VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy
9467 Lorton Market St.
Lorton, VA 22079
(571) 559-7032

Current Inspector: Leah Pagala (703) 537-6757

Inspection Date: April 12, 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. 8VAC20-820 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 8VAC20-790 Subsidy Regulations.

Technical Assistance:

Technical assistance was provided regarding supervision of children, staff training, staffing, staff records and reporting requirements. At the start of inspection, a staff file was not available for review but was provided at the end of inspection. Advised the director that all staff records should be kept at the center.

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted April 12, 2023 from 3:30pm until 5:30pm in response to a self-reported incident regarding supervision of children. A total of 1 child record and 2 staff records were reviewed. Interviews were conducted, documentation reviewed and video footage observed. Violations were cited for areas of non-compliance and are identified in the Violation Notice. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, please contact Leah Pagala at 703-537-6757 or leah.pagala@doe.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center's activities, services, and facilities are 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. Based on record review and interviews, the center did not follow their own policies and procedures required by the standards. 1) The center?s Face to Name Procedure states, ?staff must see the child?s face and say the child?s name when confirming all children are accounted for throughout the day.? On April 5, 2023 at approximately 11:30am, Staff 1 and Staff 2 left Child 1 (3 years old) alone on the playground. The child was found approximately 13 minutes later, crying while standing outside of the classroom door. Child 1 had not been accounted for by Staff 1 after returning to the classroom from the playground. 2) The center?s Face to Name Procedure states, ?once the child has arrived to the new location, confirm you have seen the child?s face and said their name by putting a circle around the check mark.? On April 5, 2023, after returning to the classroom from the playground, Staff 1 did not circle Child 1, 2 and 3?s names on the Face to Name Transition Sheet to confirm the children had arrived to the new location.
Plan of Correction:	Staff involved with incident are no longer employed. All staff are trained on FTN procedures before working with a group of children. Staff have to demonstrate their knowledge of the procedure during Days 1- 3 of New Employee Training. FTN procedures were formally reviewed with all staff the week of 5/1/23. Managers verify FTN procedures are being executed properly several times per day by initialing the bottom of the FTN sheet.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on interviews and video footage, when staff were supervising children, they did not always ensure their care, protection and guidance. 1) On April 5, 2023, at approximately 11:30am, Staff 1 and Staff 2 transitioned their group of children from the playground to the classroom. Staff 1 and Staff 2 went inside with 12 children and were not aware that Child 1 (3 years old) had been left alone and unsupervised on the playground. 2) Video footage shows 12 children and 2 staff leaving the playground area to go inside. The video shows Child 1 standing outside of the classroom alone for approximately 13 minutes, while the remainder of their class and 2 staff were inside the classroom. For the duration of the 13 minutes, Child 1 grew visibly more upset, crying and grabbing their private area because of their need to use the bathroom. 3) Staff 2 stated that when they heard crying, Staff 2 checked the door leading to the outside, and found Child 1 standing outside the door. 4) Staff 1 and Staff 2 stated that when found, Child 1 was crying and needed to use the bathroom.
Plan of Correction:	Staff involved in incident are no longer employed. All Staff are trained on FTN procedures before working with a group of children. Staff have to demonstrate their knowledge of the procedure during Days 1- 3 of New Employee Training. FTN procedures were formally reviewed with all staff the week of 5/1/23. Managers verify FTN procedures are being executed properly several times per day by initialing the bottom of the FTN sheet. When all classrooms return from outdoor play they will use the phone in the classroom to call the office notifying a manager that they have returned from outside. The manager will report to the classroom to verify the FTN was complete and that all children are present. The manager will also initial the bottom of the FTN sheet. This is effective 5/3/23.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews and video footage, a child under 10 years of age was not always within actual sight and sound supervision. 1) On April 5, 2023, at approximately 11:30am, Staff 1 and Staff 2 transitioned their group of children from the playground to the classroom. Staff 1 and Staff 2 went inside with 12 children and were not aware that Child 1 (3 years old) had been left alone and unsupervised on the playground. 2) Staff 2 stated that on while inside the Pre-K classroom preparing for lunch, Staff 2 heard faint crying. Staff 2 checked the door leading to the playground and found Child 1 (3 years old) outside of the Pre-K classroom door. Staff 1 and Staff 2 stated Child 1 was crying and needed to use the bathroom. 3) Video footage shows 12 children and 2 staff leaving the playground area to go inside leaving Child 1 alone outside. Child 1 was standing outside of the classroom alone for approximately 13 minutes while the remainder of their class and 2 staff were inside the classroom. 4) When interviewed, Child 1 stated ?[Staff 1] left me outside? and ?I was crying.?
Plan of Correction:	Staff involved in incident are no longer employed. All Staff are trained on FTN procedures before working with a group of children. Staff have to demonstrate their knowledge of the procedure during Days 1- 3 of New Employee Training. FTN procedures were formally reviewed with all staff the week of 5/1/23. Managers verify FTN procedures are being executed properly several times per day by initialing the bottom of the FTN sheet. When all classrooms return from outdoor play they will use the phone in the classroom to call the office notifying a manager that they have returned from outside. The manager will report to the classroom to verify the FTN was complete and that all children are present. The manager will also initial the bottom of the FTN sheet. This is effective 5/3/23.