VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Wild Fern Montessori School
7511 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 299-9162

Current Inspector: Jennifer Moore (540) 430-0384

Inspection Date: March 23, 2023

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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minors records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education

Comments:

An unannounced renewal inspection was initiated and concluded on 3/23/2023. The inspector was on site from approximately 8:58 am- 11:30 am. There were 33 children present, ranging in ages from 20 months to 5 years, with 7 staff supervising. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision, programming, medication, special care and emergencies, nutrition and background checks. A total of 5 child records, 5 staff records and 2 officer 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. Please complete the plan of correction and date to be corrected for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to me within 5 business days from today. You will need to specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Just writing the word corrected is not acceptable. Your plan of correction must contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard(s), 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again; and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measures. Please do not use staff names; list staff by positions only.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	Based on a review of five staff records and interview, the center did not ensure to obtain the required out of state background checks for two (2) staff as required. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #1 (date of employment: 8/2/2022) contained a sworn statement that indicated that the staff had resided outside of the state within the preceding five (5) years. The record did not contain the out of state criminal name check that was required prior to the first date of employment and the out of state child abuse and neglect search request that was required by the end of the 30th day of employment. The record of staff #4 (date of employment: 3/15/2022) contained a sworn statement that indicated that the staff had resided outside of the state within the preceding five years. The record did not contain the out of state child abuse and neglect search that is required by the end of the 30th day of employment. 2. Administration acknowledged that the out of state background checks had not been completed.
Plan of Correction:	new recording system put in place
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-C-2
Description:	Based on a review of five (5) staff records and interview, the center did not ensure to obtain a central registry finding for one (1) staff within 30 days of employment as required. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #1 (date of employment: 8/2/2022) did not contain a central registry finding. 2. Administration acknowledged that the central registry finding was missing.
Plan of Correction:	new recording system put in place to avoid- Request has been sent
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-C
Description:	Based on a review of five (5) staff records and interview, the center did not ensure that one (1) staff had a follow up tuberculosis screening at least every two years from the date of the initial screening as required. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #3 (date of employment: 7/8/2019) contained a tuberculosis screening dated 8/9/2019. 2. Administration acknowledged that the follow up tuberculosis screening had not been completed.
Plan of Correction:	new recording reminder system put in place
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Based on a review of five (5) staff records and interview, the center did not ensure that complete records were kept for two (2) staff as required. Evidence: 1. The records of staff #1 (date of employment: 8/2/2022) and staff #2 (date of employment: 3/7/2023) did not contain documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment. 2. The record of staff #4 (date of employment: 3/15/2022) did not contain documentation to demonstrate that the individual possessed the education required by the job position. Administration stated that the staff member had been recently promoted to a lead position and had provided transcripts that they were unable to locate during the inspection. 3. Administration acknowledged that the records were incomplete.
Plan of Correction:	updated onboarding procedure
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-A
Description:	Based on a review of five (5) staff records and interview, the center did not ensure that one (1) staff completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment as required. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #1 (date of employment: 8/2/2022) did not contain documentation that the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course had been completed. 2. Administration acknowledged that they did not have record of the course completion for staff #1.
Plan of Correction:	new recording/onboarding system put in place
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the center did not ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, were maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. Eight (8) rusted nails were observed protruding from the wooden fence on the playground. 2. Administration acknowledged that the area required maintenance.
Plan of Correction:	maintenance check procedure scheduled/created