VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Reaching For Las Estrellas Academy
2500 N Van Dorn Street
Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 870-6351

Current Inspector: Jessica Willis (571) 352-1453

Inspection Date: May 5, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 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.

Comments:

An unannounced, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated and completed on 5/5/2025, as a part of the conditional licensure period. The on-site inspection began at 11:20am and ended at 1:15pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There was 1 child present and 1 staff. The inspector reviewed 1 child records and 1 staff record on-site. This 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. 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 5/20/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-1
Description:	The center is required to obtain a completed sworn statement prior to the employee's first day of employment. The sworn statement for Staff #1, who is currently working, was not dated.
Plan of Correction:	Sworn statement has been placed in the staff file.
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. Staff #1, who had been employed for three weeks, did not have a central registry search requested. Staff #1 was working alone with one child.
Plan of Correction:	Central registry was sent, we did not get result. Staff is not working until results come back from CRS.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	The center is required to obtain background checks from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. The center did not request a search of the child abuse and neglect registry from one state for Staff #1, who was working alone with one child at the time of the inspection. The center did not complete a sex offender registry check from one state for Staff #1, who was working alone with one child at the time of the inspection.
Plan of Correction:	Form was sent. Results were not back. Staff is not working until backgrounds are back.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-G
Description:	Centers are required to obtain proof of child's identity and age requirements as stated in the Code of Virginia. The record for Child #1 did not contain documentation of viewing proof of identity and age. Child #1 has been attending the center for two weeks and was in care during the inspection.
Plan of Correction:	Child has brought proof of identity.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled that contains all of the required information. The record for Child #1, enrolled for two weeks, was missing the following required components: first date of attendance
Plan of Correction:	Corrected during inspection.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Centers are required to maintain staff records which contain all required information. The record for Staff #1, who has been employed for three weeks, did not contain the following: -date of employment -address of a person to be notified in an emergency -documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment -Documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education, certification, and experience required by the job position
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Description:	Centers are required to maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs. One child was in care during the inspection. The center did not document the child's arrival.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-B
Description:	Staff are required to complete orientation training prior to working alone with children and no later than seven days of assuming job responsibilities. Staff #1 was alone with one child. The record for Staff #1 did not contain documentation of completed orientation training.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-C
Description:	During hours of operation there shall always be one staff member present who meets the qualifications of a program leader or program director and an immediately available staff member, volunteer or other employee who is at least 16 years of age, with direct means for communication between the two of them. During the inspection, only one staff member (Staff #1) was present with one child and had been the only staff member present at the center that day. Staff #2 arrived at the center approximately one hour after the inspection began.
Plan of Correction:	2 more people have been hired since the day of inspection.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-530-A-1
Description:	At least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present shall have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the age of the children in care. Staff #1 was alone with one child and was not certified in CPR.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-530-A-2
Description:	At least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present shall have current certification in first aid. Staff #1 was alone with one child and was not certified in first aid.
Plan of Correction:	Staff had it, it was not on file. In file now.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-D
Description:	Centers are required to implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. The center did not complete a practice evacuation drill for the month of April 2025.
Plan of Correction:	May fire drill has been done. 1 staff member has been trained to do it once per month.