The Children's Center - Suffolk Head Start

8VAC20-780-270-A · The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. There was a large tabletop paper cutter with a sharp blade, on the surface of a student-sized desk in an unlocked storage closet located in the entry hallway to the facility. No children were in the vicinity of this closet at the time of observation.

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8VAC20-780-40-L · Based on a review of documentation and intervie, staff did not demonstrate that they were informed of children in their classroom with regard to their food allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions.

Evidence: When staff working in Room 8 during the inspection were asked if there were children enrolled in this classroom with food allergies, one staff stated that there no food allergies for any children in the class. An allergy list was reviewed which listed "popcorn" as an allergen for child A who was assigned to this class. An Epi-pen was in this classroom's medication bag along with an allergy plan for exposure or reaction to cashews and pistachios. The second staff in the classroom stated that she was aware of child A's allergy to popcorn but was not aware of the cashews and pistachios being an allergen for child B. Staff confirmed that child A and child B were both assigned to this classroom.

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8VAC20-780-340-A · Based on interviews and written documentation, staff did not always ensure the care, protection, and guidance of children in attendance.

Evidence: The program self-reported the injury of a 3 year old child (child #1) who stuck his finger in the opening of a pencil sharpener while in care on 12/1/2023. Staff #1 was sitting at her desk during rest period when child #1 came and sat in her lap. Child #1 stuck his finger in the opening of a pencil sharpener that was sitting on the desk surface, resulting in a cut to his right pinky finger. Child #1's injured finger was cleaned and bandaged by staff. However, the cut continued bleeding and was treated by first responders following the center's 911 call . First responders wrapped child #1's injured finger in a gauze bandage and advised staff to allow the cut to clot on its own.

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8VAC20-780-320-B · Based on measurements taken with a digital thermometer on the day of the inspection, 3/24/2023, the licensee did not ensure that restroom areas provided for children have nearby sinks with running warm water that does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Evidence: The water from the hot water taps at the handwashing sinks in classrooms 7, 8, 9, and 10 measured between 124 degrees and 124.2 degrees Fahrenheit using a digital thermometer.

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