VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Children of America - Lee's Hill, LLC
4555 Empire Court
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
(540) 898-8858

Current Inspector: Florence Martus (804) 389-0157

Inspection Date: Dec. 12, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

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 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed 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:

n/a

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was initiated on 12/12/2024 and completed on 02/25/2025 with local agencies in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 12/12/2024 relating to allegations of supervision. The inspector reviewed one child?s record, and one staff record on-site. Additional information was reviewed electronically on 02/25/2025. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations. 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 business days from today, which will be the close of business on 03/27/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	The center is required to ensure the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards are in compliance. On 12/11/24, Staff #1 and Staff #2 did not conduct the required movement log process, which includes a face to name check, when children arrived at school and got off the bus at the center. As a result, Child #1 (6-year-old) had fallen asleep and was left behind on the bus for approximately 30 minutes. The center?s procedures for identifying where attending children are at all times states: ?Anytime child(ren) are moving from their designated classroom to another area of the building including but not limited to, City Place, the playground, another classroom, to and from the bus or outside for a walk. The classroom teacher(s) and manager must complete the movement log process.?
Plan of Correction:	Per the Center: "The circumstances of the violation: On 12/11/2024, the bus driver dropped the children off at the school and parked and exited the bus. The bus driver did not conduct a visual sweep of the bus and left a child alone on the bus for approximately 30 minutes out of sight and sound. The staff member receiving the children off of the bus and the bus driver did not follow COA's movement log policy. Correction already made. The bus driver was put on suspension 12/12/24 and was subsequently terminated on 12/17 /24. The staff member that received the children was issued a zero -tolerance final warning on 12/12/24 and subsequently terminated on 12/17 /24. The Assistant Director who was on duty at the time was issued a zero-tolerance final warning on 12/12/24."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. On 12/11/24, after dropping children off at the center and parking, Staff #1 exited the bus and did not realize Child #1 (6-year-old) had fallen asleep and was still on the bus. Child #1 was out of sight and sound supervision of staff for approximately 30 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	Per the Center: "The circumstances of the violation: On 12/11/2024, the bus driver dropped the children off at the school and parked and exited the bus. The bus driver did not conduct a visual sweep of the bus and left a child alone on the bus for approximately 30 minutes out of sight and sound. Correction already made. The bus driver was put on suspension 12/12/24 and was subsequently terminated on 12/17 /24."
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-580-K
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Staff shall verify that all children have been removed from the vehicle at the conclusion of any trip. On 12/11/24, after dropping children off at the center and parking, Staff #1 exited the bus after turning off the child checkmate system. Staff #1 stated they did not conduct a ?visual sweep? to ensure all the children were off the bus after the children were dropped off at the center. As a result, Child #1 (6-year-old) had fallen asleep and was left behind on the bus for approximately 30 minutes.
Plan of Correction:	Per the Center: "The circumstances of the violation: On 12/11/2024, the bus driver dropped the children off at the school and parked and exited the bus. The bus driver did riot conduct a visual sweep of the bus and left a child alone on the bus for approximately 30 minutes out of sight and sound. Correction already made. The bus driver was put on suspension 12/12/24 and was subsequently terminated on 12/17/24."