VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Nest Academy
2609 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-1549

Current Inspector: Leslie Perez (703) 537-6013

Inspection Date: May 4, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted today from 11:10am-1:40pm. There were 48 children (infants-5yrs.) directly supervised by 10 staff. The physical plant, 5 staff records, 5 children?s records, medications, evacuation drills, emergency supplies, and policies were inspected. Children were observed napping and eating lunch. There was an adequate supply of materials for the children. The center was clean and organized. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Maria Soto at maria.soto@doe.virginia.gov or (571) 835-5058.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Based on record review, required records were not kept for each staff person. Evidence: Staff #2's record did not include documentation of a translated education diploma needed to qualify the staff member for their current position. The diploma on-file has not been translated into English, as required.
Plan of Correction:	The aforementioned Staff has already submitted her credentials and diplomas to be translated in English.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based on observation, cleaning materials were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: In the Two's classroom a spray bottle labeled "Bleach" was observed unlocked on a top shelf in the classroom's bathroom.
Plan of Correction:	We have new locks installed and have all our cleaning solutions in locked cabinets.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Description:	Based on observations and interviews, the facility did not ensure that when children are in mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child in the group is applied to the entire group. Evidence: 1. At approximately 11:20am, 10 children between the ages of 2 years and 4 years were observed in the Caterpillars classroom with 1 staff member. The required ratio based on the youngest child was 1 staff for every 8 children. 2. At approximately 11:40am, during naptime, 9 children between the ages of 15 months to 22 months were observed in the Cuddle Bugs classroom with 1 staff member. The required ratio based on the youngest child was one staff for every 4 children. During the designated rest period, ratios do not change for children under 16 months of age.
Plan of Correction:	We are currently working hard in hiring competent and qualified Staff as we just had one of our staff leave without notice due to her personal reasons 2 days prior to the inspection date, to ensure all our classrooms are in ratio at all times - including nap time. We just hired new staff and she started today as she finished and completed all her trainings and requirements. We are still currently waiting for the rest of the trainees to start this week and the week after.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-M
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not ensure that one staff member shall not supervise more than one room or area during rest time. Evidence: 1.One staff was observed supervising 20 children (3-5 years old) during nap time from the doorway between the Caterpillars and the Butterflies classrooms. 2.One classroom would have been left unattended if this staff had to attend to a child in one of the classrooms during nap.
Plan of Correction:	Our 3's and 4's classroom is just one classroom that just has designated work areas for the 3's and the 4's during work time. Please note that as per the conversation evidence, the Staff that we had working there was in ratio as she had 20 children ages 3 and 4 in the classroom.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-Q
Description:	Based on observations and interviews, it was determined that children in the Caterpillars classroom are being reassigned from their regularly assigned classroom to the Tender Times classroom repeatedly and causally, which is disruptive to a child's schedule and attachment to their staff members and group. Evidence: Observations and interviews revealed that three children in the Caterpillar classroom are routinely and often moved to the Tender Times classroom during lunch time in an attempt to maintain ratios.
Plan of Correction:	We are currently working hard in hiring competent and qualified staff to ensure that all our classrooms are in ratio and all times and will refrain from having any of the children be moved to another classroom.