Happy Feet Early Learning and Child Center

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

“The update to the sworn statement for Staff 1 was not updated within the required five year timeframe; it was completed three months late.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

Systemic violation

“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. The immunization record for Child 5 was obtained one day after the child’s first day of attending the center.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

Systemic violation

“An updated tuberculosis (TB) screening is required every two years from the date of the last screening. The updated TB screening for Staff 1 was obtained three months past the required two-year timeframe. The TB screening for Staff 2 is overdue by one week.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

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

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

Children’s hands shall be washed with soap or running water or disposable wipes before and after eating meals and snacks.

“The children in Classroom 2 did not wash their hands after eating lunch.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A.

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

“There was an unlocked first aid kit under a desk on the second floor of the center that contained 10 individual packets of antacids, 10 individual packets of aspirin, and 10 individual packets of non-aspirin.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-L.

No child shall be allowed to drink or eat while walking around.

“Child 6 (age 21 months) was eating their lunch as they walked around the classroom playing with various items. All three children in Classroom 2 walked around the classroom as they drank from their cups during lunch.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-M.

Prepared infant formula shall be refrigerated, dated and labeled with the child’s name.

“There was an unrefrigerated bottle that was not labeled or dated on a shelf in Classroom 1.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E.

Repeat violation/systemic violation

“Staff records shall contain all of the information required by the standards. The record for Staff 3 did not contain all of the information required by the standards.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Repeat violation/systemic violation

“For each group of children, the center shall maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs. At approximately 9:30 am, the attendance for Classroom 2 had not been taken; there were 3 children in the group. There were six children present in Classroom 5 but only five children were marked present on the attendance record.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.

“As Class 1 walked to the playground on 02/25/2026, Child 1 (age 3 years) broke out of the line, passed the other children, and moved to the front of the line. Staff 1 tapped Child 1 on the forehead twice, hard enough to make the child’s head move backwards, and sent the child to the back of the line.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-400-B.

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

“There shelter in place procedures were only practiced once in 2025.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-E.

The center shall maintain a separate record for each enrolled child that contains the elements required by the standards.

“The records for Child 4 and Child 5 did not contain all of the required information.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

Staff records shall contain all of the elements required by the standards.

“The records for Staff 3, Staff 4 and Staff 5 did not contain all of the required information.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

For each group of children, the center shall maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.

“There were 7 children in attendance in Classroom 1 and only 6 children were marked present on the daily attendance.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

The center shall maintain a written record of all children’s serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence and the record shall include all of the components required by the standards.

“Injury Record 3 did not contain a staff and parent signature or two staff signatures; the injury record was only signed by one staff member.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-P.

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

“There was a sharp edge on the fence of the toddler playground. There was an active wasp nest inside of the plastic treehouse on the toddler playground. The paint was peeling on the wall of Classroom 1 and Classroom 3; the peeling paint was accessible to the children. There was a broken 5-gallon bucket on the playground that had sharp edges and was accessible to the children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

Repeat violation

“The diapering surface shall be cleaned with soap and water and sanitized after each use. Classroom 3 did not have a soap and water solution to clean the diapering surface after each use.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

Repeat violation

“At least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present shall have a current certification in CPR and first aid. Staff 1 was the only staff member in Class 2 for approximately an hour. Staff 1 does not have a current certification in CPR and first aid.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A.

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

“The most recent central registry search for Staff 1 was overdue by 12 months.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

A tuberculosis (TB) screening is required every two years from the date of the last screening.

“The updated TB screening for Staff 1 was 5 months overdue.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

Based on record review, the center failed to obtain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment, that shall have been completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment.

“Evidence: The record for Staff 1 contained a documented hire date of 02/09/2024; the tuberculosis screening was dated 02/16/2024.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Based on observation and record review, the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.

“Evidence: Child 4 (3 years ole) was observed receiving services from an outside agency in the first classroom on the right. During the time that Child 4 was receiving the services in the classroom they were not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

Based on observation and record review, the center failed to ensure that children who are not toilet trained may not use portable wading pools.

“Evidence: Child 3 (10 months old) was observed playing in a wading pool.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-470-E.

Based on record review, the center failed to maintain written permission from the parent of each child who participates in swimming or wading.

“Evidence: The children were observed playing in wading pools. The center did not obtain written permission from the parents of each child in participation.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-480-B.

Based on observations, the center failed to ensure that children’s records shall be treated confidentially.

