VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy, Inc- #7138
715 East Little Back River Road
Hampton, VA 23669
(757) 850-0471

Current Inspector: Michele Patchett (757) 439-6816

Inspection Date: March 14, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.

Comments:

A self-report inspection was initiated on March 14, 2023. The self report was in regards staffing and supervision. Video footage was reviewed, documentation and statements were reviewed, and staff was interviewed. The inspector reviewed compliance areas of staffing and supervision, programs and administrative. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance(s) with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on interview and review, the center did not ensure that the center's activities were maintained in compliance with these standards, the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department. Evidence: 1. Child Supervision Guidelines states: "Children must be supervised, in the direct line of sight and within ear shot of a staff member, at all times. All state mandated adult to child ratios must be followed at all times. " 2. Center policy also states: "Face-to-Name means staff must see the child's face and say the child's name when confirming all children are accounted for throughout the day. Face to names must be used to document staff to child ratios throughout the day: hourly, children arriving or leaving the classroom, transitioning children from one location to another (playground, fieldtrips, electives etc), combining and or blending classrooms. Face to Name sheets is kept current at all times." 3. The Face to Name transition sheet had Child #1 checked off returning from the playground at 11:25 am. Staff #3 confirmed she looked at the face to name transition sheet and noticed the count was incorrect and matched it with tablet. The Staff in the class went to look for child #1 at approximately 12:40pm.
Plan of Correction:	Staff training on direct supervision and face to name expectations was conducted on March 10, 2023. Management checks and initials all classroom face to name sheets three times a day, verifying that they are accurate and that all children/staff are accounted for. These are reviewed by the DM during school visits.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on interviews, written statements, documentation and video footage, the licensee did not ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. On March 7, 2023, Staff # 4reported that Child #1 (4 years old) was left on the center's fenced-in playground for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Confirmed by video footage, documentation, staff statements and interviews conducted with center staff. 2. Staff #3 arrived in the classroom or to the center at approximately 12:32pm. She transitioned into the classroom conducting a name to face transition sheet. Staff #3 noticed that the name to face transition sheet showed that there were 15 children signed in and only 14 children in the physical room which did not match the number of children in the classroom which caused staff to realize that a child was missing. 3. As confirmed by interviews, statements documentation and video footage, Staff #1 went to the playground and found child #1 under the covered red component of the overhead portion of the roof of the slide. Staff stated child #1 was cold. 4. The incident report stated "Child #1 became separated from the group during a transition from the playground to the classroom. Teacher realized the child was missing after lunch the child was outside for approximately 1 hour. " 5. The temperature on the date of the incident ranged between 44 degrees and 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The wind speed was approximately 28 .
Plan of Correction:	Both teachers responsible for leaving this child on the playground were immediately placed on administrative leave, and then separated from employment on March 13, after our investigation was completed. All staff have been retrained on proper face to name transition practices and policies as of March 10, 2023. School leadership is responsible for physically checking and initially face to name sheets in each classroom three times a day to ensure accuracy. When the DM or any other company leader is present in the building, they will also check random face to name sheets for accuracy. In addition, camera reviews are randomly completed by both the District Manager and our corporate safety team to ensure all company safety policies are being followed.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews and video footage, the licensee did not ensure that children under 10 years of age are in sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On March 7, 2023, child #1 ( 4 years old) was left alone without sight and sound supervision for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes in the center's fenced in playground area. Confirmed by the video footage that was reviewed on March 14, 2023. 2. After viewing video footage, it was determined that Staff #1 went out to playground and Child #1 was at the top of the slide under the covered red component of the overhead portion of the roof of the slide.
Plan of Correction:	All staff were retrained on March 10, 2023 regarding the importance of physically checking play equipment and playground spaces for children prior to starting the face to name process to re enter the building. The face to name policy requires that an additional face to name check is to be done immediately upon entering the classroom to ensure that all children came through the door from the playground, and are accounted for in the classroom. Management will monitor at least two playground transitions a week for the next 90 days to ensure that staff are following the policies and do not need additional training on direct supervision of children or face to name expectations. The DM and the corporate safety team are also doing random virtual safety checks to ensure compliance.