Creative Critters Learning Center V

Complaint Related/Repeat Violation/Systemic Deficiency: The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.

“1. In Classroom #1 on an exterior wall, there was a large hole that bookshelf had been placed in front of. In Classroom #4, there was a golf ball size hole found at the piping of the toilet. There was a whole in one of the interior classroom walls. 2. Caulking throughout the kitchen was chipped and not appropriately sealed to prevent pests. 3. Chipped windowsill paint within reach of children was found on windows in Classroom #2 and Classroom #3.”

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

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

“1. The sworn statement for Staff #2, who is currently working, was dated one day after their first day of employment. 2. The sworn statement for Staff #3, who is currently working, was dated 4 days after their first day of employment. 3. The sworn statement for Staff #6, who is currently working, did not have a date with the signature to verify completion date.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-1.

Systemic Deficiency/Repeat Violation: The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee’s first day of employment.

“1. Staff #3, who had been employed for approximately 3 weeks, had a central registry search requested 23 days after first day of employment. No results were found in the staff file. 2. Staff #4, who had been employed for approximately 2 weeks, had a central registry search requested 9 days after first day of employment. No results were found in the staff file.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-3.

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

“Staff #3, employed for approximately 3 weeks, did not have documentation of requesting a central registry check or sex offender registry check from a different state.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Repeat Violation: The center is required to obtain documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children.

“1. Staff #2 is currently working and has a TB screening that was dated 3 days after their first day of employment. 2. Staff #3 is currently working and has a TB screening that was dated 5 days after their first day of employment. 3. Staff #3 is currently working and has been employed for approximately 6 weeks, did not have documentation of a TB screening.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Program directors shall be at least 21 years of age and shall meet one of the following: a one-year early childhood certificate, a Child Development Associate certification, or a Montessori certification.

“Staff #4 was identified as the Program Director. Staff #4 has a graduate degree in a non-child related field and two years of programmatic experience but does not have a one-year early childhood certificate, a Child Development Associate certification, or a Montessori certification.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-190-A-4.

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

“Staff #5, who has been employed for more than 6 months, did not complete the Birth to Five preservice training. Staff #5 completed the school age training more than 90 days after hire date.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

Repeat Violation: Staff shall complete orientation training in subsection C of this section prior to the staff member working alone with children and no later than seven days of the date of assuming job responsibilities.

“1. Staff #4 and Staff #6 did not have a completed orientation training (not signed or dated)prior to working with children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-B.

The center shall provide to the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report from the appropriate fire official having jurisdiction.

“The center did not provide an annual fire inspection report for 2025 or 2026.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-A.

Repeat Violation/Systemic Deficiency: The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.

“1. Classroom 2 and Classroom 3 had window sills with chipping, peeling, and bubbling paint at child level throughout the classrooms. 2. During inspection on 9/3/2026, a teacher was observed to have lost their footing and their foot fell through rotting wood on the back playground steps. The back steps appeared to have several old pieces of wood and exposed rusted nails throughout the step area. These specific steps are regularly used by all age groups of children to enter and exit the playground area.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

Staff shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child’s record is up to date. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child’s record at least annually.

“The information in the records of Child #2, Child #4, and Child #5 had not been updated in over 12 months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-420-E-3.

At least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present shall have current certification in both CPR and first aid.

“Staff #3 was alone with a group of four, two-year-old children and was not certified in CPR or first aid.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A.

Staff records shall be kept for each staff person that includes all required information.

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

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

“On 8/27/2026, Child #1 (9 years old) was left unsupervised on the playground. Child #1 had fallen asleep un the tunnel of a piece of playground equipment. Child #1 was left unsupervised for approximately 10-20 minutes while the remainder of the class and Staff #1 returned back to the building. Staff #3 found Child #1 wandering back towards the center building. Outside temperatures on 8/27/2026 reached a high of 87?F.”

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

Complaint related: Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff except that staff need only be able to hear a child who is using the restroom.

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

The center must request a search of the central registry prior to hire. A provisionally hired staff shall be supervised at all times by a staff person who has a complete satisfactory background check.

“Staff #4, who has been employed for less than a week, did not have the results of the Central Registry and was left alone with children during inspection. Staff #4’s Central Registry search was submitted prior to hire.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-3.

Staff shall complete orientation training prior to the staff member working alone with children and no later than seven days of assuming job responsibilities.

“Staff #3, who has been employed for more than 9 months, did not have a signed and completed orientation document within the first seven days of hire. On 6/11/2026, Staff #3 was observed working alone with children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-B.

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

“During the inspection, a total of 12 four and five year old children were unsupervised on several occasions during nap time. Staff #4 was observed leaving the classroom to clean the hall bathroom and to dump mop water in another room.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

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.

“Classroom #2, Classroom #3, and Classroom #4 had several windows with chipping and peeling paint throughout the classrooms.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-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.

“On 5/2/2025, Staff #1 was found to have inappropriately redirected a Child #1 by calling the child a liar and reprimanding Child #1 for breaking a toy in a way that was not constructive in nature.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-400-B.

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

“The center had a non-operable shed that had exposed rusty nails and splintered wood within the playground area that school age children played.”

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

The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years.

“Child #2, who has been attending for more than 18 months, was overdue for updated immunizations by more than one month.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-E.

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 #5 was completed one week after hire.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

The center shall obtain documentation of immunizations by a child’s first day of attendance.

“Child #1 immunizations were dated more than 21 days after first day of attendance.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

Based on observation and staff interview the center did not ensure that each building that houses a child day program that is licensed, that serves preschool-age children, shall be equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector.

“Evidence: The director confirmed there was no carbon monoxide detector.”

