VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy #7136
2453 Taylor Road
2449 Suite D
Chesapeake, VA 23321
(757) 465-3893

Current Inspector: Arlene Agustin (804) 629-7519

Inspection Date: Jan. 30, 2024

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. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

Technical Assistance: Licensing standards reviewed regarding Children?s records.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on January 30, 2024. The inspector arrived at 9am and departed at approximately 1:48pm. There were 93 children present and 15 staff members. A sample size of 10 records were reviewed which included 5 children?s records and 5 staff records. The Inspector observed staff and children?s interactions throughout the inspection. Children were observed during group activity, classroom lessons, free play indoor and outdoor, handwashing, diapering, lunch, bottle feeding, and naptime. First aid kits and emergency preparedness documents were observed. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law. Violations were documented and are listed on the violation notice discussed with the director and the site assistant director at the exit interview.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that areas and equipment of the center be maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In the 2 year old classroom, there were areas that pose as an injury hazard to the children in care including: a. There is a 2 inch metal piece protruding out from the changing table in reach and at the height of the children. b. There is a wooden step bridge play apparatus that several children were observed walking up and over which is unstable and wobbly. c. There are two area carpets that have several threads that are coming off the edges of the carpet which poses as a tripping hazard. d. The area rug in front of the children?s sink is buckled and does not lay flat to the floor. The corner of the rug is lifted off the ground that poses as a tripping hazard. e. The area rug in the children?s free play area is buckled and does not lay flat to the floor. The corner of the rug is lifted off the ground being held by a wooden toy. This poses as a tripping hazard to the children in care. 2. Staff #1, Director, confirmed the areas of the 2 year old classroom that pose as injury hazards to the children. 3. The two sinks used by the 2 year olds and preschool children are completely turned off or put at a low water pressure in which children do not have access to wash their hands.
Plan of Correction:	The wooden piece of play equipment was immediately removed from the classroom. Center Director submitted a Work Order immediately following the inspection to have the metal piece from the changing table removed. District Manager will follow up with Facility Maintenance team if the issue has not been addressed within the allotted timeframe of 30 days. Loose threads from the rugs have been cut off while we wait for the new rugs to arrive. The bathroom rug in front of the sinks was buckled but just needed to be straightened back out to lay flat on the floor. Management team will ensure all employees know to bring any concerns to their attention so they can be addressed in a timely manner.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that hazardous substances such as cleaning materials be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. In the 2 year old classroom, there was a cleaning spray bottle that was labeled that it contained bleach and water in an unlocked cabinet under the changing table. This area was accessible to children in care. 2. In the dining area where children eat lunch, there is an unlocked cabinet with a spray bottle of bleach and water as well as a bottle of bleach. There were accessible to children. 3. Staff #1, Director, confirmed that the two cabinets were not locked.
Plan of Correction:	Lock was put back on cabinet as soon as it was noticed during the inspection. Management team will continue to ensure all classroom cabinets are locked.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. After outdoor free-play for the 2 year old class, all 18 children came back into the center and placed their jackets in their cubbies with the assistance of the teachers. One of the eighteen children was observed to remain in a different and separate classroom and the three teachers had no knowledge the child was not in the classroom for approximately 2-3 minutes. 2. Director who was present in the 2 year old area confirmed that the child was missing from the classroom for approximately 2-3 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	The empty middle room is used by the Twos classroom for certain purposes?there are cubbies in this space as well as more room for eating. When the children came in from the playground and had to hang up their jackets at their cubbies, one child stayed near the Center Director and the Licensing Inspector in the smaller separate part of the room where these cubbies are located. Center Director was in the room and would?ve immediately led the child back to the rest of the group but Licensing Inspector said she wanted to see how long it would take the teachers to notice the child was in this separate area. Center Director will continue to ensure sight and sound supervision is a focus at all times.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-B
Description:	Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that when disposing of diapers, they shall be disposed in a leakproof or plastic-lined storage system that is either foot-operated or used in such a way that neither the staff member's hand nor the soiled diaper touches an exterior surface of the storage system during disposal. Evidence: 1. In the 2 year old classroom, the diaper disposal storage system has a broken lid. The two year old teachers confirmed that it is broken and their hands or soiled diapers touch the exterior surface of the storage system. 2. Staff #1, the director, also confirmed that the diaper disposal storage system is broken.
Plan of Correction:	New trash can was ordered the day of the inspection and the broken one has since been discarded. Management team will periodically check to ensure foot pedal trash cans are in working order and if not, will order a new one to replace immediately.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-520-C
Description:	Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that if diaper ointment or cream is used these products do not need to be kept locked but shall be inaccessible to children. Evidence: 1. In the 2 year old classroom several diaper creams and ointments were in an unlocked cabinet that is accessible to the children in care. 2. Staff #1 confirmed that diaper creams and ointments were within reach of the children.
Plan of Correction:	Lock was put back on cabinet as soon as it was noticed during the inspection. Management team will continue to ensure all classroom cabinets are locked.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-P
Description:	Based on record review and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that they maintain a written record of children's serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. The record shall include the date and time when parents were notified. Evidence: 1. In reviewing 5 injury reports from the month of January 2024, all 5 reports did not have the date and time the parents were notified of their child?s injury. 2. Staff #1 confirmed that there were no dates and times of when the parents were notified in the injury reports.
Plan of Correction:	All staff were retrained on how to properly fill out the incident report form. Management team will check incident reports to make sure they are completely filled out before they sign off.