Connections Early Learning Center

8VAC20-780-340-F

“Children under 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. On 11/06/2025, while children were being taken from the classroom and loading on the van, Child 1 (age 3) was left in the classroom alone for at least one minute.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center’s activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with these standards, the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department.

“The center’s food policy in the staff handbook states ?Food may not be removed as punishment. Meals are social times when staff sit with children and children are encouraged to eat as independently as possible.? The center’s discipline policy includes ?Guidelines are stated positively. Guidance techniques are non-punitive and accompanied by an explanation of expectations.? Staff 5 removed and threw away Child 3?s (age 3) food in response to the child continuing to hum/sing at the table during lunchtime.”

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

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

“Approximately fifteen minutes into the lunch period and after two requests and warnings to stop humming/singing at the table, Staff 5 threw child 3?s (age 3 years) lunch in the trash.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-400-B. From a complaint.

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

“On March 13, 2025, Staff 2 left Child 1 (2 years old) in Classroom #1 for under a minute, while taking the group of children outside. Staff 1 found Child 1 in Classroom #1 crying and trying to open the door to go outside.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall ensure that all the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by the standards. The standards require procedures for identifying where children are at all times. The center’s policy training manual states,”When staff are supervising children, they must ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Children are always within sight and sound of a supervising adult.”

“On March 13, 202, less than a minute passed when staff and children walked outside to the playground. Staff 1 was walking down the hall to another classroom and passed by Classroom #1 and saw a child by the back door crying and trying to open the door. Staff 1 walked in to help the child and noticed there was not a teacher inside the classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-E.

The center is required to obtain a completed sworn statement by end of 30th day for new board officers/agents.

“The sworn statement for Board Officer 2, who had been appointed as an officer in 2023, did not have documentation in their record.”

Rule 22.1-289.036-B-1.

The center must obtain the results of a national criminal background check search by the end of 30th day of service as a board officer.

“Board Officer 2 did not have national criminal background results during the inspection and has been serving as an officer on the board since June 2023.”

Rule 22.1-289.036-B-2.

The center must obtain the central registry results for by the end of 30th day service.

“Board Officer 2 did not have central registry results during the inspection and has been an officer of the board since June 2023.”

Rule 22.1-289.036-B-3.

Based on a review of records, the vendor did not ensure that each staff complete the Virginia Annual Health and Safety Update training for 2023.

“Evidence: 1. Staff 3 (DOH: 07/01/2022) contained documentation of the 3-hour annual health and safety update training 05/30/2022 and the next one was completed on 06/04/2024. 2. Staff 3 confirmed that administration did not have any staff complete the 3-hour annual health and safety training updates in the year of 2023.”

Rule 8VAC20-790-600-F.

Based on a review of the log for procedures for emergencies and interview, the center failed to ensure lockdown procedures are practiced at least annually.

“Evidence: 1. There was no documentation of a lockdown drill being practiced for 2023. Administration confirmed the lockdown drill was not practiced in 2023.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-F.

Based on a review of staff records and interview, the center failed to ensure that staff complete the Virginia Department of Education sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment.

“Evidence: 1. The record of staff 12 (DOH 03/06/2023) did not contain documentation of the Virginia Department of Education sponsored orientation. 2. Staff 2 acknowledged it was not completed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

Based on observation and interview, the center failed to ensure that hazardous substances were kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

“Evidence: 1. In the one-year old room, there was shelf labeled Lysol. The shelf contained Lysol spray. The label on the Lysol stated, “Flammable” and “keep out of reach of children.” 2. Staff 2 confirmed that the Lysol was not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Based on observation and interview, the center did not ensure that each infant bottle was dated.

“Evidence: 1. There were two prepared bottles in the refrigerator observed not labeled with a date. 2. There were 5 infants in care.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E.

Based on record review, the center failed to obtain two reference checks before a staff member’s first day of employment.

“Evidence: 1. Staff #6’s date of employment was 09/09/2022. No reference checks were on file. 2. Staff #9’s date of employment was 09/26/2022. No reference checks were on file. 3. Staff verified that there were no reference check’s on file for Staff #6 and Staff #9.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.