VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Capital Kids Preschool & Learning Center
8758 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309
(703) 360-3668

Current Inspector: Mahrukh Aziz (571) 835-4718

Inspection Date: Dec. 5, 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. 8VAC20-780 Special care provisions and emergencies. 8VAC20-780 SPECIAL SERVICES. 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: supervision and accountability of children at all times of the day; playground equipment and surfacing; medications.

Comments:

A complaint inspection was initiated on 12/05/2022 and concluded on 12/16/22. A complaint was received by the department regarding allegations in the areas of inappropriate behavior guidance. During the course of the investigation, additional allegations were received related to supervision, playground, and nutrition. 7 staff members were interviewed, 4 staff records, the center's policies, the center's live camera feed and one child's record including medications were reviewed. Classroom observations were made during outdoor playtime and lunch, and other activities. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the allegations of non-compliance with standards, and violations were issued, excluding the allegation related to inappropriate behavior guidance. Any violations identified during the course of the investigation can be found on the violation notice. 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:	No
Description:	Based on record review and observation, the center did not follow it own policies as required by the licensing standards. Evidence: 1. The center's medication administration policy states that, "Ongoing/?as needed? medication and over-the counter skin products will be returned to the parent or properly disposed of once the product has expired. Parents will be notified in advance of medications and other products that are soon to expire. Parents are responsible for replacing any items that need to be kept on site for their child once items have expired." 2. There was an emergency medication on site for Child # 3's. The medication expired on 10/31/22. 3. As per the center's policy, the medication had not been returned to the parent nor disposed of upon it's expiration.
Plan of Correction:	The medication was returned to the parent.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation, areas and equipment inside and outside the center were not maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. Dirty towels used to dry the play equipment were left on the fence. They were not removed from the playground after being used. 2. A metal bench sitting next to the fence has a broken back leg, causing the bench to wobble. The bench could easily collapse with pressure of someone sitting or jumping on it. 3. The turf that covers the pour in place under the swings was torn, exposing the pour in place surfacing underneath. The pour in place surface also showed signs of wear and tear with pieces.
Plan of Correction:	Towels were used to dry play equipment after raining so children could play outside. From here forward towels will be placed in a bin and taken to the washing machine to be laundered after each use. The bench was disposed of (12/16/22). The turf is currently under contract to be repaired. (12/29/22)
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, cleaning materials were not kept locked and out of reach of children. Evidence: In the Hershey's classroom (3 years old), bottles of cleaning and sanitizing solutions were stored in a bin in a closet. The closet was not locked making the cleaning supplies accessible to the children.
Plan of Correction:	All cleaning materials will be kept behind a locked cabinet at all times.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-330-B
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not ensure that the fall zone shall for climbing equipment encompass sufficient area to include the child's trajectory in the event of a fall while the equipment is in use. Evidence: 1. Two climbing play structures on the playground are placed right next to each other. The height for these structures is 80 inches (6.66 feet). 2. The area between the structures and the fence is approximately 3-4 feet only which does not meet the fall zone of minimum 6 feet on all sides.
Plan of Correction:	All climbing structure have been placed to ensure the proper fall zones are available provided in the event of a fall.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interview, staff did not ensure that children under the age of 10 years were always within sight and sound supervision while in care. Evidence: 1. During Winter 2021, at approximately 5:45 pm Child # 1 (4 yrs. old) left the Sweet Tarts classroom unsupervised, walked to the big room in the middle of the center and took Child # 2 (3 yrs. old) out of the room and walked over to the front door of the center. Both children were out of sight and sound supervision for approximately 2-3 minutes. 2. Staff # 1 could not remember the exact date or month but stated that in ?Winter 2021? at approximately 6 pm, Staff # 2 was taking the trash out. Staff # 2 saw Child # 1 and Child # 2 standing by the front door without any staff supervising them. 3. Staff # 1 stated that Child # 1 from the Sweet Tarts (4 yr. old) classroom had left the room, walked over to the big room where Staff # 3 was supervising 3 year old children, took Child # and walked over to the front door. The children had their jackets on because it was almost time for them to leave. 4. Staff # 2 stated that she could not remember the exact date or month of the incident, but it must have been around the winter months because when she was taking the trash out it was dark outside, and she had her coat on. 5. Staff # 2 stated that at approximately 5:45 pm when she arrived at the front door to take her trash out, Child # 1 and Child # 2 were standing there as if they were ready to go home. Staff # 2 stated that Staff # 1 came out of the office because she heard Staff # 2 talking to the children. Staff # 2 took both children to Staff # 4 in the Sweet Tarts classroom. 6. Staff # 3 stated that she also could not remember the exact date and month. Staff # 3 remembers the time of the incident being approximately 5:40 - 5:45 pm. Staff # 3 was busy with another child and during that time Child # 1 came and took Child # 2 out of her care, and walked to the front door of the center without her knowledge. 7. Staff # 4 stated that she was busy with a child who was being disruptive in the Sweet Tarts room when Child # 1 left the classroom. She was unaware of Child # 1 leaving the room. 8.Staff # 4 stated that Child # 1 took Child # 2 from Staff # 3?s care and walked over to the front door. Staff # 4 does not remember the date and month but stated that the incident occurred around closing time and Child # 1 may have been out of her sight and sound supervision for approximately 2-3 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	An immediate emergency staff meeting was conducted in the winter of 2021 to review our safety and supervision measures and procedures t o ensure that no child gets out of a classroom or out of a teacher's supervision. Training materials were provided and required by those staff in need of further training. Ongoing training is administered regularly to all staff, accountability logs are completed hourly, daily, safety locks have been added to Pre-K classroom door handles and classroom doors into the common areas are to remain closed at all times prohibiting children from leaving a classroom at will.