VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Central Montessori School
323 North 20th Street
Richmond, VA 23223
(804) 447-7493

Current Inspector: Cindy Horne (804) 297-4469

Inspection Date: Sept. 22, 2022 , Sept. 26, 2022 and Sept. 30, 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 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE.

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted on September 26, 2022 from approximately 11:45 am to 12:45 pm in response to a self-reported supervision incident. The department received the self-report on September 22, 2022. The Licensing Inspector conducted an on-site inspection on 09/26/22. Documentation was gathered and reviewed while at the center. Staff involved with the incident were later interviewed on the phone. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports violation of standards in regards to the self-reported incident.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on interview, the center failed to ensure when staff are supervising children, they always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: When interviewed administration stated that child #1 was left in the care of the center on 9/22/22. Child #1, 4 years old, was left on a stairwell by staff #3 who escorted the child to the bottom of the stairs and turned around and walked away. The stairs are located on the outside of the building. Child #1 was left alone for approximately 15 minutes. The center is located in an urban area surrounded by busy streets with heavy traffic.
Plan of Correction:	On 9/22/22 we shared information about the incident and provided additional training with staff members in the building to ensure the care, safety, protection and well-being of our students at all times. On 9/26/22 we implemented our updated and corrected arrival and dismissal procedures after we communicated with staff and families regarding the change in protocol. We are no longer using the direct entry to classrooms via exterior egresses that we used during covid mitigation procedures and have returned to pre covid arrival and dismissal procedures and using only two points of entry into the building. We are located in an urban neighborhood with cars and pedestrians. Many of our families live in the neighborhood and walk or bike to and from the school. The area mentioned in the violation was a latched, fenced deck area adjacent to the classroom door that we use for outdoor classroom space at the rear of the building. When the incident occured, the deck area had a large planter with flowers that we believe may have hindered the receiving staff member?s ability to see the child before the door was closed. We have discontinued the use of this entrance for arrival and dismissal and have moved the plants for a better line of view and ensure the safety and monitoring of children. Our corrected/ current entry points have full visibility for arrival and dismissal and staff are able to see and hear children at all times during this process. Staff members are posted at the playground gate and front office door to greet children. Additional staff members greet children and monitor them as they make their way into their classrooms. Students remain within sight and sound of staff members at all times. We have added time to the process and staff members do not close classroom doors until 5 minutes after arrival time ends. Front office staff members will continue to use a walkie-talkie to alert classroom teachers when a student enters a classroom after arrival time and confirm they have been received by staff. Carpool staff members walk through and conduct a safety sweep of all entry points before concluding carpool monitoring. The child was understandably visibly upset at the time of the incident. We are thankful that the child was able to participate in daily activities on the day of the incident and the child remains in our care at this time.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on interview, the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age always are within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: Interviews with staff revealed the following. 1) Child #1, 4 years old, was dropped off by the parent on 9/22/22 at approximately 8:58 am. The carpool line closes at 9:00 am. 2) Staff #3 escorted child #1 to the bottom of the stairs located through a gate and on the outside of the building. The door at the top of the stairs was propped open, which typically indicates that a staff member is standing there to accept children. 3) Staff #3 closed the gate at the bottom of the stairs, turned around, and walked away leaving child #1 to go up the stairs by themselves. 4) Staff #3 cleaned up the outside carpool equipment and then helped another family who had arrived. They went into the building through the front door. 5) Staff #1 was in the classroom at the top of the stairs where the door was propped open. Staff #1 did not realize that another child was coming up the stairs to enter. Staff #1 closed the door to the classroom leaving child #1 alone outside. 6) Staff #2 went outside at approximately 9:15 am to the lower deck to prepare for a lesson when she saw Child #1 standing on the upper deck alone. 7) Staff #2 stated that child #1 was visibly upset when found. Staff #2 escorted child #1 into the center and called administration to report what had happened.
Plan of Correction:	On 9/22/22 we shared information about the incident and provided additional training with staff members in the building to ensure the care, safety, protection and well-being of our students at all times. On 9/26/22 we implemented our updated and corrected arrival and dismissal procedures after we communicated with staff and families regarding the change in protocol. We are no longer using the direct entry to classrooms via exterior egresses that we used during covid mitigation procedures and have returned to pre covid arrival and dismissal procedures and using only two points of entry into the building. We are located in an urban neighborhood with cars and pedestrians. Many of our families live in the neighborhood and walk or bike to and from the school. The area mentioned in the violation was a latched, fenced deck area adjacent to the classroom door that we use for outdoor classroom space at the rear of the building. When the incident occurred, the deck area had a large planter with flowers that we believe may have hindered the receiving staff member?s ability to see the child before the door was closed. We have discontinued the use of this entrance for arrival and dismissal and have moved the plants for a better line of view and ensure the safety and monitoring of children. Our corrected/ current entry points have full visibility for arrival and dismissal and staff are able to see and hear children at all times during this process. Staff members are posted at the playground gate and front office door to greet children. Additional staff members greet children and monitor them as they make their way into their classrooms. Students remain within sight and sound of staff members at all times. We have added time to the process and staff members do not close classroom doors until 5 minutes after arrival time ends. Front office staff members will continue to use a walkie-talkie to alert classroom teachers when a student enters a classroom after arrival time and confirm they have been received by staff. Carpool staff members walk through and conduct a safety sweep of all entry points before concluding carpool monitoring. The child was understandably visibly upset at the time of the incident. We are thankful that the child was able to participate in daily activities on the day of the incident and the child remains in our care at this time.