VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Light Years Child Development Center, Inc II
712 Liberty Street
Chesapeake, VA 23324
(757) 937-6498

Current Inspector: D'Nae Goodwin (757) 404-3063

Inspection Date: June 27, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An unannounced complaint inspection was initiated on 06/27/2024 and completed on 07/30/2024 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 06/26/2024 relating to allegations of inadequate care and protection of children. The inspector reviewed 1 child's record and 2 staff records on-site. This inspection included: *Document review; *Tour of facility and outdoor play area; *Interviews; *Observations. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation; therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and the violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Please complete the plan of correction (POC) and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice. Specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on August 6, 2024. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-B-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review and staff interviews, the center did not inform the department's representative as soon as practicable, but not to exceed two business days, of any injury to a child that occurs while the child is under the supervision of the center and requires outside medical attention. Evidence: 1. The parent of child 1 notified center administrative staff, on 06/24/2024, that child 1 required outside medical care because of ingesting balloons while in care at the facility on 06/21/2024. 2. Administrative staff confirmed they had been notified, by the parent of child 1, on 06/24/2024, that child 1 had ingested balloons and required medical care. a. Administrative staff received confirmation from center staff on 06/24/2024 that child 1 had been putting balloons in her mouth while in care on 06/21/2024. 3. Administrative staff failed to notify the department's representative of this injury which required outside medication attention.
Plan of Correction:	We have implemented a strict notification protocol for reporting injuries requiring outside medical care within two business days, completed staff training on reporting requirements for injuries, incidents, and illnesses, and instituted monthly compliance audits to ensure proper handling of incident reports and adherence to regulatory obligations.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interviews and record review, the center failed to ensure when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care and protection. Evidence: 1. Child 1, age 22 months, ingested pieces of approximately 3 latex type balloons and one whole balloon while in care at the facility on 06/21/2024. a. The parent learned that the child had ingested the balloons during a diaper change on 06/22/2024 and 06/23/2024 when the balloons were eliminated via the child's fecal matter. b. Medical attention was obtained for child 1 on 06/22/2024 and 06/24/2024, as a result of ingestion of the balloons. 2. Staff 1, who was responsible for the care of child 1 on 06/21/2024, stated she had implemented a water play activity using latex balloons she found stored on top of the toddler classroom cabinet. a. Staff 1 stated that staff 2 told her that child 1 was putting balloons in her mouth and she saw staff 2 take approximately 4 balloons out of child 1's mouth. 3. Staff 2, who was also responsible for the care of child 1, stated she observed child 1 putting the balloons in her mouth during the water play activity. a. "I saw her chewing on something, and I had to (5 times) pull balloons out of her mouth." b. Staff 2 stated she estimated she pulled the pieces of approximately 6 balloons out of child 1's mouth. 4. Staff 1 and staff 2 confirmed they did not alert the parent or administrative staff that child 1 had been putting balloons in her mouth because child 1 "was fine" and not exhibiting any signs of distress. a. Staff 1 acknowledged she should have informed the parent however, "it slipped my mind as (child 1) was the last to leave."
Plan of Correction:	On June 26, 2024, the use of latex balloons and similar hazardous items have been banned from the facility in its entirety. On July 27, 2024, we completed an enhanced staff training on safety protocols with mandatory participation for all new hires within 30 days, and simultaneously implemented rigorous supervision and incident reporting protocols requiring immediate parental notification. We've also updated our safety policies to clarify supervision levels and material selection, conduct daily safety audits of classroom, installed additional CCTV cameras for playground security, and established disciplinary measures for staff noncompliance with safety protocols.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-360-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that the variety of daily activities for all age groups shall be age and stage appropriate. Evidence: 1. On 06/21/2024, at approximately 3:45 pm, staff 1 and staff 2 took 10 children ages 16 months - 2 years, outside and implemented a planned activity of throwing 12 water filled latex balloons up in the air. a. Staff 1 and staff 2 stated that the balloons broke into multiple pieces when they landed on the ground. b. Staff 1 and staff 2 confirmed that staff 2 pulled pieces of balloons out of child 1's mouth multiple times during the planned activity. 2. Latex balloons are described as a potential hazard by Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), who do not recommend use with children younger than eight years of age.
Plan of Correction:	We immediately created and distributed an age-appropriate activity guide, which excludes hazardous materials. It will be reviewed annually to ensure ongoing safety and appropriateness. We also have scheduled staff training on August 28, 2024, on developmental needs and safe activity planning for different age groups, with monthly refreshers, and implemented a new protocol requiring mandatory documentation and safety checks for all planned activities.