VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

LeafSpring School Charter Colony
825 Charter Colony Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23114
(804) 594-0561

Current Inspector: Molly Muscat (804) 588-2367

Inspection Date: May 7, 2025

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 20 Access to minor?s records 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect 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 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:

The inspection report was amended on 06/17/25. An unannounced inspection was initiated on 05/07/2025 and completed on 05/19/2025 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 04/29/2025 relating to allegations of diapering procedures. The inspector reviewed 3 children?s records and 1 staff record on-site and electronically on 05/19/2025. This inspection included document review, interviews, and observations. The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation does not support the allegation(s); therefore, the complaint is determined to be not valid. Though not a part of the original complaint, violations that were not reported were found related to operational responsibilities, behavior guidance, and forbidden actions and 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 06/13/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Complaint related:	No
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 the centers own policies and procedures that are required by the standards. 1. The center's policy titled "Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement" states "Teachers are prohibited from using harsh and cruel treatment involving physical punishment, including but not limited to spanking, restraining movement, shaking/rough handling...all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when discipling children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children." 2. On April 23, 2025 staff #1 was observed abruptly putting child #3, age 2 years, down on their cot while loudly saying ?It?s time for nap! Lay down now! I?m not playing!? 3. On April 23, 2025 staff #1 was observed physically hurrying child #2, age 2 years, out of the bathroom by placing their hand on the middle of the child?s upper back while loudly saying, ?Go to your cot! It's time for nap!". The child stumbled when pushed by staff #1.
Plan of Correction:	Our screening, hiring, and training processes are rigorous. They include all required screenings, background checks, and reference checks. All faculty and staff must complete initial on-boarding including state required training. In addition, all faculty and staff must complete on-going training as required by state licensing and our own internal policies. It is in keeping with our ethics that we will uphold licensing requirements, and when we find that we are out of compliance, we do self-report when appropriate. It is our belief that holding ourselves accountable through self-governance (including self-reporting when warranted) is paramount in our preschool operations. We wish to note that we did attempt to self-report the incident that initiated the complaint prior to the complaint being filed. The actions demonstrated by Staff #1 were not in alignment with the school?s practices. We have a zero tolerance policy regarding this type of behavior. There is no specific corrective action in this case due to the fact that the staff member?s employment had already been terminated prior the inspection. All families directly involved, were contacted individually by a member of the administration team member and spoken to regarding any incident that involved their child. Our policy is explicit that we do not tolerate this type of behavior. Further, we are explicit that certain types of behavior will result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination. As such, we DO uphold our policy regarding our requirements of faculty and staff to abide by our policies and practices through our disciplinary processes.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Repeat Violation Behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. On April 23, 2025 staff #1 was observed abruptly putting child #3, age 2 years, down on their cot while loudly saying, "It's time for nap! Lay down now! I'm not playing!"
Plan of Correction:	Our screening, hiring, and training processes are rigorous. They include all required screenings, background checks, and reference checks. All faculty and staff must complete initial on-boarding including state required training. In addition, all faculty and staff must complete on-going training as required by state licensing and our own internal policies. It is in keeping with our ethics that we will uphold licensing requirements, and when we find that we are out of compliance, we do self-report when appropriate. It is our belief that holding ourselves accountable through self-governance (including self-reporting when warranted) is paramount in our preschool operations. We wish to note that we did attempt to self-report the incident that initiated the complaint prior to the complaint being filed. The actions demonstrated by Staff #1 were not in alignment with the school?s practices. We have a zero tolerance policy regarding this type of behavior. There is no specific corrective action in this case due to the fact that the staff member?s employment had already been terminated prior the inspection. All families directly involved, were contacted individually by a member of the administration team member and spoken to regarding any incident that involved their child.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Repeat Violation The following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: roughly handling a child. On April 23, 2025 staff #1 was observed physically hurrying child #2, age 2 years, out of the bathroom by placing their hand on the middle of the child?s upper back while loudly saying, ?Go to your cot! It's time for nap!". The child stumbled when pushed by staff #1.
Plan of Correction:	Our screening, hiring, and training processes are rigorous. They include all required screenings, background checks, and reference checks. All faculty and staff must complete initial on-boarding including state required training. In addition, all faculty and staff must complete on-going training as required by state licensing and our own internal policies. It is in keeping with our ethics that we will uphold licensing requirements, and when we find that we are out of compliance, we do self-report when appropriate. It is our belief that holding ourselves accountable through self-governance (including self-reporting when warranted) is paramount in our preschool operations. We wish to note that we did attempt to self-report the incident that initiated the complaint prior to the complaint being filed. The actions demonstrated by Staff #1 were not in alignment with the school?s practices. We have a zero tolerance policy regarding this type of behavior. There is no specific corrective action in this case due to the fact that the staff member?s employment had already been terminated prior the inspection. All families directly involved, were contacted individually by a member of the administration team member and spoken to regarding any incident that involved their child.