Gainesville Minnieland Teacher Strikes Young Child

A teacher at the Minnieland Academy at Gainesville, located at 8299 Harness Shop Road, was fired Sept. 10 for smacking a toddler on the leg. Two staff members witnessed the incident. "Two teachers witnessed a teacher striking a toddler on her leg while trying to place the child in a highchair," Virginia Department of Social Services inspector Debra L. Albritton wrote in her report. "One teacher witnessed the staff member hit the child, and the other teacher heard the sound of the slap and the child crying." As a result of a complaint reported to the VDSS, the agency conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility. Following interviews with staff, VDSS cited the center for failing to ensure that staff did not use physical punishment. According to the report, Minnieland administrators terminated the employment of the teacher the same day of the incident. "All staff will be reminded of the center's and state licensing policies regarding forbidden actions," they said. The incident marks the second incident of inappropriate child management for which VDSS has cited Gainesville Minnieland Academy day care centers in the past month. In response to the teacher's actions and dismissal, District Director for the Minnieland Academy at Gainesville Nicole Smith prepared a statement for Bristow Beat:

As an organization, we take esteem and pride in the quality childcare we have provided for over 40 years. From our continuing education plans to our in-house training opportunities taught by field experts, our employees are well-versed in what it means to fulfill our mission of providing learning in a loving environment. While unfortunate incidences have occurred,  no business can truly prevent such things from happening. However, what we can do is stand firm on our principles. The message of health and safety being of the utmost importance is understood by all of our employees. If we weren't an organization that made clear we do not tolerate the health and safety of a child being compromised, these incidences would go unreported.