“Evidence: There were 2 children’s records observed laying unattended on the desk at the front entrance of the center. One of the records was open with the child’s physical, which obtained personal information, visible to anyone that approached the desk.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-50-A.

Based on observation and record review, the center failed to ensure that at least one staff member in each classroom or area where children are present shall have a current CPR and first aid certification that shall include an in-person competency demonstration.

“Evidence: Staff 1 was the only staff member observed with the Pre-K class in the upstairs classroom. The CPR/first aid certification obtained by Staff 1 did not include an in-person competency demonstration.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A.

Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that children three years of age or younger may not be offered foods that are considered to be a potential choking hazard.

“Evidence: The children in the 2 year-3 year old class were observed eating hotdogs that were not cut in a way to prevent choking during lunch. Hotdogs are considered to be a potential choking hazard.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-F-4.

Based on observation, the center failed to maintain the required staff-to-child ratio whenever children are in care.

“Evidence: There were 9 children and 2 staff members observed in the infant classroom. Child 6, the youngest child in the group, was determined to be 4 months old. The required staff-to-child ratio for children birth up to 16 months is 1:4. Three staff would be required for this group of children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-350-B-1.

Based on observations, the center failed to ensure that if combs, toothbrushes, or other personal articles are used, they shall be individually assigned.

“Evidence: There were two pacifiers, one laying on top of a shelving unit and the other lying in the floor, in the infant class that were not labeled to indicate that they were individually assigned.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-430-I.

Based on observations, the center failed to ensure that staff shall wash their hands with soap and running water before and after a diaper change.

“Evidence: Staff 1 was observed changing a diaper. Staff 1 did not wash their hands before changing the child’s diaper.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A.

Based on observations, the center failed to ensure that the diapering surface shall be cleaned with soap and water and sanitized after each use.

“Evidence: Staff 1 was observed changing three children’s diapers. Staff 1 did not clean or sanitize the diapering surface in between the diaper changes.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

Based on observations, the center failed to ensure that prepared infant formula shall be refrigerated, dated and labeled with the child’s name.

“Evidence: There was a bottle of infant formula on sitting a shelf in the infant room that was not dated.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E.

Based on record review, the center failed to obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center.

“Evidence: Staff 7 verified that the first day of attendance for Child 2 was 03/13/2023. The date on the immunization record was 03/20/2023. The immunization record was not obtained before the child attended the center.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

Based on record review, the center failed to obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years.

“Evidence: The record for Child 1 contained a documented start date of 07/12/2021. The most recent immunization record in the record for Child 1 was dated 08/10/2022; additional immunizations were not obtained every 6 months from 08/10/2022 until the child turned 2 years old.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-E.

Based on staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that during the stated hours of operation, there always shall be on the premises and on field trips when one or more children are present one staff member who meets the qualification of program leader or program director and an immediately available staff member, volunteer or other employee who is at least 16 years of age with direct means for communication between the two of them.

“Evidence: 1. Staff 5 stated that they were the only staff member on the premises from 6:30 am- approximately 6:45 am when Staff 3 arrived. Staff 5 stated that they had two children in care during that time. 2. Staff 3 stated that they observed Staff 5 alone with children upon their arrival to the center at approximately 6:45 am.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-C.

Based on staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that there shall be at least two staff members who have a current certification in CPR and first aid present and on the premises during the center’s hours of operation, on fieldtrips and wherever children are in care.

“Evidence: Staff 5 stated that they were the only staff member on the premises from 6:30 am- approximately 6:45 am. Staff 5 stated that they had two children in care during that time. Staff 5 was the only staff member on the premises during that time with a current certification in CPR and first aid.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-C.

Repeat violation

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Based on document review and discussion with staff, the center failed to ensure that for each group of children, the center shall maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.

“Evidence: The attendance record in the 2 year old-pre-k classroom indicated there were 9 children present. There were 7 children observed in the group at the time the attendance record was reviewed. The attendance did not document departure as it occurred.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Based on staff interviews, the center failed to ensure that the center shall inform the department’s representative as soon as practicable, but not to exceed two business days, of any injury to a child that occurs while the child is under the supervision of the center and requires outside medical attention.

“Evidence: Statements from Staff 1, Staff 2, Staff 6, and Staff 7 verified that Child 2 was involved in an incident while under the supervision of the center on 05/10/2023 that resulted in Child 2 requiring outside medical attention. As of the date of the inspection, 07/13/2023, the center had not notified the department’s representative of the incident.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-B-2.

Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that in areas used by children of preschool age or younger, electrical outlets shall have a protective cover.

“Evidence: There was an uncovered electrical outlet in the infant/toddler room. A child was observed playing around the area of the uncovered outlet and was observed poking the uncovered electrical outlet with their finger. All of the children in care during the 01/04/2023 inspection were of preschool age or younger.”

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

Based on observation and interviews, the center failed to ensure that prepared infant formula shall be refrigerated, dated, and labeled with the child’s name.

“Evidence: There were two bottles sitting on a shelf in the infant room that were not dated or labeled with a child’s name. The staff verified that the two bottles contained infant formula.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E.

Based on record review, the center failed to ensure that staff records contain all of the elements as required by the standards.

“Evidence: 1. The record for Staff 3 contained a documented job position of program leader. The record for Staff 3 did not contain documentation that the individual possesses the education, certification and experience required by the job position. 2. The record for Staff 4 did not contain the following information: job title; and date of employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Based on record review and discussion with staff, the center failed to obtain the findings from a search of the central registry within 30 days of employment.

“Evidence: 1. The record for Staff 4 contained a documented hire date of 03/01/2022. The central registry search was dated 04/18/2022. 2. The record for Staff 5 contained a documented hire date of 02/14/2022. The central registry search was dated 04/10/2022.”

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

Based on record review and discussion with staff, the center failed to ensure that the documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening shall be obtained prior to a staff member coming into contact with children and that the screening shall have been completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment.

“Evidence: The record for Staff 1 contained a documented hire date of 06/20/2022. The tuberculosis screening was dated 05/11/2022; the tuberculosis screening had not been completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Based on observation and discussion with staff, the center failed to ensure that children’s hands shall be washed with soap and running water or disposable wipes before and after eating meals or snacks.

“Evidence: The children in the Pre-K/School-Age Class were observed immediately returning to activities upon the completion of their breakfast. The children in the Pre-K/School-Age Class did not wash their hands with soap and running water or disposable wipes after eating a meal.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A.

Based on observation and discussion with staff, the center failed to ensure that when food is brought from home, the food container shall be clearly dated and labeled in a way that identifies the owner.

“Evidence: There were two bottles of milk/formula in the infant room that were not dated or labeled in a way that identified the owner. The staff verified that the bottles were brought in from home.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-G.

Based on record review and discussion with staff, the center failed to obtain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children.

“Evidence: The record for Staff 1 did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. The record for Staff 1 had a documented hire date of 11/02/2021.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Based on discussion with staff, the center failed to develop written procedures for prevention of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma.

“Evidence: Staff 3 stated that the center did not have written procedure for prevention of shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-K.

Based on record review and discussion with staff, the center failed to ensure that shelter in place procedures shall be practiced a minimum of twice per year.

“Evidence: There was only one shelter in place drill practiced in 2021.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-E.

Based on record review and discussion with staff, the center failed to maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs for each group of children.

“Evidence: The attendance record for the Infant/Toddler Class documented that there were 5 children in attendance on 01/20/2022. Staff 3 stated that there were actually only 4 children in attendance in the Infant/Toddler Class during the virtual inspection. Staff 3 stated that a child had left earlier in the day. The written record of daily attendance did not document the departure of each child as it occurred.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Based on discussion with staff, the center failed to ensure that no person shall be hired for compensated employment prior to the facility obtaining an employment eligibility letter upon the completion of a fingerprint background check as required by the Code of Virginia.

“Evidence: Staff 3 stated that there was not a staff record available for Staff 1 therefore there was not an employment eligibility letter available for review for Staff 1. Staff 1 was working in the role of a staff member on 09/30/2021.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A. From a complaint.

Based on discussion with staff, the center failed to ensure that a person must not be employed until the agency has the person completed sworn statement or affirmation.

“Evidence: Staff 3 stated that there was not a staff record available for Staff 1 therefore there was not a sworn statement or affirmation available for review for Staff 1. Staff 1 was working in the role of a staff member on 09/30/2021.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-B. From a complaint.

Based on record review and discussion with staff, the center failed to ensure that the staff record for each staff member shall contain all of the elements as required by the standards.

“Evidence: 1. Staff 3 stated that there was not a staff record available for Staff 1. It was determined that Staff 1 was working in the role of a staff member on 09/30/2021. 2. The record for Staff 2 did not contain the following information: verification of age requirement and documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education, certification and experience required by the job position.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70. From a complaint.