VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Laurel Learning Center
11484 Washington Plaza West
Suite 200
Reston, VA 20190
(571) 323-1414

Current Inspector: Sarah Marbert (703) 479-4678

Inspection Date: Sept. 27, 2022

Complaint Related: Yes

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. 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

9/27/22: A complaint investigation was begun today in response to an allegation being received in our office. The investigation is on-going at this time. 10/2/22: Based on multiple interviews and a review of available documentation the preponderance of evidence confirms the allegation. The complaint is valid for failure to properly restrain children during transportation and notification to parents of a field trip. Additional violations, not complaint related, were discovered during the course of the investigation. If you have questions regarding this investigation, you can contact me at (703) 479-4678 or at Sarah.Marbert@doe.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on a review of records, one child record does not contain documentation of all required information. Evidence: 1 of 3 records reviewed was missing documentation of a parent's information. Missing information includes; Father's information (Child 2)
Plan of Correction:	Parent corrected other non-custodial parent and wrote N/A on registration form.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-H
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on staff statements, while at the local, outdoor activity area, there was not two staff members on the outdoor activity area when one or more children were present. Evidence: Staff stated that Staff A, left the playground area to go to McDonald's to get lunch, leaving Staff B alone at the playground with the three children.
Plan of Correction:	There will be 2 or more staff with children at all times when off campus.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-I
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on staff statements, 911 or local number for emergency services was not posted or on the vehicle used for transporting children on a fieldtrip. Evidence: No emergency numbers were posted or carried on the vehicle used to transport children to the fieldtrip on September 2, 2022.
Plan of Correction:	NO personal vehicles will be used to transport children.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-K
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on staff statement, the center did not prepare a document of local emergency contact information, potential shelters, hospitals, evacuation routes for field trips. The document was not kept in the vehicle used to transport children. Evidence: No document was available for the vehicle used to transport children on the field trip on September 2, 2022.
Plan of Correction:	No personal vehicles will EVER be used to transport Laurel Learning Center children.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-580-C
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff statements, the center did not ensure that during transportation of children: 1. VA state statutes about safety belts and child restraints were followed. 5. The following information was in the transportation vehicle: b. the center's name, address, and phone number c. a list of the names of children being transported Evidence: 3 children were transported to a local park, restaurant and a personal residence on Friday September 2, 2022. 1. The 3 children transported were not restrained with the required child restraints. The VA statutes require that children under the age of 8 be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat. The children were secured in the vehicle only with a seat belt. 5.The "Safety" back pack for the vehicle did not contain: b. the name address and phone number of the facility, c. a list of all children being transported. (Child 1: Date of Birth (DOB) 10/17/17; Child 2: DOB 6/11/18, Child 3: DOB 10/8/18)
Plan of Correction:	Children that attend Laurel Learning Center will NEVER again be transported in a staff vehicle. All information is in both our school buses/vans.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-580-I
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on staff statements, no schedule of the trip's events and location was posted and visible at the center's site. Evidence: No documentation providing the schedule of events and locations of events were posted a the center.
Plan of Correction:	All field trips will be posted on white boards outside classrooms with locations, address ETO/ETA.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-580-M
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on multiple staff statements, with a blanket permission slip in use at the facility, the following was not applied: 1. Parents were not notified of the fieldtrip, 2. Parent were not given the opportunity to opt out of the field trip. Evidence: Staff stated that 3 children's parents were called. A voicemail message was left for each of the parents, only asking them to call the classroom teacher. 1 of 3 parents called the staff and was informed of the fieldtrip (Child 1). 2 of 3 were not informed, as they did not call the teacher. Parents not notified of the fieldtrip were not given the opportunity to opt out of the trip. (Children 2, 3)
Plan of Correction:	Parents will be notified of all field trips by a visible white board posted at each classroom door. Location, address, ETO and ETA will be provided. Director will also email parents notifying them about the field trip with the same information.