In an unannounced inspection of Minnieland Academy at Heritage Hunt on Nov. 13, a Virginia Department of Social Services inspector reported instances relating to staff behavior and discipline.
VDSS initiated the investigation in response to a complaint against the Gainesville facility.
Based on staff interviews, VDSS inspector Linda Reynolds reported that in one case a staff member “roughly handled” a child.
Reynolds reported that a staff member viewing another staff member’s attempt to settle down a child on a monitor in an office, entered the Pre-K classroom where the child was located, yanked him off his cot by his left arm causing him to land on the tile floor, hitting his elbow and both knees on the floor.
Furthermore, the inspection report revealed that as administrative staff terminated the individual’s employment, the staff member refused to leave the premises and yelled profanity in front of children in two classrooms.
“A violation notice was issued and an action plan was developed. The facility had taken decisive action on the day of the incident,” Reynolds wrote in her report.
The day care facility was also cited for failing to report a suspected instance of child abuse in May 2012 after a staff member was fired for “popping a child on his mouth.”
"All staff at our facility at Heritage Hunt will receive additional training in recognizing and reporting child abuse," Minnieland Academy Chief Operating Officer Christopher Schuster said in a statement. "Minnieland is cooperating with authorities in regards to this matter and the investigation is ongoing."
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