Sparks Early Learning Academy

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.

“Child A, who had been attending for seven weeks, did not have documentation of a physical exam on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-140-A.

When infants are placed in cribs, they shall be placed on their back.

“Child A (Age 6 months) was observed on their stomach during the inspection. Staff A reported that child A was placed into the crib on their stomach.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-370-1.

The center is required to inform all staff who work with children of children’s allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions.

“In the Pre-K class, the teacher stated that there were no children with diagnosed food allergies in their care. A review of the center’s allergy list showed that a child who is in the Pre-K classroom has a diagnosed food allergy, that requires emergency medication.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-L.

The center is required to keep a current list of all known allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions in each room or area where children are present. The list must be dated and kept confidential.

“The Pre-K classroom did not have an allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions list in the classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-M.

A sink with running warm water not to exceed 120 degrees is required in the diapering area and the diapering surface shall have a nonabsorbent surface for diapering or changing.

“1.) The portable sink in the toddler room and the two year old room did not have running water. 2.) The changing pad in infant room A had rips on the top, causing the pad to be nonabsorbent. The changing pad in infant room B had a cloth cover on the changing pad, causing the pad to be nonabsorbent.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

When an authorization for medication expires, the facility shall notify parents that the medication must be picked up within 14 days of the authorization expiring or that a new authorization should be completed.

“Medication for Child B was onsite, but the medication authorization had expired over ten months ago. The authorization had not been renewed and the medication was not returned or disposed of as required.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-P.

Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain the following information: physician information, or allergy/intolerances.

“There was no physician information or allergy/intolerances on file for child A. This information was over due by seven weeks.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

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

“Staff A, employed for three months, did not have documentation of requesting a criminal history check, central registry check or sex offender check from the state Staff A has resided in the last five years. Staff B, employed for two months, did not have documentation of requesting a criminal history check, central registry check, or sex offender check from the state Staff B has resided in the last five years.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

REPEAT VIOLATION 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 A, employed for three months, and Staff B, employed for two months did not have documentation of a TB screening on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

REPEAT VIOLATION Staff shall wash hands with soap and running water before and after a diaper change.

“Staff C did not wash their hands after changing a child’s diaper.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A.

REPEAT VIOLATION The center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for staff that contains all of the required information.

“The record for Staff A, employed for three months, and the record for Staff B, employed for two months were missing the following required components: 1.) Documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education, certification, and experience required by the job position.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Central Registry Checks are required for staff prior to the first day of employment.

“The record for staff A, who has been actively working alone with children since 07/26/2024, did not contain a central registry check or proof that one had been requested.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-3.

Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials are required to be locked to prevent access by children.

“One bottle of cleaning solution and one bleach solution was observed sitting on an open shelf behind the changing table.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Repeat violation

“A sink with running warm water not to exceed 120 degrees is required in the diapering area. The portable sink in the toddler room did not have running water.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

8VAC20-780-500-A

“Based on observation of the Toddler classroom it was determined that not all procedures for handwashing were followed. Evidence: Staff did not wash their hands after wiping a child’s nose.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-500-B

“Based on observation of the toddler room it was determined that not all procedures for diapering were followed; only items used for diapering shall be on the changing table. Evidence: Toy buckets and craft supplies were observed on the changing table in the toddler room.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-80-A

“Based on review of attendance records it was determined that the center failed to document the arrival and departure of each child as it occurs. Evidence: 1.) The attendance record in the Toddler room reflected five children present, however there were six children physically present. 2.) The attendance record in the two year old room reflected eight children present, however there were seven children physically present.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-340-D

“Based on review of one staff record and interviews it was determined that a program leader was not regularly present in each grouping of children. Evidence: On 06/26/24 Staff A was solely caring for five children in the toddler classroom from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Staff A is not program leader qualified.”

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

Repeat violation

“Based on interviews it was determined that children under the age of ten years of age did not always remain within sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: It was reported that staff go between the infant room and adjoining room to change diapers and wash hands. While staff are changing diapers or washing hands in the adjoining room, infants are in the infant classroom out of sight and sound supervision.”

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

8VAC20-780-350-B-1

“Based on observation of it was determined that a 1:4 staff to child ratio was not always maintained while infants are in care. Evidence: Seven children ages ranging from 14 months - two years were observed in the toddler classroom, resting being supervised by one staff from 12:50 pm - 1:10 pm.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-350-B-1. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-430-B

“Based on observation it was determined that not all equipment was age and stage appropriate. Evidence: Two balloons were observed on the floor in the toddler classroom posing a potential choking hazard. There were seven children in the classroom ranging in ages from 14 months - two years old.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-430-B. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-500-A

“Based on interviews it was determined that staff are not washing hands after diapering. Evidence: The changing table located in the toddler room is not accompanied by a handwashing sink. It is reported that staff are using hand sanitizer after diapering instead of washing their hands.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-140-A

“Based on review of five children’s records it was determined that not all records contained documentation of a physical within the first 30 days of enrollment. Evidence: The record for child C (start date: 12/04/23) did not contain documentation of a physical.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-140-A.

