VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Merit School of Old Town Manassas
8757 Signal Hill Drive
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 361-5113

Current Inspector: Beth Velke (804) 629-8302

Inspection Date: Sept. 25, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision

Comments:

An unannounced complaint investigation was initiated along with Licensing Inspector Morgan Bryson on 9/25/23 in response to a complaint received in the licensing office regarding allegations of supervision, care of children, diapering and accident reporting. Based on a review of documentation and interviews conducted, the allegation regarding care of children was determined to be valid. If you have questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Beth Velke, at beth.velke@doe.virginia.gov or 804-629-8302.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-210-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Repeat Violation Based on record review and staff interviews, the center did not ensure that all program leaders had documentation of high school program completion or equivalent on file. Evidence: The record for Staff #2, with a title of teacher, did not contain documentation of education.
Plan of Correction:	This employee no longer works for the company. All teachers that are serving in the capacity of a staff member that can be left alone with children have the necessary documented educational requirements. Moving forward management will ensure that all new hires have educational documentation available in their files.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interviews, it was determined that staff did not ensure care, protection, and guidance of all children. Evidence: On August 11, 2023 at approximately 10:00 a.m. child #1, 21-months old, walked out of the fenced in playground area and entered the parking lot. An interview with Staff #1 revealed, Child #1 walked five to ten feet into the parking lot before being retrieved. Staff #1 stated Staff #2 and Staff #3, the staff responsible for the child, were unaware that the child had walked into the parking lot.
Plan of Correction:	On the day in question, the two-year-old classroom was on the playground that runs parallel to parking lot/shrubbery area and the School Age children were leaving on a field trip. The gate was opened and being monitored by a SAC classroom teacher. The child's parent was on the porch of the middle building in sight and sound of her child. It is our belief that he was trying to reach their mother. When they went through the gate and stepped into the mulch area (that runs parallel to the parking lot) where the bus that was taking the school age children to their field trip was blocking further entry into the parking lot area. One school age teacher was monitoring the SAC children as they moved from the SAC classroom, down the sidewalk, through the gate and onto the bus. It was during this transition that the child mixed into the school age group and the second school-aged teacher put the child back into the fenced area with his class. The child remained in sight and sound of a teacher at all times.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-350-Q
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interview and record review, the center did not obtain a parent?s written permission or obtain a written assessment to assign a child to a different age group. Evidence: Child #1, 21 months (08/08/23 ), was moved to the Preschool Explorers, two-year-old group, on the second day of care (08/09/23). Staff #9 confirmed written permission was not obtained and Staff #4, Lead Toddler Explorer teacher, confirmed no assessment was obtained prior to the move.
Plan of Correction:	Parent did not wish for the child to have two transitions within their first 90 days of enrollment, and director had obtained verbal permission to place the child in the two-year-old program. Moving forward, before a child is moved into a different age group both verbal and written consent will be obtained from the parent after the review of the assessment supports the change in the age group.