VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Eunique Beginnings Child Development Center
5028 Portsmouth Boulevard
Chesapeake, VA 23321
(757) 574-8171

Current Inspector: Brandie Viscayda

Inspection Date: May 15, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

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

Comments:

The licensing inspector conducted an unannounced complaint inspection on 05/18/2023 in response to a complaint that was received in the licensing office regarding allegations in the area of Supervision. Interviews were conducted with staff, records reviewed and observations of the program were made relating to the allegation. 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 #:	8VAC20-780-80-B-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on a record review and interview the center did not inform the department's representative as soon as practicable, but not to exceed two business days, of any injury to a child that occurs while the child is under the supervision of the center and requires outside medical attention Evidence: A 1 year-old child sustained an injury between the eyebrows that required outside medical attention on 03/13/2023. The center did not inform the department's representative of the injury.
Plan of Correction:	The following corrective action was provided by the licensee: I have read and understand the stated violation listed under standard number 8VAC20-780-(2)-80-B-2. I, the director, have familiarized myself with the website on which injuries requiring outside medical care should be reported. The plan of action is to ensure all steps and protocols are followed in the future.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, interview and a record review, when supervising children, the center did not ensure their care, protection and guidance.] Evidence: Between the month of March and May, child #1 (dob 05/12/2021) sustained 3 injuries to the face, in which staff were unable to explain how each occurred. 1. On 03/13/2023 Child #1 sustained a gash between his eyebrows that resulted in a need for stitches. Staff #3 was not able to explain how the injury occurred. 2. On 05/01/2023 Child #1 had a scratch on his face and bruising on the nose. Staff #3 said she noticed the bruising after coming in from the playground, was not able to explain how the injury occurred. 3. On 05/09/2023 Child #3 sustained a puncture to his bottom lip, that required stitches. Staff #3 reported the following: a. Staff #3 turned her back to the children in the classroom to plug a radio into the electrical outlet in the corner of the room. b. When Staff #3 turned back around Child #3's mouth was bleeding. c. Staff #3 stated before she turned her back to the children, Child#1 had a toy dinosaur in his mouth that had rough edges. d. Staff #3 stated she was unable to confirm whether or not the dinosaur edges caused the injury to the lip, because she did not see it happen. 4. Three year-old child #6 was observed in the kitchen with the owner. Staff reported the child had cried earlier so the director brought her into the kitchen while she cooked lunch for the children.
Plan of Correction:	a. All staff personnel attended Incident Documentation for Child Care Providers on April 7, 2023, presented by an outside organization (EMTA Enterprises.) b. The director will conduct a review with all staff members on completing the Injury-Accident Report Form, used by the childcare center, and the process of documenting from start to finish. c. Arrange classroom furniture to reduce running zones in the environment while still allowing space for play and exploration. d. Provide techniques to help reduce running inside classroom, modeling being one. I have read and understand the stated violation listed under standard number 8VAC20-780-(2)-80-B-2. I, the director, have familiarized myself with the website on which injuries requiring outside medical care should be reported. The plan of action is to ensure all steps and protocols are followed in the future. 2. On 05/01/2023 the director learned of the subject injury at the end of the day. All staff members present during both inside and outside times were interviewed by the director at which time no staff member observed the child falling or heard the child cry. a. All current staff personnel have completed the Health Screening for Child Care Professionals prior to their first day of employment as required by the VA DOE b. A Daily Health Record checklist has been created and all staff personnel have been trained in its daily use.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-D
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on a record review the center did not ensure that in each grouping of children at least one staff member who meets the qualifications of a program leader or program director shall be regularly present. Evidence: The 2 year-old classroom did not have a qualified program leader present in the classroom. 1. Staff #3 has been working alone in the 2 year-old room with 7 children. 2. The staff file lists her job position as teacher assistant, however the program director stated she thought Staff #3 qualified as a program leader. 3. The documentation provided by the director during the inspection did not qualify Staff #3 as a program leader.
