VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

KinderCare Learning Centers 301010
4287 Buckman Road
Alexandria, VA 22309
(571) 569-4069

Current Inspector: Mahrukh Aziz (571) 835-4718

Inspection Date: March 8, 2023

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

Technical Assistance:

Discussed with administrative staff: implementation of a system to ensure accurate documentation in CSR's; consistent assignment of children in a classroom and group sizes.

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted on 3/8/23 from 11:10 am to 2:50 pm. The inspection was conducted in response to a complaint received by the department on 3/2/23 related to ratios, supervision, incorrect documentation of staff times worked and overall supervision of the children. 4 staff members were interviewed, child supervision records for various classrooms and dates were reviewed and classroom observations were made. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the allegations 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 did not follow it's own policies and procedures and did not ensure that the center's activities were maintained in compliance with the standards. Evidence: 1. The center?s policy for using Child Supervision Records (CSR) states that: a. ?Staff members responsible for the children must keep the CSR accurate and current at all times?; b. ?Information should not be crossed off the form?; c. ?Name to face attendance must be taken every 30 minutes and during any large class transition?. 2. The center?s attendance policy states that ?Center management must verify attendance several times each day, comparing the computer clock in/out or parent/guardian manual sign in/out attendance to each classroom?s Child Supervision Record?. 3. During this inspection, as CSRs were being reviewed, Staff # 2 stated that on 2/27/23 and 3/2/23 she arrived to work at 9:00am in the Preschool/Pre-K (3?4-year-olds). Her timesheets for both dates confirmed this information. However, her arrival time on the CSR for both dates had been altered to 8:00 am. Staff # 2 stated she had not made any changes to her time on these CSRs. 4. The CSR for the Preschool/Pre-k classroom dated 2/28/23 did not have any initials or documentation of verification to demonstrate that the center?s management had checked children?s time in/out as per the center?s attendance policy. 5. The CSR for the Discovery Preschool (2?s) classroom, dated 3/2/23 was missing the ?depart time? for Child # 1. 6. On 3/2/23, Staff # 3 did not document his times in and out of the classroom correctly on the CSR for the Preschool/Pre-K classroom. On one line of the ?Teacher/Staff Attendance? column, Staff # 3 had documented that he had left the classroom at 9:02 am. On another line his time-in was documented as 9:00 am and time-out as 5:05 pm.
Plan of Correction:	Management to do two CSR spot checks daily, retraining on care/supervision at staff meeting on April 20, ensure correct CSR policy is posted for teachers.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-3
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on records review and staff interview, the center did not maintain the ratio of 8 children to 1 staff, for children 24 months to 36 months. Evidence: 1. The Child Supervision Record (CSR) dated 2/28/23 showed that there were 12 children in the Preschool/Pre-K classroom, ranging from 3- 5 years old. 2. Child # 5 (2 years old) was moved to the Preschool/Pre-K classroom at 11:19 am. 3. Staff # 2 stated that children eat lunch between 11:00 am to 12:00 pm; and that she had left on break at 11:00 am and returned at 12:00 pm. A review of the Staff # 2?s timesheet confirmed her break time. 4. From 11:19 am to 12:00 pm, Staff # 3 was the only staff present in the room. Staff # 3 did not maintain the ratio of 8 children to 1 staff member. 5. On 2/28/23, Staff # 2 was by herself in the Preschool/Pre-K room with 11 children including Child # 5 (2 years old), from 2:30 pm to 3:01 pm. Staff # 2 stated that children were awake from nap. 6. From 3:02 pm to 3:23pm, Staff # 2 had 10 children in care by herself, including Child # 5. 7. Another child left at 3:23 pm. Staff # 2 was with 9 children including Child # 5 until 4:44 pm. 8. The CSR for the Pre-K/Preschool classroom dated 3/2/23 showed: a. From 5:06pm to 5:08pm Staff # 2 was alone with 10 children; and from 5:08 pm to 5:17 pm, Staff # 2 was over ratio with 9 children by herself. One of the children during these times was Child # 5 (2 years old).
Plan of Correction:	Retrain all staff on CSR documentation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-4
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on records review and staff interview, the center did not maintain the ratio of 10 children to 1 staff, for children 3 years old. Evidence: 1. The CSR for the Preschool/Pre-k classroom (3-4 years old) dated 2/27/23 showed that from 8:51 am to 9:00 am, Staff # 4 had 11 children by herself. The children?s ages ranged from 3- 5 years old. 2. The CSR for the Preschool/ Pre-k classroom dated 2/28/23 showed the following: a.Staff # 4 had 11 children by herself from 8:53 am to 9:00 am, when Staff # 2 arrived. b.Staff # 4 left the classroom at 9:05 am, leaving Staff # 2 by herself with 11 children. c.Another child arrived in the classroom at 9:24 am, bringing the total to 12 children with only Staff # 2. d.At 11:00 am, Staff # 3 arrived in the classroom relieving Staff # 2 for her break. At this point Staff # 3 was the only staff member with 12 children until approximately 12:00 pm when the children went down for nap.
Plan of Correction:	Retrain all staff on CSR documentation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-I
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on records review and staff interview, the center did not maintain the ratio of 10 children to 1 staff for children 16 months to 24 months, during the designated rest period. Evidence: 1. On 3/2/23, 4 children were transitioned from the Toddler classroom to the Discovery Preschool (2 years old) classroom for naptime at 12:12 pm. This brought the total number of children to 11. 2. Child # 1, Child # 2, Child # 3 and Child # 4 were all under the age of 2 years. 3. Staff # 1 took a lunch break from 12:04pm to 1:05pm. 4. Staff # 2 stated, and a review of the Staff # 2?s timesheet and the documentation on the Child Supervision Record (CSR) showed that Staff # 2 was by herself and out of ratio with 11 children from 12:12pm to 1:05pm.
Plan of Correction:	Designated break schedule each day, management to walk the center to ensure ratios are met, hired 4 teachers for additional staff.