VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Gifted Minds Academy, Inc.
3500 King Street
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 399-1920

Current Inspector: Emily Walsh (757) 404-2575

Inspection Date: Dec. 6, 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 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

A monitoring inspection was conducted on 12/6/2022 from 11:18 AM until 2:22 PM.. There were 6 children present, ranging in ages from infant to 4 years, with 2 staff supervising. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision, programming, medication, special care and emergencies and nutrition. A total of 6 children's records and 3 staff records were reviewed. 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 and discussed with program director during the exit interview.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-C-2
Description:	Based upon review of staff records and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that they have received the results of a child protective services (CPS) central registry finding within 30 days of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff 3 was employed on 5/14/2019. Results of a CPS central registry finding were not available for review. 2. Staff 1 stated that she thought she had the results of a central registry finding but it was not in the record of staff 3. 3. The record provided for staff 2, who staff 1 stated was hired in August 2022, did not include the results of a CPS central registry finding. 4. Staff 1 verified that a central registry finding had not been received for staff 2.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-140-A
Description:	Based upon review of children's records and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that each child has a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician before attending or within 30 days after attending. Evidence: 1. The record provided for child 3, who began attending on 10/16/2020, did not include the results of a physical examination. 2. The record provided for child 1 did not include the results of a physical examination. Although staff 1 did not have indicated in the record the child's first date of attendance, she stated that the paperwork was signed on 9/6/2022. 3. The record provided for child 4 did not include the results of a physical examination. Although staff 1 did not have indicated in the record the child's first date of attendance, she stated that the paperwork was signed on 6/10/2022.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-C
Description:	Based upon review of staff records and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that tuberculosis screenings of staff members are obtained at least every two years. Evidence: 1. The most recent tuberculosis screening in the record of staff 1 is dated 3/6/2020. 2. Staff 1 acknowledged that a more recent tuberculosis screening was not in the record.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	Based upon review of children's records and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that children's records include all required information. Evidence: 1. The records provided for child 1, child 2 and child 4 did not include the first date of attendance. 2. The record provided for child 5 did not include the street addresses for the two persons to be notified in an emergency when a parent cannot be reached. 3. Staff 1 acknowledged that the records for child 1, 2, 4 and 5 were missing information.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Based upon review of staff records and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that all staff records include all required documentation. Evidence: 1. The record provided for staff 2 did not include the hire date, the job title or any references as to her character, competency and reputation, however staff 2 was the only staff person assigned to supervise the infant room. 2. Staff 1 acknowledged that the record for staff 2 did not include all required documentation.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Description:	Based upon observation and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that for each group of children, they maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs. Evidence: 1. The only attendance records being kept are the sign-in/out record completed by parents. Today's record did not include all six children in care during the inspection, nor did it indicate those children who had arrived early and had gone on to public school. Each group/classroom of children did not have attendance records. 2. Staff 1 stated that they did not have attendance records being kept for each grouping of children.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-B
Description:	Based upon review of records, the facility has not ensured that staff have completed the required orientation training prior to working with the children and no later than seven days of the date of assuming responsibilities. Evidence: According to staff 1, staff 2, on duty with the children during the inspection, was hired in August 2022. There was no record of staff 2 obtaining the required orientation training. Neither staff 1 nor staff 2 could explain when or if the training was conducted.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based upon observation, the facility has not ensured that areas and equipment are maintained in a clean and safe condition. Evidence: 1. There were 6 inch strips of peeling paint above the floor board under the window in the toddler classroom. 2. There were three metal screws one inch long on top of a cabinet in the toddler classroom 3. There were three 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch (choking size) plastic connector blocks and small broken crayons on the floor of the toddler classroom where children were napping. 4. There was what used to be a telephone jack that was missing a cover and had wires protruding from it on the wall in the infant room, five inches above the floor. 5. There were numerous cords used to charge telephones electronics strewn along the floor in the infant room. 6 There were dirty rags and partially used tubes of toothpaste in the cupboard under the sink in the children's bathroom. 