VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Vinci School Arlington
3508 Langston Blvd
Arlington, VA 22207
(571) 278-1439

Current Inspector: Ann Dramstad (703) 314-0860

Inspection Date: June 21, 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

Technical Assistance:

Consultation was given on ratios and supervision, staff qualifications and training opportunities, model forms and transitioning children into older age groups.

Comments:

Multiple complaint allegations were received from 6/21/2023-7/19/2023 concerning physical plant, care of children, staff qualifications and ratios as well as nutrition. The complaints were investigated jointly with the local DSS Child Care Office and the local Health Department. Interviews with staff, record reviews, a review of staff qualifications and trainings were all conducted over multiple days. 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. Feel free to contact me if you need any assistance. Ann Dramstad, Children?s Inspector Office of Child Care Health and Safety Division of School Readiness 703-314-0860 ann.dramstad@doe.virginia

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on staff record review, the center failed to have Staff #1 submit to fingerprinting prior to employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 left Vinci employment in October 2021 and was not re-hired until November 7, 2022. More than 12 months had past between employment and a new fingerprint search was not completed upon the re-hire.
Plan of Correction:	Fingerprints and CPS background check will be submitted when staff returns from vacation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-B
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on staff record review, the center failed to obtain a Sworn Disclosure Statement (SDS) prior to employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 left Vinci employment in October 2021 and was not re-hired until November 7, 2022. More than 12 months had past between employment and the SDS was not completed upon the re-hire.
Plan of Correction:	Sworn Disclosure Statement will be signed when staff returns from vacation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-C-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on staff record review, the center failed to obtain a Central Registry Search within 30 days of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 left Vinci employment in October 2021 and was not re-hired until November 7, 2022. More than 12 months had past between employment and a CPS was not obtained upon the re-hire.
Plan of Correction:	Fingerprints and CPS background check will be submitted when staff returns from vacation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on multiple staff interviews, observations and record review, the licensee failed to ensure the center's own activities, services and facilities are maintained in compliance with these standards. Evidence: 1. The center continued to enroll children even though they were unable to maintain required ratios in multiple classrooms without moving children to maintain compliance with ratio standards. Child #7 was enrolled 7/2023. 2. The Center failed to develop and implement a written policy and procedure that describes how the center will ensure that each group of children receives care by consistent staff or team of staff members. Staff #7 stated in an email dated 7/21/2023 "let me know what the written plan and procedures should include and I'll get it started" 3. The standard for continuity of care went into effect 1/13/2022 when the Child Day Center Standards were revised.
Plan of Correction:	The number of students were dropped and one floater and one new hire was added to the staff list. Enrollment has also ceased until more staff is hired.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-50-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, the center failed to keep allergy information confidential. Evidence: Child 7's allergy action plan was posted on the wall in the Jr. Toddler classroom without a cover sheet.
Plan of Correction:	Cover sheets in Jr. Toddler class have been provided.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review, 2 staff records were incomplete. Evidence: 1. Staff #5 (date of hire 7/7/23) and Staff #6 (date of hire 7/10/2023) were missing one reference check prior to hire.
Plan of Correction:	Reference checks have been completed.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, a written record of daily attendance that documents arrival and departure of each child as it occurs was not maintained. 1. Daily attendance was not maintained on 7/5/2023 in the Jr. Toddler classroom as no written record was available to verify the arrival of all 9 children who were present during the inspection. 2. Daily attendance was incomplete in the Senior Toddler classroom on 7/5/2023 as 12 children were present and only 11 were listed on the attendance form.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will record on paper attendance sheet as each student comes in for the day. A designated staff member in each class record.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-180-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interviews, a staff member who works directly with children was not capable of communicating with emergency personnel. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 was the only staff on-site from approximately 7:30-8:05 from 6/14/2023-7/5/2023 and was unable to communicate in English as a translator app was needed to talk with parents and staff.
Plan of Correction:	The Director and the Jr. Toddler lead, who both speak fluent English, now open at 7:30 am.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-L
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review and staff interviews, no staff member was present on multiple days with Daily Health Observation (DHO), Evidence: 1. Staff #1 was the only staff on-site from approximately 7:30-8:05 am from 6/14/2023-7/5/2023 and did not have Daily Health Observation training.
Plan of Correction:	Current opening staff, the director, has daily health observation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-D
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	The center failed to provide cooling devices when the inside temperature occupied by children exceeded 80 degrees. Evidence: 1. The Air Conditioner was not working on the left side of the building when the center reopened on 7/5/2023. 2. on 7/5/23 the outside temperature was 90 degrees, on 7/6/23 and 7/7/23 the outside temperature was 86 degrees and 7/10/23 the outside temperature was 84 degrees. Temperatures were verified by world-weather.info for Arlington, VA. 3. No fans were available for either the Jr. Toddler classroom or the Senior Casa classroom on 7/5/2023. 4. Fans were purchased 7/10 and the AC was fixed 7/19/2023.
Plan of Correction:	Fans were purchased and later the AC was fixed. On the day the temperature was above 80 degrees students were sent home timely once the temperature reached 80 degree.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation, the staff failed to ensure care, protection and guidance of children. Evidence: On 7/17/2023 Staff #2 was unable to safety watch all 12 toddlers in the Jr. Toddler classroom from 1:50-2:06 pm as she was the only adult in the class. Children were observed going up to the three fans and putting their hands on the cover guard, a child tried to climb the bookcase two times and several children banging on the computer laptop and screen.
