VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Skipwith Academy Learning Center - Woodlake (#41)
7051 Woodlake Commons Loop
Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 639-2401

Current Inspector: Heather Dapper (804) 625-2304

Inspection Date: July 24, 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 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

n/a

Comments:

The licensing inspector conducted an unannounced complaint inspection in response to a complaint that was received by the Office of Child Care Health and Safety on June 28, 2023, regarding allegations of inadequate supervision. The inspection was initiated on July 24, 2023, and completed on September 11, 2023. On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, the inspector was on site from approximately 9:35 AM to 2:00 PM. Interviews with staff were completed, observations were made in the center, and documentation was reviewed. The preponderance of the evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. See the violation notice for more details. Please complete the plan of correction and the date to be corrected for each violation listed on the violation notice and return it to the department within 5 business days from receipt. Your plan of correction should contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard(s); 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again; and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measures. Heather Dapper Licensing Inspector Office of Child Care Health and Safety Division of Early Childhood Care and Education Phone # (804) 625-2304 heather.dapper@doe.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on review of documentation and interviews, the licensee failed to ensure operational responsibilities that the center?s activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with the center?s own policies and procedures required by the standards. Evidence: 1. The center's supervision policy states "All staff assigned responsibility for the supervision of children will ensure their care, protection and guidance at all times". On June 16, 2023, at approximately 12:30 PM, child #1 (two years old) was unsupervised and crying in the Stepping Stones B class for approximately five minutes. On June 28, 2023, at approximately 5:30 PM child #2 (17 months old) was left unsupervised on the toddler playground. 2. The center's supervision policy states that "Children must be within sight and sound of the teacher at all times". Child #1 (two years old) and child #2 (17 months old) were not in sight or sound supervision of staff. On June 16, 2023, child #1 was left in the classroom at approximately 12:30 PM until another teacher saw child #1 alone and crying in the class. On June 28, 2023, at approximately 5:30 PM, child #2 (17 months old) was left on the toddler playground and another student saw the child alone on the playground and alerted their teacher.
Plan of Correction:	Both staff members were placed on administrative leave, and one was subsequently terminated. Re-training of Name to Face procedures were adm inistered . Parents were immediately notified. Retraining of the entire staff will take place on 10/9/2023 at our Professional Development Day.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on a review of documentation and interviews, the center did not ensure that when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1. On June 16, 2023, staff #7 transitioned the children from Stepping Stones B (two year old class) to Stepping Stones A (two year old class) for nap time. A significant event summary from the center reported that staff #7 did not complete ?Name to Face Checks? when entering Stepping Stones A class. Child #1 (2 years old) was found alone and crying by staff #6. 2. On June 28, 2023, staff #5 transitioned the children from the playground to the toddler classroom. At approximately 5:30 PM, staff #7 was alerted by a child in her class that child #2 (17 months old) was outside at the class window. Staff #7 confirmed that child #2 was outside alone. Staff #5 brought child #2 back into the toddler classroom.
Plan of Correction:	Both staff members were placed on administrative leave, and one was subsequently terminated. Re-training of Name to Face procedures were administered. Parents were immediately notified. Retraining of the entire staff will take place on 10/9/2023 at our Professional Development Day.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interviews, the center did not ensure children under 10 years of age shall be within sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On June 16, 2023, child #1 (two years old) was left unsupervised in the Stepping Stones B class for approximately 5 minutes. Staff #6 was leaving a classroom at approximately 12:30 PM and saw child #1 alone and crying in the Stepping Stones B class. 2. On June 29, 2023, staff #5 transitioned the children from the playground to the toddler classroom. At approximately 5:30 PM another student in a different classroom saw child #2 (17 months old) unsupervised on the toddler playground and told his teacher. A significant event summary from the center stated that staff #5 did not complete ?Name to Face Checks?.
Plan of Correction:	Both staff members were placed on administrative leave, and one was subsequently terminated. Re-training of Name to Face procedures were administered. Parents were immediately notified. Retraining of the entire staff will take place on 10/9/2023 at our Professional Development Day.