VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Meet Up, LLC DBA Our Kids Can
3706 Winchester Drive
Suite 200
Portsmouth, VA 23707
(757) 956-6586

Current Inspector: Heather Harrell (757) 334-4329

Inspection Date: July 19, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies

Comments:

An investigation was initiated in response to a complaint received by the department on 4/14/23 regarding termination of care polices, parental involvement policies and outdoor play procedures. A second complaint was received on 6/14/23 regarding crib spacing and children's injuries. An on-site inspection was conducted on 7/19/23. Interviews with staff and classroom observations were completed and documents related to the complaint were reviewed. Based on information gathered during the investigation, the complaint is determined to be valid. Violations not related to the complaint were also found. Violations are cited on the violation notice issued to the program and were discussed with the center owner at the conclusion of the investigation.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not ensure that there shall be at least 12 inches of space between occupied cots. Evidence: 1.In the toddler classroom, there were 7 children napping on cots that were not spaced at least 12 inches apart. 2. Staff in the toddler classroom confirmed that the occupied cots did not have at least 12 inches of space between them.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: I made the corrections immediately and on-going training still occurs. We trained on cot placement. We utilize a ruler to measure spacing for cots and movement of furniture to ensure spacing during nap time.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-G
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interview and record review, the center did not ensure that cribs shall be used for children under 12 months of age. Evidence: 1. On 6/5/23, child 1 (age 16 months at the time) was napping in a crib in the infant classroom, according to information provided by child 1's parent and center staff. 2. Child 1 was developmentally able to stand up in his crib and jump up and down enough to move his crib over to the crib next to his and reach through the crib and pull child 2's (age 14 months at the time) hair. 3. Center management confirmed that children over the age of 12 months routinely are placed in cribs during nap time instead of cots.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: I made the corrections immediately and on-going training still occurs. We trained on age requirements for cribs and engaged supervision across all classrooms.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-J
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the center did not ensure that there shall be at least twelve inches of space between the sides and ends of occupied cribs. Evidence: 1. On 6/5/23, child 1 (age 16 months at the time) and child 2 (age 14 months at the time) were placed in cribs close enough together for child 1 to be able to reach over and pull child 2's hair, according to child 1's parent and center staff. 2. During the on-site inspection on 7/19/23, there were two occupied cribs in the infant classroom that had only three inches of space between the ends of the cribs, where at least twelve inches of space are required.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: I made the corrections immediately and on-going training still occurs. We trained on crib placement and engaged supervision across all classrooms. We removed unused cribs, utilize a ruler to measure spacing for cribs and movement of furniture to ensure spacing during nap time.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not ensure that children's hands shall be washed with soap and running water after toileting and that staff shall wash their hands with soap and running water before and after a diaper change. Evidence: During the inspection, the licensing inspectors observed staff 1 changing a child's diaper in the infant classroom. Staff 1 did not wash the child's hands or her own hands after the diaper change was complete and was observed immediately touching the top of another child's head and touching other items in the classroom.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: I made the corrections immediately and on-going training still occurs. We trained on hand washing and posted the CDC standard requirements for hand-washing in all hand-washing and diaper/bathrooms areas. We also utilize gloves and hand-washing, soap and water solution, as well as disinfectant spray before and after each child.