VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

La Petite Academy #7136
2453 Taylor Road
2449 Suite D
Chesapeake, VA 23321
(757) 465-3893

Current Inspector: Arlene Agustin (804) 629-7519

Inspection Date: March 13, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

A monitoring inspection was initiated on March 13, 2024, as a result of a self-report received in the licensing office on March 13, 2024. Interviews were conducted with staff, video footage was reviewed, records were reviewed and observations of the program were made relating to the self report. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliances with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. The violations were discussed and reviewed with the director and assistant director at the exit interview.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. Child #1, age 2, was left on the playground on March 13, 2024, without adult supervision for approximately 2 minutes. 2. In viewing the video footage of the incident, the staff members responsible for the children during outdoor play went into the classroom leaving Child #1 outside on the playground alone without supervision. 3. In interviewing multiple staff members present during the day of the incident, they confirmed that Child #1 was left outside without staff supervision for approximately 1 to 3 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: The staff members will communicate better and ensure that each child is accounted for and supervised. The center now has two separate 2-year-old classrooms to assist with a maximum group size and ratio. Staff will continue to take the name-to -face sheet, that lists all the children in the classroom, with them when going to the outdoor playground. New staff have been hired to have more consistency in the 2-year-old classrooms as other teachers have had to fill in as a teacher or assistant in the 2-year-old classroom due to shortage of staff.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B-1
Description:	Based on record review and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that ratio for children 16 months and under are one staff member to four children. Evidence: 1. In speaking with multiple staff members, they reported that in the morning, the children are out of ratio and not enough staff are present to supervise the children. 2. In reviewing the Face-To-Name Transition Sheet for the center, there were two staff members supervising nine children, all age 1 years old, until 8:56am. The first child came into the center at 6:32am and the ninth child in that classroom came in at 8:42am. 3. In speaking with the regional manager and the director, they confirmed that the morning of March 4, 2024, the 1 year old classroom was out of ratio.
Plan of Correction:	The center responded with the following: The Director confirmed that they are the ones that greet the children in the morning during drop off and ensure that all classrooms are in ratio. The Director has all staff members communicate when they are at ratio and when children need to be moved around until all teachers come in for their shift. The Director continues to work diligently to ensure that staff-to-child ratios are always correct throughout the entire day. Director stated that they will have parents wait at the front door in the morning until staff are in the building if needed. Director will also go into a classroom to help with the staff-to-children ratio to ensure the safety and supervision of the children.