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The Merit School at North Stafford (#34)
19 Soaring Eagle Drive
Stafford, VA 22556
(540) 658-1000

Current Inspector: Cathy Aylor (540) 222-6352

Inspection Date: June 26, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:
22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING.
22VAC40-185 PHYSICAL PLANT.
22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION.

Comments:
An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted today from 1:00pm to 2:40pm to investigate a self-reported incident received by the Northern Licensing Office regarding supervision. Staff and child records were reviewed, observation of the gated playground and garden area was completed, staff interviews were conducted and the center's video recording was reviewed. A violation was found regarding staff supervision and is identified in the Violation Notice. Please provide a plan of correction for the noncompliance and include the date to be corrected. Please return a signed and dated copy to me by 5pm on July 3, 2019. If you have any questions regarding this inspection please contact me at morgan.bryson1@dss.virginia.gov.

Violations:
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-340-F
Description: Based on staff interview and review of video recording, a child under 10 years of age was not always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. Review of video recording, from 6/24/19 at approximately 3:23pm, showed Child #1 and Child #2 standing by the closed garden gate which leads to the parking lot. At approximately 3:24:30pm, Child #1 pushed the gate open and exited the area leaving the view of the camera. Child #2 followed after Child #1 exiting through the open gate when Staff #2 ran over and led Child #2 back into the garden area and closed the gate. At approximately 3:25:30pm, a second camera view of the center's front entrance showed Child #1 walking up to the front door and attempting to ring the doorbell. Another staff member is seen opening the front door and leading Child #1 back into the center. 2. Staff #1 stated that the exterior garden gate leading to the parking lot was not fully latched at the time of the incident. 3. Staff #2 stated on 6/24/19 she was bringing the children in from the playground area to the gated garden area and began completing name to face procedures. Staff #2 stated she noticed there was a dead bird in the garden area and worked to keep the children away from the bird. Once she was done, she noticed Child #2 was missing and saw the child just past the gate. Staff #2 brought Child #2 back inside the gated area and returned to trying to keep the children away from the bird when she noticed Child #1 was also missing. Staff #2 stated as she was going to report Child #1 missing the center director returned Child #1 to the class as they were re-entering the center.

Plan of Correction: The latch has been replaced with a different style lock. The teachers have been instructed to enter the building from the playground through the school gym. This gate will be reserved for evacuation procedures only.

Disclaimer:

A compliance history is in no way a rating for a facility.

The online compliance history includes only information after July 1, 2003. In addition, the online compliance history includes information regarding adverse actions that may be the subject of a pending appeal. An adverse action is not final until a provider has exhausted or waived all due process rights. For compliance history prior to July 1, 2003, or information regarding the status of pending adverse actions, please contact the Licensing Inspector listed in the facility's information. The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is not responsible for any errors in or omissions from the compliance history information.

Virginia Quality is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system for early care and education facilities serving children ages birth through pre-K. To find programs participating in Virginia Quality, click here.

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