VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

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: March 2, 2021 and March 3, 2021

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. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures

Technical Assistance:

The Licensing Inspector has reviewed with the provider COVID-19 Essential Guidance for Child Care programs. Phase III guidance stresses that "the same staff and children should consistently remain in the same groups to the greatest extent possible. Keep the same small group of children together throughout the day; do not combine groups (e.g., at opening and closing). To the degree possible, maintain the same groups from day to day. Consultation was given on legnth of nap time to not exceed 2 hours each day and updating immunization records whenever the parent goes to the physician.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A renewal inspection was initiated on 02/22/2021 and concluded on 03/03/2021. Management was contacted by email to initiate the inspection. There were forty five children in care with 11 direct care staff which is within ratios for supervision. Observed via FaceTime children's activities in 6 classrooms, emergency preparation, children's records, trainings and medication storage and authorizations. Staff records were reviewed by another Licensing Inspector and center management using Microsoft Teams. Emergency medication was on-site the day of the inspection. Lunch served today was cheese tortellini with pesto sauce, salad, fruit and milk. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance(s) with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the facility. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you Ann Dramstad Ann.dramstad@dss.virginia.gov 703-314-0860

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-160-C
Description:	Based on record review and staff statement a follow up TB test was not obtained within 2 years of previous screening. Evidence: Staff #1's TB expired 11/2020 and a new TB test was not obtained until 3/3/2021.
Plan of Correction:	Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. Staff #1 removed themselves from the center until new TB test was obtained and on file.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-60-A
Description:	Based on record review and staff statement, children's records were incomplete. Evidence: 1. Child #A's record was missing parent employment information and proof of identity within 7 days of attendance (date of attendance 8/2/2020). 2. Child B's record was missing parent employment information and proof of identity within 7 days of attendance (date of attendance 9/6/2020). 3. Child C's record was missing an address for an emergency contact. 4. Child G's record was missing one emergency contact and proof of identity within 7 days of attendance (date of attendance 11/2/2020) 5. Child H's record was missing employment information for guardians and an address for an emergency contact. The proof of identity was not dated to verify it was completed within 7 days of attendance. (date of attendance 10/19/2020)
Plan of Correction:	Child A- Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. Parent employment address and Proof of Identity has been obtain and is on file: Completed 3/5/21 Child B- Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. Parents employer information has been provided and proof of Identity has been provided and is on file: 3/8/21 Child C ? Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. Addresses for emergency contact have be provided and are on file- Correction: 3/8/2021 Child G- Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. 2nd emergency contact has been obtained and his on file and a copy of the birth certificate was on file during the inspection- Correction: 3/3/21 Child H: Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. Parents have been notified and child has not been in attendance and will not return until parent information, emergency contact information and proof of birth are supplied to the center. Correction: 3/15/2021
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-70-A
Description:	Based on record review and staff statement, four staff records were incomplete as references were not obtained before employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #3's hire date is 10/01/2018 and a reference was dated 10/2/2018. 2. Staff #6's hire date is 7/14/2020 and a reference is dated 8/21/2020. 3. Staff #12's hire date is 9/10/2019 and two references are dated 9/12/2020. 4. Staff #13's hire date is 7/30/2020 and two references were dated 8/21/2020.
Plan of Correction:	Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. References were completed and a review of on-boarding procedure has been done with all managers to ensure that all pre hire paperwork is completed in its entirety before the date of hire.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-210-A-4-b
Description:	Based on record review, 3 staff members do not have complete documentation that they received the additional 24 hours of training, including but not limited to child development, playground safety, health and safety issues and preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect, within 30 days of assuming a lead teacher position. 1. Staff #14's training record was not dated to verify the additional hours were obtained within 30 days of employment and the record did not include any child development training. 2. Staff #5's record had no written documentation of experience meeting lead qualifications or obtaining the additional 24 hours to meet the requirements for the position. 3. Staff #6's record had no written documentation of experience to meet lead qualifications or obtaining the additional 24 hours to meet the requirements for the position.
Plan of Correction:	Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. Staff #14, Staff #5 and Staff #6 all had orientation which covers playground safety, health and safety issues and Child Abuse and Neglect all within the first 30 days of employment. Staff #6 had 6 months of experience at the time of inspection and 24 hours plus training hours of which are documented and on file. Staff #5 has completed 6 months of experiences and will continue to work on her training to complete 24 hours of training. Staff #14 training has been documented with date and is on file at the center. Staff #14 will continue to work on training that will include child development training.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-60-B
Description:	Based on record review, one staff member was employed prior to the center having completed a Sworn Disclosure Statement (SDS). Evidence: 1. Staff #14's employment was documented 7/22/2020 and the SDS was dated 7/27/2020
Plan of Correction:	Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. Staff #14 had documentation of a Sworn Disclosure on file at the time of inspection. Reviewed with managers that documentation of a Sworn Disclosure needs to be on file on the date of hire or before.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-B-4
Description:	Based on record review and staff statement, a staff member had an incomplete out of state sex offender registry check prior to 12/31/2020. Evidence: Staff # 6 had the sex offender registry in the file but no date was documented of when the sex offender registry check was obtained to verify it was completed before the 12/31/2020 grace period.
Plan of Correction:	Center is being ran by corporate management until new director is in place. Staff #6 had a clear Sex Offender registry on file on the day of inspection. Reviewed with managers that the date of when the center ran the search needs to be documented on the paper to verify it was complete prior to date of hire.