VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Nest Academy
2609 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-1549

Current Inspector: Leslie Perez (703) 537-6013

Inspection Date: Aug. 11, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Comments:

An unannounced investigation was conducted on August 11, 2023, in response to a complaint regarding allegations in the areas of special services and programs. Staff interviews were conducted, records were reviewed and observations were made. The information gathered during this investigation does not support the allegation; however, violations not related to the complaint but identified during the course of the investigation were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, please contact Maria Soto at 571-835-5058 or maria.soto@doe.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.011-F
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, the findings of the most recent inspection of the facility were not posted. Evidence: The Violation Notice issued on 7/14/2023 was not posted. The inspection posted was issued on 5/4/2023.
Plan of Correction:	The Center Director failed to post it on the wall. It was corrected right away.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review and interview, an out-of-state child abuse and neglect search was not requested for an employee who currently resides outside of the State of Virginia. Evidence: 1.Staff #2's record contains a form of ID from another state, an out-of-state search was not completed for the state where they currently reside. 2.Staff #2 was interviewed and confirmed that they currently reside outside the State of Virginia, but they moved after the center had completed their background check searches.
Plan of Correction:	Upon hiring of Staff #2, she informed the Office that she has resided at the State of Virginia within the last five (5) years and that she just has not had a chance to change her identification. Staff #2 never informed the office that she moved to Maryland. As soon as it was discovered, we immediately facilitated her Maryland Criminal History Name check as well as her Sex Offender Registry.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-210-A-4-a
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review and interview, it was determined the center did not ensure that there was a program leader qualified with each group of children in care. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 was the assigned lead teacher in the Preschool classroom. 2. Staff #3 was the assigned lead teacher in the Toddlers classroom. 3. The records for staff #1 and staff #3 did not contain documentation to demonstrate program leader qualifications.
Plan of Correction:	As mentioned above, the qualified staff were absent. We corrected it right away and staffed the classroom accordingly with qualified personnel. As explained, Staff #2 has almost completed her CDA Course of Observation and is expected to have her certificate soon.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Repeat Violation Based on observations and interviews, the facility did not ensure that when children are in mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child in the group is applied to the entire group. Evidence: At approximately 11:50am, 11 children between the ages of 21 months and 2 years were observed in the Twos classroom with 2 staff members. The required ratio based on the youngest child was 1 staff for every 5 children.
Plan of Correction:	On the day of the Inspection our Facility has had four (4) Staff that were absent. We corrected it right away and has always been maintaining the correct Staffing pre the age and ratio of the students.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-E
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not keep 12 inches of space between occupied cots. Evidence: During the inspection there were 4 occupied cots that were less than 12 inches apart.
Plan of Correction:	We have spoken and reinforced the proper spacing of cots in the classrooms. We also did a retraining of all staff to ensure proper execution.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-J
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not ensure that there shall be at least thirty inches of space between service sides of occupied cribs and other furniture where that space is the walkway for staff to gain access to any occupied crib. Evidence: 1. Four occupied cribs lacked 30 inches of space on the service side. a. The service side for crib 1 measured 12 inches. b. The service side for crib 2 measured 4 inches. c. The service side for crib 3 measured 16 inches. c. The service side for crib 4 measured 18 inches
Plan of Correction:	We have spoken and reinforced the proper spacing of cribs in the classrooms. We also did a retraining of all staff to ensure proper execution.