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DATE: April 5, 2022
TO: Child Day Programs
FROM: Jeffrey S. Williams, Director, Office of Child Care Health and Safety
SUBJECT: VDOE Return to On-site Inspections effective April 11, 2022
This memo provides an important update on the return to on-site inspections for all programs.
Throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Office of Child Care Health and Safety (OCCHS) has been committed to the health and safety of children, educators, providers and our staff. The agency has used a phased-in approach to gradually increase the number of on-site inspections, while ensuring that in-person interactions were both limited in scope in alignment with federal and state guidance. OCCHS recognizes and understands that the health and safety of the children and families that you serve, and your employees, are your highest priority.
In response to COVID-19, the majority of licensing inspections since the Spring of 2020 were conducted through a virtual and/or a desk review process as a means of limiting in-person interaction in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and support community health.
VDOE has been closely monitoring statewide disease transmission/infection statistics from VDH in addition to guidance from the CDC, VDH and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VDOLI) regarding the precautions necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Based on an evaluation of this information, the OCCHS will resume all on-site field inspections starting on April 11, 2022.
Inspection protocols have been updated to ensure that appropriate health and safety precautions have been implemented to minimize the spread of the virus. In addition to conducting on-site inspections, the OCCHS may still conduct remote inspections as deemed necessary.
Safety Expectations for On-site Inspections:
- OCCHS staff will not conduct an on-site inspection if they are sick or do not feel well.
- OCCHS staff will practice social distancing during the inspection, maintaining three feet of distance from staff, children and other persons present at the facility, to the extent feasible.
- OCCHS staff will wear a face covering or any other required personal protective equipment (PPE) for the entire duration of the inspection.
- OCCHS staff may utilize a hybrid approach by conducting on site observations and interviews while reviewing some records remotely.
- OCCHS staff seek to limit time spent on site as feasible.
- OCCHS staff will end the inspection and leave the premises immediately if they begin feeling unwell.
- Child care programs are asked to notify the inspector of any positive COVID-19 case in the facility within 14 days after the on-site inspection date.
OCCHS staff are available to serve as a resource to all providers as Virginia continues on the path towards normalcy. VDOE will continue to notify you of any updated information or changes in COVID-19 guidance for child care programs.
Programs should contact their assigned licensing inspector or the Office of Child Care Health and Safety in their region with questions.
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