VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Merit School Learning Center (#36)
25375 Supreme Drive
Aldie, VA 20105
(703) 957-3484

Current Inspector: Whitney Mcgrath (571) 835-4717

Inspection Date: Nov. 22, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 PHYSICAL PLANT. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL CARE PROVISIONS AND EMERGENCIES. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191)

Comments:

Today an unannounced Monitoring Inspection took place between the hours of 10:30am and 2:50pm. At the start of the inspection there were a total of 88 children with 13 staff; all ratios were incompliance. A total of 5 children?s files and 5 staff files were reviewed. The children were observed playing in the indoor gym, going on a buggy ride within the school halls, doing puzzles, eating lunch (chicken patty on a whole wheat bun, corn, mixed fruit and milk) and transitioning to nap. Positive interactions between the staff and children were observed. A sample of 9 medications and authorizations were reviewed. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at whitney.mcgrath@dss.virginia.gov. Thank you for your cooperation during this inspection.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-140-A
Description:	Based on record review, the center has not obtained a physical exam for each child within the first 30 days of attendance. Evidence: Child #1 (date of enrollment: 9/6/2019) file does not contain a physical exam. Child #4 (date of enrollment: 8/21/216)0 file contains a blank physical exam.
Plan of Correction:	Physical has been obtained and is on file.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on record review and interview, the licensee did not ensure that the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards were not maintained. Evidence: The center's food policy for staff dates "Coffee and hot tea poses a safety threat in the supervision of children. Therefore, coffee and tea can only be drunk from a securely lidded insulated mug and must remain at the teacher work station out of the reach of children." It was reported that on 11/19/2019, Staff #6 was entering the infant classroom while carrying a child and a cup of coffee. Staff #6 spilled their coffee on the back of Child #7 (10 months old) who was on the floor of the infant room. Center management confirmed that Staff #6's coffee mug did not have a lid and was not being consumed at a work station.
Plan of Correction:	All staff have been retrained on our food policy. Staff and managers ensured that they child was ok and parents were notified. Managers will continued to check to ensure all policies are being followed.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-60-A
Description:	Based on record review, child records do not contain all required information. Evidence: Child #5 (date of enrollment: 9/4/18) file does not contain documentation that the child's age and identity had been verified within the first 7 days of attendance.
Plan of Correction:	Birth certificate has been obtained and is on file.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Description:	Based on record review and interview, staff did not ensure care, protection and guidance when supervising children. Evidence: It was reported that on 11/19/2019, Staff #6 was entering the infant classroom while carrying a child and a cup of coffee. Staff #6 spilled their coffee on the back of Child #7 (10 months old) who was on the floor of the infant room. Center management confirmed the incident during today's inspection.
Plan of Correction:	All staff have been retrained on our food policy. Staff and managers ensured that they child was ok and parents were notified. Managers will continued to check to ensure all policies are being followed.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-550-M
Description:	Based on record review, the center's written record of a child's injury did not contain all required information. Evidence: Incident reports are required to contain staff and parent signatures or two staff signatures. An incident report for Child #7 only contained a signature from the supervisor in charge; there was no second signature from another staff person or from the child's parent.
Plan of Correction:	All signatures have been obtained and are on file.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-560-N
Description:	Based on observation, children were permitted to eat while walking around. Evidence: Child #6 was observed walking around the classroom while eating their lunch. The child's plate was located at the table and the child would take food from the plate, but it in their mouth and roam around the classroom. As the child walked around the classroom the staff asked the child if they were finished eating several times; the child continued to return to their plate to get more food and would go back to walking around the room.
Plan of Correction:	Staff have been retrained on having the children sit while eating.