Rule 22.1-289.058.

Based on record review and staff interview the center did not ensure that the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course shall be completed within 90 calendar days of employment.

“Evidence: The director confirmed that staff #2 (date of hire 7/5/2022) did not have documentation of completing the DOE sponsored training.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

Based on observation and staff interview, the licensee did not have the most recent inspection posted.

“Evidence: The most recent inspection was not posted. Staff #5 confirmed.”

Rule 22.1-289.011-F.

Based on record review and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure staff complete 16 hours of training annually.

“Evidence: The documentation provided by the center for Staff #3 shows completeion of 13 hours of annual training for 2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-245-A.

Based on observation, the licensee did not ensure areas of equipment of the center, inside was maintained in clean and safe and operable condition.

“Evidence: In the school age room, there was peeling paint and back of chairs that had cracks and sharp edges. Staff #5 was shown by License inspector the physical plant concerns.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

Based on observation and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure children under 10 years of age always is within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.

“Evidence: In the Pre-K classroom, child #1 was sleeping on a mat in the back room where children belongings are stored. Child #1 was not within actual sight of staff #3. Confirmed with staff #5.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

Based on observation and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure during designated rest period, when children are resting or inactive state, the rest period ratios for children of preschool age: one staff per 20 children.

“Evidence: On May 17, 2023, in the Pre-K classroom their was 21 children. Confirmed with staff #5.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-350-I.

Based on observation and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure there was a posted daily schedule.

“Evidence: In the Pre-K classroom, their was not a posted daily schedule . Confirmed by Staff #5.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-380-A.

Based on staff interview and observation, the licensee did not ensure there shall be at least 12 inches of space between occupied cots, beds, and rest mats.

“Evidence: In the 2’s room, Pre-K classroom and toddler room multiple children mats were not spaced 12 inches between occupied mats. Confirmed with Staff #5.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-440-E.

Based on observation and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure the diapering surface shall be used only for diapering or cleaning children.

“Evidence: In the 2’s classroom, there was paper and tablet on the diapering surface. In the infant classroom, there was a tablet on the diapering surface.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

Based on observation and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure at least one staff in each classroom where children are present have CPR and First aid.

“Evidence: Staff #2 does not have CPR and First aid . On May 17, 2023, Staff #2 was alone in the classroom for 16 months -2 years old.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A.

Based on record review and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure their was a lockdown drill practiced at least annually.

“Evidence: The center was unable to provide documentation that a lockdown drill was conducted annually. Confirmed with staff #5.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-F.

Based on record reveiw and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure an employee of a licensed or registered child day program or of a family day home approved by a family day system must not be employed or provide volunteer service until the agency or home has the person’s completed sworn statement or affirmation.

“Evidence: Staff #2(hire date 09/06/2022) did not date the sworn statement or affirmation. Unable to detemine the date the document was completed. Confirmed by Staff #1. Staff #4 (hire date 08/24/2022 ) did not have a signed and dated sworn statement or affirmation. Unable to determine when completed.Confirmed by Staff #1.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-B.

Based on staff interview and record review, the licensee did not ensure with in 30 days of the 1st date of employment , staff must complete orientation training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as appropriate to the age of the children in care.

“Evidence: The center was unable confirm staff #2, staff #3 and staff #4 recieved a orientaiton training in first aid and CPR with in 30days of hired. Confirmed by Staff #1.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-E.

Based on observation and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure hazordous substances were kept in a locked place.

“Evidence: In the three year old class, a unlocked grey cabinet had shaving cream. In the two year old classroom, there was unlocked cabinet with airfreshner and hand sanitizer.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Based on staff interview and review of document, the licensee did not ensure the current one week menu was dated.

“Evidence: The menu posted was not dated. Confirmed by staff #1.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-F.

Based on staff interview and record review, the licensee did not ensure there was at least one staff member on duty who has obtained with in the last three years instruction in performing the daily health observation of children.

“Evidence: There was not a staff member on duty with Daily Health Observation during the inspection. Staff #5 confirmed she was unable to locate a record of a staff member with Daily Health Observation.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-245-L.

Based on record review, the licensee did not ensure fire inspection was completed annually.

“Evidence: The most recent annual fire inspection documented was May13, 2021. A updated annual fire inspection was not available for review during the inspeciton.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-A.

Based on record review and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure there was a health inspection conducted annually.

“Evidence: The most recent health inspection document was from 01/22/2021. The document was more than a year old.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-B.

Based on observation and interviews, the center did not ensure there was resilient surfacing underneath all fall zone areas of play equipment that meet minimum safety standards described in the American Society for Testing and Materials.A fall zone shall encompass sufficient area to include the child’s trajectory in the event of a fall while the equipment is in use. A fall zone need to be at least 6 feet surounding the equipment that requires resilent surfacing and the fall zone need to be free of hazard obstacles.

Rule 8VAC20-780-330-B.

Based on observation and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure the diapering surface was non-absorbant and the diapering pad was cleaned with soap and water and sanitize.

“1- Diapering pad in the toddler room had a tear which made the surface absorbant. 2- In the 2 year old classroom, the diapering surface was not cleaned with soap and water. Confirmed with staff.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

Based on record review and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure there was a monthly practice drill for evacuation completed and documented.

“Evidence: Staff confirmed there was not documentaiton of evacuation drill completed for the month of May.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-D.

Based on observation and staff interview , the licensee did not ensure when a child is placed in an infant seat or high chair , the protective belt shall be fastened securley.

“Evidence: In the Cuddle bug room, there was a child in a high chair with a belt not fastened. Confirmed with staff and director.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-A.