LeafSpring School Charter Colony

8VAC20-780-570-E

“Prepared infant formula shall be refrigerated, dated and labeled with the child's name. The refrigerator in the infant room had a zip lock bag with four bottles with prepared infant formula. The bottles were labeled with the child's name but were not dated.”

8VAC20-780-570-E

“Prepared infant formula shall be refrigerated, dated and labeled with the child's name. The refrigerator in the infant room had a zip lock bag with four bottles with prepared infant formula. The bottles were labeled with the child's name but were not dated.”

22.1-289.035-B-4

“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 criminal history check from a state that staff #2 lived in the preceding five years. Staff #2 has been employed for 2 weeks.”

8VAC20-780-340-A

“Repeat Violation When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. On 10/18/24, staff #1 and staff #2 transitioned class #1 from the playground to the classroom and were unaware that child #1, age 23 months, was missing from the group. Child #1 was left alone and unsupervised on the playground for approximately 30 minutes. Child #1 was crying when the child was found and brought in from the playground.”

8VAC20-780-40-E

“Repeat Violation The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center's activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with the center's own policies and procedures that are required by the standards including, but not limited to procedures for identifying where attending children are at all times. 1. The center's policy titled "child accountability" states that "every time the class or any part of the class moves from one area to another (e.g., classroom to Dining Room...), attendance must be verified by taking roll, matching a name with a face, at the following times: before transitioning from any area, immediately upon arrival at the destination location." It further states that "when more than one teacher is transitioning a group of children, one teacher must lead the group, and one teacher must be immediately behind the group to ensure children remain accounted for." 2. On 10/18/2024 staff #1 and staff #2 transitioned classroom #1 from the playground to the classroom. Staff #1 and staff #2 did not conduct a face to name attendance count upon entering the classroom and were unaware that child #1 was missing from the group. 3. Child #1, age 23 months, was left on the playground for approximately 30 minutes alone and unsupervised.”

8VAC20-780-340-F

“Repeat Violation Children under 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Child #1, age 23 months, was left alone and unsupervised on the playground for approximately 30 minutes.”

8VAC20-780-410-1

“Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure that physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, as punishment is not allowed. Evidence: 1. Written statements and Interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.”

8VAC20-780-340-A

“Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure when staff are supervising children they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. Written statements and interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.”

8VAC20-780-40-E

“Repeat Violation Based on interviews, review of written statements, and documentation review, the center failed to follow the centers own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. Written statements, and interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down. 2. The centers policy titled "Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement", signed by staff #1 states "teachers are prohibited from using harsh and cruel treatment involving physical punishment, including but not limited to spanking, restraining movement, shaking/rough handling, ...all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when disciplining children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children."”

8VAC20-780-400-B

“Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. Interviews and written statements from staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.”

8VAC20-780-500-B Complaint related: No

“Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that children younger than three years are diapered on a changing table or countertop designated for changing. Evidence: Interviews with staff #1 and staff #5 revealed that children under the age of three have their diapers changed while the children are standing up. The children are not placed on the changing table to be changed.”

8VAC20-780-560-G

“Based on observation, and interview, the center failed to ensure that when food is brought from home the food container shall be clearly dated and labeled in a way that identifies the owner. Evidence: The refrigerator in classroom 1 contained a container of pureed carrots. The container was not dated or labeled in a way that identified the owner. Interview with staff confirmed that the container was not dated or labeled in a way that identified the owner.”

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and operable condition. Evidence: The toddler playground contained a tree with several wooden stakes tied to it. The wooden stakes were approximately 2 feet in height and were staked into the ground and pointing out diagonally. The tree was located on a small hill on the toddler playground accessible to the toddler children. The stakes had rough, pointed edges that could snag skin.”

8VAC20-780-500-B Complaint related: No

“Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that children younger than three years are diapered on a changing table or countertop designated for changing. Evidence: Interviews with staff #1 and staff #5 revealed that children under the age of three have their diapers changed while the children are standing up. The children are not placed on the changing table to be changed.”

8VAC20-780-560-G

“Based on observation, and interview, the center failed to ensure that when food is brought from home the food container shall be clearly dated and labeled in a way that identifies the owner. Evidence: The refrigerator in classroom 1 contained a container of pureed carrots. The container was not dated or labeled in a way that identified the owner. Interview with staff confirmed that the container was not dated or labeled in a way that identified the owner.”

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation, the center failed to ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and operable condition. Evidence: The toddler playground contained a tree with several wooden stakes tied to it. The wooden stakes were approximately 2 feet in height and were staked into the ground and pointing out diagonally. The tree was located on a small hill on the toddler playground accessible to the toddler children. The stakes had rough, pointed edges that could snag skin.”

8VAC20-780-340-A

“Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. Interviews on 12/06/23 with staff #1, and staff #2 revealed that on 11/28/23 staff #1 hit child #1, age 2 years, on the back which caused child #1 to fall out of their chair and hit their head on the table. When child #1 hit their head on the table child #1 began to cry. Child #1 had a raised red mark on their forehead and stated to their parent that staff #1 had hurt them.”

