The Virginia Department of Social Services inspected Minnieland Academy At Heritage Hunt in Gainesville July 1. The agency noted several safety violations.
Virginia Department of Social Services Comments:
An unannounced renewal inspection was conducted from 11:10 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. with the director. There were 46 children present with 12 staff. The summer camp school aged children were observed painting, cross stitching, and preparing for the trip to the pool. The children also were observed listening to book, eating lunch, and napping. The lunch served was chicken noodle soup, oranges, bread, and milk. Five staff and five children's records were reviewed. No medications were on site. The fire and health inspections are current and up to date.
Editor's Note: Descriptions of violations and the responses from the facility came directly from the inspection report.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-270-A
Description: Based on observation of the playground, it was determined that resilient surfacing was not maintained in a safe condition. Evidence: Weeds and grass were growing in the fall zone of the composite play equipment on the school age playground therefore compromising the resilient surfacing and increasing the risk of injury to children.
Action to be Taken: Property maintenance was called on 7/1/14 in regards to the weeds. Maintenance came on 7/2/14 and removed all the weeds from the playground area.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-280-B
Description: Based on observation of the playground, it was determined that not all hazardous substances were kept in a locked place. Evidence: On the playground there was a bag of Sta Green all purpose potting soil with fertilizer labeled "keep out of reach of children."
Action to be Taken: The potting soil was immediately removed from the garden area. Incorrect potting soil with fertilizer was purchased and in the future soil without fertilizer will be purchased.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-280-G
Description: Based on observation of the infant/toddler playground, the center failed to label a bottle containing a green liquid. Evidence: There was an unlabeled bottle of green liquid on the ledge of the wall on the infant/toddler playground.
Action to be Taken: The green liquid was bubbles that were poured from a larger container into a smaller bottle. Moving forward when removing bubbles or other items from a large container, the container will be properly labeled and stored.
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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