VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Hillsdale KinderCare Learning Center
601 Hillsdale Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 973-2777

Current Inspector: Stephanie Reed (540) 272-6558

Inspection Date: Sept. 13, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION 8VAC20-780 PROGRAMS Code of Virginia, 63.2-1509 Mandatory Reporters

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was conducted on September 13, 2023 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in response to a self-report regarding behavioral guidance and forbidden action: rough handling. Staff interviews were conducted. Documentation was reviewed including one staff record and three children's records. Additional interviews were conducted off site. An exit interview was conducted with the director by phone on November 3, 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. Please complete the "plan of correction" and "date to be corrected" for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it within five (5) calendar days from today. You will need to specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Your plan of correction must 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 preventive measure(s) If you have questions regarding this inspection, contact Stephanie Reed at Stephanie.Reed@doe.virginia.gov *UPDATED violation notice to reflect 'repeat violations' 11/21/2023

Violations:

Standard #:	63.2-1509-A
Description:	Based on interviews, the center, having reason to suspect that a child was abused or neglected, failed to report the matter immediately to the local department of the county or city wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred or to the Department's toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline. Evidence: Staff of the center who are all mandated reporters did not report suspected child abuse and neglect immediately as required. Interviews revealed that staff reported concerns regarding the care and treatment of children at least 16 to 20 times to management. On August 29, 2023 an incident occurred in which staff witnessed another staff pick up a child and slam the child on a cot and as of October 16, 2023 the incident had not been reported.
Plan of Correction:	Center staff was immediately retrained on how to properly communicate suspected child abuse or neglect. Center has a plan of action on what should be reported and how to report via training from the district leader. Additionally, all staff will be retained on how to identify child abuse and neglect no later than 11/17/2023
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Based on staff interviews, staff failed to ensure the care, protection and guidance of children in care. Evidence: Throughout the months of June, July and August 2023, Staff #1 was observed by two staff using loud voice tones described as yelling and screaming at a classroom of toddler children ranging in age from 16 months to 2 years old. Staff #1 was observed slamming children in their chairs and on the floor ?really hard?, pinning children in their seats with her leg to ensure the children stayed seated at a table and snatching toys and other items from the children. A third staff confirmed witnessing Staff #1 pinning children in their seats. Children?s reactions were described as crying and running away from Staff #1. These behaviors from Staff #1 were reported to management by at least two staff members between 16 to 20 different times and Staff #1 continued to engage in these behaviors for approximately three months.
Plan of Correction:	Staff were retrained on positive behavior guidance on 8/22/2023. Additionally, center management was retrained on how to appropriately report situations regarding the safety of children. Teachers will also be retrained on how to properly report suspected child abuse or neglect no later than 11/17/2023. Staff #1 has been terminated from employment with KinderCare.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance was constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate and intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: Staff interviews revealed that Staff #1 was observed approximately 20 to 30 times using loud, harsh voice tones described as yelling and screaming in attempt to redirect children ages 16 months through 2 years. Interviewees reported witnessing Staff #1 yelling, ?y?all are getting on my nerves?, ?we?re not doing this today?, and ?all you?re doing is crying today? at the children.
Plan of Correction:	Staff were immediately retrained on positive child guidance on 8/22/2023. Staff were retrained on developmentally appropriate practices based on age and ways to support children that are developmentally appropriate. All teachers will conclude this training no later than 11/22/2023. Center management will increase classroom observations in all classrooms to support teachers through how to handle unwanted behaviors. Staff #1 has been terminated from employment with KinderCare.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-C
Description:	Based on staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that time out was not utilized with toddlers as a behavioral guidance technique. Evidence: Interviews revealed that during the months of June, July, August of 2023, Staff #1 utilized time out in the toddler room at least 10 different times by making children sit on top of a table as ?punishment? for one to two minutes and often the children would cry.
Plan of Correction:	KinderCare does not prohibit time out as a behavior guidance technique. During the positive behavior child guidance on 8/22/2023, teachers were retrained on other ways to encourage wanted behavior rather than unwanted behavior. Center management will increase classroom observations in all classrooms to support teachers through how to handle unwanted behaviors. Staff #1 has been terminated from employment with KinderCare.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on interviews, it was determined that the center failed to ensure that roughly handling children was forbidden. Evidence: On August 29, 2023, Staff #1 was observed by another staff and a parent of another child enrolled at the center, roughly handling Child #1, age 21 months, by lifting the child under the arms and slamming the child on their stomach onto their nap cot with such force that the child gasped for air.
Plan of Correction:	All staff were immediately retrained on 8/22/2023 on proper behavior guidance. Staff are also retrained on positive behavior best practices at every monthly staff meeting. Center management will increase classroom observations in all classrooms to support teachers through how to handle unwanted behaviors. Staff #1 has been terminated from employment with KinderCare.