Plan of Correction:	The staff are taking 30 minute breaks leaving 2 staff members in the class at all times. There are currently 10 students enrolled in Jr. Toddlers. This week there were no more than 9.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-C
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interview statements, the center failed to have two center staff on-site who can communicate with one another and contact emergency personnel if there was an emergency. Evidence: 1. One staff member opened the center and was alone for approximately 35 minutes (7:30-8:05 am) from 6/14/2023-7/5/2023. 2. A second staff did not arrive until 8:05 am.
Plan of Correction:	The director and jr. toddler lead, who both speak fluent English, now open at 7:30 am.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation and staff statements, staff were not able to hear a child, under the age of 10, when using the restroom. Evidence: 1. On 7/19/2023 Child #8 was observed using the upstairs bathroom in the hallway. Both the doors to the classroom and the bathroom were closed. The teacher would not be able to hear if the child needed assistance. 2. Staff interviews confirmed that staff in the Senior Casa classroom were not able to offer intermittent sight supervision of the children in the restroom area to ensure safety and offer assistance as they would then leave the remaining children alone in the classroom.
Plan of Correction:	Jr. Casa and Sr. Casa have combined in the Jr. Casa classroom allowing all children to utilize the bathroom located inside the classroom and are supervised by one of the 2 teachers.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-3
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, documentation review and staff interviews, the Jr. Casa classroom exceeded the 1:8 ratio. Evidence: The classroom had 18 children with two staff on 6/21/2023. The youngest child was 2 years old.
Plan of Correction:	The class currently has 15 students with 2 teachers.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-F
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on child record review, staff interviews and classroom attendance sheets, the center failed to ensure that children received care by consistent staff. Children were moved by center staff to meet ratios during the investigation dates 6/22/2023, 7/5/23, 7/17/23 and 7/19/2023. Evidence: 1. Child #2 was moved from the Junior Toddlers into the Senior Toddlers. 2. Child #3 and Child #4 were moved from Senior Casa into the Junior Casa classroom 3. Child #5 was moved from Senior Toddler into Junior Casa
Plan of Correction:	The number of students were dropped and one floater and one new hire was added to the staff list. Enrollment has also ceased until more staff is hired.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-K
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation and staff statement, an additional staff member was not available on-site to offer immediate assistance or be summoned by the staff member without leaving the classroom once rest time ratios have been suspended. Evidence: 1. The ratios on 7/17/2023 were exceed when all 12 toddler children were awake but no additional staff was available to help Staff #2. 2. When the Licensing Inspector asked staff administration , Staff #3 stated "It was rest time and the other teacher was on break. The center did not have any other staff to assist in the Jr. Toddler classroom"
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-L
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation, the center failed to meet ratios in the Jr. Toddler classroom. Evidence: 1. The ratio for Jr. Toddler classroom for VA DOE is 1:6 as the Vinci School-Arlington has the ratio waiver to increase by 1 child. It doubles during rest time as long as children are "inactive or asleep" 2. On 7/17/2023, the ratio in the Jr. Toddler classroom from 1:50-2:06 pm was 1:12 but all twelve children were off their cots and wandering around the classroom.
Plan of Correction:	The staff are taking 30 minute breaks leaving 2 staff members in the class at all times. There are currently 10 students enrolled in Jr. Toddlers. This were there were no more than 9.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-Q
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review and staff statements, the center failed to follow the necessary steps to assign a child to a different classroom. Evidence: 1. Child #2 and Child #9 were assigned to the older classrooms without the Director's written assessment. Staff # 3 stated that the teacher's assessment was confirmed with the staff signature but that a second assessment had not been conducted. 2. Parents were informed of the tuition difference but it was not a permission to place their child into the older age group with the higher staff ratio. 3. The center repeatedly reassigned children to a different group for ratio purposes disrupting the child's attachment to the staff.
Plan of Correction:	Children will be moved at the correct age for moving up a class and not early without documentation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-510-E
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation the center failed to follow its medication procedures for ensuring the use of an outdated medication be maintained on-site. Evidence: Child #1's emergency medication expired 12/31/2022.
Plan of Correction:	All medications has been checked and old medications returned. There is a schedule in place to check monthly.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-510-P
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on medication review, the center failed to return, dispose of or renew a parent authorization for an emergency medication. Evidence: 1. Child #2's emergency medication was on-site in the Senior Casa emergency bag. The parent authorization expired 2/17/2023. 2. The medication was not returned to the parent by 3/3/2023 or disposed of in a safe manner.
Plan of Correction:	All medications have been returned.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-560-F
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on multiple staff interviews and the center menu, the center did not follow the most recent age appropriate nutritional requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food program of the USDA. Evidence: 1. The Child Care Food Program states that a child lunch or supper must include "1 meat or meat alternative" as part of the serving. 2. The menu on 7/5/2023 listed Dr. Dan's "make your own turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato and avocado spread as well as milk" 3. Multiple staff interviewed confirmed that children were only served "bread, lettuce and tomato" on 7/5/2023 for lunch.
Plan of Correction:	Food will continue to be ordered timely. In lieu of a lack of delivery a substitution will be purchased and served.