The Merit School of Arlington (#69)
2201 North Pershing Drive
Suite K
Arlington, VA 22201
(571) 257-7660
Current Inspector: Ariel Hayes (804) 629-7124
Inspection Date: June 19, 2019
Complaint Related: Yes
- Areas Reviewed:
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22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION.
22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION.
- Comments:
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The Licensing Inspector conducted a joint investigation with a local agency in response to a complaint that was received by the licensing office on June 18, 2019. The investigation regarding supervision in a classroom was initiated on June 19th, 2019 from 11:48am to 1:25pm. Documents were reviewed and interviews were conducted with staff. The information gathered during this investigation does support the allegations, so the complaint is determined to be valid. See the Violation Notice for findings. Please complete the columns for "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" for each violation cited on the violation notice, and then return a signed and dated copy to the licensing office within 5 business days of receipt. If you have any questions you may contact me at Stacy.Doyle@dss.virginia.gov or 571-835-0386.
- Violations:
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Standard #: 22VAC40-185-40-E Complaint related: Yes Description: Based on staff interviews conducted and review of the centers own policies and procedures, the program failed to ensure the center's activities and services were maintained in compliance with the licensing standards and the center's own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. The center's policies and procedures state that "all areas should be checked prior to transitioning to a classroom". It also states "it is especially important to check the classroom bathrooms." The policy also states that "name to face takes place as each threshold is crossed." 2. On June 3, 2019 at approximately 4:00pm, Staff A and B did not follow policies and procedures to account for children at all times when they transitioned children (ages 4 and 5 years old) from the Montessori A classroom to the Junior Kindergarten classroom. 3. Staff A stated she did not use the name to face accountability procedure or check the classroom bathrooms before leaving the Montessori A classroom to confirm the children were all accounted for. She stated "I made a mistake and didn't check the bathrooms." She also stated they usually count the children and call their names, but we didn't do name to face. She stated the lead usually does the name to face and she stays in back to make sure they are ok and not getting hurt. 4. Staff B stated Staff A should have checked the bathrooms and made sure the doors were open before leaving the Montessori A classroom. Staff B also stated Staff A should have done the name to face procedure for each threshold. Plan of Correction: Notified parents immediately. Reviewed policies and procedures related to safety and accountability and name to face accountability with all staff. Licensing inspector provided additional training to staff in regards to safety and accountability.
Standard #: 22VAC40-185-340-F Complaint related: Yes Description: Based on multiple staff interviews, children under 10 years of age were not always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On June 3, 2019 at approximately 4:00pm, Child #1 (5 year old) was left in the Montessori A classroom alone for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. A parent found the child in the classroom and brought the child to the front desk. 2. Staff A stated that she made a mistake and did not check the Montessori A bathrooms before leaving the classroom to go to the Junior Kindergarten classroom. Staff A stated "the lead does the face to face and I stay in back and make sure they are ok and not getting hurt." She stated "we didn't do name to face." She stated Staff C brought Child #1 in to join the class and realized that they had left the child in the Montessori A classroom. Staff A estimated the child had been left alone for approximately 5 to 10 minutes in the Montessori A classroom. 3. Staff B stated that Child #1 was brought into the Junior Kindergarten classroom to join the class approximately 5 to 6 minutes after the Montessori A class had arrived. 4. Staff C stated that Parent #1 found Child #1 in the Montessori A classroom alone and brought the child to Staff C at the front desk. Staff C stated she took Child #1 to the Junior Kindergarten classroom to join the class. Plan of Correction: Notified parents immediately. Reviewed policies and procedures related to safety and accountability and name to face accountability with all staff. Licensing inspector provided additional training to staff in regards to safety and accountability.
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.
