KinderCare Learning Centers 301030 A

“When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. 1. On 8/14/26, Child #1 (3 years old) was left on the playground by Staff #1 and Staff #2 for approximately 4-5 minutes, alone and unsupervised. 2. Staff #1 and Staff #2 had 13 children in care while they were on the playground. When it started to rain, Staff #1 took 3 children and came into the building to unlock their back classroom door to the playground, so Staff #2 and the rest of the children could come inside. 3. Staff #1 opened the door and the children on the playground were already lined up. As the door opened they walked inside. Staff #2 was still getting the child supervision record (CSR) and their backpack. She followed the children inside. 4. Both Staff #1 and Staff #2 stated that they did not count the children and did not complete the required name to face count during this transition. 5. Staff #1 stated that they had already been in the room for approximately 3 minutes before two school age children brought Child #1 to the classroom. Staff #1 stated she thinks Child #1 was outside alone between 10:33am to 10:36am. 6. Staff #3 in the school age classroom stated that one of the children in his group told him that a child was alone on the playground. 7. Staff #3 brought Child #1 inside and asked Child #3 and Child #4 (11 years old) from his group to take Child #1 to her classroom down the hall. 8. Child #3 and Child #4 from the school age room walked Child #1 to their classroom without any adult supervision. 9. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were unaware that Child #1 was until the child was returned to the classroom.”

“Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. 1. On 8/14/26, Child #1 (3 years old) was left alone and unsupervised on the playground for approximately 4-5 minutes by Staff #1 and Staff #2 when they returned to the classroom. 2. On 8/14/26, Staff #3 brought Child #1 inside from the playground after learning that Child #1 was alone outside. 3. Staff #3 sent Child #3 and Child #4 (11 years old) down the hall to the 3’s classroom to drop off Child #1. There were no staff members accompanying the Child #3 and Child #4 when they left to drop off Child #1.”

“The licensee shall ensure that the center’s activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with its own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. 1. On 8/14/26, Staff #1 and Staff #2 did not follow the center’s procedures for identifying where children are at all times or the center’s playground safety procedures, when Child #1 (3 years old) was left on the playground, alone and unsupervised. 2. The center’s Child Supervision Record (CSR) record states that “The CSR is a tool used to track where children and teachers are throughout the day. A process called Name to Face is used to account for children, comparing each child’s name on the CSR to their face confirming they are present. Name to Face is documented on the CSR during routine checks and transitions throughout the day. Transitions between locations, such as classrooms, and outside areas, are the most vulnerable times for teachers to leave a child unattended. Using the CSR as a tool to promote safe transitions, decreases the chance of an adverse incident”. 3. The center’s Playground Safety Plan policy states, “1. Children will never be left unsupervised, a name to face count shall be completed before the children go back inside the center, and a name to face count shall be completed once the children get inside the building”. 4. Staff # 1 and Staff #2 stated that they did not complete a Name to Face count when they children were coming inside from the playground. Name to Face was also not completed after they had returned inside until after Child #1 was brought back to the classroom.”

“The following acts are forbidden: 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 exercise as punishment. 1. On 8/14/26, Staff #3 grabbed Child #2 (9 years old) by the upper right arm when trying to redirect Child #2 to return into the classroom from the hallway in front of the classroom door. 2. Staff #3 stated that when he sent two school age children to take Child #1 back to their classroom, Child #2 and another child stepped out in front of the classroom door to watch what was happening. Staff #3 repeatedly asked both children to come back inside, but they did not follow directions. 3. Staff #3 stated that the child with Child #2 came inside the room, but Child #2 kept refusing to come inside. Staff #3 used hand gestures and verbal requests for Child #2 to come inside and finally put his arm in front of Child #2 who kept resisting. 4. Staff #3 stated that in an attempt to bring Child #2 inside he grabbed them by the upper right arm. In response to that, Child #2 stated, “You hurt me” to Staff #3 and also to Staff #4 when Staff # 4 had entered the room.”

“Based on record review, the center did not obtain a copy of the results of a search of the central registry within 30 days of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (Date of hire 6/03/2024) did not obtain a copy of the results of a search of the central registry within 30 days of employment. The center has requested the results multiple times, but it was returned for missing information. 2. Staff #4 (Date of hire 5/20/2024 and transferred to this entity on 6/14/2024) did not obtain a copy of the results of a search of the central registry within 30 days of employment. The center has requested the results multiple times, but it was returned for missing information.”

“Based on record review, the center did not obtain a copy of the results of a criminal history record information check, sex offender registry check and search of the child abuse and neglect registry from any state in which the individual had resided in the preceding five years. Evidence: 1. Staff #4 (Hire date 5/20/2024 and transferred to this entity on 6/14/2024) lived in Texas in the last 5 years and the center did not request the Out of State criminal history record information check, sex offender registry check and search of the child abuse and neglect registry for Texas..”

“Based on observation and interview, Areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside were not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1 A children’s chair on the playground was cracked and had a broken seat with sharp edges. 2. In the Klubmates classroom, the paint was peeling near the door that goes to the outside. 3. In the Preschool 1 classroom, a toilet was not working and had a plastic cover on it. Staff stated a work order was placed to fix it. 4. In the Pre-K B classroom, the paint was chipping near the sink and big bookshelf. 5. In the Pre-K A classroom, the paint was peeling near the window and near the home living center.”

“Based on interviews, behavioral guidance was not constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. On 11/29/2023 during nap time, Child #1 (4 years old) got up from the cot to go to the bathroom. Staff #1 yanked his arm and pulled him with both hands by the shoulder and pushed him back on his cot. 2. Another child stated when Child #1 doesn’t listen to Staff #1, she pulls Child #1’s arm and puts him in time out. 3. A staff member stated that she sometimes hears Staff #1 yell at the children in Staff #1’s classroom.”

