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Karter School of Cascades
21290 Springlake Court
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 430-8657

Current Inspector: Kristy Atanackovic (804) 629-5032

Inspection Date: Nov. 14, 2022

Complaint Related: No

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.
8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE.
8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770)
20 Access to minor?s records
63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect
8VAC20-790 Subsidy Regulations.

Technical Assistance:
Discussed with the Director: Incident Reporting.

Comments:
An unannounced self-reported investigation was initiated on November 7, 2022, due to concerns of forbidden actions and behavior guidance. This visit was conducted on November 14, 2022, in the morning between 10:00 am and 12:15 pm. The investigation included interviews with center management and staff, a review of children's records, and video footage review. Based on the preponderance of evidence gathered, violations were cited. For violation details, please refer to the Violation Notice. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at kristy.atanackovic@doe.virginia.gov.

Violations:
Standard #: 8VAC20-780-40-E
Description: Based on video observation and a review of the center?s written policies, it was determined the center failed to comply with its own policies and procedures as it relates to behavior guidance.

Evidence:
1. On October 17, 2022, video footage shows Staff #1 taking a stuffed toy from Child #1 after a child claims Child #1 hit them. Staff #1 told Child #1 to apologize and then pushed Child #1's head twice.

2. On October 18, 2022, video footage shows several children on the playground holding and straddling Staff #1's legs and feet. After a while, Staff #1 appeared frustrated and pushed Child #3 on the head and Child #4 on the shoulder to prevent them from straddling their leg again.

3. Staff #1 failed to adhere to the center?s written policy for the discipline of children, which states: ?Our number one tool for inappropriate behavior is redirection. Redirection requires the team member to guide the child to the appropriate behavior.?

Plan of Correction: This was discovered and reported by leadership while reviewing footage to assist the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

This teacher had already been terminated when this incident was discovered.

All Karter Staff were retrained.

Standard #: 8VAC20-780-400-B
Description: Based on video observation, the center failed to use behavioral guidance that was age and stage-appropriate, constructive in nature and intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.

Evidence:

1. On October 17, 2022, video footage shows Staff #1 taking a stuffed toy from Child #1 after a child claims Child #1 hit them. Staff #1 told Child #1 to apologize and then pushed Child #1's head twice.

2. On October 18, 2022, video footage shows several children on the playground holding and straddling Staff #1's legs and feet. After a while, Staff #1 appeared frustrated and pushed Child #3 on the head and Child #4 on the shoulder to prevent them from straddling their leg again.

3. Staff #1?s method of behavior guidance with Child#1, Child #3, and Child #4 was not age and stage-appropriate and constructive in nature.

Plan of Correction: This was discovered and reported by leadership while reviewing footage to assist the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

This teacher had already been terminated when this incident was discovered.

All Karter Staff were retrained.

Standard #: 8VAC20-780-410-1
Description: Based on video observation, the center failed to maintain compliance relating to forbidden actions involving physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, restricting movement through binding or tying, forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position, or exercising as punishment.

Evidence:

1. On October 17, 2022, at approximately 9:37 a.m., video footage shows Staff #1 talking to Child #1 about hitting. Staff #1 then takes a stuffed toy from Child #1. The child reaches up to get their stuffed toy back. Staff #1 then grabs and moves Child #1's arm away while holding the stuffed toy above their head. Staff #1 pushes Child #1 on the back of the head. Child #1 takes the stuffed toy back, and as the child walks away, Staff #1 can be seen pushing Child #1's head from the side.

2. On October 17, 2022, at approximately 4:26 pm, video footage shows Child #2 running up to Staff #1, who is sitting in a chair. Child #2 gives Staff #1 a hug and starts to play with the toys on the table while Staff #1 sits next to them. After a while, Staff #1 is seen touching Child #2's hair and then pulling it twice. Child #2 appears upset and walks away from Staff #1.

3. On October 18, 2022, at approximately 4:50 p.m., video footage shows several children on the playground holding and straddling Staff #1's legs and feet. After a while, Staff #1 appears to become frustrated and begins to withdraw their feet from the children. As Staff #1 walks away, a few students follow and begin to wrap themselves around the staff member's legs and feet approximately 2-3 more times. Staff #1 can be heard saying, "Stop, go play on the slide," before pulling their foot away from the children and walking towards the front of the playground near the slide. The video then shows four children running behind Staff #1, attempting to cling and straddle the staff's legs and feet again. Staff #1 can be heard saying "Stop," and then seen pushing Child #3 on the head and Child #4 on the shoulder.

Plan of Correction: This was discovered and reported by leadership while reviewing footage to assist the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

This teacher had already been terminated when this incident was discovered.

All Karter Staff were retrained.

Disclaimer:

A compliance history is in no way a rating for a facility.

The online compliance history includes only information after July 1, 2003. In addition, the online compliance history includes information regarding adverse actions that may be the subject of a pending appeal. An adverse action is not final until a provider has exhausted or waived all due process rights. For compliance history prior to July 1, 2003, or information regarding the status of pending adverse actions, please contact the Licensing Inspector listed in the facility's information. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is not responsible for any errors in or omissions from the compliance history information.

Virginia Quality is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system for early care and education facilities serving children ages birth through pre-K. To find programs participating in Virginia Quality, click here.

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