VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Midlothian Montessori
122 N. Courthouse Road
North chesterfield, VA 23236
(804) 794-8661

Current Inspector: Sharon Curlee (804) 840-8312

Inspection Date: May 1, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An unannounced follow up inspection was conducted on May 1, 2023 from approximately 8:45 am to 10:45 am. There were 22 children in attendance and a total of 5 staff present. 5 staff records and 4 children?s records were viewed. All areas of the center were observed including classrooms, bathrooms, and the playground. The children were observed playing outside, playing with table toys, and engaging in educational activities while the licensing inspector was on-site. Violations were cited as a result of this inspection. 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, 05/12/2023. Please specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Your plan of correction should 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 measure(s).

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	Based on records review, the center failed to obtain the results of a state sex offender registry search and a search of the child abuse and neglect registry from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years prior to employment. Evidence: The record for staff #5, date of employment 01/25/2023, indicated that staff #5 lived in another state within the last 5 years. The record did not contain documentation that an out of state sex offender registry search or an out of state Child Abuse and Neglect search was completed.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "all searches have been ordered and mailed. A copy of the completed request form was placed in the file of staff #5."
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-C-2
Description:	Based on records review, and observation, the center failed to have a Central Registry finding within 30 days of employment. Evidence: The record for staff #4, date of employment 01/05/2023, and the record for staff #5, date of employment 01/25/2023, did not contain the results of a Central Registry search. Staff #4 and staff #5 were both observed working in the center.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "staff #5 central registry search was completed, printed, and filed in her employee file. Staff #4 central registry search requested. Follow up email sent 5/19/23 (email printed and put in employee file.)
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-140-A
Description:	Based on records review, the center failed to obtain documentation of a physical examination for each child within 30 days after the first day of attendance. Evidence: The record for child #4, date of enrollment November 2022, did not contain documentation of a physical.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "student #4's VA School Entrance Form was completed by his physician and filed in his student file."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-A
Description:	Based on records review, observation, and interview, the center failed to ensure that staff submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: The record for staff #5, date of employment 01/25/2023, observed working in a classroom with children, did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. The Director and Administrative Assistant acknowledged that the record did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "staff #5 had a TB test administered the day following our inspection. Her paperwork, indicating a negative result has been filed in her employee file."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	Based on records review, the center failed to maintain a record for each child enrolled which shall contain the following information. Evidence: The record for child #4, date of enrollment November 2022, did not contain the name and phone number of the child?s physician, the name, address, and phone number of two designated people to call in an emergency, or the names of persons authorized to pick up the child.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "this information has been gathered from student #4's parents and filed in his student file."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Based on records review, the center failed to ensure that each staff record contains the required information. Evidence: The record for staff #3, date of employment 5/28/2019, did not contain the required health information.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "this health information (completed TB test within valid year period) was provided on the day of the inspection (after inspector left) and filed in employee file."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-A
Description:	Based on records review, the center failed to ensure that The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) sponsored orientation course is completed within 90 calendar days of employment. Evidence: The record for staff #5, date of employment 01/25/2023, did not contain documentation of the VDOE course.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "staff #5 has plans to complete the VDOE course prior to June 19th, 2023. The allowance time is due to her infrequent schedule and upcoming month-long vacation."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-3
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not follow the staff-to-children ratio of 1 staff to 8 children for two-year-old children. Evidence: The preschool classroom contained 20 children and 2 staff. The youngest child in the room was 2 years 7 months.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "the student referenced was assigned a planned visit in the mixed-age classroom, where ratios were met and verbal permission from the parent was obtained... MMS does acknowledge that there was only verbal permission from the student's parents, and written permission should have been gathered prior to the child's trial day... We now have a protocol in place, as well as staff-wide understanding, to ensure that no student, no matter how short the trial period is, proceeds to the next program without written permission from the student's parents being filed, along with a written assessment from their teacher."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-Q
Description:	Based on records review, observation, and interview, the center did not obtain a parent?s written permission and a written assessment to assign a child to a different age group. Evidence: Classroom #1 contained 20 children who ranged in age from 3 years to school age eligible and 2 staff. When asked how old the youngest child was in the classroom, staff #3 stated child #4 was two. When asked why the child was in the classroom with this age group of children, staff #3 stated that she felt child #4 was ready to be with that age group. Record review determined the child to be 2 years 7 months. The record did not contain written parental permission or a written assessment giving the child permission to be assigned to a different age group. When asked, administration acknowledged that the record did not contain written parental permission or a written assessment.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "student #4's parents had given verbal permission for him to enter the Primary classroom on a trial basis. On the Monday of our inspection, child #4 had been intentionally invited to the Primary classroom. The parents have since signed a mixed age group form and permission form giving formal and written permission for him to be in a different age group than first assigned. A written assessment by his teacher has also been provided and filed in his student filed."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-530-A-1
Description:	Based on records review, the center failed to ensure that at least one staff in each classroom have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Evidence: The record for staff #5 did not contain documentation of CPR. Staff #5 was observed working in a classroom with children alone.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "staff #5 has taken CPR and First Aid with the Red Cross. Certification has been printed and filed in employee file."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-530-A-2
Description:	Based on records review, and observation, the center failed to ensure that at least one staff in each classroom have current certification in first aid. Evidence: The record for staff #5 did not contain documentation of first aid certification. Staff #5 was observed working in a classroom with children alone.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "staff #5 has taken CPR and First Aid with the Red Cross. Certification has been printed, and put in employee file."
Standard #:	8VAC20-820-120-A-6
Description:	Based on records review, the center failed to operate within the terms of the license. Evidence: Records review determined that child #4, date of enrollment, November 2022 was 2 years 2 months at the time of enrollment. The license authorizes care for children ages of 2 years 6 months to 11 years 11 months.
Plan of Correction:	Per the center "although MMS acknowledges that student #4 was 2 years and 3 months at the time of enrollment (an oversight missed during a switch of administrative personnel), as of the inspection on May 1st, 2023 all enrolled students are over 2 years and 6 months old."