Schools in Burke and West Springfield

[Anonymous]

Just as a warning, if your kids happen to have peanut or treenut allergies, Kiddie Country doesn't handle those well. They are not pn/tn-free, which is fine if proper procedures are in place and followed, but they've had issues with adhering. Check the DSS violations on this.

[Anonymous]

We're also looking in the Burke area- specifically we're considering homes that feed into Bonnie Brae, OakView or Fairview Elementary and onto Robinson for middle and high school (a few of the homes we've seen feed into Woodson, but I'm not counting on that past the upcoming Fairfax High School redistricting). Any thoughts or reasons to pick one school district over the other??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just as a warning, if your kids happen to have peanut or treenut allergies, Kiddie Country doesn't handle those well. They are not pn/tn-free, which is fine if proper procedures are in place and followed, but they've had issues with adhering. Check the DSS violations on this.

My kid goes to KC and has an allergy to pistachios. All of his teachers have been briefed, and they will not serve him food with any kind of nut (even those he is not allergic to, like peanuts). They serve him an alternate food item if the rest of the class is getting something with nuts. We have had absolutely no problems with this.

[Anonymous]

I'm in Springfield currently, and our school district is West Springfield Elementary School & Old Keene Mill Elementary. I think I prefer the west springfield elementary over Kings Park because of the school size and the academic (test score base) results. West Springfield Elementary (I am told) has relatively a small student population compared to others in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're also looking in the Burke area- specifically we're considering homes that feed into Bonnie Brae, OakView or Fairview Elementary and onto Robinson for middle and high school (a few of the homes we've seen feed into Woodson, but I'm not counting on that past the upcoming Fairfax High School redistricting). Any thoughts or reasons to pick one school district over the other??

You're not really looking in Burke, based on those schools (although some homes with a Burke address will feed in to Bonnie Brae and Fairview). You're looking more in Fairfax and Fairfax Station. Those are all fine schools (as are the other schools in Burke proper) and if that's the area you like, no need to look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just as a warning, if your kids happen to have peanut or treenut allergies, Kiddie Country doesn't handle those well. They are not pn/tn-free, which is fine if proper procedures are in place and followed, but they've had issues with adhering. Check the DSS violations on this.

My kid goes to KC and has an allergy to pistachios. All of his teachers have been briefed, and they will not serve him food with any kind of nut (even those he is not allergic to, like peanuts). They serve him an alternate food item if the rest of the class is getting something with nuts. We have had absolutely no problems with this.

This is good to know. I was considering putting my peanut and treenut kid there, but have heard bad things from FA parents who left.

This was from 2/12.

Technical Assistance:
Consultation was given on food allergies and action plans. Hand washing after snack and lunch with soap and water is more effective than wipes as it helps break down the oils associated with peanuts. Additional training is recommended for the staff as they were unaware of the position statement developed by Kiddie Country School Administrators which states that "classroom allergy free zones for children with food allergies are designated, i.e. "No Nuts". However, based on interview statements with multiple staff (staff #1, #2 and #3) no such zones are in practice. Children with designated peanut allergies are sitting at the same table as children who maybe eating food containing peanuts. The staff stated that the children are not moved to a separate table when Peanut Butter and Jelly uncrustables are served by the center. According to the center's own allergy list, which was reviewed 2/24/2012, five children (children #1-5) are identified as having peanut allergies in 4 of the 5 classrooms.


Comments:
An allegation was received by the Fairfax Licensing Office concerning care and protection of a child with an identified food allergy. Based on the preponderance of evidence gathered through record review, staff interviews and observation, the allegation is founded. Violations were issued.

