Sparkles! at Crystal City

At least every two years, staff members shall obtain and submit the results of a follow-up tuberculosis screening.

“Staff A had documentation of an expired tuberculosis screening. The screening was over six months expired.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C. From a complaint.

When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection and guidance.

“On September 14, 2026, Staff B provided four toddlers with water beads in a play tray table for play time. The Consumer Protection Safety Commission safety guidance for the water beads is for children over the age of five. The water beads pose a serious choking hazard for younger children in care.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-A. From a complaint.

A variety of daily activities for all age groups shall be age and stage appropriate.

“On September 14, 2026, Staff B poured small water beads into a play tray table outside for four toddlers, ages 16 months to two years, to utilize for sensory play. Water beads placed on the play tray table were not age appropriate for children under the age of five.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-360-A. From a complaint.

The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center’s activities are maintained in compliance with the standards and the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by these standards.

“Staff A failed to follow the center’s own behavior guidance and discipline policy which states “that the following are prohibited discipline practices: corporal punishment of any kind. physical restraint except when necessary to prevent immediate harm and any discipline practice that may harm a child’s physical or emotional well-being “ Staff A restrained Child 1 by the arm and spanked the child 2 times on the bottom on August 19, 2026.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-E. From a complaint.

The following are actions are forbidden: physical punishment, striking a child, or roughly handling or shaking a child.

“On August 19, 2026, Staff A roughly grabbed Child 1 by the arm and then proceeded to spank the child two times on the backside. The Director and the Licensing Inspector observed the video to confirm the actions taken by Staff A.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-410-1. From a complaint.

When staff are supervising children , they shall always ensure their care, protection and guidance.

“On Friday, August 8, 2025, Child A was left in a classroom, without supervision, from 9:50am to 9:54am, following a transition from the classroom to a play area off campus.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-A.

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

“On August 8, 2025, Staff # 1, 2 and 3 were unaware that they left Child A (2 years old) alone in the classroom. There were no staff available to offer immediate assistance to the child from 9:50am to 9:54am.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include that the center’s own policies and procedures are maintained in compliance with the standards.

“On August 8, 2025, Staff # 1, 2 and 3 failed to use the center’s procedure of name to face to ensure the proper counting of children in care when there is a transition to and from the classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-E.

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

“A staff member’s backpack was sitting on the counter in the infant room and had pepper spray hanging out of the side pocket.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-780-270-C

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-C. From a complaint.

8VAC20-770-60-B

“Repeat Violation Based on review of twor staff records, the center did not have a completed sworn disclosure statement or affirmation prior to date of hire. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 (Date of hire 9/05/2022) had a sworn disclosure statement dated 11/06/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-B.

8VAC20-770-60-C-2

“Based on review of two staff records, the center did not obtain a central registry report within 30 days of employment. Evidence: 1.Staff #2 (Date of hire 9/05/2022) did not have the cen tral registry results within 30 days of employment. It was received on 11/14/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-C-2.

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation, equipment of the center inside were not maintained in an operable condition. Evidence: 1. In the infant classroom, the foot operated trash can was not working properly. The staff member stated it was broke and they were getting a new one.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-560-G

“Based on observation, the center does not follow all requirements when children bring food from home. Evidence: 1. In the Preschool 3 classroom, 2 food items from home were not clearly dated and labeled in a way that identifies the owner and 1 food item from home was not dated. 2. In the Preschool 2 classroom, 1 food item from home were not clearly dated and labeled in a way that identifies the owner and 1 food item from home was not dated.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-G.

Repeat Violation

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

8VAC20-770-60-B

“Based on review of four staff records, the center did not have a completed sworn disclosure statement or affirmation prior to date of hire. Evidence: 1. Staff #3 (Date of hire 2/13/2023) had a sworn disclosure statement dated 3/13/2023.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-B.

Repeat Violation

“Based on observation, hazardous substances were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. A spray bottle of perfume mist was inside a high cabinet in the Preschool 1 classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-780-60-A-8

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

22.1-289.035-B-4

“Based on review of staff records, the center did not obtain the results of the criminal history record information check from any state in which the individual had resided in the preceding five years prior to the first day of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (Start date 12/27/2022) lived in DC in the last 5 years and the center did not obtain the criminal history record for DC until 1/04/2023.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

8VAC20-780-150-B

“Based on review of children’s records, the center did not have a signed and dated immunization report for one child. Evidence: 1. Child #1 (start date 11/02/2020) had an immunization record, but it was not signed by a physician, his designee, or an official of a local health department and it was not on the current form required by the Virginia Department of Health or a physician’s form.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-150-B.

8VAC20-780-240-A

“Based on review of staff records, two staff had not completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #3 (start date 10/10/2022) and Staff #4 (start date 10/18/2022) had not completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation, hazardous substances such as cleaning products were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. In the Preschool 1 classroom, a spray bottle of Lysol and Clorox wipes were in a lower cabinet and the cabinet was not locked.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-770-60-C-2

“Based on review of three staff records, the center did not obtain the central registry finding within 30 days of employment for a staff member. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (Date of hire 6/02/2022) did not have the central registry results in the staff file during the inspection.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-C-2.

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on review of three staff records, the center did not obtain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (Date of hire 6/02/2022) had a tuberculosis screening or test dated 4/18/2022 and was not within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation, areas inside of the center were not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In the Preschool 2’s classroom, the blue sofa had holes in 4 corners where the fabric was coming apart or falling off.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation, potentially hazardous substances such as cleaninga safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. In the Preschool 3 classroom, a spray bottle filled with bleach water was in an unlocked cabinet above the sink. The safety lock was not latched/engaged. 2. In the Preschool 2 classroom, a spray bottle filled with bleach water was in an unlocked cabinet. The safety lock was not latched/engage. It was hanging.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-780-40-K

“Based on record review and interview, the center did not 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: 1. During the time of the inspection, there was no documentation of written procedures for the prevention of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma to include coping with crying babies. 2. Staff # 1 confirmed that written procedures for shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma had not been established.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-K.

8VAC20-780-410-1

Rule 8VAC20-780-410-1.

22.1-289.035-B-2

“Based on review, the center did not have docu- mentation of the fingerprint criminal history record check results for one staff member. Evidence: 1.Staff member #5 does not have fingerprint criminal history record check results for this center.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-2.

22VAC40-191-60-C-2

“Based on review of four staff records, the center did not obtain a central registry report within 30 days of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (Date of hire 10/04/2021) and Staff #2 (Date of hire 10/18/2021) did not have the central registry results within 30 days of employment.”

Rule 22VAC40-191-60-C-2.