“Based on observation, the areas and equipment inside and outside were not maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In Preschool A classroom, the paint is chipping in 3 places near the door that connects to the other classroom, by the window and right of the window. 2. In the Pre-Kindergarten A classroom, the paint is chipping on the back wall near home living and near the cots. A black chair cushion has a large tear on the back corner of the seat. 3. In the TK classroom, the rug has multiple stains.”

“Based on observation, the areas and equipment of the center inside and outside were not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In the Pre-K B classroom, the border around a display board had peeling paint and the wall near the board was also peeling. 2. In the Klubmates classroom, the paint was chipping near the broom and trashcan. 3. In the TK classroom, the bathroom had drywall repair that needed sanded and painted. 4. In the Preschool A classroom, the paint is chipping near the window that looks into the other classroom. 5. On the playground, the concrete is chipping/cracking causing a tripping hazard in 3 areas. A small gate is broke and coming apart at the bottom.”

“Based on observation, the areas and equipment of the center inside were not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. Paint was peeling in the following areas: In the 1st Learning Adventure room-behind a desk in the classroom. In the Preschool A classroom-under the window, near the green ABC board and bathroom. In the 2nd Learning Adventures room-near the door. In the Transitional Kindergarten classroom-near the library, near the door, near the cots and window. In the Pre-K B classroom-in the bathroom, left of the door. In the Pre-K A classroom-near the cots and right of cubbies and left of cubbies In the Klubmates classroom, the entire room under the trim. In the School Age classroom, near the door on both sides. 2. In the Transitional Kindergarten classroom, a children’s red sofa had holes in both corners. In the Pre-K B classroom, a children’s blue sofa had a small hole in the middle. In the Pre-K A classroom, a children’s blue sofa had a small hole on the right arm”

“Based on observation, interviews and review of documentation, areas of the center outside, were not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. One small gate for the playground fence (near the grass area) would not stay latched and opened easily with a small push during the inspection. 2. One large gate for the playground fence (exterior gate) had a lock on the upper part of the gate, but the lower part of the gate was not latched and created an opening. 3. The center had a work order dated 3/03/2022 that states ?The gate door that connects both the school-age and prekindergarten playgrounds is broken.? 4. The center had a work order dated 3/16/2022 that states ?Playground gates are broken and do not secure the playground at all.? 5. The center had a work order dated 3/17/2022 that states ?We have several gate posts that are bending and or broken. If we could please get them installed that would be great.? 6. The center had a work order dated 3/21/2022 that states ?We need a new gate for the grass portion of the fence to be poured with concrete. The exterior gate that leads to the outside also needs to be replaced.? 7. Staff #5 stated the gates were both broken, warped from winter and not latching properly. Staff #5 confirmed all 4 work orders were for the same two gates near the grass area and exterior gate. 8. Staff #1 and Staff #2 of the Preschool B class confirmed knowing the gates (near the grass area and exterior gate) on the playground did not close properly. Staff #1 stated the fence was broken for more than a week. 9. Staff #4 stated the small gate (near the grass area) does not hold and stay shut, and opens with a small push.”

“Based on interviews and documentation reviewed, staff failed to always ensure the care, protection and guidance of one child. Evidence: 1. On 3/16/2022, Child #1 (Age 3), was alone and unsupervised outside the center in the field approximately 300 yards away and near Fairfax County Parkway for an undetermined length of time. The center staff were unaware the child was missing until a community member (Adult #1) called the center. 2. On 3/16/2022, Staff #4 received a phone call from Adult #1 stating that they had driven past the center and that a child was outside, walking near Fairfax County Parkway. Adult #1 asked if the child might be one of their students. 3. Staff #4 ran outside and found Child #1 (3 years old) running in a field, approximately 300 yards away from the center and near Fairfax County Parkway. 4. When Child #1 was returned to the Preschool B class by Staff #4, Staff #1 and Staff #2 were not aware that the child was missing.”

“Based on interviews and a review of documentation, it was determined that the center did not ensure that all children 10 years of age or younger shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On 3/16/2022, Child #1 (Age 3), was not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff for an undetermined length of time. 2. Staff #4 received a call from a community member (Adult #1) who stated that they had driven past the center, that a child was walking near Fairfax County Parkway and asked if the child might be one of their students. 3. Staff #4 ran outside and found Child #1 (3 years old) running alone in a field approximately 300 yards away from the center near Fairfax County Parkway. 4. Staff 1 and Staff 2 were not able to explain how Child #1 (3 year old child) was able to leave their supervision.”

“Based on staff interviews and documentation reviewed, the center’s activities and services were not maintained in compliance with the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. Evidence: 1. The center’s policy on supervision and playground safety states: ?Children must be in Staff Members? view at all times. Children must be counted name-to-face using the CSR every half hour and during transitions to and from the classroom and the playground.? 2. On 3/16/2022, Staff #1 and Staff #2 of the Preschool B class did not conduct name-to-face counts using the Child Supervision Record (CSR) as required by policy: ? At approximately 11:13 am, Staff #1 took 7 children to the bathroom and the children were not signed out on the single/small group transition, and were not added to a new CSR. ? The 4 children who went to Phonics at 10:25am, were not signed back in on the single/small group transition when they returned. ? The 1 child who went to Phonics at 11:00am, was not signed back in on the single/small group transition when they returned. 3. Staff #1 stated that when she went inside with 7 children to use the bathroom, she did not know if she wrote it or not on the CSR and should have written it.”