The Goddard School

The center or other appropriate official must notify the parent immediately if a child requires emergency medical treatment or sustains a serious injury.

“On October 5, 2026, at 10:20am, Child A sustained a nursemaid’s elbow injury while in care. The Center was aware that the child had previously experienced the same injury and observed that the child was not using the right arm. The parent was notified at pick up at approximately 5:15pm, nearly seven hours after the injury occurred. As a result of the injury, the child received medical treatment from a medical provider.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-N.

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

“The sworn statement for Staff A, who is currently working, was dated seven days after their first day of employment.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-1.

Repeat violation

“The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. In the Kittens classroom, ages 16 to 24 months, a blue chair had six tears in the upholstery.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

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

“Staff #5, employed for more than ten months, did not have documentation of requesting a criminal background check from one state.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Staff are to complete the VDOE sponsored online orientation course within 90 days of hire.

“Staff #1 completed the course 111 days past the ninety-day requirement and Staff #4 completed it 14 days past the ninety-day requirement.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.

“The plastic lid of the trash can in the Cardinal classroom was broken, leaving a hole with a sharp edge in the lid.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

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

“Staff #1’s references were not completed prior to hire date. One reference was completed nine days after hire, and the second reference was completed twenty-three days after hire.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

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

“Staff #2’s updated screening was due eight days ago. The updated screening has not yet been completed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

Documentation of background checks as required by the regulation entitled Background Checks for Licensed Child Day must be kept in each staff member’s record.

“Staff #1’s sworn disclosure completed three years ago was misplaced and missing from the staff’s record.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

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

“On 5/1/2025, Staff A and Staff B transitioned children to the playground, which is located across an interior road in front of the school. During the transition, Staff A and B did not account for all children in their care. Child A was left unsupervised in the classroom, and both staff were unaware the child was missing.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-A.

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

“On 5/1/2025 at approximately 11:36 a.m., Child A was left unsupervised in the pre-kindergarten classroom for approximately one to two minutes during transition to the playground.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

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 and a sex offender registry checks from State A, State B and State C for Agent #1, who is an applicant for licensure and does not work with children at the center.”

Rule 22.1-289-036-B-4.

The center is required to have agents of an applicant for licensure to undergo a background check every five years.

“The following background checks were over due for Agent #1: The most recent sworn disclosure was overdue by a year and eight months. The most recent national criminal background check was overdue by a year and seven months. The most recent central registry was overdue by a year and six months.”

Rule 22.1-289.036-A.

Staff are to complete the VDOE sponsored online orientation course within 90 days of hire.

“Staff #6, who is working with children, has not yet completed this course which is overdue by 102 days.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

Repeat violation:

“Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. In both two year old classrooms, the cleaning solution and sanitizing solution were in an unlocked cabinet, out of reach of children. An antibacterial foam solution with warning labels, ?Keep out of reach of children,? was stored on an open shelf under the sink in the older infant/young toddler classroom, within reach of children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

If diaper ointment or cream is used, it must be inaccessible to children.

“Five diaper creams were stored under the diapering area, within reach of children, in the two year old classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-520-C.

Based on record review, staff was missing the five year repeat of the fingerprint-based background check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Evidence: Staff #1’s national fingerprint criminal background check expired in August 2023.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain a search of the child abuse and neglect registry from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years prior to employment.

“Evidence: Staff #1’s file did not have a record of out of state child abuse and neglect search results for each state the staff has resided in the preceding five years prior to hire in August of 2019.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Based on observations made, the licensee did not ensure that the findings from the most recent inspection were posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.

“Evidence: The inspection report dated 07/01/2024 was not posted.”

Rule 22.1-289.011-F.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain and submit the results of a follow-up tuberculosis (TB) screening every two years from the date of the first initial screening or testing.

“Evidence: 1. Staff #3’s TB screening expired on 11/17/2023. 2. Staff #4’s TB screening expired on 10/3/2023.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

Based on observation, areas of the center were not maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.

“Evidence: The baseboard of the wall in 3 classrooms ( Ponies, Pre-K, and Kittens) was removed exposing peeling paint around the base of the classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

Based on observation, hazardous substances were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method.

“Evidence: Clorox and bleach water sanitizing bottles were not kept in a locked place in the Chicks classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Repeat Violation: Based on record review and interview, the center did not obtain all the required information for each child’s record.

“Evidence: Child #1 is missing addresses for two emergency contacts.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

Based on observation of the center’s video recordings and staff interviews, staff did not ensure care, protection and guidance while supervising children.

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-A.

