Cedar Point SACC Program Cited for Lack of Supervision

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AlphaBEST of Lewisville, NC operates Cedar Point Elementary's School Age Child Care program. AlphaBEST of Lewisville, NC operates Cedar Point Elementary's School Age Child Care program.

During a recent inspection of the AlphaBEST at Cedar Point Elementary School Age Child Care program, the Virginia Department of Social Services cited staff members Feb. 23 for allowing students to participate in a potentially dangerous game and for failing to supervise the children.

According to the inspection report, students participated in an activity called "Shark and Minnows," a game whereby students designated as "minnows" would attempt to get passed those who were the "sharks."

While this activity is safely employed at other day care facilities, Inspector Stephanie Reed cited the staff at AlphaBEST at Cedar Point Elementary for failing "to ensure the care, protection and guidance of children in their care."

Reed wrote in her report:

Children were observed running and yelling from one side of the gymnasium to the other. Children were observed running into one another, jumping over each other and running over top of each other. One child tripped when his shoe came loose. At least two other children were observed running and tripping over him. He left the game tearful and sought out a staff member.

The report states that at this point, no staff member intervened to regain control of the activity; it wasn't until a second child was injured from a fall that staff took control of the students and the game.

"The child was taken aside by another staff and provided an ice pack," Reed reported.

In the report, the program director indicated that she had addressed the incident.

"[I] talked to the students about how to play group game to keep everyone in the program safe."she said. "[I] talked to staff about how when they see the kids playing too rough that they need to intervene and redirect the game."

In another incident, Reed also observed that not all children under the age of 10 were not under appropriate supervision at all times while in the care of the staff.

The licensing inspector observed children rounding a corner at the front door to retrieve a basket. There were no staff in sight. The front of the room is angled and creates an alcove at the front of the door. This continued for approximately five minutes. Once the LI was inside, staff were observed at the far end of the gym, out of sight and sound supervision of the front door area.

"We will make sure staff is by the door at all times, and will move the baskets out of the corner during roll call so they are no moved out of sight and sound," the program director said.

This is the second consecutive inspection in which VDSS cited the program for failing to appropriately supervise its students.

In Nov. 2, 2015, three students were observed in the gymnasium without staff present. 

These incidents were isolated to the Bristow program, as no similar violations were reported in other Prince William County schools.

At the time of publication, AlphaBEST Education, Inc. of  Lewisville, NC has not commented on the incident.

Prince William County Schools awarded AlphaBEST the contract to operate their SACC programs in January 2015.  The company took over operations Sept. 1, 2015 from Minnieland Academy, which operated the program for the previous 20 years.

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