8VAC20-780-400-B

“Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. Review of written statement from staff #2 dated 11/28/23, and interview with staff #2 on 12/6/23, revealed staff #1 was observed intentionally hitting child #1, age 2 years, in the back which caused child #1 to fall out of a chair and hit their head on the table. Child #1 began crying and had a raised red mark on their forehead. 2. During interview on 12/11/23, staff #1 acknowledged that they hit child #1 on the back causing child #1 to fall out of the chair and hit their head on the table. 3. Interview with staff #3 on 12/15/23 revealed that on 11/28/23 staff #1 was observed hitting a child on the hand and yelling "stop!" while in the lunch room. 4. Coaching form for staff #1 dated 11/13/23 revealed that staff #1 had been observed telling the children "no" often and was heard from the office yelling at the children. The coaching form also stated that staff #1 was observed grabbing a child by the arm and putting them in a chair as well as grabbing a toy out of a child's hand with enough force that the child "wobbled."”

8VAC20-780-410-1

“Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, as punishment is not allowed. Evidence: 1. Interview with staff #2 on 12/06/23 revealed that staff #1 was observed on 11/28/23 hitting child #1, age two years, on the back because child #1 would not put their shoes on. When staff #1 hit child #1 this caused them to fall out of the chair and hit their head on the table. Child #1 began crying and had a raised red mark on their forehead. 2. During an interview on 12/11/23 staff #1 acknowledged that they hit child #1 on the back out of frustration because child #1 would not put their shoes on.”

8VAC20-780-40-E

“Based on interviews, the center failed to follow the centers own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. Interviews on 12/06/23 and 12/11/23 with staff #2 and staff #1 revealed that staff #1 hit child #1, age two years, on the back out of frustration because child #1 would not put their shoes on. When staff #1 hit child #1, child #1 fell out of their chair and hit their head on the table. 2. Interview with staff #3 on 12/15/23 revealed that on 11/28/23 staff #1 was observed hitting a child on the hand and yelling "stop!" while in the lunch room. 2. The centers policy titled "Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement", signed by staff #1 on 10/30/23, states "teachers are prohibited from using harsh and cruel treatment involving physical punishment, including but not limited to spanking, restraining movement, shaking/rough handling, ..all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when disciplining children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children."”

8VAC20-780-40-E

“Based on interviews, and documentation review, the center failed to follow the centers own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. The centers policy titled "child accountability" states that "every time the class or any part of the class moves from one area to another (e.g., classroom to Dining Room...), attendance must be verified by taking roll, matching a name with a face, at the following times: before transitioning from any area, immediately upon arrival at the destination location." It further states that "when more than one teacher is transitioning a group of children, one teacher must lead the group, and one teacher must be immediately behind the group to ensure children remain accounted for." 2. Interviews with staff #1, staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4, and review of written statements from staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4 revealed that on 10/02/2023 staff #3 transitioned 10 children from classroom #1 to the dining room. Staff #2 arrived in the dining room approximately 20 minutes later. At approximately 8:45 am there were 17 children signed into the weekly sign in/sign out sheet. Staff #2 and staff #3 transitioned the group of children from the dining room to classroom #1 at approximately 8:50 am. Staff #3 was at the front of the line and staff #2 was at the back of the line. 3. Interviews with staff #2 and staff #3, and review of written statements, revealed that staff #2 and staff #3 did not conduct a name to face attendance verification when they transitioned the class from the dining room to the classroom and did not conduct a name to face attendance verification when they entered the classroom. 4. Staff #4 went into the dining room with a group of children at approximately 9:00 am. Child #1, age 3 years, was found alone in the dining room eating food. Staff #4 alerted staff #1 that the child was alone in the dining room. Staff #1 escorted child #1 to the classroom.”

8VAC20-780-340-F

“Based on interviews, and documentation review, the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. Interviews with staff #1, staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4 and written statements from staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4, revealed that on 10/02/2023, child #1, age 3 years, was left alone in the dining room for approximately 10 minutes.”

8VAC20-780-40-E

“Based on interviews, and documentation review, the center failed to follow the centers own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. The centers policy titled "child accountability" states that "every time the class or any part of the class moves from one area to another (e.g., classroom to Dining Room...), attendance must be verified by taking roll, matching a name with a face, at the following times: before transitioning from any area, immediately upon arrival at the destination location." It further states that "when more than one teacher is transitioning a group of children, one teacher must lead the group, and one teacher must be immediately behind the group to ensure children remain accounted for." 2. Interviews with staff #1, staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4, and review of written statements from staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4 revealed that on 10/02/2023 staff #3 transitioned 10 children from classroom #1 to the dining room. Staff #2 arrived in the dining room approximately 20 minutes later. At approximately 8:45 am there were 17 children signed into the weekly sign in/sign out sheet. Staff #2 and staff #3 transitioned the group of children from the dining room to classroom #1 at approximately 8:50 am. Staff #3 was at the front of the line and staff #2 was at the back of the line. 3. Interviews with staff #2 and staff #3, and review of written statements, revealed that staff #2 and staff #3 did not conduct a name to face attendance verification when they transitioned the class from the dining room to the classroom and did not conduct a name to face attendance verification when they entered the classroom. 4. Staff #4 went into the dining room with a group of children at approximately 9:00 am. Child #1, age 3 years, was found alone in the dining room eating food. Staff #4 alerted staff #1 that the child was alone in the dining room. Staff #1 escorted child #1 to the classroom.”

8VAC20-780-340-F

“Based on interviews, and documentation review, the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. Interviews with staff #1, staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4 and written statements from staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4, revealed that on 10/02/2023, child #1, age 3 years, was left alone in the dining room for approximately 10 minutes.”

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation, the center did not ensure areas and equipment of the center, were maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: The Infant B classroom had several segments of carpet that were curled up and raised, presenting a tripping hazard to children in care.”