7. Children ages two years through four years were observed in the front classroom that is usually used by school age children. There were numerous choking hazards strewn across the floor and in bins in this area to include small 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch plastic connector blocks, small foam shapes 3/4 inch and smaller, and broken crayons. 8. Electrical cords from an air purifier and another electronic device were hanging down from the cubbies on top of which they were stored. These devices could fall on a child should a child pull on the dangling cord. 9. The electric cord from the television in the infant room is within reach of children and not secured to the wall. 10. There was a cracked plexiglass window in the window in the infant room.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based upon observation, the facility has not ensured that hazardous substances are kept in locked places using safe locking methods that prevent access by children. Evidence: 1. The hallway closet beside the children's bathroom was not locked. Numerous containers of cleaning fluids with caution and warning labels were stored in this closet. 2. There was a container of "universally medical" antibacterial soap on which the caution label had been removed on the sink in the children's bathroom. 3. There were 2 cans of sanitizer with warning labels on the high open shelf in the children's bathroom.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-290-A-3
Description:	Based upon observation, the facility has not ensured that electrical outlets have protective covers. Evidence: A double electrical outlet on the lower wall of the infant room within reach of children did not have protective covers.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based upon observation and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that when staff are supervising children, they always ensure their care and protection. Evidence: 1. At 12:07 PM, staff 2 left child 1, an infant, alone in the back infant room while proceeding up to the front porch office to make a telephone call. Staff 2 remained in the front office for four minutes before returning to the infant room. Staff 2 stated that child 1 was asleep so she thought it was ok to go to the front office when staff 1 requested that she telephone a parent. 2. At 12:27 PM, staff 2 was observed leaving child 1 in the infant room while helping children wash their hands in the bathroom. Prior to staff 2 entering the bathroom, the children, ages two through four years, were unsupervised in the bathroom. 3. From 12:20 PM until 12:29 PM, staff 1 was observed preparing lunch in the kitchen while five children (3 two year old children and 2 four year old children) were unsupervised in the classroom just outside of the kitchen. Staff 1 continued in the kitchen while the five children were eating lunch. 4 At nap time, staff 2 sat between the infant room in which 1 child was in care and the adjacent toddler room in which five children were sleeping.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Description:	Based upon observation, the facility has not ensured that when children are in mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio is applicable to the youngest child in the entire group. Evidence: During nap time, staff 1 sat in the doorway between the infant and toddler classroom, in which there were six children in care, the youngest child being an infant. The required ratio in which the youngest child is an infant is no more than four children per staff person;
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-I
Description:	Based upon observation, the facility has not ensured that cribs are placed where objects outside of the crib could be within reach. Evidence: 1. There were blinds within reach of the crib assigned to child 1, in care during the inspection. 2. There was a cracked plexiglass pane in the window within reach of the crib assigned to child 1, in care during the inspection.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-450-A
Description:	Based upon observation, the facility has not ensured that cots or mats used by children during the designated rest period have linens consisting of a top and bottom cover or a one-piece covering that is open on three edges. Evidence: At nap time, none of the five napping children observed had bottom covers.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-G
Description:	Based upon review of documentation, the facility has not ensured that documentation of evacuation drills includes the method used for notification of the drill. Evidence: 1. The evacuation drill records/documentation provided did not include the method that was used to notify the children of the drill. 2. Staff 1 verified that the records did not include the methods used to notify the children of the drill.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-560-F
Description:	Based upon observation and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that a menu listing foods to be served for meals and snacks during the current one-week period is dated and posted. Evidence: 1. The posted menu in the front lobby is dated for November. 2. Staff 1 stated that she had not yet put up the menu for December.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-560-L
Description:	Based upon observation, the facility has not ensured that staff sit with children during meal times. Evidence: During lunch, five children, ages two years through four years, were observed eating. Staff 1 was in the kitchen. No staff sat with the children while they ate their lunch.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-570-E
Description:	Based upon observation and staff interview, the facility has not ensured that prepared infant formula is dated and labeled with the child's name. Evidence: 1. Three was a prepared infant bottle in the infant room that did not have a child's name or the date. 2. Staff 2 confirmed that the name and date was not on the bottle, saying that it must have come off.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.