VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Blue Bird of Alexandria II
1400, 1412 and 1416 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-1268

Current Inspector: Margaret Allworth (703) 209-3521

Inspection Date: July 27, 2023 and July 28, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs.

Comments:

The Licensing Inspector conducted an unannounced complaint inspection on 7/27/2023 in response to a complaint that was received by the licensing office on 7/26/2023 from another agency. Staff interviews were conducted based on the limited information that was given by the other agency. Late in the day on 7/27/2023, an anonymous video recording was received about the alleged incident that was investigated earlier this day. More interviews were conducted with different staff on 7/28/2023 based on the new information. Staff and child record was reviewed. The information gathered during this investigation supports the allegations, so the complaint is determined to be valid. Please complete the columns for "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" for each violation cited on the violation notice, and then return a signed and dated copy to the licensing office within 5 business days of receipt. If you have any questions you may contact me at Margaret.allworth@doe.virginia.gov or 703-209-3521.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation and staff interview, a staff member engaged in a forbidden action by roughly handling and forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position. Evidence: 1.On or about 7/25/2023, during outdoor waterplay, Staff #1 was observed spraying down Child #1 (3 years) with a water hose. The child was heard screaming and crying in response. 2. A video recording of the incident shows a staff member grabbing a child?s wrist with one hand and spraying the child over the head and in the face with the water hose. The child is seen trying to pull away from the staff as the staff continues to hold the child?s wrist/hand. The child can be heard crying as the staff continues to spray the child. The staff sprays the child for about 8 seconds then walks away from the crying child. 3. On 7/28/2023, management identified the staff person on the video as Staff #1 and the age group as 2 ?- 3-year-olds. 4. When interviewed, Staff #1 stated the following: a. On Tuesday, 7/25/2023, the class went outside around 10:45 am for pool day with herself and 2 other staff members. They went back inside around 11:30 am. b. The 2 pools were filled with water; they don?t use the hose for anything but filling the pools. They split the children in 2 groups to play in the pool. When the children are done playing, Staff #3 dries them off and takes a group inside. c. There is one child (Child #1) that does not like to play in the pool. ?He does not like the water, he does not like the splashing, he separates from the others?. Child #1 ?is the only one to cry when they splash water, he cries?. d. Staff #1 initially denied spraying a child with the hose and said ?I didn?t see any staff put the hose on any child?. When shown the video, Staff #1 verified it was herself in the video holding the hose, spraying the child, and named the child as Child #1 who is 3 years old.
Plan of Correction:	We presently have a sign out board to manage any outside or gym activities, in addition we will add an extracurricular activity plan that will be posted in each classroom. During extracurricular activities teachers will have an alternative activity accessible. Current employees will attend a mandated refresher course to review what is already in our handbook, we are all mandated reporters. In addition they will be given the mandated Reporting Guide. First day of employment, the mandated reporting guide will be given along with our employee handbook and documented received.