VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Blue Bird Day School
2401 9th Street, North
903 and 907 North Barton Street
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 525-7117

Current Inspector: Charles Perkins (703) 309-3963

Inspection Date: Dec. 2, 2022

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 ADMINISTRATION. 8VAC20-780 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 8VAC20-780 Physical plant. 8VAC20-780 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 8VAC20-780 PROGRAMS. 20 Access to minor's records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 54.1 Provider must be MAT certified to administer prescription medication. 63.2 Child abuse and neglect

Technical Assistance:

Technical assistance was offered related to: using age and stage appropriate discipline and behavior guidance techniques; additional staff training to reinforce positive behavior guidance, and outside play time.

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted on 12/5/22 in response to a complaint that was received by the department regarding allegations in the areas of behavior guidance. 4 staff were interviewed, and classroom observations were made. 3 staff records and the center's behavior guidance and discipline policy were reviewed. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the allegation of non-compliance with standards, and violations were issued. For any questions regarding this inspection, please contact me at (571)-835-4718 or mahrukh.aziz@doe.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on records review and staff interview, the center does not follow its own written policy for discipline and behavior management. Evidence: 1. The center?s discipline policy states that, ?Staff shall always try to redirect behavior of a child to prevent negative behavior. Staff shall use positively worded directions to help guide the behavior of the children. If a child is frustrated and/ or upset, ask the child to express their feelings with words (If age appropriate). Time out shall be used only when extremely aggressive behavior is being demonstrated by the child and the above acceptable methods of discipline were ineffective or bringing harm to another child?. 2. Staff # 1 stated that two systems were used in the Dinosaurs classroom for behavior management. One system was color-coded (green, yellow and red), with green reflecting good behavior, yellow indicating that a child had to be given reminders or spoken to; and red meaning that the child was not listening and /or following directions. 3. Staff # 1 stated that the alternative system involves putting check marks next to children?s names on a white board when they are observed exhibiting negative or disruptive behavior in the classroom, and when it has been determined that the color-coded system will not work for the child. For example: if seen running in the classroom, a check mark will be placed on the white board next to their name. Each check mark results in a loss of 2-3 minutes of their outside time. 4. Staff # 2 stated that timeout is used when children ?don?t do things well? and have been spoken to. Staff # 2 showed a sand timer that was designed to complete a timeout for 5 minutes which exceeds the time limit for the age group (3 yrs. old) that Staff # 2 supervises and cares for.
Plan of Correction:	Retrained staff on proper way to use time out (one minute per age) and retrained staff on methods for redirecting behaviors. Also provided clear definition of ?aggressive behaviors?. Removed the usage of the check system.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interview, behavioral guidance used at the center was not constructive in nature, and age and stage appropriate. Evidence: 1. Staff # 1 stated that in addition to a color-coded (green, yellow and red) behavior management system, the 4?5 year-old classroom (Dinosaurs) uses a check system that involves putting check marks next to children?s names on a white board. 2. Staff # 1 stated that the check system is used for children that do not respond to the color-coded system, and exhibit behavior that is disruptive to the classroom activities, including but not limited to running around the classroom, hitting friends, and jumping on friends. 3. Staff # 1 stated that a check mark is placed on the whiteboard with the child?s name when the child is being disruptive. For every check mark a child gets, they lose approximately 2-3 minutes of their outside time. The total time would vary depending on how many checks a child has received. 4. Staff # 1 stated that currently she is using the check mark system for one child in the Dinosaurs classroom, because this child is not responsive to the color coded system. This child ?flips out? when he sees that his card is yellow and throws things in the classroom. 5. This check mark system focuses on and punishes negative behaviors instead of reinforcing desired behaviors.
Plan of Correction:	Spoke with all staff on providing positive reinforcements. Encouraged the use of stickers to reward positive behaviors. Reminded staff that outside time cannot be withheld.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-C
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interview and observation, when timeout is used as a behavior guidance technique, it exceeds one minute for each year of the child?s age. Evidence: 1. Staff # 2 stated that when ?children don?t do things well?, the staff talks to the children and sometimes they are put in timeout. She also stated that while children are in timeout, they are asked to sit on the carpet and are not engaged in any activity while they are sitting. 2. Staff # 2 showed a sand timer that is used for placing children in time out in the 3-year-old classroom. The sand timer was observed to take 5-minutes to empty. 3. Staff # 2 stated that the 5-minute sand timer is used until it empties out. Staff # 2 stated that sometimes if the child is behaving well while sitting in timeout, they can rejoin the class activities sooner than 5 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	Retrained staff on proper way to use time out and provided examples of redirecting behaviors. Also provided clear definition of ?aggressive behaviors?.