VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Higher Horizons Early Head Start
6201 Leesburg Pike
Suite 5 and 8
Falls church, VA 22044
(571) 499-6642

Current Inspector: Leah Pagala (703) 537-6757

Inspection Date: May 11, 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) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

Discussed creating a Director's binder.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 5/11/2023 from 9:18am to 12:05pm. At the time of entrance, 35 children were in care with 12 staff members present. Children were observed listening to the teacher read a book, playing in centers, looking at books, playing with cars on the floor with their teacher, working on a dot art project, playing with playdough, dancing, clapping to music, taking walks outside and working on puzzles. Walls, bulletin boards and several other areas of the programming space was decorated with artwork completed by the children. Interactions between the children and staff were positive. The site was clean, organized and contained an abundant supply of developmentally appropriate materials. A selection of staff and children records, medications, the physical space, evacuation drills, emergency supplies and attendance records were reviewed. The centers playground was under construction. The center is installing all new equipment and playground surfacing. Areas of non-compliance are identified in the violation notice. Please contact me if you have any questions at Stacy.Doyle@doe.virginia.gov or 571-835-0386.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-J
Description:	Based on review, the center's injury prevention procedures were not updated at least annually based on documentation of injuries and a review of the activities and services. Evidence: 1. The center had an injury prevention plan, but it was not updated.
Plan of Correction:	Health Asst, Resource Teacher and Site Supervisor will annually {August} review the injury prevention plan and add prevention strategies as needed along with signatures of the review.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-50-A
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not treat staff and children's records confidentially. Evidence: 1. The supplemental page from the 7/06/2022 inspection was posted on the board with the summary and violation page. The supplemental page is considered confidential.
Plan of Correction:	Site Supervisor will ensure that the supplemental page will not be posted; the current page has been removed.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	Based on review of two children's records, the center's records did not contain all required information. Evidence: 1. Child 1 (start date 9/19/2023) and Child #2 (start date 8/22/2022) did not have previous child day care and schools attended by the child in their files.
Plan of Correction:	Family Engagement Advocate will ensure that the required information that the state requires is also included on our application. The question of previous school attended was located within our application.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Based on review of staff records, one staff record was not complete with all required documents. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (Date of hire 1/29/2020) was missing one reference and documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education and training required by the job position,
Plan of Correction:	Site Supervisor will use the staff file checklist to ensure that all required documents are in their file. Copies of these state required documents will be placed in the staff files onsite and at the main center at Bailey's Crossroads.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-A
Description:	Based on interview, the center did not have access to one staff members training hours to demonstrate the staff member completed the annual minimum of 16 hours of training. Evidence: 1. A staff member stated they did not have access to the training hours of Staff #2 for the time period (8/2021 through 8/2022), but the hours had been completed.
Plan of Correction:	Site Supervisor will gain access to the Annual Hours tab in Child plus and print off the copy of the training hours for staff and place in their folders.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-L
Description:	Based on interview, the center did not have at least one staff member on duty who has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing the daily health observation of children. Evidence: 1. A staff member stated they did not have any one current in daily health observation at the center.
Plan of Correction:	The Health Assistant, Supervisor and Resource Teacher will complete this training within the next two weeks. All Staff will complete.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-260-A
Description:	Based on review, the center did not provide the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report. Evidence: 1. The last fire inspection report was dated 2/01/2022.
Plan of Correction:	Site Supervisor will make an appointment for the Fire Marshall to conduct a fire inspection 60 days prior to the expiration of the current inspection. This fire inspection will be posted on display and placed inside the Directors Binder.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-260-A
Description:	Based on review, the center did not provide the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report. Evidence: 1. The last fire inspection report was dated 2/01/2022.
Plan of Correction:	The plan has been located and placed in a binder. An annual review of this plan will occur during the month of August by the Health Asst., and Site Supervisor.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-260-B
Description:	Based on review, the center did not provide an annual health inspection report. Evidence: 1. The last health inspection report was dated 10/07/2021.
Plan of Correction:	Site Supervisor will ensure that the health inspection is printed and placed on the front display and within the kitchen area. An additional copy will be placed on the board within the kitchen area by the Site Supervisor.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on observation, areas of the center inside were not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In classroom 101, the paint was chipping near the window.
Plan of Correction:	The areas with chipped paint will be covered until the repairs are completed within two weeks. Refresher training on safety within the classroom will be provided for all staff on June 30, 2023.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based on observation, hazardous substances such as cleaning materials were not kept in a locked place. Evidence: 1. In classroom 106, a disinfectant spray was kept in a high cabinet near the changing table, but it was not locked when not in use.
Plan of Correction:	Health Asst will provide refresher training of what items/materials need to be under lock and key. Conduct health and safety checks within the classrooms weekly to monitor compliance. Lock was placed on the cabinet on May 11, 2023.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-290-A-3
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not cover all unused electrical outlets with protective covers. Evidence: 1. In Room 101, one outlet near the play oven was not covered with an outlet cover.
Plan of Correction:	Health Asst. will conduct daily classroom checks prior to the children entering the center to ensure that all outlets are covered. Refresher training on safety within the classroom will be provided for all staff on June 20, 2023.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-530-A-1
Description:	Based on review of training records and interview, the center did not have at least one staff in each classroom with current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as appropriate to the age of the children in care. Evidence: 1. A staff member stated Classroom 102 and Classroom106 did not have staff with current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Plan of Correction:	Health Manager will provide cardiopulmonary trainings for all staff without certifications to make sure that each classroom has.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-530-A-2
Description:	Based on review of training records and interview, the center did not have at least one staff in each classroom with current certification in first aid Evidence: 1. A staff member stated Classroom 102 and Classroom106 did not have staff with Current certification in first aid
Plan of Correction:	Health Manager will provide first aid trainings for all staff without certifications to make sure that each classroom has at least one staff that are certified.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-540-E
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not have One working, battery-operated radio in each building used by children. Evidence: 1. The center had a radio, but did not have batteries for the radio.
Plan of Correction:	Site Supervisor will provide correct batteries needed for radio and Health Asst will install the needed batteries for the radio and conduct monthly checks to make sure the radios are operating appropriately.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-A
Description:	Based on interview, the center did not have a written emergency preparedness plan that addresses staff responsibility and facility readiness with respect to emergency evacuation and relocation, shelter-in-place, and lockdown that was developed in consultation with local or state authorities. Evidence: 1. The center did not have a written emergency preparedness plan that included all requirements.
Plan of Correction:	The plan has been located and placed in a binder. An annual review of this plan will occur during the month of August by the Health Asst., and Site Supervisor.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-D
Description:	Based on review of drill records, the center did not implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. Evidence: 1. The center did not have record of completing a evacuation drill the month of July 2022 and August 2022.
Plan of Correction:	Health Asst and Site Supervisor will ensure that the schedule for the monthly practice evacuations drills are performed and noted in Drill binder and use the form that is provided by the state as a second form of recording the drills.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-E
Description:	Based on review of records, the center did not complete two shelter in place procedures per year. Evidence: 1. The center did not have documentation that two shelter in place procedures had been completed in 2022.
Plan of Correction:	Health Asst. and Site Supervisor will ensure that the schedule for the shelter in place drills are performed and noted in Drill Binder and use the form that is provided by the state as a second form of recording the drills.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-F
Description:	Based on review of drill records, the center did not practice the lockdown procedures at least annually. Evidence: 1. The center did not have documentation of practicing the lockdown procedures in 2022.
Plan of Correction:	Health Asst and Site Supervisor will ensure that the schedule for the Lockdown drills is performed and noted in Drill Binder and use the form that is provided by the state as a second form of recording the drills.