VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Vinci School Alexandria North
1001 N. Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-2028

Current Inspector: Stephanie Salvatori (571) 389-0980

Inspection Date: Aug. 21, 2025

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was initiated and completed on August 21, 2025 in response to a self-report received by the licensing office on August 15, 2025 relating to Forbidden actions. The inspector reviewed one child's records and two 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 business days from today, which will be the close of business on August 29, 2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center's activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with these standards, the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department. The licensee has a "Prohibited Practices & Behavior Management Policy" that states Prohibited Practices include "Physical Restraint Of The Child, such as confining the child to a chair, car seat, stroller or other device for the purposes of discipline or in lieu of supervision, unless the physical restraint is for the purpose of preventing a child from hurting himself, herself or someone else, and is used only as a last resort and only until the risk of injury is no longer imminent." On 08/13.2025 at approximately 11:40am in the Junior Toddler classroom, Staff #1 ties Child #1(21 months old) to a chair during lunchtime for 22 minutes. Child #1 was eating lunch and was not hurting themselves or someone else. Staff #1 signed an acknowledgement of this policy on 07/22/2021. Staff #2 signed an acknowledgement of this policy on 04/01/2024.
Plan of Correction:	All staff will be re-trained in the Duty to Report and Mandated Reporter guidelines, emphasizing that hesitation or uncertainty should never delay a report. The VINCI Behavior Management Policy will be redistributed and reviewed with all staff to ensure full understanding of appropriate behavioral guidance techniques. Preventative Measures: Staff are instructed to use walkie talkies to request assistance or a bathroom break if they feel uncomfortable or are dealing with a non-compliant coworker. A new policy for Investigations will be implemented to include Administrative Leave guidance.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. On 08/13/2025 at approximately 11:40am in the Junior Toddler classroom, Staff #1 tied Child #1(21 months old) to a chair during lunchtime for 22 minutes. Staff #2, did not untie Child #1 from the chair.
Plan of Correction:	Staff Member 1, found responsible for the inappropriate conduct, was terminated immediately. Staff Member 2 received a formal write-up and was counseled on the duty to report incidents regardless of uncertainty. Preventative Measures: All staff will be re-trained on the Duty to Report and Mandated Reporter guidelines, emphasizing that hesitation or uncertainty should never delay a report.
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. On 08/13/2025 at approximately 11:40am in the Junior Toddler classroom, using a thin blanket, Staff #1 tied Child #1 (21months old) to a chair during lunchtime for 22 minutes. Staff #1 confirmed that Child #1 was tied to the chair with a blanket during lunchtime because Child #1 threw food on the floor and moved from the table while eating. Staff #1 confirmed that they did not use redirection to get Child #1 to sit down in the chair during lunchtime.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will review the Behavior Management Policy and sign off on an acknowledgment of receipt and understanding. VINCI School Alexandria North, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Preventative Measures: Staff are instructed to use walkie talkies to request assistance or a bathroom break if they feel uncomfortable or are dealing with a non-compliant coworker. The VINCI Behavior Management Policy will be redistributed and reviewed with all staff to ensure full understanding of appropriate behavioral guidance techniques during our Professional Development Day on Friday, August 29, 2025.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	The following acts are forbidden: physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, restricting movement through binding or tying, forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position, or exercise as punishment. On 08/13/2025 at approximately 11:40am in the Junior Toddler classroom, using a thin blanket, Staff #1 tied Child #1(21 months old) to a chair during lunchtime for 22 minutes. Child #1 was eating lunch and not crying or in distress while being tied to the chair. Staff #1 stated that they "did not tie the blanket strong around the child".
Plan of Correction:	Staff Member 1 was immediately terminated following notifi cation and verifi cation of the incident. ? All staff were reminded of the zero-tolerance policy regarding any form of inappropriate conduct. Preventative Measures: Staff will re-take the "Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect" training by Friday, August 29th, with documentation maintained in their personnel fi les. The VINCI Behavior Management Policy will be redistributed and reviewed with all staff to ensure full understanding of appropriate behavioral guidance techniques.