Based on observation of the center’s video recordings and staff interviews, the center did not ensure that all children under 10 years of age were always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

Based on record review, injury prevention procedures were not updated at least annually based on documentation of injuries and a review of the activities and services.

“Evidence: There was no documentation that injury prevention procedures were updated at least annually based on documentation of injuries and a review of the activities and services.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-J.

Based on record review and interview, the center did not obtain all the required information for each child’s record.

“Evidence: Child #3 is missing proof of identity.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

Based on record review and interview, 3 of 5 staff files indicated that the facility did not obtain the results of a central registry check by the end of the 30th day of employment.

“Evidence: 1. There was no documentation of central registry results for Staff #2 (DOH: 3/13/2023). 2. There was no documentation of central registry results for Staff #3 (DOH: 5/24/2023). 3. There was no documentation of central registry results for Staff #4 (DOH: 4/24/2023).”

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

Based on record review and interview, 1 or 5 staff did not complete the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment.

“Evidence: Staff #4 (DOH: 4/24/2023) had not completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

Based on record review and interview, 1 of 5 staff records are missing documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment

“Evidence: Staff #1 (DOH:12/22/2022) is missing 1 out of 2 references.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Based on staff interviews and witness statements, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance was constructive in nature, age, and stage appropriate and intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.

Rule 8VAC20-780-400-B.

Based on staff interviews and witness statements, the center failed to maintain compliance relating to forbidden actions involving physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling, or shaking a child, restricting movement through binding or tying, forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position, or exercising as punishment.

Rule 8VAC20-780-410-1.

Based on record review and interview, the center did not obtain the results of an out of state central registry check for all states employees have resided in within the previous five years.

“Evidence: Staff #1 (DOH: 9/27/2021), staff #3 (DOH: 8/6/2019), and staff #5 (DOH: 11/12/2019) record did not contain a central registry check results from a state they have listed as residing in within the previous five years.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Based on a record review and interview, one of five staff records did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children.

“Evidence: The record for staff #2 (DOH: 12/15/2022) did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Based on record review and interview, staff records were missing two references.

“Evidence: Staff #2 (DOH:12/15/2022), staff #3 (DOH: 8/6/2019), staff #4 (DOH: 6/1/2022), and staff #5 (DOH: 11/12/2019) records were missing documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Based on record review and staff interview, the center did not obtain a copy of the results of a criminal history record information check, a sex offender registry check, and a search of the child abuse and neglect registry, for an employee within 45 days of employment, from any state in which an employee has resided in the preceding five years, prior to the first day of employment.

“Evidence: Staff #5 did not have results of an out-of-state child abuse and neglect registry, out-of-state sex offender registry check, and out-of-state criminal history check. Employment date for staff #5 was 4/14/2022.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Based on record review and staff interview, the center did not obtain the results of a child abuse and neglect central registry background check for an employee by the end of 30th Day of Employment.

“Evidence: 1.Staff #4 did not have results for a child abuse and neglect central registry check. The center stated that the central registry check was mailed on 10/19/21. Employment date for staff #4 was 8/9/2021.”

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

Based on a record review and staff interview, the center failed to ensure that a tuberculosis screening was updated at least every two years from the date of the initial screening or testing.

“Evidence: 1.Staff #1 last tuberculosis screening on file was dated 02/13/2019. 2.Staff #2 last tuberculosis screening on file was dated 03/16/2019. 3.Staff #3 last tuberculosis screening on file was dated 03/23/2019.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

Based on record review and staff interview, the center did not have documentation of 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: Staff #3 Daily Health Observation Certificate was expired on 6/28/2022. There was no one else on site with a current Daily Health Observation certification.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-245-L.

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

“Evidence: 1. In the Kittens classroom, a cleaning product was inside an unlocked cabinet. 2. In the Cardinals classroom, a cleaning product was hanging on an art rack above the sink. 3. In the Chicks classroom, a cleaning product was located above a sink adjacent to the diaper changing table.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Based on staff interview, the center did not post a daily record for infants, who are awake and cannot turn over by themselves, the amount of time spent on their stomachs.

“Evidence: Center management stated tummy time is practiced for each infant unable to turn over by themselves. However, the center does not document tummy time.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-420-E-1.

Based on record review and interview, staff records were missing two references.

“Evidence: Staff #2 and #5 records were missing documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment. Employment date for staff #2 was 3/18/2019. Employment date for staff #5 was 4/14/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

22.1-289.035-B-4

“Based on staff record review, one background check was not completed. Evidence: Staff #2 has lived outside of Virginia in the past five years. An out of state criminal background check was not obtained prior to hire.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.