Plan of Correction:	The following corrective action was provided by the licensee: To document staff qualifications and training for the position of Program Lead, utilizing VA DOE model form 8VAC20-780-210 and attach all supporting documentation where qualifications are readily available upon request by the VA DOE licensing department.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-2
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation, interview and a record review the center did not ensure the ratio of 1 staff to 5 children was maintained for children 16 months- 24 months. Evidence: On 05/09/2023 Staff #3 was alone in the crocodile room with 7 children, whose ages ranged from1 -2 years. Staff #3 and Staff #1 confirmed the crocodile classroom was not in compliance with the 1:5 ratio.
Plan of Correction:	The following corrective action was provided by the licensee: A review of Standards for Licensed Child Day Care Centers, Standard Number 8VAC20-780-340 and 350 was conducted with all staff members. a. Dinosaurs were removed from the classroom. b. All staff to ensure toys match the children?s ages and abilities. c. All staff will ensure all toys are both age and stage appropriate.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-3
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation, interview and a record review the center did not ensure the ratio of 1 staff to 8 children for ages for children 2 years old was maintained. Evidence: When the inspector arrived at the center at approximately 12:30pm there was 1 staff member alone with 15 children; the youngest in the group of children was 2 years-old. 1. Staff #2 stated she had been alone with the 15 children for about 20 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	The following corrective action was provided by the licensee: A review of Standards for Licensed Child Day Care Centers, Standard Number 8VAC20-780-340 and 350 was conducted with all staff members. a. Dinosaurs were removed from the classroom. b. All staff to ensure toys match the children?s ages and abilities. c. All staff will ensure all toys are both age and stage appropriate.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation the center did not interact with children in order to provide needed help, comfort, support. Evidence: 1. In the front classroom there were 15 children ages 2-3 years in a small area of the room. Several children were observed screaming and crying. Staff #2, who was the only staff in the room with the children did not talk or comfort the children who were crying or screaming.
Plan of Correction:	The following corrective action was provided by the licensee: a. Schedule a meeting with staff #2 to discuss her approach to managing emotions and behaviors. b. Ask about her rationale for not addressing the observed behavior. c. To schedule classroom observations d. Staff meeting scheduled for May 10, 2023, to thoroughly address standards violations and corrective actions.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation the center did not ensure that behavioral guidance was constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflict. Evidence: The inspector and director were in the back office and heard staff in the main room, "shushing" the children while they were eating lunch. One of the shush sounds used by staff was long, loud and harsh sound followed by the statement, All Done." No other redirection was provided.
Plan of Correction:	The following corrective action was provided by the licensee: Part of Eunique Beginnings? Philosophy as stated in our Parent Handbook and Employee Handbook; ?Children must be treated with respect and provided consistent routines which are crucial in ensuring a safe environment where they can feel capable and secure. To provide a safe and nurturing environment that elevates the intellectual, emotional, and social development of the children we serve. a. Eunique Beginnings? policy is staff personnel will sit with children during all mealtimes, children will be allowed ample time to finish meals and children will be permitted to have conversations during mealtimes. b. The staff will provide a way to discretely quiet or calm children while being respectful and considerate. c. The staff will use alternative words, modeling appropriate language (tone and pitch) d. The staff have been reminded to speak in soft and clam tones. e. The staff has been informed that ?Shushing? children is not appropriate and will not be tolerated.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation the center did not ensure children's hands were washed before eating meals. Evidence: The class in the front of the building did not wash their hands before eating lunch. The children went from sitting on the carpet directly to the table where they ate.
Plan of Correction:	The following corrective action was provided by the licensee: Bathroom breaks and handwashing are a part of the daily schedule and is listed as such. Staff were reminded of the importance of handwashing and the times at which hands must be washed. A copy of Standard 8VAC20-780-(8)-500-A was given to all staff as a reference along with a list of additional times children should be washing their hands.