VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Astar Explorer Stem Academy
11750 Fair Oaks Mall Ste.J201
Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 677-7008

Current Inspector: Kara Vaughan (703) 537-6241

Inspection Date: March 17, 2025

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. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect 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.

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, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated on March 12, 2025 and completed on March 17, 2025. The on-site inspection began at 11:30am and ended at 12:00pm on March 12th and began at 12:00pm and ended at 12:30 on March 17th. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were no children present and 2 staff. The inspector reviewed 3 children?s records and 3 staff records [on-site]. This inspection included: document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations. and measurements. 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 March 26, 2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-3
Description:	The center must obtain the results of a central registry check no later than 30 days after hire. Staff 1's record does not contain a central registry check. Staff 1 has been working for over 60 days.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22.1-289.057-A
Description:	Each licensed child day program that serves preschool-age children shall develop and implement a plan to test potable water from sources identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as high priority. The center has not submitted a plan to test water for Lead to the Virginia Department of Health.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-130-A
Description:	The center shall obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center. Child 3's record does not contain a documentation of immunization.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-C
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION The center shall obtain and the results of a follow-up tuberculosis screening for all staff every two years. The Tuberculosis screening for Staff 3 is 70 days overdue.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	Children's records shall contain all required information. Child 1's record did not contain the address of a second emergency contact.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-A
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Staff shall complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care. Staff 2 and Staff 3's records contain no documentation of annual training.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-530-A
Description:	At least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present shall have a current First Aid and CPR training. Staff 1, 2, and 3's certifications have all expired.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-D
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION The center shall implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. There were no evacuation drills conducted for January and February of 2025.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-E
Description:	SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Shelter in place procedures shall be practiced a minimum of twice per year. There are no documented shelter-in-place drills.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-F
Description:	SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Lockdown procedures shall be practiced at least annually. There have been no lowdown practiced.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.