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on review of four staff records it was determined that not all records contained documentation of a TB (tuberculosis) screening on file before coming into contact with children. Evidence: The record for staff B (start date: 4/25/24) did not have documentation of a TB screening on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Repeat violation

“Based on observation it was determined that not all children were always within sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: The LI (licensing inspector) observed child A (Age 4 years) walk upstairs to the hallway restroom without supervision of staff.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

8VAC20-780-500-A

“Based on observation it was determined that not all procedures for handwashing were followed. Evidence: Staff A was observed wiping 4 children’s noses. Staff A did not wash their hands before or after each child’s nose was wiped.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A.

8VAC20-780-510-P

“Based on review of medication it was determined that not all medication was sent home within 14 days of written authorization being expired. Evidence: The written authorization form for the medication on site for child B expired 07/01/2023.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-P.

8VAC20-780-560-M

“Based on observation of the two year old room it was determined that children were permitted to drink while walking around. Evidence: Three children were observed drinking water out of sippy cups while walking around the classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-M.

8VAC20-780-70

“Based on review of four staff records and interviews it was determined that not all records contained documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education and experience required for their position. Evidence: Staff B, C and D were reported as program leaders however, their records did not contain documentation to support that they qualify for this position.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

8VAC20-780-340-F

“Based on observation and interviews it was determined that children under the age of ten years of age did not always remain within sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: Staff A was observed walking between the infant room and the adjoining room used for diaper changing and feeding infants. While staff A changed an infant there were two children observed sleeping in the adjoining infant room that were not within sight and sound supervision of staff A.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-F.

8VAC20-780-70

“Based on review of three staff records it was determined that not all records were complete. Evidence: The records for staff A (start date: 11/21/23) and staff B (start date: 09/25/23) did not have documentation of at least two references on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

8VAC20-780-500-B

“Based on observation it was determined that not all procedures were followed as required. Evidence: 1.) There are two rips in the diaper pad in the toddler room making the diaper pad no longer nonabsorbent. 2.) There is a rip in the diaper pad in the two’s/three’s classroom making the diaper pad no longer nonabsorbent. 3.) The portable sinks utilized for handwashing after diapering in the toddler room and the two’s/three’s room does not have a heating mechanism allowing for warm water for handwashing.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

8VAC20-780-560-F-4

“Based on interviews and photos it was determined that foods considered to be choking hazards were not prohibited for children under three years. Evidence: On 03/22/2023 children in the toddler room were served sausage links cut into rounds instead of strips posing a potential choking hazard. On 04/05/2023 children in the toddler room were served apples cut into chunk size pieces and served to children in the toddler room instead of strips posing a potential choking hazard.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-F-4. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on review of three staff records it was determined that not all records contained documentation of a TB (tuberculosis) screening by the first day of employment. Evidence: The record for staff B (start date: 01/09/2023) did not have documentation of a TB screening.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation of the pre-k bathroom it was determined that not all areas were maintained in safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. The wood paneling on the wall behind the toilet was observed to be splintering. 2. Chipping paint was observed on the bottom left of the bathroom vanity.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation of the two’s/three’s room it was determined that not all hazardous substances were kept locked. Evidence: 1. Soap and bleach water was observed in an unlocked lower cabinet of the changing table. 2. Hand sanitizer was observed on a low toy shelf.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-780-290-A-3

“Based on observation of the two’s and three’s classroom it was determined that not all outlets had protective covers. Evidence: The LI observed an electrical outlet uncovered near the entryway door.”

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

8VAC20-780-350-B-1

“Based on observation and interviews it was determined that required ratios were not maintained for children birth through 16 months with one staff per 4 children. Evidence: The LI (Licensing Inspector) observed staff A caring for 5 children ages 11 months - 2 years.”

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

8VAC20-780-500-B

“Based on observation of the infant room it was determined that not all diapering procedures were followed. Evidence: The LI observed debris on the changing table, indicating that the changing table was not cleaned and sanitized after use.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

8VAC20-780-510-L

“Based on observation of the infant room it was determined that not all medication was kept locked. Evidence: The medication for child A was observed in an unlocked refrigerator in the infant room.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-L.