Montessori Academy of Virginia - Chesapeake

“REPEAT VIOLATION Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, insecticides, and pesticides shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. In the two and three year old classroom, there was a can of air freshener spay and a canister of sanitizing wipes both containing a ?keep out of reach of children? label stored on a counter and accessible to children. 2. Staff #1 (Director) confirmed that the hazardous substances were not locked and accessible to children.”

“Based on observation, interview and tour it was determined that the center did not ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a safe condition. Evidence: 1. At the entrance to the playground, there are approximately 12 rubber floor mats measuring two feet by two feet. Some of the mat’s edges were not connected which created a space that exposed the ground creating a tripping hazard. 2. The outdoor playground has several large metal bolts along the perimeter of the area that are approximately an inch and a half in diameter that were protruding out of the ground posing as a tripping and snagging hazard. 3. The astroturf that is covering the cement ground has a non-visible dip approximately three feet in diameter creating a tripping hazard. 4. A plastic ground barrier that surrounds a tree has broken edges creating a pinch point for children’s fingers. 5. Staff #1 (Director) confirmed that the hazards were present in the outdoor area that created an unsafe environment.”

“Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, insecticides, and pesticides shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. The cabinet under the sink where children wash hands in the 2 and 3 year old classroom was unlocked and contained approximately 10 spray cans of disinfectant spray, with a ?keep out of reach? label and were accessible to children. 2. Staff #1 (Director) confirmed that the hazardous substances were not locked using a safe locking method that prevented access by children.”

“Based on record review and interview, it was determined that the center did not ensure that they maintain a written record of children’s serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence to include the date and time of injury, location in the center of where injury occurred and documentation of how the parent was notified. Evidence: 1. 12 of the 29 injury reports reviewed for April of 2024 did not document how the parents were notified. 2. 1 of the 29 injury reports reviewed for April of 2024 did not document the date of the injury. 3. 1 of the 29 injury reports reviewed for April of 2024 did not document where the injury occurred. 4. Staff #1 (Director) confirmed that the above information was not documented on the injury reports.”

“Evidence: Center staff failed to provide needed help, comfort and support to child 1 during the following incident: 1. On 9/19/23, child 1 (age 3 years) had a toileting accident while using the bathroom in the pre-k classroom. Child 1, who had gotten feces on her body and clothing, was left in a dimly lit bathroom with the door mostly closed by center staff for a period of at least 30 minutes until her mother arrived to clean and change her. a. Staff 1, the pre-k teacher working in the classroom on 9/19/23, and staff 2, center director, acknowledged that they did not provide any needed help or support to child 1 in washing her hands, cleaning feces off her body or changing into clean clothes after she had a toileting accident. Staff 1 stated that she could not go into the bathroom to help child 1, that she was busy with the other children in the classroom and stated “I am not required to help her wipe with poop accidents.” Staff 2 stated it is school policy that staff do not help wipe children in the pre-k class if there is a toileting accident and do not assist in changing the child if their clothing becomes soiled, as they are supposed to be fully toilet-trained. She stated that if a child has a toileting accident they will call the parents or the emergency contact to come to the center and assist the child. c. Child 1’s mother stated when she arrived at the center on 9/19/23 her child was naked in the bathroom with the door closed and there was dried feces on her legs, vagina, buttocks and clothing, as well as the floor and wall. She stated the bathroom was “very dim”, the light was flickering, and was only furnished with toilet paper and a step stool. Child 1’s mother stated she used half a pack of wipes she brought with her from home to clean the feces off her child and brought clean clothes for her to wear. She stated that even though her child had a change of clothing at the center, they were not put on her.”

“Evidence: 1. On 9/19/23, child 1 (age 3 years) had a toileting accident while in the bathroom of the pre-k classroom. Child 1, who had feces on her hands was left in the bathroom by center staff for at least 30 minutes until her mother arrived to clean her. Child 1 was not allowed to come out of the bathroom to wash her hands nor was she given any wipes or wet paper towels to do so. a. Child 1’s mother stated that on 9/19/23 she received a phone call from the center at approximately 2:30pm that her child had a toileting accident and that she needed to come to the center to assist her daughter. Child 1’s mother stated she arrived at the center at around 3:00pm and her child was in the bathroom with feces on her hands and there was no sink in the bathroom for her to do so. b. Staff 1, who was the pre-k teacher working in the classroom on 9/19/23, and staff 2, center director, were aware that child 1 had a toileting accident and had feces on her hands. Both acknowledged that there is no sink in the bathroom and that they did not provide child 1 with any wipes or wet paper towels to clean her hands. c. The licensing inspector observed the bathroom in the pre-k classroom to have no sink or soap. The sink that children use to wash their hands after toileting is located outside of the bathroom in the classroom.”

“Evidence: On 9/19/23, child 1 (age 3 years) had a toileting accident while in the bathroom of the pre-k classroom. Child 1, who had feces on her clothing, was left in the bathroom by center staff for at least 30 minutes without changing her soiled clothing until her mother arrived to change her. a. Child 1’s mother stated that on 9/19/23 she received a phone call from the center that her child had gotten feces on her clothing during a toileting accident and she needed to come to the center to assist her daughter. Child 1’s mother stated when she arrived to the center her child was in the bathroom with no clothes on except for her socks. Child 1’s mother stated that her clothing was covered in feces and tied up in a plastic bag hanging on the bathroom door. She stated that there was an extra change of clothing in the classroom for child 1 but they were not given to her to put on. b. Staff 1, the pre-k teacher working in the classroom on 9/19/23, and staff 2, center director, were aware that child 1 had gotten feces on her clothing while in the bathroom and had taken her clothes off. Both staff acknowledged that child 1 was told to wait in the bathroom for her mother and that she could not put on her clean change of clothes because she had feces on her body.”