VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Lighthouse Preschool & Daycare
15154 Carrollton Boulevard
Suite B
Carrollton, VA 23314
(757) 238-2400

Current Inspector: Melinda Popkin (757) 802-5281

Inspection Date: June 16, 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 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

A monitoring inspection was initiated on 6/15/2023, in response to an incident that the Licensee self-reported to the department on 6/15/2023. The reported incident was primarily regarding the supervision, care and protection of children in care. The onsite portion of the inspection began on 6/16/2023 at 10:30 am and concluded at 1:45 pm. There were 32 children present with 6 staff supervising at the time of the inspector's arrival. The inspector observed in each classroom, reviewed documentation, interviewed staff in each age group, and reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision, programming, special care and emergencies. The investigation began at the time of the onsite inspection and continued with additional interviews of collateral witnesses via telephone as well as documentation requests and receipt and review of documentation. The investigation concluded on 8/7/2023. 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.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	***REPEAT VIOLATION*** Based on interviews and a review of written policies and procedures, the licensee did not always ensure that the center's activities, services, and facilities were maintained in compliance with the Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers and the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. Evidence: 1. On the afternoon of 6/14/2023, 2 two-year old children were left alone and unsupervised on the playground when staff failed to follow the center?s own written playground safety polices. 2. The center?s written ?SOP for Outside Play? states that ?Staff must complete a name to face every 15 minutes during outside play. Staff must check off children and write the time on the name to face sheet?. 3. When asked if a ?name to face? check was conducted using the written list of children?s names to confirm that all the children were accounted for, staff #1, staff #2 and staff #3 confirmed that they did not call individual children?s names from their name to face sheet and that they did not use that list to look for each individual child. Each of the three staff confirmed that they only counted the total number of children present on the playground and again as they entered the building. 4. The program?s written playground plan states that ?Staff must ensure that any children that join their group are added to the name to face sheet and to their classroom app at all times?. a. Two of the 3 staff caring for child #1 and child #2 on the afternoon of 6/14/2023 recalled that 6 children from their group were taken to the ?pre-tod?s? classroom. The third staff recalled that 2 or 3 children went to the ?pre-tod?s? classroom. b. The ?pre-tod?s name to face sheet did not contain the names of any of the children brought to this room on the afternoon of 6/14/2023, nor did the two and three year old name to face sheets reflect that some children left this group and went to the Pre-tods? classroom on 6/14/2023. c. The final remaining staff present on 6/14/2023 in the front room, where child #1 and child #2 are normally cared for in the afternoon, stated ?I did not know the children were missing until their parents arrived - I thought they were in Tod?s?. 5. The program?s written playground plan states that "There is to be no more than 1 class on the playground? at a time?? Interviews with staff #1, staff #2, and staff #3 confirm that the two-year-old group and the 3- to 4-year-old group were both outside on the large playground at the same time on the afternoon of 6/14/2023. 6. Administrative Staff #5 stated that Staff #1 and Staff #2 ?broke policy?they combined classes and went outside. We do not allow 2 classes on the playground at one time. They did not keep track of these two [children]. They did not complete the required record keeping and they did not follow sight and sound supervision.?
Plan of Correction:	The following written response was received by the department: Staff were retrained on center polices on 6/15/23 and will receive ongoing training to ensure policies and procedures are followed In addition to Name to face being recorded on paper as of 8/7/23 it is also being recorded electronically so that those records can be checked at all times. Regular checks/walkthroughs of classrooms & playgrounds will be performed to ensure that recordkeeping is being performed, SOP and polices are being followed. Director will be responsible for ensuring compliance with standards and will appoint a "person in charge" if necessary when off site.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on interviews and a review of documentation, staff did not always ensure the care, protection, and guidance of the children they were supervising. Evidence: 1. On 6/14/2023 at between approximately 3:40 to 3:50 p.m., staff #1 and staff #2 took a group of children, ages 2 to 4 years old, out to the large playground and brought the group of children back inside of the facility at approximately 4:05 or 4:10 p.m. 2. Between approximately 4:58 and 5:07, 2 two-year-old children (child #1 and child #2) were discovered unsupervised on the playground. According to statements given by staff #1, staff #2, staff #3 and parent #1 and parent #2, child #1 and child #2 were outside for an approximate total of between 1 hour, 8 minutes and 1 hour 27 minutes and the portion of that time that they were outside unsupervised was approximately 40 to 60 minutes.