VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Alston's Village Learning Center, LLC-#2
927 Aberdeen Road
Hampton, VA 23666
(757) 641-5116

Current Inspector: Melinda Popkin (757) 802-5281

Inspection Date: Dec. 4, 2023

Complaint Related: No

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. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minor's records 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

Today we discussed the outdoor play space to include the spacing of equipment requiring fall zones and resilient surfacing and equipment in disrepair. The program director states that the dome climber on the outdoor play space is not used by children and is going to be removed from the play space due to disrepair. We also discussed strategies for clearly documenting the annual revie w and update of children's emergency information so that it is evident in the children's records. The most recent CPR and First Aid certificates will be placed in the staff records upon recipt to clearly demonstrate certification.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 12/4/2023 from 2:30 pm- 5:00 pm. At the time of entrance, 11 children ages 4 to 5 years of age were in care with 2 staff. These children transitioned to another program and school age children began arriving at 3:00 pm. There was a total of 15 children, ages 6 - 10 years old, with 3 staff after all of the children arrived. The sample size consisted of 5 children?s records and 5 staff records. Children were observed eating an afternoon snack, completing homework assignments, creating a craft project, and engaged in a group music and movement activity. Medication administration was not observed. Outdoor time was not observed. However the outdoor play area was inspected. The program director states that the dome climber is not used by children in care due to being in disrepair and that it will be removed from the play yard. 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

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-A
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the licensee did not ensure that each staff completes the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course shall be completed within 90 calendar days of employment. Evidence: Five staff records were reviewed. The record for staff #4, whose date of employment is documented in her record as 4/5/2022, did not contain documentation to demonstrate that staff #4 had completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course which is required within 90 calendar days of employment. The program director confirmed that staff #4 had not yet completed this training, but was currently working on its completion.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #4 will complete the required training and submit proof of completion within 2 weeks. New staff will be required to complete the VDOE required orientation training within 7 days of hire.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not ensure that hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, insecticides, and pesticides shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: There were multiple chemicals and cleaning products (2 gallons of bleach, 2 insecticides, clothing detergent) in an unsecured cabinet under the sink in the kitchen where children were observed sitting at a table eating snack. Each of the cleaning products contained a label that stated "Keep out of reach of children" and additional warning statements such as "contact poison control" ingested. There were multiple cleaning products (2 anti-microbial cleaning sprays, 3 pump bottles of hand sanitizer, 10 dispensers of disinfecting wipes) in the cabinet under the sink in the restroom designated for staff. The restroom was not locked and there was no t a childproof device or lock on the cabinet door. The cleaning products and sprays contained warnings to "keep out of reach of children" as well as additional warnings. Staff stated that children are not allowed in these cabinets, but acknowledged that they were accessible to the children.
Plan of Correction:	The program director stated that she has an area available as well as a secured box to secure these items. The cleaning products and chemicals will be secured and inaccessible to children by tomorrow.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-560-F
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not ensure that children are served snacks that meet the most recent age-appropriate nutritional requirements of the Child and Adult Food Program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Evidence: The children were served small packets of liquid filled fruit candies and fruit juice for snack during the inspection. The candies do not meet the nutritional requirement of any food group required of snacks. Snacks must contain items from 2 nutrition / food groups to meet USDA standards. The snack listed on the posted menu for the day was "cheese strings". The menu was not updated to show a substitution of food for the day.
Plan of Correction:	The program director stated that the program's new kitchen staff is newly hired and is currently in training. The training will include specific information regarding appropriate food choices for children that meet the nutritional requirements of USDA. The program director will oversee menu planning until then. The planned / posted menu will be followed unless changes are discussed with the program director in advance. ANy changes will be marked on the written menu.