STEP Inc.- Rocky Mount

The center is required to have employees undergo background checks every five years.

“The central registry for Staff 1 was updated four months after the required five-year time requirement.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

Repeat violation

“Staff members shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. The TB screening for Staff 2 was obtain one week after employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Repeat violation

“Medications shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access to children. The medication bag, which contained medications, in Classroom 5 was not locked.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-L.

Documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment.

“The references for Staff 2 were checked two months after employment. The references for Staff 5 were checked three weeks after employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.

“05/13/2026, as staff in Classroom 1 were bringing children inside from the playground to the classroom, Child 1 (age 3 years) darted into the hallway restroom. Staff were unaware the child left the group. Child 1 was not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff for approximately 2 minutes before being found by another staff.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

The center shall be in compliance with the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by the standards.

“The center has a policy that staff are responsible for making sure that no child is left unsupervised. 05/13/2026, as staff in Classroom 1 were bringing children inside from the playground to the classroom, Child 1 (age 3 years) darted into the hallway restroom. Staff were unaware the child left the group. Child 1 was left alone and unsupervised in the restroom and hallway of the center for approximately two minutes before being found by another staff.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-E.

The center is required to obtain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with the children; the screening shall have been complete within the last 30 days of the date of employment.

“There was not a tuberculosis screening available for review for Staff 3, who has been employed for 3 months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Cots used by children other than infants during the designated rest period shall have linens consisting of a top cover and a bottom cover or a one-piece covering which is open on three edges.

“In Classroom 6, there were 10 children that did not have a bottom cover while on their cots during the designated rest period. In Classroom 8, there was 1 child without a top or bottom cover and 2 children that did not have a bottom cover while on their cots during the designated rest period.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-450-A.

Medication shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

“The backpack containing the medications in Classroom 7 was not locked.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-L.

For each group of children, the center shall maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.

“There were 11 children present in Classroom 8 and there was a total of 12 children marked as present on the daily attendance record. The daily attendance did not document the departure of each child as it occurred.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.

“Staff 1 pushed two children apart in efforts to separate the two children, resulting in Child 1 (5 years old) hitting the back of their head on a retaining wall on the outdoor playground. Staff 1 got close to the child and pointed their finger in the child’s face.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-400-B.

The center shall provide to the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report from the appropriate fire official having jurisdiction.

“The most recent fire inspection was overdue by 4 months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-A.

Complaint related

“The center shall maintain a written record of children’s serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of the occurrence. Staff 2 confirmed that on 11/14/2024, Child 1 had a visible mark near their eye at the time of their departure from the center that was not there at their arrival. Staff 2 confirmed that there was not a written record of the minor injury.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-P. From a complaint.

Based on observation and staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that children three years of age or younger may not be offered foods that are considered to be potential choking hazards.

“Evidence: Sliced peaches were observed being served to the children in the STEP 6 and STEP 7 classrooms for lunch during the 02/12/2024 inspection. Staff 3 verified that there was a total of 12 three-year-old children in the STEP 6 class present when the lunch was served. Staff 8 verified that there was a total of 2 three-year-old children present in the STEP 7 class when the lunch was served.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-F-4.

Based on observations, the center failed to ensure that children’s hands shall be washed with soap and running water after toileting.

“Evidence: The handwashing sinks are located outside of the restroom in each classroom. Child 1 was observed exiting the classroom restroom and immediately returning to the play area. Child 1 did not wash their hands with soap and running water after toileting.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A.

Based on document review and discussion, the center failed to obtain an annual fire inspection report from the appropriate fire official having jurisdiction.

“Evidence: The most recent fire inspection available for review during the inspection was from 10/2020.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-A.

Based on observation and discussion, the center failed to ensure that in areas used by children of preschool age or younger electrical outlets shall have protective covers.

“Evidence: There were a total of 12 uncovered electrical outlets in classroom 6.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-290-A-3.

Based on observation and discussion, the center failed to ensure that practice evacuation drills are implemented monthly.

“Evidence: There was not a practice evacuation drill conducted for the month of May 2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-D.