VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy-#7141
1233 Culver Lane
Virginia beach, VA 23454
(757) 426-2718

Current Inspector: D'Nae Goodwin (757) 404-3063

Inspection Date: July 26, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies

Comments:

An investigation was initiated on 7/26/23 in response to a complaint received by the department regarding concerns in the areas of staff -to-child ratios and center procedures for when a child becomes ill. An on-site inspection was conducted on 7/26/23 and all classrooms were observed. Interviews with staff were also conducted and documentation related to the complaint was reviewed. Based on information gathered during the investigation, the portion of the complaint regarding staff-to-child ratios is determined to be valid. Violations are cited on the violation notice issued to the program and were discussed with center management at the conclusion of the investigation.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on a review of the center's face-to-name transition sheets and interview, the center did not ensure that the staff-to-children ratio of 1:4 for birth up to 16 months is maintained. Evidence: 1. In the infant classroom on 5/3/23, there were 2 staff caring for 9 children from 9:00am until 3:00pm. The number and ages of the children required 3 staff to be present. 2. Staff 1 (assistant director) confirmed that the staff-to-children ratios documented on the name-to-face transition sheet for the infant room on 5/3/23 was correct and that the classroom was out of ratio on that date.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Acting Director will ensure we have enough employees to cover the children in proper ratios in all classrooms. Acting Director will communicate to DM if we have an employee coverage issue to determine if any classrooms need to be closed to avoid being out of ratio. Acting Director/Team Lead will check classrooms/FTN sheets throughout the day to ensure we are in ratio.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-2
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on a review of the center's face-to-name transition sheets and interview, the center did not ensure that the staff-to-children ratio of 1:5 for 16 months up to 24 months is maintained. Evidence: 1. In the toddler classroom on 5/3/23, there were 2 staff caring for 12 children from 2:30pm until 3:00pm. The number and ages of the children required 3 staff to be present. 2. In the toddler classroom on 5/25/23, there was 1 staff caring for up to 8 children from 7:55am until 8:47am. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present during that timeframe. 2. Staff 1 (assistant director) confirmed that the staff-to-children ratios documented on the name-to-face transition sheet for the toddler classroom on 5/3/23 and 5/25/23 was correct and that the classroom was out of ratio on those dates.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Acting Director will ensure we have enough employees to cover the children in proper ratios in all classrooms. Acting Director will communicate to DM if we have an employee coverage issue to determine if any classrooms need to be closed to avoid being out of ratio. Acting Director/Team Lead will check classrooms/FTN sheets throughout the day to ensure we are in ratio.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-3
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on a review of the center's face-to-name transition sheets and interview, the center did not ensure that the staff-to-children ratio of 1:8 for 2 year old's is maintained. Evidence: 1. In the early preschool classroom on 5/3/23, there was 1 staff caring for up to 10 children from approximately 8:52am until 12:30pm and 2:30pm until approximately 3:12pm. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present. 2. In the two's classroom on 5/25/23, there was 1 staff caring for up to 11 children from 9:00am until 12:15pm and from 2:30pm until approximately 4:20pm. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present. 3. In the early preschool classroom on 6/8/23, there was 1 staff caring for 9 children from approximately 8:05am until 9:00am and from 2:40pm until 3:09pm. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present. 4. Staff 1 (assistant director) confirmed that the staff-to-children ratios documented on the name-to-face transition sheets for the early preschool classroom on 5/3/23 and 6/8/23 and the two's classroom on 5/25/23 were correct and that the classrooms were out of ratio on those dates.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Acting Director will ensure we have enough employees to cover the children in proper ratios in all classrooms. Acting Director will communicate to DM if we have an employee coverage issue to determine if any classrooms need to be closed to avoid being out of ratio. Acting Director/Team Lead will check classrooms/FTN sheets throughout the day to ensure we are in ratio.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-4
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on a review of the center's face-to-name transition sheets and interview, the center did not ensure that the staff-to-children ratio of 1:10 for 3 year old's up to school age eligible is maintained. Evidence: 1.In the preschool classroom on 5/3/23, there was 1 staff person caring for 11 children from 8:56am until 12:35pm and from 2:30pm until 3:28pm. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present. 2. Staff 1 (assistant director) confirmed that the staff-to-children ratios documented on the name-to-face transition sheet for the preschool classroom on 5/3/23 was correct and that the classroom was out of ratio on that date.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Acting Director will ensure we have enough employees to cover the children in proper ratios in all classrooms. Acting Director will communicate to DM if we have an employee coverage issue to determine if any classrooms need to be closed to avoid being out of ratio. Acting Director/Team Lead will check classrooms/FTN sheets throughout the day to ensure we are in ratio.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-I
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on a review of the center's face-to-name transition sheets and interview, the center did not ensure that during the designated rest period for children ages 16 months through preschool age, the following rest period ratios are permitted: Children 16 through 24 months of age: one staff per 10 children and children two year of age: one staff per 16 children. Evidence: 1. In the toddler classroom on 5/3/23, there was 1 staff caring for 12 children during the designated rest period from 1:00pm until 1:50pm. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present. 2. In the two's classroom on 5/25/23, there was 1 staff caring for 19 children during the designated rest period from 12:30pm until 2:30pm. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present. 3. In the two's classroom on 6/8/23, there was 1 staff caring for up to 20 children during the designated rest period from 12:38 to 2:30pm. The number and ages of the children required 2 staff to be present. 4. Staff 1 (assistant director) confirmed that the staff-to-children ratios documented on the name-to-face transition sheet for the toddler classroom on 5/3/23 and for the two's classroom on 5/25/23 and 6/8/23 were correct and that the classrooms were out of ratio during the designated rest periods on those dates.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: Acting Director will ensure we have enough employees to cover the children in proper ratios in all classrooms. Acting Director/Team Lead will monitor employee work schedules and break schedules to ensure we are following the rest period ratio, which is double the normal ratio.