VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Carousel Child Development Center
3408 Woodburn Road
Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 560-7676

Current Inspector: Sarah Zirzow (703) 479-4675

Inspection Date: July 29, 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 (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 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:

Technical assistance provided for Infant swings which director stated are being removed from the classroom. Discussed background checks. Effective January 1, 2026, child day programs and family day systems will be responsible for covering the cost of obtaining fingerprint based background checks. Please visit: https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/providers/what-s-new for more information.

Comments:

An unannounced, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated on July 29, 2025 and completed on August 7, 2025 , as a part of the licensure period. The on-site inspection began at 9:30 a.m. and ended at 11:00 a.m. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 60 children present and 16 staff. The inspector reviewed 7 children?s records and 7 staff records 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 (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on August 14, 2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-130-E
Description:	The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. -The immunization record for Child #5 (2 years old) was dated over 18 months ago and overdue by over 1 year. -The immunization record for Child #6 (over 2 years old) was dated over 11 months ago and overdue by over 5 months.
Plan of Correction:	According to center's policy, parents are required to update immunization records every time their child gets a new shot. Both of the parents were contacted to provide updated documents and children files were updated same day.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-B
Description:	Any suspected incident of child abuse shall be reported in accordance with the Code of Virginia. During the monitoring inspection, a written warning for an incident occurring on 11/15/2024 with Staff #3 was discovered. The center?s written warning for Staff #3 documented ?child abuse, rough handling, and striking or hurting a child.? The center did not report the incident as required.
Plan of Correction:	Carousel investigated the incident, made sure the child is not harmed in any way and notified the parents. The teacher involved issued a final warning, there was no previous violation recorded for them, required to complete training related to child abuse and neglect and proper supervision. The warning consisted of Carousel's Rules of Conduct and Licensing standards. Since the child was unharmed and parents were satisfied with our report, an in-house investigation was considered sufficient. The family is still enrolled here and in February of 2025 added their other children to our care. In future, CCDC will make sure to report any such incident to proper authority.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a safe and operable condition. The center?s electrical closet in the back of the building near the restrooms and kitchen area was unlocked and accessible to children.
Plan of Correction:	A maintenance worker left the door unlocked when they left in the morning. It is kept locked at all times. After finding it unlocked, it was locked properly.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. During an incident on 11/15/24, Staff #3 (employed over 3 years) did not ensure the care, protection, and guidance when Child #7 (5 years old) was playing with the paper of a coloring activity rather than coloring, and Staff #3 hit their hand to put down the project to stop playing with it.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #3 were reminded of their responsibilities. They were asked to complete training about child abuse and neglect and child supervision. They were advised to ask for help anytime they feel overwhelmed or frustrated so that they can step out of classroom for a breather.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:	Behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. During an incident on 11/15/24, Staff #3 (employed over 3 years) hit Child #7 (5 years old) on the hand for playing with a coloring activity, rather than coloring. Staff #3 hit the child?s hand to put down the coloring project. A witness, Staff #7, confirmed that Staff #3 was frustrated with Child #7?s behavior since they were not listening prior to Staff #3 hitting their hand.
Plan of Correction:	A staff, no longer working with CCDC, reported the incident. At the time staff #7, who works in adjoining classroom, denied seeing anything but said they heard it. An observation and conversation with the child revealed that there are no signs of trauma, child showed no recollection of the incident, was happy and playing and there were no marks on the hands. Child's parents were notified about the report. Staff #3 was placed on administrative leave starting 11/15/24.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	The following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: striking a child. During an incident on 11/15/24, Child #7 (5 years old) was playing with a coloring activity and not coloring the paper. Staff #3 (employed over 3 years) hit their hand to put down the project.
Plan of Correction:	Carousel's Rules of Conduct align with Licensing standards and striking a child is forbidden (copy attached). On the report of incident, the staff was promptly removed from classroom and put on probation until further investigation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-420-E-3
Description:	Staff shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child?s record is up to date. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child?s record at least annually. The information in the record of Child #3 had not been updated in over 18 months and is overdue by 5 months.
Plan of Correction:	According to center's policy, at the start of each school year, all parents are required to confirm all the required information in their child's file is up to date.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-570-A
Description:	When a child is placed in an infant seat or high chair, the protective belt shall be fastened securely. In Classroom #1, Child #1 (6 months old) was in an infant bouncy seat on the floor without the protective belt fastened. Child #2 (13 months old) was sitting at the feeding table without the protective belt fastened.
Plan of Correction:	The Infants' room staff were reminded of the use of safety restraint at all times. More monitoring will be provided by office staff.