VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Astar Explorer Stem Academy
11750 Fair Oaks Mall Ste.J201
Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 677-7008

Current Inspector: Kara Vaughan (703) 537-6241

Inspection Date: Oct. 1, 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 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above to include standards found out of compliance during the previous inspection. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed. If there were any serious injuries or fatalities related to a violation, the details will be included in the description of the violation.

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:

An unannounced, on-site renewal inspection was initiated on 10/01/2024 and completed on 10/02/2024. The on-site inspection began at 11:30am and ended at 12:20pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were no children present. The inspector reviewed 1 child?s record and 7 staff records on-site and electronically on 10/02/2024. This inspection included: document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations. 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 violation will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on 10/15/2024 . A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-C
Description:	The center shall obtain for all staff a Tuberculosis screening a t least every two years from the date of the first initial screening or testing, or more frequently as if recommended by a licensed physician or the local health department. Staff 1's Tuberculosis screening was due by 11/24/2023.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-50-A
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Staff and children's records shall be treated confidentially. The supplemental page from recent licensing inspections were posted publicly in the center. The supplemental page contains identifying information about children in care.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-A
Description:	Staff shall complete the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment. Staff 4 and Staff 5's records do not contain documentation of having completed the orientation. Both staff members have been employed for over 90 days.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-A
Description:	In addition to required training, staff shall complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care. Staff 1, 2, and 3, do not have documentation of having completed a minimum of 16 hours of training within the past year.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-260-B
Description:	After the first license, annual approval from the health department shall be provided, or approvals of a plan of correction, for meeting requirements for the sewage disposal system. The center last obtained a sanitation inspection on 11/13/2020.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-D
Description:	The center shall implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. The center has conducted two evacuation drills in the past ten months.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-E
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Shelter in place procedures shall be practiced a minimum of twice per year. The center has not documented any shelter-in-place drills.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-F
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Lockdown procedures shall be practiced at least annually. No lockdown practice procedure has been documented.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.