VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Compton Children's Academy
14415 Compton Village Drive
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 815-5437

Current Inspector: Alyssa Simons (571) 423-6392

Inspection Date: March 22, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Behavioral Guidance. 8VAC20-780 Forbidden Actions. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks. 20 Access to minor?s records. 22.1 Background Checks Code. 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect.

Comments:

A self-reported incident was received by the licensing office on March 19, 2024, regarding allegations in the areas of Forbidden Actions and Behavioral Guidance. A joint investigation with local agencies was initiated on March 22, 2024, and concluded on April 12, 2024. Based on observations, interviews, and documentation reviewed, the preponderance of evidence gathered supports violations of the standards. Areas of noncompliance can be found in the violation notice. Areas of noncompliance not related to the complaint but identified during the course of the investigation can also be found on the violation notice. For any questions regarding this inspection, please contact me at (571)-423-6392 or alyssa.simons@doe.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on observation and record review, the licensee failed to ensure that the center?s activities and services are maintained in compliance with the center?s own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1) The personal electronic usage in the classroom policy states that ?at no time is an employee permitted to use any personal electronic in the classroom.? 2) At approximately 4:52pm, video footage shows Staff #1 using a cell phone to take pictures of Child #1 (age: 5 years). 3) The center?s discipline policy states that ?at no time, will physical punishment or belittlement occur.? 4) Video footage shows that on 03/18/2024 at approximately 4:51pm, Staff #1 yells ?are you like 2 years old, are you a baby?? Child #1 hits Staff #1. Staff #1 yells ?slap me again, slap me again.? At approximately 4:53pm, Staff #1 yells ?are you going to hit me, hit me in my face again.? Child #1 hits Staff #1 in the face, then Staff #1 hits the child on the cheek.
Plan of Correction:	When viewing the camera management noticed the infraction and Immediately alerted Upper management team and the staff member in question, and she was suspended that night until upper management could do a further review of the footage the next morning.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:	Based on observation, the center failed to ensure behavioral guidance was constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1) Video footage shows that on 03/18/2024 at approximately 4:51pm, Child #1 (age: 5 years) knocks over a chair, rips paper off a wall and throws things. Staff #1 yells ?I?m not cleaning it up, I?m over it.? Staff #1 approaches Child #1 and yells, ?stop ripping paper.? Staff #1 picks Child #1 up by grabbing them under the arms and pulls the child across the room, dragging the child?s feet on the ground. Staff #1 yells ?are you like 2 years old, are you a baby?? Child #1 hits Staff #1. Staff #1 yells ?slap me again, slap me again.? 2) Staff #1 pulls out a phone and takes pictures of Child #1 ripping paper, then yells ?You did not pay for this, why did you rip it? Keep doing it, yup we?ll let mommy know.? 3) At approximately 4:53pm, Staff #1 moves Child #1 to the wall by grabbing the child under the arms, dragging the child?s feet on the ground. Staff #1 sits child #1 up against the wall and a thud is heard. Staff #1 yells ?are you going to hit me, hit me in my face again.? Child #1 hits Staff #1 in the face then Staff #1 hits the child on the cheek. Staff #1 says, ?I?m not doing this? and walks out of the classroom.
Plan of Correction:	CCA supervisors monitor the cameras on a daily basis to ensure the safety and accountability of kids and staff. During this process, we discovered this inappropriate encounter and promptly self-reported it because this employee did not follow CCA standards or policies. We will continue to monitor the cameras as usual, and we will always do our utmost to ensure our students' safety and well-being.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on observation, a staff member used the following forbidden actions of physical punishment, striking a child and roughly handling a child. Evidence: 1) Video footage shows that on 03/18/2024 at approximately 4:51pm, Staff #1 picks Child #1(age: 5 years) up by grabbing them under the arms and pulls the child across the room, dragging the child?s feet on the ground. 2) At approximately 4:53pm, Staff #1 moves Child #1 to the wall by grabbing the child under the arms, dragging the child?s feet on the ground. Staff #1 sits child #1 up against the wall and a thud is heard. 3) At approximately 4:53pm, Child #1 hits Staff #1 in the face then Staff #1 hits the child on the cheek.
Plan of Correction:	After the management team again examined the footage the next day and verified the inappropriate interactions, the staff member was terminated and never returned to the property. CCA immediately called Licensing, CPS, and the students' families to inform them of this significant encounter. CCA will continue to prioritize children's safety and self-report any safety issues that arise.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-6
Description:	Based on observation, a staff member used the following forbidden action of verbal remarks that were demeaning to a child. Evidence: 1) Video footage shows that on 03/18/2024 at approximately 4:51pm, Staff #1 yells ?are you like 2 years old, are you a baby?? Child #1 hits Staff #1. Staff #1 yells ?slap me again, slap me again.? 2) At approximately 4:53pm, Staff #1 yells ?are you going to hit me, hit me in my face again.?
Plan of Correction:	All staff members attended an emergency mandated meeting about staff and child interactions, where we reviewed polices of CCA?s to include use of personal devices (as clearly stated in our policies), expectations, policies, licensing, and how to manage issues that arise to include how to successful deescalate situations when a student is hitting or throwing objects at either a staff member, other children or engaging in other disruptive conduct, safely and appropriately. Staff employees are required under CCA's unambiguous standards and expectations to uphold appropriate verbal and physical relationships with all students, parents and staff. Additionally, CCA has a zero-tolerance policy we take very seriously regarding inappropriate verbal and physical interactions. Actions moving forward to help maintain CCA?s standards, managers will walk through the building every 15 minutes to help observe interactions and will continue to carry out their daily inspection of the cameras. In addition, CCA will continue holding monthly meetings where we go over all policies and standards as well as appropriate handling and interactions of students. Furthermore, the training on "Resilient Caregivers: Bouncing Back from Stress" was completed by all CCA staff.