VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Chesterbrook Academy #807
6200 Interparcel Road
Alexandria, VA 22315
(703) 921-9600

Current Inspector: Eureka Nance (703) 638-5968

Inspection Date: May 19, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

A complaint was received in the licensing office on May 10, 203 regarding children rough handled by staff in the Pre-K classroom. On May 19, 2023, an on-site investigation was conducted. Interviews were conducted, documentation was reviewed, and observations were made. Based on the preponderance of evidence gathered, violations were cited. For violation details, please refer to the Violation Notice. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at firstname.lastname@doe.virginia.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on review of records and video camera footage, the center did not ensure that the center?s activities and services and facilities were maintained in compliance with required by standards. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 and Staff #2 did not follow the center?s policies and procedures on forbidden actions. Staff #1 grabbed Child #1 by the upper arm after the Child #1 had a wetting accident. Staff #1 took Child #1 to a corner of the classroom located by the bathroom and Child #1 was in the corner area of the classroom for approximately 10 minutes, isolated from other children. 2. Staff #3 and #4 were in the classroom with staff who rough handled children and did not report the concerns to administration per policy.
Plan of Correction:	1) Steps to Correct the noncompliance with the standard(s) a. Administrators are allocating more time for building surveillance by way of cameras and stepping in for in-class observation. b. Administrators will designate time throughout the day for in-person support in the classroom to help eliminate any misconduct and provide hands-on guidance. c. We will revisit the policies provided in Section 2 and schedule more one-on-one meetings to identify any behavioral challenges, triggers or struggles within the classroom. d. We continue to remind team members of their responsibilities as a mandated reporter and communication protocol to administrators. Understanding that the children?s health & safety are our priority. e. Updating class management training and providing teachers with resources to assist with positive interactions with children. 2) Measures to Prevent the noncompliance from occurring again a. We have been holding quarterly meetings to review classroom expectations, reviewing positive redirection tone and interactions with children. Since the incidents occurred in May, we periodically have all the team members review and sign-off on the following policies: Forbidden Actions/Positive Behaviors, Mandated Reporter, Incidents & Accidents Reporting, Playground Safety, Sexual Child Abuse. b. Administrators, Behavioral Specialist, Parents & Teachers are partnering in efforts to create plans of action to combat behavioral challenges in the classroom as well as providing strategies for the teachers to implement without risking noncompliance of the forbidden actions. c. Forbidden actions have also been posted up in each classroom either on the wall or on centralized tabletops in the classroom as a reminder for the teachers daily. 3) Person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventive measures. a. All staff members are responsible for implementing the policies provided in Section 2. b. All Staff members are responsible for keeping other staff in the classroom accountable and ensuring compliance of forbidden actions. c. Administrators are responsible for providing hands-on support within the classroom to ensure unfavorable conduct does not occur. d. Administrators will be responsible for classroom surveillance via cameras and in-person observation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interviews and documentation, the staff supervising children did not ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. On May 4, 2023 and May 5, 2023, Child #1 (five-year-old) by the arm who had a wetting accident. Staff #1 acknowledged that she rough handled children in the classroom and she was frustrated because Child #1 who had a wetting accident?. 2. Staff #1 grabbed a karate belt out of Child #2 (three-year-old) hands and then grabbed the child by the upper arm to forcefully sit the child on the carpet. 3. Staff #2 hit Child #1 on the hand when Staff #3 was shaking the child?s hand. 4. Staff #2 grabbed Child #3 and Child #4 by the upper arms to forcefully sit them in a chair after an equipment fell in the classroom. Staff #2 hit two children in the back of the head. 5. On June 9, 2023, while conducting a follow-up on-site visit to the complaint, Staff #1 and Staff #3 were directly supervision children in the Pre-K classroom. There were concerns of staff providing care and protection of children with an ongoing complaint investigation.
