VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Goddard School
10405 Dumfries Road
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 420-7333

Current Inspector: Cathy Aylor (540) 222-6352

Inspection Date: Feb. 6, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Services.

Technical Assistance:

Consultation provided on appropriate behavioral guidance, forbidden actions and care, protection and guidance.

Comments:

A complaint was received involving forbidden action to include roughly handling children and inappropriate behavioral guidance. The complaint was determined to be valid as the preponderance of the evidence support sthe violations outlined on the violation notice.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on observation, it was determined that the area inside of the center was not maintained in a safe condition. Evidence: On 2/6/24, the Licensing Inspector observed the cord to the wall mounted phone hanging in reach of the toddlers in classroom 136. The cord could be used to wrap around a child's neck and become a strangulation hazard.
Plan of Correction:	1. All classroom phones have been fitted with a hook to ensure that the phone cords are out of reach for children. 2. The hooks will be checked weekly by the Assistant Director to ensure that they are still up and in working condition to ensure ongoing compliance.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interviews, it was determined that when staff are supervising children, they are not always ensuring their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1. Interviews revealed that in the preschool 1 classroom, staff C was observed on a daily basis talking on their cellphone ( via wireless headphones) for up to 30 minutes at a time while the children were napping. . Staff C would be the only staff in the classroom and could be observed from the hallway on their phone. On 2/6/24 or 2/7/24 staff C was observed in the Preschool 2 classroom covering naptime. Staff C was observed talking on the phone for up to 35 minutes while in the classroom and supervising children. 3. Interviews revealed that on a regular, if not daily basis staff C would use a "very stern and raised voice " to tell the children in the Preschool 1 classroom to sit down. The voice tone could be heard from the hallway.
Plan of Correction:	1. The Director addressed staff C once the Director was made aware of the complaint. 2. Staff C was retrained on the Goddard cell phone usage policy as stated in the Employee handbook: 3. Staff C was also retrained on the Goddard positive language policy in the employee handbook: 4. The classroom will be closely monitored daily every 15 minutes by the Director and/or the Assistant Director to ensure on-going compliance. 5. The Assistant Director will conduct weekly unannounced class observations to ensure compliance.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, it was determined that in order to promote the children's physical, emotional and social well-being and growth, the staff failed to interact with the children to provide needed help, comfort and support. Evidence: 1. Interviews revealed that in the toddler classroom, staff A and B would loudly mimic the children's crying in order to make them stop crying and then would say to the children, now didn't that sound silly.
Plan of Correction:	1. The Director addressed staff A and B regarding the complaint. 2. The Director issued verbal warnings for both staff A and B, which were documented and placed in their files. 3. Ongoing compliance will be closely monitored throughout the day during the 15-minute checks conducted by either the Director or the Assistant Director. 4. The Assistant Director will continue conducting weekly unannounced observations to ensure ongoing compliance
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, it was determined that the center's staff is not using behavioral guidance that is age and stage appropriate and intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflict. Evidence; 1. Interviews revealed that in January 2023 staff B would grab the children in the toddler classroom by their cheeks and "pinched" them in an attempt to prevent the toddlers from biting. 2. Interviews revealed that if the children refused to sit as instructed, staff A would "aggressively push" them down to make them sit.
Plan of Correction:	1. The Director addressed both staff A and B after the complaint and informed them of the accusations. 2. Staff A was placed on administrative leave for 1 week pending the investigation. 3. Both staff A and B were issued verbal warnings which were documented. 4. Both staff are attending additional trainings on Toddler behavioral challenges. 5. The classroom will be closely monitored daily every 15 minutes by the Director and/or the Assistant Director to ensure on-going compliance. 6. The Assistant Director will conduct weekly unannounced class observations to ensure compliance.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews, it was determined that the center's staff roughly handled children. Evidence: 1. Interviews revealed that the children in the toddler classroom 136 are being grabbed by their arms "on occasion" by staff A and B in order to try to prevent the children from biting or hitting. The grabbing was described as aggressive. 2. On 2/9/24 staff C was observed becoming frustrated attempting to get their 6 children, who were 2/3 year of age to line up to go inside from the playground. Child A ( 3 years of age) expressed that they didn't want to come inside and staff C was observed grabbing the child's left arm and pulling the child inside of the center from the playground. This incident took place between 10 - 10:30 am.
Plan of Correction:	Complaint related to Staff A and B 1. After the complaint the Director immediately entered the classroom and addressed both staff A and B on the accusations. 2. The Assistant Director was placed in the room to conduct an observation. 3. Staff A was placed on administrative leave for 1 week. 4. Both staff A and B received retraining on The Goddard Discipline policy as stated in the Employee Handbook. 5. Both staff members will be attending additional trainings on behavioral challenges and the appropriate responses 6. The class schedule was reexamined, and more center time was introduced to help with student engagement to help reduce behavioral challenges. 7. The classroom will be closely monitored daily every 15 minutes by the Director and/or the Assistant Director to ensure on-going compliance. 8. The Assistant Director will conduct weekly unannounced class observations to ensure compliance. Complaint related to Staff C 1. Upon learning of the complaint, the Director spoke with all staff members who were present during the incident to gather more information. 2. The Franchisee looked over camera footage to see if there was anything caught on camera, unfortunately, nothing was caught. 3. Staff C was addressed by the Director with the concern. 4. Staff C received retraining on The Goddard Discipline policy as stated in the Employee Handbook 5. Staff C will be attending additional training on behavioral challenges and the appropriate responses 6. The transition from playground to the classroom will be closely monitored daily by the Director and/or the Assistant Director to ensure on-going compliance. 7. The Assistant Director will conduct unannounced playground observations to ensure ongoing compliance.