VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

LeafSpring School Charter Colony
825 Charter Colony Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23114
(804) 594-0561

Current Inspector: Molly Muscat (804) 588-2367

Inspection Date: Aug. 28, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 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 (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was initiated on 08/28/2024 and completed on 09/04/2024 in response to a self-report received by the licensing office on 08/14/2024 relating to behavior guidance. The inspector reviewed 1 children?s record and 2 staff records on-site and 1 staff record electronically on 09/04/2024. This inspection included document review and interviews. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and 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 09/13/2024. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Repeat Violation Based on interviews, review of written statements, and documentation review, the center failed to follow the centers own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. Written statements, and interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down. 2. The centers policy titled "Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement", signed by staff #1 states "teachers are prohibited from using harsh and cruel treatment involving physical punishment, including but not limited to spanking, restraining movement, shaking/rough handling, ...all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when disciplining children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children."
Plan of Correction:	LeafSpring School has a rigorous onboarding and annual training schedule that focuses on behavior management specifically and in detail. Staff member #1 was trained on this policy upon hire and at a minimum was retrained with documentation on an annual basis thereafter. When the incident with child #1 was brought to the attention of the school administrative team it was immediately investigated. The school administrative team determined that staff member #1 was out of compliance with our Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement and was immediately terminated from employment with our school. Additionally, the school initiated a self-report with licensing per our policy and practice and in alignment with upholding our company value of integrity. School administrators will continue to uphold our rigorous training structure, along with ongoing classroom observations to ensure all school policies are upheld.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure when staff are supervising children they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. Written statements and interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.
Plan of Correction:	LeafSpring School has a rigorous onboarding and annual training schedule that focuses on behavior management specifically and in detail. Staff member #1 was trained on this policy upon hire and at a minimum was retrained with documentation on an annual basis thereafter. When the incident with child #1 was brought to the attention of the school administrative team it was immediately investigated. The school administrative team determined that staff member #1 was out of compliance with our Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement and was immediately terminated from employment with our school. Additionally, the school initiated a self-report with licensing per our policy and practice and in alignment with upholding our company value of integrity. School administrators will continue to uphold our rigorous training structure, along with ongoing classroom observations to ensure all school policies are upheld.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:	Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. Interviews and written statements from staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.
Plan of Correction:	LeafSpring School has a rigorous onboarding and annual training schedule that focuses on behavior management specifically and in detail. Staff member #1 was trained on this policy upon hire and at a minimum was retrained with documentation on an annual basis thereafter. When the incident with child #1 was brought to the attention of the school administrative team it was immediately investigated. The school administrative team determined that staff member #1 was out of compliance with our Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement and was immediately terminated from employment with our school. Additionally, the school initiated a self-report with licensing per our policy and practice and in alignment with upholding our company value of integrity. School administrators will continue to uphold our rigorous training structure, along with ongoing classroom observations to ensure all school policies are upheld.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure that physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, as punishment is not allowed. Evidence: 1. Written statements and Interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.
Plan of Correction:	LeafSpring School has a rigorous onboarding and annual training schedule that focuses on behavior management specifically and in detail. Staff member #1 was trained on this policy upon hire and at a minimum was retrained with documentation on an annual basis thereafter. When the incident with child #1 was brought to the attention of the school administrative team it was immediately investigated. The school administrative team determined that staff member #1 was out of compliance with our Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement and was immediately terminated from employment with our school. Additionally, the school initiated a self-report with licensing per our policy and practice and in alignment with upholding our company value of integrity. School administrators will continue to uphold our rigorous training structure, along with ongoing classroom observations to ensure all school policies are upheld.