Plan of Correction:	Steps to Correct the noncompliance with the standard(s) a. Administrators are allocating more time for building surveillance by way of cameras and stepping in for in-class observation. b. Administrators will designate time throughout the day for in-person support in the classroom to help eliminate any misconduct and provide hands-on guidance. c. We will revisit the policies provided in Section 2 and schedule more one-on-one meetings to identify any behavioral challenges, triggers or struggles within the classroom. d. We continue to remind team members of their responsibilities as a mandated reporter and communication protocol to administrators. Understanding that the children?s health & safety are our priority. e. Updating class management training and providing teachers with resources to assist with positive interactions with children. 2) Measures to Prevent the noncompliance from occurring again a. We have been holding quarterly meetings to review classroom expectations, reviewing positive redirection tone and interactions with children. Since the incidents occurred in May, we periodically have all the team members review and sign-off on the following policies: Forbidden Actions/Positive Behaviors, Mandated Reporter, Incidents & Accidents Reporting, Playground Safety, Sexual Child Abuse. b. Administrators, Behavioral Specialist, Parents & Teachers are partnering in efforts to create plans of action to combat behavioral challenges in the classroom as well as providing strategies for the teachers to implement without risking noncompliance of the forbidden actions. c. Forbidden actions have also been posted up in each classroom either on the wall or on centralized tabletops in the classroom as a reminder for the teachers daily. 3) Person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventive measures. a. All staff members are responsible for implementing the policies provided in Section 2. b. All Staff members are responsible for keeping other staff in the classroom accountable and ensuring compliance of forbidden actions. c. Administrators are responsible for providing hands-on support within the classroom to ensure unfavorable conduct does not occur. d. Administrators will be responsible for classroom surveillance via cameras and in-person observation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews and video camera footage, the center did not ensure that staff followed with the programs forbidden actions. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 acknowledged that she rough handled children in the classroom and she was frustrated because Child #1 who had a wetting accident?. Staff #1 grabbed a karate belt out of Child #2 (three-year-old) hands and then grabbed the child by the upper arm to forcefully sit the child on the carpet. 2. Staff #2 hit Child #1 on the hand when Staff #3 was shaking the child?s hand. 3. Staff #2 grabbed Child #3 and Child #4 by the upper arms to forcefully sit them in a chair after an equipment fell in the classroom. 4. Staff #2 hit two children in the back of the head.
Plan of Correction:	1) Steps to Correct the noncompliance with the standard(s) a. Administrators are allocating more time for building surveillance by way of cameras and stepping in for in-class observation. b. Administrators will designate time throughout the day for in-person support in the classroom to help eliminate any misconduct and provide hands-on guidance. c. We will revisit the policies provided in Section 2 and schedule more one-on-one meetings to identify any behavioral challenges, triggers or struggles within the classroom. d. We continue to remind team members of their responsibilities as a mandated reporter and communication protocol to administrators. Understanding that the children?s health & safety are our priority. e. Updating class management training and providing teachers with resources to assist with positive interactions with children. 2) Measures to Prevent the noncompliance from occurring again a. We have been holding quarterly meetings to review classroom expectations, reviewing positive redirection tone and interactions with children. Since the incidents occurred in May, we periodically have all the team members review and sign-off on the following policies: Forbidden Actions/Positive Behaviors, Mandated Reporter, Incidents & Accidents Reporting, Playground Safety, Sexual Child Abuse. b. Administrators, Behavioral Specialist, Parents & Teachers are partnering in efforts to create plans of action to combat behavioral challenges in the classroom as well as providing strategies for the teachers to implement without risking noncompliance of the forbidden actions. c. Forbidden actions have also been posted up in each classroom either on the wall or on centralized tabletops in the classroom as a reminder for the teachers daily. 3) Person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventive measures. a. All staff members are responsible for implementing the policies provided in Section 2. b. All Staff members are responsible for keeping other staff in the classroom accountable and ensuring compliance of forbidden actions. c. Administrators are responsible for providing hands-on support within the classroom to ensure unfavorable conduct does not occur. d. Administrators will be responsible for classroom surveillance via cameras and in-person observation.