VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Step By Step Early Learning Center
4545 South Amherst HWY
Madison heights, VA 24572
(434) 847-4400

Current Inspector: Rebecca Forestier (540) 309-2835

Inspection Date: Nov. 13, 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 8VAC20-770 BACKGROUND CHECKS 22.1 BACKGROUND CHECKS, CODE, CARBON MONOXIDE

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, onsite renewal inspection was initiated and completed on 11/13/2024. The on-site inspection began at 9:15 am and ended at 1:00 pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 45 children present and 9 staff. The inspector reviewed 5 children?s records, 5 staff records and 1 applicant record. The 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.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-3
Description:	The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee?s first day of employment. The central registry search for Staff 5, who has been employed for 1 months, has not been requested.
Plan of Correction:	The request will be made.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-A
Description:	Documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening must be submitted at the time of employment, before coming into contact with children, and shall have been completed within the last 30 days of the date of employment. The TB screening for Staff 5 was dated 26 days after the time of employment.
Plan of Correction:	Will obtain at the time of hire.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	The center shall maintain a separate record for each child enrolled that contains all of the required information. Child 1 (enrolled 24 months) was missing: documentation of child updates and confirmation of up-to-date information. Child 4 (enrolled 6 months) was missing addresses for emergency contacts and documentation of viewing proof of the child?s identity and age.
Plan of Correction:	Will have all families complete new forms.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Description:	For each group of children, the center shall maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs. On 11/13/2024: there were 16 children present in the 2 year old class and there were 17 children marked present on the attendance record; 6 children present in the infant class and there were 7 children marked present on the attendance record; and there were 21 children marked present for before school care, however, the children had departed for school and where no longer in care. The attendance records did not properly document the arrival and departure of each child as it occurred.
Plan of Correction:	Will document the arrival and departure as it occurs.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-H
Description:	Cosmetics, medications, or other harmful agents shall not be stored in areas, purses, or pockets that are accessible to children. There was a pocketbook on the floor of the pre-k classroom that had a container of mace visible inside; the purse was accessible to the children.
Plan of Correction:	Will keep purses locked.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-290-A-3
Description:	In areas used by preschool age or younger, electrical outlets shall have protective covers. There were uncovered electrical outlets in the 2 year old classroom and in the toddler classroom.
Plan of Correction:	Were covered during the inspection.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-510-L
Description:	Medications shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. There was an unlocked container of prescription diaper ointment on a shelf in the diapering area of the toddler class.
Plan of Correction:	Medication will be sent home.