VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Kids Central Inc. @ Big Stone Gap Center
309 E. 5th Street North
Big stone gap, VA 24219
(276) 679-0518 (142)

Current Inspector: Angela Farmer (276) 608-2283

Inspection Date: Sept. 28, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.

Comments:

A self reported monitoring inspection was initiated on 9/28/2022 and concluded on 10/31/2022. There were 25 children present with six staff supervising. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, staffing and supervision. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on interviews, video footage, and a review of procedures, the center failed to ensure that the center?s own policies and procedures required by the standards are maintained. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 & 2 did not follow the center?s policy and procedure for identifying where attending children are at all times. The center?s policy/procedure requires the staff to use an attendance transition checklist to record the roll call, attendance tally, and the time of exiting the classroom and playground. When entering classroom from outside time, staff will conduct another head count and compare recorded tally count. The last staff member exiting the (classroom and outside) areas will scan the area to see if any child has not lined up to exit. The staff will check all areas to ensure a child is not hiding or left behind. 2. Staff #1 & 2 did not complete the Attendance Transitions Checklist upon entering the center from the playground.
Plan of Correction:	The assistant director of Education will conduct active supervision training which includes review of procedures for identifying where attending children are at all times. The education supervisor will conduct three unannounced monitoring visits within the next 45 days at Big Stone Gap Head Start Center to ensure compliance with Kids Central active supervision policies and procedures. [sic]
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on video footage and interviews, the center failed to ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: Staff #1 and #2 were supervising 13 three and four year old children outside on the playground. Upon entering the classroom, one child was left outside and alone for approximately four minutes.
Plan of Correction:	Kids Central, Inc. took immediate action, Staff # 1 and #2 were terminated on October 7, 2022 in accordance to Kids Central Inc. policies and procedures. [sic]
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on video footage and interviews, the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age were within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: Child #1, three years old, was left outside on the fenced playground out of sight and sound supervision, alone and unsupervised, for approximately four minutes. The child was observed to be playing in a play house and in other areas of the playground. The child was not visibly upset while outside. The child came to the door to the classroom that led directly to the playground appearing to try to get the attention of staff after four minutes.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will always maintain actual sight and sound supervision. All center-base staff will comply with Kids Central's active supervision plan. Kids Central will install a door bell on the playground exit door. A child would be able to alert staff immediately if the door was closed before they could enter the building. [sic]