VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Little Ambassadors' Academy - Yorktown
5232 Langston Boulevard
Arlington, VA 22207
(571) 335-4493

Current Inspector: Leah Pagala (703) 537-6757

Inspection Date: April 8, 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. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect 8VAC20-790 Subsidy Regulations

Comments:

A mandated renewal inspection was conducted on April 8, 2024 from 9:20am-11:00am. There were 70 children in care with 12 staff supervising. Children were observed playing outside, painting, eating snack, washing hands and reading a book. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision, programming, medication, special care and emergencies and nutrition. A total of 5 child records and 5 staff 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. Please complete the ?plan of correction? and ?date to be corrected? for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to the department within 5 business days from receipt. Please specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Please do not use staff names; list staff by positions only. Any plans of correction not received within 5 business days will result in the plans not appearing on the Violation Notice and public website. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, please contact Leah Pagala at 703-537-6757 or leah.pagala@doe.virgina.gov

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-C
Description:	Based on record review, all staff did not obtain an updated tuberculosis screening. Evidence: Staff 3 has a tuberculosis screening which was last obtained on 4/7/2022.
Plan of Correction:	Staff member already had an appointment scheduled for 4/16/24. Staff is current with their TB as of 4/16/24. Date to be corrected: 4/16/24
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not follow their own polices and procedures that are required by the standards. Evidence: 1) A document found in Staff 1's record states "the Cubs team left a child unattended in the bathroom after taking their children to the playground." 2) The policy states, "All children must be kept within sight and sound at all times. Teachers are to NEVER leave any child unattended."
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-B
Description:	Based on review of documentation and interview, staff failed to immediately report potential child abuse or neglect in accordance with 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia. Evidence: 1) A document in Staff 1's record stated that on November 15, 2023 administration viewed videofootage that determined Staff 1 left Child 1 alone in a classroom from 10:45am until 11:05am. 2) According to documentation, on November 15, 2023 staff did not do a name to face which resulted in Child 1 being unattended for 20 minutes. 3) According to current school policy, "employees at Little Ambassadors? Academy are mandated reporters for child abuse and neglect and are required by law to report immediately. "
Plan of Correction:	The guardians (parents) of the child were notified immediately following the incident on 11/15/24. Procedures for disciplinary actions for the staff member were followed immediately after the event on 11/15/24. The center self-reported the incident to CPS and other licensing agencies on 4/8/24. Date to be corrected: 4/8/24 The staff member was placed on probation and written up after the investigation by the center. Staff member was placed on a performance improvement plan effective 11/15/23. The PIP was completed and staff member completed a separate training during the probationary period. Staff member reviewed school policies with center administration and practiced those policies as outlined in the performance improvement plan. Date to be corrected 11/15/23
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based on observation, hazardous substances such as cleaning materials were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method. EVidence: In the kangaroo classroom, hand sanitizer was observed on a shelf accessible to children.
Plan of Correction:	Hand sanitizer was immediately removed and stored in a locked cabinet.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on review of documentation and interviews, staff did not ensure children's care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1) A document in Staff 1's record indicated that on November 15, 2023, Staff 1 left Child 1 alone in the bathroom in the cubs classroom from 10:45am until 11:05am. 2) A document in Staff 1's record that on November 15, 2023, a member of management observed via camera Staff 1 supervising 4 children. While Staff 1 is helping 3 children get ready to go outside and 1 child walks into the bathroom. Documentation states at 10:45am Staff 1 walks out of the classroom with 3 children. 3) Documentation and interviews confirmed that Staff 5 found Child 1 at 11:05am. 4) Child 1 was left alone in the classroom for 20 minutes with no staff available in the room to offer immediate assistance.
Plan of Correction:	The guardians (parents) of the child were contacted directly after the incident and were given the details of the incident. The staff member was placed on probation and written up after the investigation by the center. Staff member was placed on a performance improvement plan effective 11/15/23. The PIP was completed and staff member completed a separate training during the probationary period.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on review of documentation and interviews, a child under 10 years of age was not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1) A document in Staff 1's record indicated that on November 15, 2023, Staff 1 left Child 1 alone in the bathroom located in the cubs classroom from 10:45am until 11:05am. 2) Staff stated they left Child 1 unattended in the bathroom.
Plan of Correction:	Staff member was placed on a probationary period while the admin investigated the incident. The staff member was written up and placed on a performance improvement plan immediately following the incident on 11/15/23.