VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Metta Montessori School
1022 1026 & 1030 South Highland St
Arlington, VA 22204
(703) 920-0021

Current Inspector: Leah Pagala (703) 537-6757

Inspection Date: Nov. 22, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 ADMINISTRATION. 8VAC20-780 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 8VAC20-780 Physical plant. 8VAC20-780 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 8VAC20-780 PROGRAMS. 8VAC20-780 Special care provisions and emergencies. 8VAC20-780 SPECIAL SERVICES. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education

Technical Assistance:

The inspector, director and administrative assistant discussed background checks, supervision, ratio, staff qualifications, and changes to regulations.

Comments:

An in-person renewal inspection was initiated on November 22, 2021 and concluded off site on November 24, 2021. The administrative portion of this inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, including telephone contacts, documents review, and interviews. On November 22, 2021, there were 61 children present, ranging in ages from 19 months to 5 year, with 9 staff supervising. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision, programming, medication, special care and emergencies and nutrition. A total of 5 child records and 7 staff records were reviewed. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not ensure repeat background checks were conducted for all staff every five years. Evidence: Staff 7 (DOH 9/1/16) has a central registry search completed on 9/29/2016.
Plan of Correction:	Will be regularly checked for expired and submitted in a timely manner.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-2
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not ensure all staff submitted to a fingerprint criminal history record check prior to the first date of employment. Evidence: Staff 2 (DOH 11/9/21) did not submit to a fingerprint background check. Staff 4 (DOH 10/25/21) did not submit to a fingerprint background check.
Plan of Correction:	Now on file submitted 11/9/21
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-B
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not ensure all staff completed a sworn statement. Evidence: Staff 1 (DOH 11/23/21) did not have a completed sworn statement in their record.
Plan of Correction:	Will ensure it is done in the future. Was done and filed when center reopened after this holiday.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-60-C-2
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not ensure all staff have a central registry search within 30 days of employment. Evidence: Staff 3 (DOH 8/3/21) does not have the results of a central registry search, approximately 3 1/2 months past the date of employment at the time of the inspection. Staff 4 (DOH 10/25/2021) does not have the results of a central registry search, more than 1 month past the date of employment at the time of the inspection. Staff 5 (DOH 9/1/21) does not have the results of a central registry search, approximately 2 months and 3 weeks past the date of employment at the time of the inspection.
Plan of Correction:	Central registry was called after this holiday on 11/29/2021, 11/20, 12/2, 12/6. We were informed that checks were sent to incorrect email. Subsequently, we have emailed them.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-B
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the center did not follow the staff-to-child ratio requirements for 16 months to 24 month old children, of one staff member for every five children. Evidence: On 11/22/2021 at approximately 9:25am, there were 19 children eating snack outside with 3 staff directly supervising. Staff 8 stated the fourth staff person (Staff 9) went inside to put an item away. Staff 8 opened the door to Building 2 and asked Staff 9 to come back outside.
Plan of Correction:	Staff were instructed not to leave group to retrieve objects from kitchen if out of ratio even by 1 child.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-C
Description:	Based on observation and record review, the center did not follow the staff-to-children ratio applicable to the youngest child when the children are in ongoing mixed age groups. Evidence: The staff-to-children ratio requirement for 16 month olds to 24 month olds of one staff member for every eight children was not met. 1) On 11/22/2021 at approximately 9:05am, there were 44 children ranging in age from 19 months to 5 years old with 4 staff on the playground. When Staff 10 came back out to the playground with 3 children who utilized the bathroom, there were 5 staff supervising 47 children. The group included 3 19-month old children with a group of 44 children ranging in age from 2 years to 5 years. At 9:15am, the children were lead into their respective buildings and classrooms. The staff-to-children ratio requirement for 3 year olds of one staff member for every ten children was not met. 1) On 11/22/2021 at approximately 9:20am, in Building 3 on the first floor, Staff 7 was supervising 15 children in a grouping of three to five year olds.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will be instructed to take their full group of children to the bathroom when leaving playground. Staff will be instructed to not leave group for personal use of bathroom unless ratios are met. They may not leave even if 5 others are watching children if ratios are not met. Since standards for 2 years old in mixed age group was clarified with technical support on 12/11/2021. Staff were instructed as follows 2 year olds in group should be in groups of 10 until they turn 3 next month. Staff were instructed not to allow children to go between groups to retrieve objects.