Based on record review, 2 of 6 children with identified food allergies do not have an action plan to take in case of an allergen exposure. Findings: During the complaint investigation on 2/24/2012, the Inspector reviewed the records of the 6 children who were listed on the center allergy list. The Inspector and Staff #1 did not find allergy action plans for child # 3 and child #6. Action plans were not in the child's records or in the medication binder. Upon further review, Staff #1 clarified the documentation on child #3's agreement form and the parent stated that the information should read "preference" rather

Based on interview statements with staff, the center did not ensure care and protection when a snack labeled "manufactured on equipment that processes peanut, tree nuts" was served to child #1 who has an identified food allergy to peanuts. Findings: Child #1 was given oatmeal raisin and cinnamon cookies on February 21, 2012. The cookie was part of the menu served to children for lunch that day. Staff #4 stated that she read the label and saw that the cookie contained wheat, milk and soy. When the staff bought the lunch to the classroom, staff #3 questioned if the cookie was safe. Staff #4 said "yes". However, when she went back to the kitchen and read the label a second time she realized that is was labeled "manufactured on equipment that processes peanut, tree nuts." When staff #4 returned to the classroom, child #1 had already eaten the cookie.


Based on the staff interviews, the center staff did not follow Kiddie Country's Food Allergy Action Plan"as required by the center policy. Kiddie Country's Position Statement and Parent Agreement Regarding Children With Allergies states that a "written allergy action plan will be developed in concert with your physician and kept in the staff room for instruction and follow through" Findings: Child #1's allergy action plan stated that the antihistamine was to be given if the allergen had been ingested but no symptoms were evident. On 2/21/2012, staff #3 bought the child to the Director's office after the cookie was eaten which had been "manufactured on equipment that processes peanut, tree nuts". According to staff #2 , child #1 was taken to the to the Director's office for observation in case she developed a reaction. The Kiddie Country Allergy Action Plan, which was signed and completed by the Nurse Practitioner, states that an antihistamine should be administered if the allergen had been ingested, but no symptoms were evident. Staff #2 called the parent and informed her of the situation, but did not administer the antihistamine as outlined in the allergy action plan. Staff #5 reviewed the action plan and extended medication authorization following the incident on 2/21/2012 and realized that the 2 forms have conflicting information. The extended medication forms states the antihistamine is only to be given with the "onset of symptoms" which differs from the food allergy action plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just as a warning, if your kids happen to have peanut or treenut allergies, Kiddie Country doesn't handle those well. They are not pn/tn-free, which is fine if proper procedures are in place and followed, but they've had issues with adhering. Check the DSS violations on this.

My kid goes to KC and has an allergy to pistachios. All of his teachers have been briefed, and they will not serve him food with any kind of nut (even those he is not allergic to, like peanuts). They serve him an alternate food item if the rest of the class is getting something with nuts. We have had absolutely no problems with this.

This is good to know. I was considering putting my peanut and treenut kid there, but have heard bad things from FA parents who left.

This was from 2/12.

Technical Assistance:
Consultation was given on food allergies and action plans. Hand washing after snack and lunch with soap and water is more effective than wipes as it helps break down the oils associated with peanuts. Additional training is recommended for the staff as they were unaware of the position statement developed by Kiddie Country School Administrators which states that "classroom allergy free zones for children with food allergies are designated, i.e. "No Nuts". However, based on interview statements with multiple staff (staff #1, #2 and #3) no such zones are in practice. Children with designated peanut allergies are sitting at the same table as children who maybe eating food containing peanuts. The staff stated that the children are not moved to a separate table when Peanut Butter and Jelly uncrustables are served by the center. According to the center's own allergy list, which was reviewed 2/24/2012, five children (children #1-5) are identified as having peanut allergies in 4 of the 5 classrooms.


Comments:
An allegation was received by the Fairfax Licensing Office concerning care and protection of a child with an identified food allergy. Based on the preponderance of evidence gathered through record review, staff interviews and observation, the allegation is founded. Violations were issued.

