Higher Horizons Early Head Start

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

“The most recent central registry check and sworn disclosure statement for staff #4 was overdue by over 5 months.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

22.1-289.011-F

“The license and any other documents required by the Superintendent shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. The findings from the most recent inspection, dated 11/12/2024, were not posted in a conspicuous place on the premises.”

Rule 22.1-289.011-F.

22.1-289.035-A

“The center is required to have employees undergo a background check every five years. The most recent central registry check for staff #3 was overdue by seven months. The most recent national fingerprint check for staff #3 was overdue by seven months.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

8VAC20-780-140-A

“Physical examinations completed by a physician shall be obtained prior to the first day of attendance or within 30 days after the first day of attendance. There was no physical examination in the record of child #1, who had been enrolled for seven months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-140-A.

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 #2?s record (enrolled 11 weeks) did not have documentation of any immunizations. Child #5?s record (enrolled 6 weeks) did not have documentation of all of the required immunizations.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

Documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening must be submitted at the time of employment, before coming into contact with children, and shall have been completed within the last 30 days of the date of employment.

“Staff #2, (who has been actively working at the center for over 3 years), Staff #3, (who has been actively working at the center for over 2 years), Staff #4, (who has been actively working at the center for 1 year and 11 months), and Staff #5, (who has been actively working at the center for over 1 year), does not have documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Centers must keep a separate record for each child enrolled that contains all of the required information.

“Child #2’s record (enrolled 11 weeks) was missing the name, address, and phone number of one emergency contact, the address of a second emergency contact, and the first day of attendance. Child #5?s record (enrolled 6 weeks) was missing the first day of attendance.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

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

“Staff #2, who has been actively working at the center for over 3 years, had only one completed reference verification on file. Staff #3, who has been actively working at the center for over 2 years, did not have any completed reference verifications on file. Staff #4, who has been actively working at the center for 1 year and 11 months, did not have any completed reference verifications on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

The center is required to obtain a signed parental authorization for emergency medical care should an emergency occur when the parent cannot be located immediately.

“Child #2?s record (enrolled 11 weeks) did not have a signed parent authorization for emergency medical care.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-90-A.

Repeat violation

“Based on record review and interview, name, address, and telephone number of a person to be notified in an emergency was not kept at the center for all staff. Evidence: Administrator stated the staff emergency contacts were not available at the facility.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Based on record review and interview, attendance was not taken for each group of children that documents arrival and departure as it occurs.

“Evidence: There were 8 children present in the dreamers classroom and 5 children were on the attendance sheet. There were 6 children present in the believers classroom and 4 children were listed on the attendance sheet.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Based on record review and interview, staff records were not accessible.

“Evidence: At time of inspection, administrator stated that staff records were not accessible because the manager with access was on leave. Center was provided 72 hours to provide access to records and failed to provide inspector with access to review.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

22.1-289.035-B-4

“Based on the review of 4 staff records, two staff are missing some of the required background checks. Evidence: Staff 1, does not have clearances from Washington D,C where they have lived in the last 5 years. Staff 2 filled out the sworn disclosure statement incorrectly, indicating that they had not lived in a different state, other then Virginia in the last 5 years, they currently reside in Maryland.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on the review of 4 staff records, the center failed to get a tuberculosis screening that was within 30 days of employment. Evidence: Staff 1 was hired on 1/23/23 and the TB test in the file is from 10/21/22.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

8VAC20-780-550-D

“Based on the review of the centers emergency drill, the center failed to have monthly drills. Evidence: The center failed to conduct a drill in December 2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-D.

8VAC20-780-245-A

“Based on interview, the center did not have access to one staff members training hours to demonstrate the staff member completed the annual minimum of 16 hours of training. Evidence: 1. A staff member stated they did not have access to the training hours of Staff #2 for the time period (8/2021 through 8/2022), but the hours had been completed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-245-A.

8VAC20-780-245-L

“Based on interview, the center did not have at least one staff member on duty who has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing the daily health observation of children. Evidence: 1. A staff member stated they did not have any one current in daily health observation at the center.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-245-L.

