VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Countryside Montessori School
21724 Timberlake Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
(540) 520-8006

Current Inspector: Kelly Campbell (540) 309-2494

Inspection Date: Aug. 29, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

? 8VAC20-780 Administration. ? 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. ? 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. ? 8VAC20-780 Programs.

Comments:

An unannounced focused inspection was conducted on 08/29/2022 to follow up violations sited on 5/23/2022. The inspectors observed the following: free choice activities outside, and nap time. The inspectors arrived at 145PM and departed the program at 2:00 PM. Kelly Campbell Licensing Inspector Office of Child Care Health and Safety Division of Early Childhood Care and Education Phone# 540-309-2494 Kelly.campbell @doe.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that all areas and equipment was maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1.Observed a structure of tree logs in the outdoor play area. The logs were different sizes and were stacked haphazardly with no ground support to keep them from moving. Some were approximately 6 ft. long with approximately 2 ft. diameter. The entire structure stood approximately 5 ft. tall. There were several large openings in the structure that posed an entrapment hazard and pinch point for children?s limbs. The tree structure had several protruding limbs and had splintering pieces that posed a hazard to children. 2.Observed on the outside play area a stacked pile of wooden logs that had rebar protruding out of the top of the logs. Tennis balls were placed on the top of the rebar. The rebar poses a protrusion and an entanglement hazard.
Plan of Correction:	Per the Director: The children are not allowed to play on these logs. The children have never been allowed to play on or around these borders.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-330-B
Description:	Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that all play structures that required resilient surfacing had the required amount. Evidence: 1.The tire swing had resilient surfacing directly under the swing. The requirement is for the resilient surfacing to extend all directions that the tire swing goes and double the area. 2.The composite play structure that has four slides, climbing wall and a swinging bridge had resilient surfacing mats that only extended approximately 2 feet in the direct fall zones. The requirement is for the resilient surfacing to extend six feet on all sides of the equipment.
Plan of Correction:	We just received our shipment of resilient surfacing grass mats shortly prior to the inspector?s visit. The remaining mats are scheduled to be installed at the end of September.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1.Nine chicken hens, one rooster and one turkey were observed roaming around the outdoor play area with the children. There were several child sized picnic tables in the area. The inspectors observed pieces of food, such as chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries, on the ground around the picnic tables. The poultry were observed eating the pieces of food. There were 6 children, approximately ages 3 ? 5 years old, playing in the same area around the poultry. Two children were observed walking around barefoot in same area. Poultry feces was observed on the ground around the child sized picnic tables. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Poultry should not be kept in schools, childcare centers, and other facilities with children younger than 5 years old. If this is not possible, the area where the chickens roam should be considered contaminated, and the children should not be allowed to play, eat, or drink in these areas. Young children are more likely to get sick from germs as their immune systems are still developing and they are more likely to put unwashed hands into their mouth." 2.Observed four goats in a corral inside the outdoor play area. The goats were able to place their snout through the gate and have access to the children. Observed in the corral was feces from the goats. The feces was accessible to the children through the openings in the gate.
Plan of Correction:	Per the Director: The chickens will no longer be allowed to free range on the playground. There is nothing in the standards that says the children can not have access to the goats. The children are taught how to interact with the goats and a teacher is in the area to provide DIRECT supervision of the children with the goats. The goat pens are cleaned daily per the Standards (8VAC20-780-600). The animals are in good health. The goats do not have horns. The goats are gentle and friendly. The goats do not bite. The children are directly supervised by a staff member when interacting with the goats or playing adjacent to the paddock.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Description:	Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that when children are in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff-to children ratio is applicable to the youngest child in the group. Evidence: Observed in the infant room 10 children with two staff members. The youngest child present was 11 months old. The room required three staff members. The ratio is one staff person for four infants.
Plan of Correction:	A new assistant has been hired
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-G
Description:	Based on observation and interview with staff, the center failed to ensure that all children 12 months and younger were using a crib. Evidence: On the day of the inspection, there was one child 12 months and younger that was sleeping on an infant bed and not the required crib per the standard.
Plan of Correction:	Per the Director: A crib will be available for infants under the age of 12 months.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-B
Description:	Based on observation of the infant room, the center failed to ensure that when cloth diapers are used a separate leak proof storage system that is either foot-operated or used in such a way that neither the staff member?s hand nor the soiled diaper touches an exterior surface of the storage system. Evidence: Observed three zipped cloth bags hanging from the diaper changing table. Each bag had soiled cloth diapers in them. The method of disposal did not ensure that a staff?s member?s hands nor the soiled diaper touched the exterior surface of the storage system.
Plan of Correction:	All our staff are trained to properly dispose of cloth diapers and to not touch the exterior of the hanging bags. I spoke with multiple Montessori Schools throughout the state that have infants programs. In fact, many of the directors informed me that this is how their inspectors instructed them to dispose of cloth diapers. They all utilize this same system and technique. I am unsure as to why it is an issue here