VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Charlie's Guiding Light Early Learning Center, LLC
15 Cave Street
Luray, VA 22835
(540) 669-7090

Current Inspector: Barbara Workman (540) 430-9257

Inspection Date: Feb. 20, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Comments:

A non-mandated inspection was conducted with an outside agency on February 20, 2024 from 10:04 A.M.-12:30 P.M., and concluded on February 26, 2024. The investigation was in response to a self reported incident that occurred on February 5, 2024 and February 6, 2024 regarding forbidden action. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, staffing and supervision, programs, and background checks. Video footage was reviewed, four staff were interviewed three staff record and three children records were reviewed. 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. If you have any questions please call the Licensing Inspector at 540-430-9257.

Violations:

Standard #:	63.2-1509-A
Description:	Based on interviews, the center, with reason to suspect that a child is abused, failed to report the matter immediately to the local department or to the Department?s toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline. Evidence: Since November 2023, two staff witnessed several incidents of Staff #1 bouncing children forcefully in the bouncer, using her hands and feet to push children back into bouncy seats, and patting children?s bottoms too hard when putting them down for nap. Both staff stated that they did not report the incidents to Child Protective Service.
Plan of Correction:	As soon as management became aware of the abuse and neglect our plan was to terminate. However, Staff #1 had resigned from position before footage had been seen on abuse. During the orientation every staff member is told about mandated reporting. After this incident all staff have been remined of importance of reporting abuse seen in the facility.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	Based on interview and review of children records, the center failed to ensure that all required information was in the record. Evidence: Child #1?s file did not contain the full emergency contact address for both emergency contacts.
Plan of Correction:	Director will contact the parents and obtain the full address for emergency contacts.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-370-5
Description:	Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that staff shall provide awake infants not playing on the floor or ground a change in play space at least every 30 minutes or more often as determined by the individual child?s infant?s needs. Evidence: Staff #1 was often witnessed leaving Child #2 in a bouncy seat for periods of 45 minutes to an hour at a time.
Plan of Correction:	Our facility orientation covers change in play space. Due to the fact that Staff #1 did not ensure this was being done all staff members were retrained. They were told that it is crucial piece in determining an infants needs and wants.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on interviews and review of video footage, the center failed to ensure that rough handling or shaking a child were forbidden. Evidence: 1. Video footage of 02/05/2024 showed Staff #1 placing her foot on the forehead of Child #2 (10 months old) and pushing Child #2?s head back against the bouncy seat; placing her foot under the bouncy seat with the child in it, dragging it towards her; and placing one foot on each side of the bouncy seat and forcefully bouncing Child #2, in the bouncer. Child #2?s head can be seen bouncing back and forth against the bouncer approximately four times. 2. Video footage of 02/06/2024 shows Staff #1 placing her hand on Child #2?s (10 months old) cheek and neck and pushing him back against the bouncy seat; Staff #1 placing her foot on Child #2?s, (10 months) chest/collar bone and pushing the child back into the bouncy seat; and Staff #1 placing her palm/hand on Child #1?s forehead, pushing him back into the bouncy seat. 3. Two staff witnessed Staff #1 dropping Child #1 (9 months old) into the crib and patting his bottom very hard.
Plan of Correction:	During orientation every staff member is trained on the dangers of shaken baby syndrome and rough handling of children. This is also found in the mandated 10 hour preservice training. After this incident all employees were retrained on the dangers and reminded that these actions are absolutely forbidden. Administration self reported the incident to the licensing inspector and child protective services.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-430-B
Description:	Based on review of video footage and manufacturers? directions, the center failed to ensure that equipment shall be age and stage appropriate for the child using it. Evidence: Video footage of 02/05/2024 and 02/06/2024 shows Child #1 (age 10 months) sitting up and bending over the side of a bouncy seat. Manufacturer?s specifications for the bouncy seat observed in the video indicate an age range of 0 to 6 months.
Plan of Correction:	All staff were reminded to check all manufactures directions on materials and equipment being used. That it was appropriate to age and sate of child using materials or equipment. The bouncy seat was removed from the classroom.