First Steps Academy

Furnishings, equipment and materials shall be of an appropriate size for the child using it.

“Child A was too big for the infant bouncy seat that was being used.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-430-A. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-570-B

“Bottle fed infants who cannot hold their own bottles shall be held when fed. Bottles shall not be propped.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-B. From a complaint.

The center shall obtain documentation that each child has received required immunizations before the child can attend the center.

“Child A had no documentation of required immunizations.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years.

“Child 3’s most recent updated immunization was on 7/12/2024.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-E.

Each child shall have a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician: before the child’s attendance, or within 30 days after the first day of attendance.

“Child 2 did not have documentation of a physical exam, and has been in care for approximately 5 and a half months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-140-A.

Areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.

“Room 9 there was peeling paint and crumbling drywall in the rear of the classroom, accessible to children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

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.

“Room 1 had soap water and bleach water, not in use, and not in a locked place. Room 4 had 2 air fresheners marked keep out of reach of children, on a shelf and not in a locked place.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Electrical outlets shall have protective covers that are of a size that cannot be swallowed by children.

“Room 9 had an uncovered electrical outlet on a power-strip accessible to children, next to the teacher’s desk.”

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

Shelter in place procedures shall be practiced a minimum of twice per year.

“The facility only completed one shelter-in-place drill within the past twelve months. One was completed on 5/24/24 and the previous one was completed on 8/11/23.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-E.

Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain the following information: work phone number and place of employment for each parent who has custody.

“Child 4 did not have documentation of parent work information for one of their parents listed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

8VAC20-780-240-A

“Based on record review, not all staff completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment. Evidence: Staff #5 (DOH 10/24/23) did not have completion certificate on file for the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course as of this date.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

8VAC20-780-60-A-8

“Based on record review, the center did not have a written care plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy. Evidence: Child #6 has a food allergy and medication onsite, however, no written care plan was in the file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A-8.

Based on observation, not all bottles were dated as required.

“Evidence: In the infant room, three bottles were observed in the classroom’s refrigerator labeled with the children’s name, but they were not dated.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-G.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain a written care plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy.

“Evidence: Child #6’s record did not include a written care plan with instructions from the physician regarding the food to which the child is allergic and the steps to be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed allergic reaction.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A-8.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain out of state criminal records for staff members prior to their first day of employment.

“Evidence: 1.Staff #2’s (DOH: 2/2/2023) file contains an out of state criminal history check that was completed on 2/6/2023. 2. Staff #5’s (DOH: 10/24/2022) file contains an out of state criminal history check that was completed on 11/1/2022.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Based on review of documentation and interview, the facility did not ensure that all staff who work with children are informed of children’s allergies, sensitivities and dietary restrictions.

“Evidence: Staff #6 stated that there were no children with food allergies in their classroom. The written list of allergies, sensitivities and dietary restrictions confirmed that Child #8, that was present in the classroom, is allergic to shellfish.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-L.

Based on review of medication, long-term over-the-counter medication was administered without written authorization from the child’s physician and parent.

“Evidence: The medication for child #6 (Benadryl) did not have an authorization form signed by the parent. This medication was administered on 2/22/2023.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-B.

Based on review of medications, long term prescription medication was not maintained in the original, labeled container.

“Evidence: The prescription medication for Child #7 was not in the original container with a prescription labeled attached.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-I.

Based on observation and interview, the facility did not post the findings of the most recent inspection.

“Evidence: Findings of the most recent facility inspection (dated 9/13/2022) were not posted.”

Rule 8VAC20-820-120-E-2.

Based on observation, cleaning materials were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

“Evidence: In the Falcon’s classroom, 3 spray bottles of Lysol - all purpose cleaner and 1 spray can of Lysol disinfectant were observed unlocked in an upper cabinet in the classroom’s bathroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Based on review of medication, the center did not ensure that prescription medication was maintained in the original, labeled container.

“Evidence: Child #5’s prescription medication was observed not in the original container with the prescription label attached.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-I.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years.

“Evidence: Child #5’s record contains documentation of immunizations that was last updated on 9/10/2020.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-E.

Based on observation, prepared infant formula was refrigerated, but not dated.

“Evidence: Two bottles containing infant formula were observed in the refrigerator labeled with the child’s name, but without a date.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain a written care plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy, to include instructions from a physician regarding the food to which the child is allergic and the steps to be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed allergic reaction.

“Evidence: Child #1 and Child #2 were both listed as having diagnosed food allergies, and both had emergency medication on-site; however, there was no allergy care plan on file for these children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A-8.