VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Goddard School
7801 Heritage Village Plaza
Gainesville, VA 20155
(571) 222-5576

Current Inspector: Laura Brindle (540) 905-2062

Inspection Date: Aug. 2, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-770 Background Checks 22.1 Background Checks Code

Technical Assistance:

Effective January 1, 2025, the VDOE will begin determining compliance with ? 22.1-289.057 of the Code of Virginia, which is legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2020. The law requires all licensed child day programs, religious exempt child day centers that serve preschool age children, and certified preschools to test potable drinking water. The law requires that programs submit their plans and test results to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (VDH ODW) and the Superintendent. If the results of the testing indicate elevated lead levels, the program shall remediate, retest, and resubmit results to VDH ODW and the Superintendent. There is an additional alternative bottled water option that comes with additional requirements. The statutory requirement can be found online at https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter14.1/section22.1-289.057/. Resources are now available for providers on the "What's New" webpage on the ChildCareVA website at https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/providers/what-s-new.

Comments:

The inspection findings have been updated as a result of a second step review completed on 11/12/24, and had previously been updated as a result of a first step review completed on 9/25/24. An unannounced inspection was conducted on 8/2/24 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 7/29/24, regarding allegations related to background checks. This inspection included a review of 29 staff records, document review, and interviews. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation does not support the allegations; therefore, the complaint is determined to be not valid. Though not a part of the original complaint, violations that were not reported were found related to background checks and 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 8/12/24. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on review of staff records, the center did not obtain the results of a national, fingerprint-based criminal history record check prior to employment for one staff. Evidence: The fingerprint results on record for Staff #1, with an employment date of 10/30/23, were dated 12/6/23.
Plan of Correction:	All required background check results are on file for Staff #1 and all other current staff. The School had both background check requests for Staff #1 submitted. The central registry results were received and on file in a timely manner, along with the sworn statement for Staff #1. In further efforts to obtain Fingerprint results, our Director did the following: 1. Email the DSS Background Investigations office on 10/31/2023 to ask for a status update; 2. Had Staff #1 go submit another request for fingerprint check the week of 11/6/2023; 3. Email the DSS Background Investigations office on 11/10/2023 to ask for a status update. During the time waiting for the fingerprint check result, Staff #1 was not alone with, in control of, or supervising children, per VDOE guidelines. The Goddard School will continue to obtain background check information according to the VA Code and VDOE requirements.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Complaint related:	No
Description:	(Repeat Violation) Based on review of staff records, the center did not request or obtain the results of the required out-of-state background checks within the required timeframes. Evidence: 1. The record for Staff #10, with an employment date of 7/1/24, contained documentation that the staff member had resided in North Carolina within the past five years. There was no documentation on record to show that the center had requested a North Carolina sex offender registry check or child abuse and neglect registry check prior to employment as required. 2. The record for Staff #24, with an employment date of 5/7/24, contained documentation that the staff member had resided in Pennsylvania within the past five years. The Pennsylvania criminal history check results on record for Staff #24 were dated 5/9/24, and were required prior to employment.
Plan of Correction:	All Staff at the Goddard School are background checked through central registry and fingerprints. Staff #10s employment began on 6/26/24 with the signing of their offer letter. Staff #10's first day of work was 7/1/24. The School met all of the background check requirements that were in effect as of Staff #10's employment date. All staff at the Goddard School are background checked through central registry and fingerprints. All Virginia background check requests for Staff #24 were properly submitted prior to their start date. Similarly, the out-of-state criminal check request for Staff #24 was submitted and received two days later. Until the results were received, Staff #24 only worked on independent trainings and paperwork. Staff #24 was not alone with, in control of, or supervising children, per VDOE guidelines. The Goddard School will continue to obtain background check information according to the VA Code and VDOE requirements.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-C-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on review of staff records, the center did not obtain documentation of the results of a search of the central registry for staff within 30 days of employment. Evidence: 1. The central registry results on record for Staff #8, with an employment date of 8/16/21, were dated 8/15/22. 2. The central registry results on record for Staff #17, with an employment date of 4/13/22, were dated 7/21/22.
Plan of Correction:	All staff at the Goddard School are background checked through central registry and fingerprints. The violation relating to Staff #8 was an error made by a former director who was terminated for performance reasons in early 2022. The Goddard School corrected the error as soon as it was realized and has implemented an upgraded tracking system. The Goddard School will continue to make sure to obtain background check information according to the VA Code and VDOE requirements. All Staff at the Goddard School are background checked through central registry and fingerprints. The central registry request for Staff #17 was submitted on April 13th, 2022 (at that time, it was not required to submit such a request prior to employment). A follow up request was submitted on June 14th 2022; results were received 27 business days later. All required background check results for Staff #17 are on file. The Goddard School will continue to obtain background check information according to the VA Code and VDOE requirements.