VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

KinderCare Learning Centers at Burke Lake Road #805
9724 Burke Lake Road
Burke, VA 22015
(703) 250-3854

Current Inspector: Stephanie Salvatori (571) 389-0980

Inspection Date: Sept. 22, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 22.1 Background Checks Code 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An announced monitoring inspection was initiated today between the hours of 10:30am and 12:30pm with an additional outside agency to investigate a self-reported incident regarding the supervision, behavioral guidance and programming in the older infant classroom. Areas of non-compliance are identified on the Violation Notice. Thank you for your cooperation during the inspection. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at whitney.mcgrath@doe.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	63.2-1509-A
Description:	Based on interview and written statements, the suspected abuse of children was not reported immediately to a local department. Evidence: 1. Staff #3 stated that they observed Staff #1 ?forcefully and harshly feeding a baby? and ?witnessed [staff #1] slapping and pinching a few children? on 9/13/2023. Staff #3 stated that they witnessed staff #1 slap child #1 on the face during a diaper change? leaving a ?four finger red mark? and ?pushing a milk straw into [child #1?s] mouth forcing [the child] to drink?. Staff #3 stated that they witnessed staff #1 ?twist? child #2 and child #3?s ear. Staff #3 informed staff #2 of their observations on 9/14/2023. In a written statement, staff #3 stated that ?there have been several earlier instances that appeared to be part of a persistent pattern of behavior.? 2. Staff #2 stated that the center initiated an internal investigation on 9/14/2023. 3. Staff #4 stated that [staff #1] ?gets frustrated when [the babies] cry? and that they witnessed staff #1 ?shake? child #1 making the child ?cry more?. 4. Staff #5 stated that sometimes ?[staff #1] hits babies on the arm if they drop their water bottles? and that ?staff #1 hit child #3?s hand after dropping a water cup? causing child #3 to cry. 5. Staff #6 wrote in a statement that they witnessed staff #1 ?hit a child who was walking away on the head/back? and ?angerly hit a child with a blanket? who was not listening. 6. Staff #3, staff #4, staff #5 and staff #6 did not immediately report their observations of abuse to a local department. 7. Staff #2 did not report the suspected abuse of children to a local department until 9/21/2023.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was immediately removed from the classroom as soon as staff #2 was notified of the allegation. Staff #1 was terminated from Kindercare at the conclusion of the investigation. We had a training the week of 9/25/2023 with a specialist to discuss reporting child abuse and neglect as well as to go over the kindercare policies and expectations. All staff were present with the exception of staff #1 who was administrative leave.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on a review of the centers policies and interviews, the operational responsibilities of the licensee did not ensure that the centers activities and services are maintained in compliance with these standards, the centers own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. Evidence: 1. The centers policies state that staff shall ?address behavior problems with kindness and teach children how to handle difficult situations with care and patience.? 2. The centers policies state ?spanking, grabbing, pinching, or any physical punishment? are forms of ?discipline methods that are simply not acceptable.? 3. Staff #3, staff #4, staff #5 and staff #6 statements confirm that staff #1 has not used kindness, care and patience with child #1, child #2 and child #3 during difficult situations.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was immediately removed from the classroom as soon as staff #2 was notified of the allegation. Staff #1 was terminated from Kindercare at the conclusion of the investigation. We had a training the week of 9/25/2023 with a specialist to discuss reporting child abuse and neglect as well as to go over the kindercare policies and expectations. All staff were present with the exception of staff #1 who was administrative leave.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on interview and written statements, staff did not always ensure care, protection, and guidance when supervising children. Evidence: 1. Staff #3 stated that they observed Staff #1 ?forcefully and harshly feeding a baby? and ?witnessed [staff #1] slapping and pinching a few children? on 9/13/2023. Staff #3 stated that they witnessed staff #1 slap child #1 on the face during a diaper change? leaving a ?four finger red mark? and ?pushing a milk straw into [child #1?s] mouth forcing [the child] to drink?. Staff #3 stated that they witnessed staff #1 ?twist? child #2 and child #3?s ear. 2. Staff #4 stated that [staff #1] ?gets frustrated when [the babies] cry? and that they witnessed staff #1 ?shake? child #1 making the child ?cry more?. 3. Staff #5 stated that sometimes ?[staff #1] hits babies on the arm if they drop their water bottles? and that ?staff #1 hit child #3?s hand after dropping a water cup? causing child #3 to cry. 4. Staff #6 wrote in a statement that they witnessed staff #1 ?hit a child who was walking away on the head/back? and ?angerly hit a child with a blanket? who was not listening.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was immediately removed from the classroom as soon as staff #2 was notified of the allegation. Staff #1 was terminated from Kindercare at the conclusion of the investigation. We had a training the week of 9/25/2023 with a specialist to discuss reporting child abuse and neglect as well as to go over the kindercare policies and expectations. All staff were present with the exception of staff #1 who was administrative leave.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on interview and written statements, physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling, and/or shaking a child was permitted. Evidence: 1. Staff #3 stated that they observed Staff #1 ?forcefully and harshly feeding a baby? and ?witnessed [staff #1] slapping and pinching a few children? on 9/13/2023. Staff #3 stated that they witnessed staff #1 slap child #1 on the face during a diaper change? leaving a ?four finger red mark? and ?pushing a milk straw into [child #1?s] mouth forcing [the child] to drink?. Staff #3 stated that they witnessed staff #1 ?twist? child #2 and child #3?s ear. Staff #3 informed staff #2 of their observations on 9/14/2023. 2. Staff #5 stated that sometimes ?[staff #1] hits babies on the arm if they drop their water bottles? and that ?staff #1 hit child #3?s hand after dropping a water cup? causing child #3 to cry. 3. Staff #6 wrote in a statement that they witnessed staff #1 ?hit a child who was walking away on the head/back? and ?angerly hit a child with a blanket? who was not listening.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was immediately removed from the classroom as soon as staff #2 was notified of the allegation. Staff #1 was terminated from Kindercare at the conclusion of the investigation. We had a training the week of 9/25/2023 with a specialist to discuss reporting child abuse and neglect as well as to go over the kindercare policies and expectations. All staff were present with the exception of staff #1 who was administrative leave.