VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Children of America (Stephens City), LLC
201 Centre Drive
# 101
Stephens city, VA 22655
(540) 868-2700

Current Inspector: Stephanie Reed (540) 272-6558

Inspection Date: July 26, 2024 and July 29, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Programs

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was initiated on July 26, 2024, July 29, 2024 and completed on September 23, 2024 with a local agency in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on July 25, 2024 relating to allegations of forbidden action and behavioral guidance. The inspector reviewed four children?s records and one staff records on-site. This inspection included interviews, document review, tour of the facility, and observations. Additional interviews were conducted off site. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegations; 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 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 October 17, 2024. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interviews and review of documentation, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance was constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. On the playground on July 25, 2024, Staff #1 picked Child #4, age three years old, up under the arms and "dropped" the child over a fence (approximately four feet high) as a means of behavioral guidance. Child #4 was left on the other side of the fence, crying for approximately five to ten minutes.
Plan of Correction:	On 7/25/24, the staff member was immediately suspended upon investigation of the incident and was eventually terminated. Management will provide additional training in person on forbidden actions and behavior guidance. Each staff member will be provided with a handout on behavioral guidance and the importance of understanding what forbidden actions are and the consequences behind them.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interviews and review of documentation, the center failed to ensure that staff did not engage in forbidden actions of rough handling and physical punishment 1. On July 25, 2024, Staff #1 shoved Child #2, age three years old, at least four times. During the shoving, Child #2 fell down and Staff #1 continued to shove Child #2 down at least three more times and then shoved Child #2 in the face causing Child #2 to fall backwards. Child #2 cried. 2.On July 25, 2024, Staff #1 grabbed Child #3, age three years old, by the upper arm and sat Child #3 down with force against the playground fence. Child #3 cried.
Plan of Correction:	On 7/25/24, the staff member was immediately suspended upon investigation of the incident and was eventually terminated. Management will provide additional training in person on forbidden actions and behavior guidance. Each staff member will be provided with a handout on behavioral guidance and the importance of understanding what forbidden actions are and the consequences behind them.