8VAC20-780-260-A

“Based on review, the center did not provide the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report. Evidence: 1. The last fire inspection report was dated 2/01/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-A.

8VAC20-780-260-A

“Based on review, the center did not provide the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report. Evidence: 1. The last fire inspection report was dated 2/01/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-A.

8VAC20-780-260-B

“Based on review, the center did not provide an annual health inspection report. Evidence: 1. The last health inspection report was dated 10/07/2021.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-B.

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation, areas of the center inside were not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In classroom 101, the paint was chipping near the window.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation, hazardous substances such as cleaning materials were not kept in a locked place. Evidence: 1. In classroom 106, a disinfectant spray was kept in a high cabinet near the changing table, but it was not locked when not in use.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-780-290-A-3

“Based on observation, the center did not cover all unused electrical outlets with protective covers. Evidence: 1. In Room 101, one outlet near the play oven was not covered with an outlet cover.”

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

8VAC20-780-40-J

“Based on review, the center’s injury prevention procedures were not updated at least annually based on documentation of injuries and a review of the activities and services. Evidence: 1. The center had an injury prevention plan, but it was not updated.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-J.

8VAC20-780-50-A

“Based on observation, the center did not treat staff and children’s records confidentially. Evidence: 1. The supplemental page from the 7/06/2022 inspection was posted on the board with the summary and violation page. The supplemental page is considered confidential.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-50-A.

8VAC20-780-530-A-1

“Based on review of training records and interview, the center did not have at least one staff in each classroom with current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as appropriate to the age of the children in care. Evidence: 1. A staff member stated Classroom 102 and Classroom106 did not have staff with current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).”

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

8VAC20-780-530-A-2

“Based on review of training records and interview, the center did not have at least one staff in each classroom with current certification in first aid Evidence: 1. A staff member stated Classroom 102 and Classroom106 did not have staff with Current certification in first aid”

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

8VAC20-780-540-E

“Based on observation, the center did not have One working, battery-operated radio in each building used by children. Evidence: 1. The center had a radio, but did not have batteries for the radio.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-540-E.

8VAC20-780-550-A

“Based on interview, the center did not have a written emergency preparedness plan that addresses staff responsibility and facility readiness with respect to emergency evacuation and relocation, shelter-in-place, and lockdown that was developed in consultation with local or state authorities. Evidence: 1. The center did not have a written emergency preparedness plan that included all requirements.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-A.

8VAC20-780-550-D

“Based on review of drill records, the center did not implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. Evidence: 1. The center did not have record of completing a evacuation drill the month of July 2022 and August 2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-D.

8VAC20-780-550-E

“Based on review of records, the center did not complete two shelter in place procedures per year. Evidence: 1. The center did not have documentation that two shelter in place procedures had been completed in 2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-E.

8VAC20-780-550-F

“Based on review of drill records, the center did not practice the lockdown procedures at least annually. Evidence: 1. The center did not have documentation of practicing the lockdown procedures in 2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-F.

8VAC20-780-60-A

“Based on review of two children’s records, the center’s records did not contain all required information. Evidence: 1. Child 1 (start date 9/19/2023) and Child #2 (start date 8/22/2022) did not have previous child day care and schools attended by the child in their files.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

8VAC20-780-70

“Based on review of staff records, one staff record was not complete with all required documents. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (Date of hire 1/29/2020) was missing one reference and documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education and training required by the job position,”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation, it was determined there are counter tops not maintained in a clean condition. Evidence: 1. Counter tops in the Achiever and the Navigator classroom have cracks and pieces ripped off leaving the particle board exposed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-330-F

“Based on observation it was determined the center does not have a shady area provided on the playground during the summer months. Evidence: 1. The playground is next to the building but there is not shade throughout the day.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-330-F.

8VAC20-780-500-B

“Based on observation, it was determined the center is not ensuring the diapering surface is only used for diapering. Evidence: 1. The changing surface in the Explorer and the Navigator class had materials left on the diapering surface.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.