VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

A Child's Place at Hollin Hall
1500 Shenandoah Road
Alexandria, VA 22308
(703) 765-8811

Current Inspector: Pamela Sneed (804) 629-2691

Inspection Date: April 11, 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. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Technical Assistance:

1. Reviewed the intent of the requirement of staff to sit with children during meals. The intent being to engage with the children and encourage language development, as well as, guide and assist children through the meal. 2. Recommend diaper changing not to occur during the meal time, unless unavoidable. Before or after the meal would be most appropriate.

Comments:

Conducted an unannounced monitoring inspection at 10:27am. Observed 83 children + 12 direct-care staff. Ratios and supervision were in compliance. A new program director was hired approximately a month ago. Children were observed playing with toys and blocks, painting, having story time, writing letters and words, participating in an interactive story time with costumes, washing hands and eating lunch. The classrooms were found to be clean and sufficiently supplied with toys and equipment for the children. Areas of non-compliance with standards and laws reviewed were found. Questions about this inspection may be directed to pamela.sneed@doe.virginia.gov Note: The licensee should submit the plan of corrections within 5 business days of receipt of this report for the plans to be included in the report and posted on the VDOE website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-A
Description:	Repeat violation. Based on records reviewed, 2 of 6 staff records did not include documentation of a minimum of 16 hours of annual training for the 2022-2023 period. Evidence: 1. Staff #7- 0 of 16 hours of annual training was recorded for the period of 6/2022-5/2023. 2. Staff #8 - 11.5 of 16 hours of annual training was recorded for the period of 8/2022-9/2023.
Plan of Correction:	There will be ongoing training to satisfy the 16 hour yearly training.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Repeat violation. Based on observations made, hazardous substances in one classroom were not kept in a locked place. Evidence: 1. Multiple lotions, some labeled "keep out of reach of children" were being stored on an open shelf above the sink where children wash their hands in the Preschool-1 room. 2. A spray bottle containing a bleach + water solution was being stored on a window ledge above the diaper changing table in the Preschool-1 room.
Plan of Correction:	All lotions are locked and placed in the closet.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Repeat violation. Based on observations made, staff supervising one class did not always ensure their care and guidance. Evidence: 1. There were 4 staff and 19 2-year-old children in the Preschool 1 class present during lunch today. 2. 2 of the 4 staff were sitting with the children while they were eating but were not engaged with the children nor assisting them to eat, or responding to their requests. The 3rd of the 4 staff was focused on recording what food the children liked that was on their plates. The 4th of 4 staff was changing diapers. 3. During the lunch, a child was observed pouring the contents of her milk cup over her head, which then ran down her face and into her eyes. Staff #10 was sitting directly across the table from the child, who was wiping her face and eyes with her hands, and did not respond to the situation. 4. During the lunch, another child was observed asking repeatedly for milk, which was never given to the child. 5. Conversations between staff and children were minimal and mostly directive in nature, not conversational or guiding in nature. Children were told "sit down...wash your hands..." 6. There was minimal to no verbal or physical assistance and guidance provided to children who were struggling to eat an uncut chicken breast that was served for lunch. 7. Considerable focus was given by staff to prompt children to stop eating lunch and go have their diaper changed mid-meal. Children were observed chewing food when prompted by staff to go get their diaper changed, and then walking to the diaper changing area while chewing food.
Plan of Correction:	Staff got trained, one on one and is documented in their files. A schedule is put in place to avoid diaper changing during lunch time. Food will be cut up to avoid choking. Staff trained.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-A
Description:	Repeat violation. Based on observations made, staff did not wash their hands before and after each diaper change in one classroom. Evidence: Staff #4 was observed changing 6 consecutive children's diapers and not washing her hands before/after each diaper change. The staff person was observed washing her hands one time throughout the diaper changing.
Plan of Correction:	All staff got trained and it is documented in their files
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-B
Description:	Based on observations made, the diaper changing surface in one classroom was not cleaned with soap + water and then sanitized with a bleach + water solution after each use/diaper change. Evidence: Staff #4 was observed changing 6 consecutive children's diapers and not cleaning + sanitizing the surface after each diaper change. The staff person was observed spraying the surface one time and wiping the diaper changing surface after one of the diaper changes.
Plan of Correction:	Staff trained on the proper procedures
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-E
Description:	Based on records reviewed, a minimum of 2 shelter-in-place drills were not practiced in the last year. Evidence: Since January 2023, 0 of 2 drills were practiced and recorded.
Plan of Correction:	Will correct year 24-2025
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-F
Description:	Based on records reviewed, a minimum of 1 lock-down drill was not practiced in the last year. Evidence: Since January 2023, 0 of 1 drills were practiced and recorded.
Plan of Correction:	Will correct year 24-2025
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-560-F-4
Description:	Based on observations made, children under the age of 3 years old were offered food considered to be a potential choking hazard. Evidence: Children in a 2 year-old class were served an entire chicken breast that was not cut up into bite-size pieces. The children were observed biting and pulling on the chicken with their teeth and getting large chunks of meat that they struggled to chew. Some took bites of the chicken, attempted to chew it and then spit it out.
Plan of Correction:	Staff trained on the proper procedures
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-580-B
Description:	Based on observations made, 3 of 4 vehicles/buses used by the center for transportation of children do not currently meet the safety standards set by the Virginia DMV. Evidence: 1. Bus #1 and Bus #2-The annual safety inspection expired 2/2024. 2. Bus #3 - The annual safety inspection expired 10/2023.
Plan of Correction:	Buses are schedule to b inspected.