The Gingerbread Cottage Preschool, Inc. - Mechanicsville

Staff shall complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care.

“Staff #1 completed approximately 7 hours of annual training within their 2025-2026 training period.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-245-A.

The center is required to obtain a completed sworn statement prior to the employee’s first day of employment.

“The sworn statement for Staff #2, who is currently working, was dated 5 days after their first day of employment. Staff #2 completed orientation and training but did not work with children prior to the completion of the sworn statement.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-1.

Providers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment.

“The fingerprint background check for Staff #2, who is currently working, was dated one month after their first day of employment. Staff #2 completed orientation and training but did not work with children prior to the completion of the background check.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-2.

The center is required to obtain background checks from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years.

“The center did not request a search of the child abuse and neglect registry, a criminal history name check and a sex offender check from one state for Staff #1, who has been employed for one week, and was working with children at the time of the inspection.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Each staff member shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with the children.

“The screening for staff #2 was completed 5 days after the start of employment. Staff #2 did not work with children prior to the submission of the negative TB screening.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Documentation of at least 2 references to character, reputation, and competency are to be checked prior to employment.

“Staff #1, who has been employed for 1 week, did not have any completed reference verifications on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

The center shall obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center.

“Child #5, who had been attending for approximately one month, did not have documentation of an immunization record on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

A written care plan is required 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.

“Child #4, who had been enrolled for approximately one month, had a diagnosed food allergy and did not have a written care plan in their file that was signed by a physician.”

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

Based on a review of five staff records and interview, the center did not ensure that at least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present had current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as appropriate to the age of the children in care as required.

“Evidence: 1. Staff #4 (date of employment: 01/02/2012) was observed independently supervising eight children in a pre-K classroom. The record of staff #4 contained a CPR certification card that expired in March of 2024. 2. Administration acknowledged that staff #4’s certification was expired.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A-1.

Based on a review of five staff records and interview, the center did not ensure that at least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present had current certification in first aid as appropriate to the age of the children in care as required.

“Evidence: 1. Staff #4 (date of employment: 01/02/2012) was observed independently supervising eight children in a pre-K classroom. The record of staff #4 contained a First Aid certification card that expired in March of 2024. 2. Administration acknowledged that staff #4’s certification was expired.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A-2.

Based on a review of five staff records and interview, the center did not ensure to obtain a sworn statement background check for one staff prior to the first date of employment as required.

“Evidence: 1. The record of staff #1 (date of employment: 8/28/2023) contained a sworn statement dated 8/30/2023. 2. Administration acknowledged that the sworn statement was completed late.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-B.

Based on a review of five staff records, observation and interview, the center did not ensure at least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present had current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as appropriate to the age of the children in care from an organization such as the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute, or National Safety Council. The training shall include an in-person competency demonstration.

“Evidence: 1. The record of staff #2 (date of employment: 8/28/2023) contained a current CPR certification that did not include documentation to support that it included child/pediatric instruction. Staff #2 was observed caring for a group of children independently. 2. Administration acknowledged that the certification card was missing the required information and did not come with supporting documentation to show it was appropriate to the age of the children in care as required.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A-1.

8VAC20-780-40-K

“Based on record review, the center did not ensure to develop written procedures for prevention of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma, including coping with crying babies, safe sleeping practices, and sudden infant death syndrome awareness. Evidence: The center did not have a developed procedure for prevention of abusive head trauma.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-K.

8VAC20-780-550-B

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-B.