\ 3. Parent #2 stated that child #1 and child #2 ran to her when she entered the large playground and that both children appeared to have been crying. Parent #2 described the children as ?dirty, with sand all over them?, and stated that their faces were? red and flushed?. 4. Parent #1 stated that when the children entered the facility with parent #2 they were ?really hot to the touch? and ?red faced?. Parent #1 stated that child #1?s diaper was ?full of poop?. 5. The Emergency Medical Treatment responders, who arrived following a report that the children were missing, advised parent #1 and parent #2 to give the children fluids as soon as possible. Parent #2 stated that her child was ?super thirsty? and ?drank a lot?. 6. According to Weather Underground, the outdoor temperature ranged from 81 to 82 degrees on the afternoon of 6/14/2023 during the time that child #1 and child #2 were on the playground.
Plan of Correction:	The following written response was received by the department: To ensure the care, protection, and guidance of children, staff will use active supervision. Our center will begin using a systematic approach which includes staff training in active supervision and attention management, positioning staff carefully where they will protect children from harm. Regular classroom/playground monitoring to ensure that staff continue to care, protect and guide children. Director will be responsible for ensuring compliance with standards and will appoint a "person in charge" if necessary when off site.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews and a review of documentation, children under 10 years of age were not always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On 6/14/2023, between approximately 4:05 to 4:10 p.m. a group of children, ages 2 to 4 years, old and 2 staff left the large playground and entered the facility. 2. Parent #1 and Parent #2 arrived at the center and logged their children out on the computer at 4:43 p.m. (child #2) and at 4:47 pm. (child #1). 3. Parent #1 and parent #2 walked to the front classroom to retrieve their children and were told by staff #2 that child #1 and child #2 were in the back classroom. When parent #1 and parent #2 walked to the back classroom they were told by staff # 1 that child # 1 and child #2 were not there. 4. After searching the facility and calling their children?s names for approximately 15 to 20 minutes parent #2 went outside to the large playground and discovered child #1 and child #2 alone and unsupervised in the larger of the two fenced play areas. 5. The 2 two-year-old children had been alone and unsupervised on the playground for approximately 40 to 60 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	The following written response was received by the department: Staff were retrained on sight and sound supervision and the SOP for outdoor play on 6/15 and will receive ongoing training in this area. Additional steps will be added to the SOP as of 8/14/23 to include completing a name to face check & headcount immediately prior to returning indoors with children seated/lined up, doing a sweep of the yard to ensure all students are accounted for prior to heading indoors. Teachers will be required to complete name to face electronically in addition to on paper allowing management to check when off site. Director will be responsible for ensuring compliance with standards and will appoint a "person in charge" if necessary when off site.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-F
Description:	Based on interviews and a review of policies, the center did not implement their own required 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. Evidence: 1. The program?s written ?Consistency / Continuity Plan? says ?Upon hire, staff will be assigned to a classroom/team?. This will foster consistency in care and the development of teacher/student bonds and strengthen staff/parent relations.? 2. Administrative staff #5 stated that ?Staff cannot switch classes at will. [Staff #3] was assigned to class 1, [Staff #1] to class 2, [Staff #2] to class 4 and [ staff #4] to class 5. After I left for the day, [staff #2], [staff #3] and [staff #1] changed classrooms without permission.? 3. On the afternoon of 6/14/2023, The two-year old class and the three and four-year-old combined class were on the playground together with 2 staff, beginning at approximately 3:50 or 4:00 pm. 4. During a period of approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, while this combined group of children was outdoors, four different staff (Staff #1, #2, #3, & #5) were supervising the children in varied combinations, at various times. 5. Children were repeatedly cared for by different staff and placed in the care of staff in different rooms throughout the afternoon on 6/14/2023 and not cared by consistent staff or team of staff members as the center policy stipulates.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will be retrained on the continuity of care Staff will be monitored to ensure that they are following policies and procedures regarding staff remaining in assigned classrooms, recording in the app and on paper when moving students/combining students is necessary. Director will be responsible for ensuring compliance with standards and will appoint a "person in charge" if necessary when off site.