registry check.
Plan of Correction:	Teacher finished her state central registry on May 18, 2022 and mailed background check division the following day. So far, we are waiting for the result. Please see her copy. Our marketing and social media staff. She did not do this check as we thought she is not a teacher, and she only helps us with marketing during her 2-month summer break from June to July.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-140-A
Description:	Based on record review, two of three children's records did not contain documentation of having received a physical examination by the 30th day of attendance. Evidence: The records for Child 2 and 3 did not contain documentation of having received a physical examination by a physician.
Plan of Correction:	Through our daily operation in the real world, it is very difficult to adhere this rule for the following 2 reasons: 1> Astar Explorer reopened on June 13 only for summer camp program from 6/13-8/19 with 4-hour or 8-hour services. Parents can choose any week as they want. That means they only buy a 5-day service not a 30-day daycare. That is why parents think it?s not necessary and do not do forms. 2> COVID has made physical examination hard to obtain. Some parents left us after reading our requirements because a 5-day summer camp is not worth tostruggle to get a physical examination. Plus, there are so many other summer camp programs for them to join without such restricted requirements. We fully understand once we are licensed, we must follow the state rules and regulations. Therefore, a dis-enroll policy will effective on July 18. Required physical address for the emergency contacts, parents information, children medication or food allergy, children?s immunizations document is not provided within 3 days, we will dis-enroll that child until an up-to- date information can be provided
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-L
Description:	Based on observation, there was not at least one staff member on duty who has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing the daily health observation of children. Evidence: There was not documentation present to confirm that any on duty staff member has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing the daily health observation of children.
Plan of Correction:	The site Manager, has Daily Health Observation Certificate since Feb. 14, 2022. Please see the copy enclosed. 2 teachers, have been instructed how to attend and complete this Daily Health Observation Course on July 14, 2022.