Based on record review, 2 of 6 children with identified food allergies do not have an action plan to take in case of an allergen exposure. Findings: During the complaint investigation on 2/24/2012, the Inspector reviewed the records of the 6 children who were listed on the center allergy list. The Inspector and Staff #1 did not find allergy action plans for child # 3 and child #6. Action plans were not in the child's records or in the medication binder. Upon further review, Staff #1 clarified the documentation on child #3's agreement form and the parent stated that the information should read "preference" rather

Based on interview statements with staff, the center did not ensure care and protection when a snack labeled "manufactured on equipment that processes peanut, tree nuts" was served to child #1 who has an identified food allergy to peanuts. Findings: Child #1 was given oatmeal raisin and cinnamon cookies on February 21, 2012. The cookie was part of the menu served to children for lunch that day. Staff #4 stated that she read the label and saw that the cookie contained wheat, milk and soy. When the staff bought the lunch to the classroom, staff #3 questioned if the cookie was safe. Staff #4 said "yes". However, when she went back to the kitchen and read the label a second time she realized that is was labeled "manufactured on equipment that processes peanut, tree nuts." When staff #4 returned to the classroom, child #1 had already eaten the cookie.


Based on the staff interviews, the center staff did not follow Kiddie Country's Food Allergy Action Plan"as required by the center policy. Kiddie Country's Position Statement and Parent Agreement Regarding Children With Allergies states that a "written allergy action plan will be developed in concert with your physician and kept in the staff room for instruction and follow through" Findings: Child #1's allergy action plan stated that the antihistamine was to be given if the allergen had been ingested but no symptoms were evident. On 2/21/2012, staff #3 bought the child to the Director's office after the cookie was eaten which had been "manufactured on equipment that processes peanut, tree nuts". According to staff #2 , child #1 was taken to the to the Director's office for observation in case she developed a reaction. The Kiddie Country Allergy Action Plan, which was signed and completed by the Nurse Practitioner, states that an antihistamine should be administered if the allergen had been ingested, but no symptoms were evident. Staff #2 called the parent and informed her of the situation, but did not administer the antihistamine as outlined in the allergy action plan. Staff #5 reviewed the action plan and extended medication authorization following the incident on 2/21/2012 and realized that the 2 forms have conflicting information. The extended medication forms states the antihistamine is only to be given with the "onset of symptoms" which differs from the food allergy action plan.

Former KC parent here, with another kid who we will likely enroll there in the next year....

The Schoolhouse Woods center seems to have gone downhill (in terms of violations) since a new director took over (after we left). I have heard from teachers there that we keep in touch with that things are not going so smoothly and a few are on their way out the door. My DC#1 had a nut allergy and we never had a concern while we were there (under previous management). The center on OKM/Lee Chapel seems to have a much cleaner violation record. I know parents who have used both facilities and say the Old Keene Mill one is more "institutional" but I'm probably leaning toward that one for DC#2, even though Schoolhouse Woods is 30 seconds from my house.

[Anonymous]

This is 11:12 (kid with pistachio allergy). My child goes to the Old Keene Mill Kiddie Country. When first diagnosed with his allergy, we had a nice meeting with the school nurse, and developed a plan.

Now, my child's allergy isn't severe enough for him to be isolated, so I can't speak to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We must be neighbors b/c we are in the same pyramid. DS is in KP right now and have been very disappointed with the teacher, principal, and school. We'll be heading to KG next year...what was disappointing for you? Just apprehensive since I didn't think KP was that great despite neighbor's glowing reviews.

I don't even know where to start 1) IMHO the first problem is with the principal who has basically no clue what is going on in that school. We had a serious incident and dealt with the vice principal, when I contacted the principal after a second incident, he had no clue about the first one. (After the second incident I pulled my daughter out of school & moved her to private school) He's big on smoothing over the problem rather than actually solving it. 2) The curriculum was mind numbingly dull; the school caters to the lowest common denominator, leaving the brighter students to their own devices. If it's not on the SOL, the teacher doesn't teach it. Period. 3) My daughter has an IEP for an non-educational problem and the guidance counselor opened the meeting each year by asking "what can we remove from last year's IEP?" Her goal was to have my daughter be IEP free, my goal was for her to get the best possible education (her IEP did not give her anything that cost the school a penny or took services away from other children)

I'm surprised you don't like KP. Did your DS only attend for 3rd grade?

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend White Oaks ES. We are new to the school and are SO impressed. Great staff, excellent principal, outstanding PTA....good luck house hunting!