VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Little Duckling's Academy LLC
5932 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 960-4006

Current Inspector: Sharon Curlee (804) 840-8312

Inspection Date: Sept. 3, 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 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 20 Access to minor?s records 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 on September 3, 2025, and completed on September 3, 2025, as a part of the licensure period. The on-site inspection began at 9:50 am and ended at 12:00 pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 18 children present and four staff. The inspector reviewed five children?s records and five staff records on-site. This inspection included document review, a 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.

Violations:

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. 1. Staff #2, employed for nine days, did not have documentation the central registry was requested prior to employment. The results of the central registry had not been received. 2. The record of staff #3, employed for three months, had documentation of requesting a central registry check two after the date of employment.
Plan of Correction:	Per the owner: The central registry has been completed, Going forward, i will not hire staff until all background checks have been completed.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-A
Description:	Each staff member and individual from an independent contractor shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. Documentation of the screening shall be submitted at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. The record of staff #1, employed for two months, did not contain documentation of a TB screening.
Plan of Correction:	Per the owner: The staff member's insurance would not cover the cost until October. The staff has scheduled an appointment to obtain the TB.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Description:	Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain all required information. 1. The record of child #1, enrolled for one day, did not contain the work phone number of each parent who has custody and the name, address and phone number for two designated people to call in an emergency if a parent cannot be reached. 2. The record of child #1, enrolled for one day, did not contain the work phone number of each parent who has custody.
Plan of Correction:	Per the owner: Missing information was obtained from parents. I will review all paperwork at the time of enrollment to make sure children's files are complete.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Staff records shall be kept for each staff person and contain documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment or volunteering. The record of staff #1, employed for 2 months, contained documentation of two references that were obtained nine days after employment.
Plan of Correction:	Per the owner: Going forward I will obtain all staff information before they are hired.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-A
Description:	Staff shall complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care. The record of staff #4 contained two hours of annual training for the period of 07/27/2024 through 07/23/2025 when 16 hours was required. The record of staff #5 contained five hours of annual training for the period of 07/24/2024 through 07/23/2025 when 16 hours was required.
Plan of Correction:	Per the owner: Missing training will be completed and I will make sure staff obtain the 16 hours every year.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-245-L
Description:	There shall always be at least one staff member on duty who has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing the daily health observation of children. Neither of the five staff on site on September 3, 2025, had current daily health observation training.
Plan of Correction:	Per the owner: One staff has completed daily health observation training
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Description:	When children are in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio and group size applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group. Thirteen children, ages two years through three years, were observed with one staff (staff #5) for approximately five minutes until a second staff (staff #2) arrived on site. The staff to child ratio for the youngest child in the group was one staff to every eight children.
Plan of Correction:	Per the owner: I conducted training with all staff for ratios. Staff will stay with group they are assigned to and will not be combined.
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. One child was observed unbuckled in a highchair.
Plan of Correction:	Per the owner: Training was conducted today to review safety procedures and ensure seatbelts are always fastened.