VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Playful Learners Preschool
325 Rivanna Plaza Drive
Suite 101
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 956-4312

Current Inspector: Julie Kunowsky (540) 430-9256

Inspection Date: May 15, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted on May 15, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This inspection was initiated from a complaint that was received on May 4, 2023 regarding the allegation of rough handling of a child. This inspection was conducted jointly with law enforcement and child protective services.There were 79 children present, ranging in ages two months to five years, with 14 staff supervising. The inspector reviewed center video recordings, incident documentation, one child and three staff records and conducted interviews with six staff. The information gathered during the investigation supports the allegations, so the complaint is determined to be valid. Areas of non-compliance may be found on the violation notice. Please complete your plan of correction with in five business days and return it to the licensing inspector. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Licensing Inspector at (540) 430-9256.

Violations:

Standard #:	63.2-1509-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interview and review of documentation the center failed to immediately report suspected abuse or neglect of a child to the local department of the county or city wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred. Evidence: 1. Interview with parent on May 16, 2023, revealed that on May 2, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the parent notified Staff #2 that her child (Child #1) had a bruise mark on her nose that was not present when the child came to the center that morning. 2. Review of written documentation revealed the video recording for May 2, 2023, was reviewed by Staff #2 on May 3, 2023. The video revealed at approximately 12:20 p.m. on May 2, 2023, Staff #1 tossed Child #1 onto her cot resulting in the child hitting her nose and crying. 3. Review of written documentation revealed Child Protective Services was notified by the center of this incident on May 4, 2023, at approximately 9:51 a.m. 4. Staff #4 confirmed Child Protective Services was notified of the alleged abuse on May 4, 2023.
Plan of Correction:	This violation is being appealed. Administration self-reported to CPS within 24hrs of discovering the incident of abuse and compiling all necessary evidence and information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION/SYSTEMIC VIOLATION Based on interview, review of documentation and of video recording, the licensee failed to ensure that the center?s activities, services and facilities are maintained in compliance with the policies and procedures that are required by these standards. 1. Review of video recording revealed on May 2, 2023 at approximately 12:20 p.m., Staff #1 tossed Child #1 onto her cot resulting in the child hitting her nose and crying. 2. The center staff policy for discipline states ?Corporal Punishment is the inflection of physical pain on a child as a means of controlling behavior. This includes, but not limited to, yanking, spanking, shaking, slapping, thumping, or pinching a child. This will not be tolerated at all on our property or with children in our care. Playful Learners Preschool will not tolerate child abuse in any form.? 3. The director confirmed Staff #1 did not follow the centers discipline policies for forbidden actions.
Plan of Correction:	1. The center immediately terminated staff #1 and removed her from the classroom. 2. The center self-reported to CPS and DSS. 3. The center held an emergency staff meeting. 4. All staff were re-trained on policies regarding positive re- direction and discipline. 5. Administration notified all parents of the incident. 6. Administration reviewed additional days of footage to ensure no other incidents occurred. 7. .Administration changed the roles of the center's Supervisory Leads to provide time in the classrooms mentoring teachers and providing support.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interview, review of documentation and of video recording, the staff failed to ensure the care, protection and guidance for one child. Evidence: 1. A review of video evidence showed that at approximately 12:17 p.m. on May 2, 2023, children in the toddler room were getting ready for naptime. At approximately 12:20 p.m., Child #1 got up from her cot and walked to the nearby door. Staff #1 was observed grabbing Child #1 under both arms and tossing her onto the cot. Child #1 was observed hitting her nose on the edge of the cot. 2. Staff # 3 said at approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 2, 2023, she saw Child #1 with a bruise and redness on her nose. Staff # 3 said Child #1 did not have a bruise on her nose when she arrived at the center that morning. 3. Staff #4 and Staff #5 confirmed Staff #1 did not ensure the care and protection of Child #1.
Plan of Correction:	1. The center immediatelyterminated staff #1 and removed her from the classroom. 2.The center self-reported to CPS and DSS. 3. The center held an emergency staff meeting 4. All staff were re-trained on policies regarding positive re-direction and discipline. 5. Administration notified all parents of the incident. 6. Administration reviewed additional days of footage to ensure no other incidents occurred. 7. Administration changed the roles of the center's Supervisory Leads to provide time in the classrooms mentoring teachers and providing support.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interview, review of documentation and of video recording the center failed to ensure that forbidden action of roughly handling a child did not occur. Evidence: 1. Review of video recording revealed on May 2, 2023, at approximately 12:20 p.m., Staff #1 tossed Child #1 onto her cot resulting in the child hitting her nose and crying. 2. In an interview with Staff #3 on May 15, 2023, Staff #3 said she saw Child #1 in the afternoon of May 2, 2023, and her nose was red and bruised. Staff#3 said Child #1 did not have a bruise on her nose when she arrived at the center that morning. 3. Interview with Staff #4 on May 15, 2023, indicated Staff #1 admitted to losing her temper and treating Child #1 roughly.
Plan of Correction:	1. The center immediately terminated staff #1 and removed her from the classroom. 2. The center self-reported to CPS and DSS. 3. The center held an emergency staff meeting. 4. All staff were re-trained on policies regarding positive re-direction and discipline. 5. Administration notified all parents of the incident. 6. Administration reviewed additional days of footage to ensure no other incidents occurred. 7. Administration changed the roles of the center's Supervisory Leads to provide time in the classrooms mentoring teachers and providing support.