The Virginia Department of Social Services conducted an unannounced monitoring inspection of the Buckland Mills Elementary School Age Child Care Program and found 10 violations in the areas of staff qualifications and training, background checks, staff to child ratio, and special care provisions and emergencies.
The Nov. 7 inspection of the program, located at 10511 Wharfdale Place in Gainesville, included repeat violations from their March 13, 2014 inspection.
Also noted was a staff member's inappropriate comment to a child in her care.
According to the license inspector, one staff member told a child that the teachers would lose their jobs in an attempt to get the children to comply with instructions while the Licensing Inspector was present at the facility.
"Staff should not use fear of them getting fired as a means to garner compliance," License Inspector Cathy E. Aylor wrote in her report.
Aylor reported that she instructed staff of the correct way to address the children in their care about visitors to the program.
Virginia Department of Social Services Comments:
An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted today with the director. Twenty three children and three staff were present during the inspection. The Licensing Inspector was able to observed bathroom break/hand washing, coloring/arts/craft activities as well as snack , which consisted of cookies and milk. Six children had medications on site. Three staff files and five children's files were reviewed today. Health inspection: 1/15/14 Fire inspection: 10/28/14 Arrival time: 4:30 pm Departure time: 6:30 p.m.
Editor’s Note: Descriptions of violations and the responses from the facility came directly from the inspection report.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-160-A
Description: Based on an review of staff records and an interview with the director, it was determined that staff did not have a tuberculosis skin test/screening on file within 21 days of employment or within 12 months prior to employment. Evidence: Staff A and D did have a tuberculosis test/screenings on file.
Action to be Taken: Staff will not return until TB test results are returned. Staff A : 11/12/14 returned TB; Staff D: 11/12/14 returned TB.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-40-E
Description: Based on an inspection of the medication and an interview with staff, it was determined that prescription medication was not being maintained in accordance with the standards and their own policies and procedures. Evidence: The Epipen for child A expired in 10/14, the medication remained at the center and had not been returned to the parent.
Action to be Taken: Medication will be returned to the parent, and a new medication will be requested.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-70-A
Description: Based on an review of staff records and an interview with the director, it was determined that one staff did not have all of the required information on site. Evidence: The EC teacher ( Staff A) from the previous school year and Staff D ( hired 9/16/14) did not have references on file. There was no date of hire on file for Staff A.
Action to be Taken: References will be obtained from main office, and hire date will be added to file.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-190-A
Description: Based on an inspection of the center, a review of staff files and an interview with the director, it was determined that one staff did not have documentation showing that they have the education and experience for their position. Evidence: There was no documentation that staff B (hired 9/11/14) meets any of the qualifications to make her director qualified.
Action to be Taken: Staff will provide copy of degree and transcripts as well as resume with experience.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-240-A
Description: Based on an review of staff records and an interview with the director, it was determined that one staff did not have orientation training on file by the end of the first day of assuming job responsibilities. Evidence: Staff A has not been provided orientation training.
Action to be Taken: Staff A's orientation training record will be provided by field director.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-240-D-1
Description: Based on a review of staff records and an interview with staff, it was determined that there was no staff on site with documentation of Medication Administration Training (MAT). Evidence: There was no staff on site who had original documentation of MAT training. Six children had medications on site.
Action to be Taken: Original copy of MAT certificate will be put in file.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-350-E-5
Description: Based on observation and interviews with staff, it was determined that the center did not follow the 1:18 staff to child ratio. Evidence: The Licensing Inspector observed one staff with 23 children leaving the gym, walking down the hallway to the bathroom which was over 30 feet from the gym. The staff was alone with the children supervising bathroom break for over five minutes. While in the hallway there were people entering and exiting the school and the one staff could not see or hear all of the children at the end/front of the line
Action to be Taken: Two staff will remain with group of children at all times. This was discussed with staff in a meeting held on 11/7/14
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-400-A
Description: Based on an inspection of the center and an interview with staff and conversation with a schoolager, it was determined that one staff failed to promote the children's well-being by not providing comfort and help as needed. Evidence: While in line outside of the bathroom, a schoolager asked the LI, "is it true that the teachers are going to loose their jobs?" I asked where did she hear that from and she identified staff C as telling them this as a result of the Licensing Inspector's presence and in an attempt to get the children to comply with instructions.
Action to be Taken: Staff was reminded of correct way to speak to children, get their attention, and direct their behavior in a staff meeting on 11/7/14, as well as how to respond to children's questions about visitors to the program.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-540-E
Description: Based on an inspection of the center and an interview with the director, it was determined that an emergency supply was not on site at the center. Evidence: There was no battery operated radio available on site.
Action to be Taken: Battery operated radio was located at the site and new batteries were purchased for it.
Standard #: 22VAC40-191-60-C-2
Description: Based on an review of staff records and an interview with the director, it was determined that Staff A did not have a central registry finding on file within 30 days of employment. Evidence: The Staff A was hired the previous school year and there was no documentation on file of a satisfactory central registry finding.
Action to be Taken: Form was mailed out, waiting on return. Staff will not return to program until central registry form has come back.
Full reports of each provider are located online and are available for public viewing.
The Virginia Department of Social Services inspects all licensed child-welfare agencies at least twice a year, with at least one unannounced inspection each year.
“In order to determine continued compliance with standards during the effective dates of the license, the department’s licensing representative will make announced and unannounced inspections of the facility or agency during the hours of its operation,” the agency states on their website. “The licensee is responsible for correcting any areas of noncompliance found during renewal or monitoring inspections.”
VDSS cautions that a compliance history is in no way a rating for a facility and online compliance reports do not include consideration that some information regarding “adverse actions” may be the subject of pending appeals.
According to the agency, “through the administration of the licensing program, the Department of Social Services assumes responsibility to ensure that licensed facilities and agencies provide children and adults with at least a minimum level of care in accordance with regulations prescribed by the State Board of Social Services and Child Day-Care Council.”
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