VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Chesterbrook Academy
2920 Old Pump Road
Richmond, VA 23233
(804) 360-4141

Current Inspector: Cindy Horne (804) 297-4469

Inspection Date: Nov. 8, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 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.

Comments:

An unannounced, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated on 11/08/2024 and completed on 11/14/2024 in response to a self-report received by the licensing office on 11/05/2024 relating to operational responsibilities and supervision of children. The inspector reviewed two children?s records and three staff records. Five staff members, and a neighbor were interviewed on 11/08/2024. One parent was interviewed on 11/14/2024. This inspection included document review (Transition reports, Name to Face reports, Attendance reports, policies and procedures, and staff statements), 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 11/27/2024. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	(Repeat Violation) The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center's activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with these standards, the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department. The center?s ?Standards for Playground Safety? require staff to ?walk around the playground to always ensure proper supervision of each child? and when ?multiple staff are supervising the group, they shall maintain supervision on opposite sides of the area, rotate, and interact to ensure they can see and/or hear all children.? On 11/04/2024, several groups of children were on the playground together between 3:28 p.m. and 4:17 p.m. Staff #6 reported that when she came out to the playground with her class at 3:48 p.m., Staff #1 and Staff #3 were clustered together talking to another staff member across the fence in the toddler area. As a result, Staff #1 and Staff #3 were not facing or supervising the children. Staff #6 reported that at one point, she separated Child #1 and Child #2 on the slide. Child #1 and Child #2 (both age 2 years) later left the playground through a gate without staff noticing. Child #1 and Child #2 were eventually found in an unknown neighbor?s front yard approximately 152 feet beyond the playground gate and center property.
Plan of Correction:	This was a self-reported incident that involved a newly installed gate. Meetings with staff, gathering statements, and collaborating with our corporate team to understand why the latch failed and determining additional safety measures that can be implemented have already been completed. We are committed to preventing this from happening again. As part of this effort, all staff members have signed an updated set of playground safety protocols on 11/5/24. Additionally, on Monday, November 11th, we conducted extensive playground safety training on our Professional Development Day. As an immediate response, we have installed a childproof lock on the gate and installed additional hardware to reinforce the gate. The principal and assistant principal are doing frequent playground observations and making sure compliance with our Spring Education Standards for Playground Safety are implemented. Playground safety is a priority we monitor closely, and all staff will continue to receive initial safety training on their first day, with ongoing updates during our monthly team meetings.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	(Repeat Violation) When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. A ?Transitions Report? documented that on 11/04/2024 Child #1 and Child #2, (both age two years), went to the playground with their class at 3:28 p.m. At some point, Child #1 and Child #2 left the playground through a gate without staff noticing. The parent of Child #2 arrived for pick up at approximately 4:10 p.m. After looking for her child on the playground for approximately one minute, the parent alerted staff that her child wasn?t on the playground. While conducting a Name to Face check, staff realized that two children were missing and began looking for them. Approximately three to five minutes later Child #1 and Child #2 were found in a front yard with an unknown neighbor. The neighbor found Child #1 and Child #2 next to a street corner with streets that have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour. The children were found approximately 152 feet beyond the gate to the playground and center property. It is unknown how long the children were outside the playground without supervision.
Plan of Correction:	This was a self-reported incident that involved a newly installed gate. Meetings with staff, gathering statements, and collaborating with our corporate team to understand why the latch failed and determining additional safety measures that can be implemented have already been completed. We are committed to preventing this from happening again. As part of this effort, all staff members have signed an updated set of playground safety protocols on 11/5/24. Additionally, on Monday, November 11th, we conducted extensive playground safety training on our Professional Development Day. As an immediate response, we have installed a childproof lock on the gate and installed additional hardware to reinforce the gate. The principal and assistant principal are doing frequent playground observations and making sure compliance with our Spring Education Standards for Playground Safety are implemented. Playground safety is a priority we monitor closely, and all staff will continue to receive initial safety training on their first day, with ongoing updates during our monthly team meetings.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	(Repeat Violation) Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. On 11/04/2024, Child #1 and Child #2, (both age two years), transitioned from their classroom to the playground at 3:28 p.m. At some point, Child #1 and Child #2 left the playground through a gate without staff noticing. The parent of Child #2 arrived for pick up at approximately 4:10 p.m. and alerted staff that her child wasn?t on the playground. Staff eventually realized that two children were missing and began looking for them. Approximately three to five minutes later, Staff #6 found Child #1 and Child #2 with an unknown neighbor in the front yard of a house that backs up to the playground. The children were outside of the actual sight and sound supervision of staff, approximately 152 feet beyond the gate to the playground and center property. It is unknown how long the children were outside the playground without supervision.
Plan of Correction:	This was a self-reported incident that involved a newly installed gate. Meetings with staff, gathering statements, and collaborating with our corporate team to understand why the latch failed and determining additional safety measures that can be implemented have already been completed. We are committed to preventing this from happening again. As part of this effort, all staff members have signed an updated set of playground safety protocols on 11/5/24. Additionally, on Monday, November 11th, we conducted extensive playground safety training on our Professional Development Day. As an immediate response, we have installed a childproof lock on the gate and installed additional hardware to reinforce the gate. The principal and assistant principal are doing frequent playground observations and making sure compliance with our Spring Education Standards for Playground Safety are implemented. Playground safety is a priority we monitor closely, and all staff will continue to receive initial safety training on their first day, with ongoing updates during our monthly team meetings.