VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Country Kids Childcare Center
1135 State Street
Rocky mount, VA 24151
(540) 484-1777

Current Inspector: Tara K Martin (804) 588-2371

Inspection Date: Jan. 24, 2025

Complaint Related: Yes

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 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minor?s record 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above. 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 inspection was initiated on 01/24/2025 and completed on 02/03/2025 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 01/17/2025 relating to allegations of programs. The inspector reviewed 3 children?s record and 2 staff records on-site and 1 staff record and additional documents electronically on 02/03/2025. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation(s); 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.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	COMPLAINT RELATED Centers shall be in compliance with the center?s own policies and procedures. The center?s discipline policy states the following: No child shall be handled roughly in any way, including shaking, pushing, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking. On January 15, 2025, Staff 3 roughly handled Child 3, age 3.
Plan of Correction:	There continues to be a zero tolerance policy for forbidden actions. We have provided a re-training to staff on the center?s zero tolerance policies. The consequence for not following this policy remains immediate termination. Furthermore, supervisors will continue to physically monitor the classrooms for additional assistance and to provide further supervision. 3)
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Staff are to complete the VDOE sponsored online orientation course within 90 days of hire. Staff 2 has not yet completed this course which is overdue by 1 month
Plan of Correction:	The center will ensure that all staff will complete this training within 90 days of hire.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Children under 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. During the inspection, Child 1, age 5 years, was observed leaving the room, entering the adjacent room, and then entering the bathroom. Child 1 was not within sight and sound of staff.
Plan of Correction:	We have implemented protective covers on the doors in the classrooms to prevent the children from being able to open the doors independently. Teachers have been instructed to leave the classroom doors closed at all times unless exiting the classroom.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION When children are in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff to child ratio and group size applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group. On 01/24/2025, for over 10 mins, Staff 4 was supervising 13 children, ages 3 years to 11 years. The required staff ratio for this group of children was 1:10 and maximum group size was 30. Two staff would be required.
Plan of Correction:	We have implemented an hourly count sheet and Staff will also visibly display their oldest and youngest child in the classroom at all times to ensure everyone understands the appropriate ratio. We have hired additional staff and adjusted the current employee hours to ensure the Center remains in compliance with the required staff-to-child ratios. In the event that a child arrives and disrupts the ratio due to a mixed-age group, the teaching staff will be reassigned to the appropriate rooms to maintain the correct ratio and ensure proper supervision.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	COMPLAINT RELATED; REPEAT VIOLATION The following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: roughly handling a child. On January 15, 2025, Staff 3 roughly handled Child 3, age 3
Plan of Correction:	The staff member that was involved was immediately terminated. We have provided a re-training to staff on our zero tolerance policy. A licensing training was conducted by the licensing inspector to refresh all staff on the standards. We have provided an updated course on Child Abuse and Neglect. Additionally, if staff members are feeling overwhelmed, we will continue to offer a 10-minute break from the classroom to recharge. .