VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

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: April 2, 2021 , April 28, 2021 and May 10, 2021

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures

Technical Assistance:

All child care programs must continue measures to keep children physically distanced and with consistent caregivers, use face coverings, monitor children and staff for symptoms, and maintain ongoing compliance with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health and safety recommendations. All programs are required to notify VDH and the licensing inspector and follow all recommendations if there is a confirmation of a positive case of COVID-19. Standard 560: When centers choose to provide meals or snacks, the following shall apply: 1) Centers shall follow the most recent, age-appropriate nutritional requirements of a recognized authority such as the USDA 2) Children shall be allowed second helpings of food 3) A menu listing foods to be served for meals and snacks shall be dated, posted in a location conspicuous to parents or given to parents, list any substitute foods, and be kept on file for one week at the center. List specific foods ie. "peaches" not "seasonal fruit" or "carrots and bell peppers" not "fresh veggies."

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. An unannounced complaint inspection was conducted to investigate a complaint received by the department related to Staffing and Supervision and Special Services at the center. The inspection was initiated on 4/2/2021 and concluded on 5/10/2021 with an exit interview. Staff was contacted by telephone and interviews were conducted and documentation was reviewed. The portion of the complaint regarding Staffing and Supervision was determined to be valid. The portion of the complaint regarding Special Services was determined to be not valid. If you have further questions about this inspection please contact Donna Liberman at 540-359-5244 or Donna.Liberman@dss.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interviews, it was determined that the facility did not ensure the care, protection, and guidance of children in care. Evidence: The facility failed to adhere to the health and safety guidelines established due to the COVID-19 pandemic of maintaining the same groups of children day-to-day and not combining classrooms, to help reduce potential exposure to COVID-19. Interviews revealed that: 1) opening teachers sometimes take all of the children in their classroom to the front door in order to screen arriving children, take them from their parents and walk them to their individual class; 2) children are moved daily for ratios, and staff are often moved to cover different classes; 3) the infants/toddlers/twos classes are combined each morning from approximately 6:30 am ? 8:30 am, when staff take children to their assigned classrooms; 4) the threes/fours/fives/school age classes are combined daily in the morning until teachers arrive to take children to individual classrooms; 5) the classrooms have been combined daily for approximately 2-3 months; 6) staff acknowledged being aware of the guidance to not combine classrooms.
Plan of Correction:	With the current enrollment the children are divided into two cohorts (limited group of children and staff that do not intermingle): 2yrs and under and 3yrs and older. As additional children arrive at the school and additional staff are available the children are divided into smaller groups to provide more individualized learning and activities. As children begin to leave care the smaller groups return to their original cohort. As the children are consistent within their cohort, so are the teachers that work within that cohort. The transitioning of teachers is carefully thought out to reduce the potential exposure to COVID-19. Children are not intermingled between cohorts. We believe that we are compliant with the guidelines as we understand them.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-350-E-4
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interviews, the facility failed to maintain the required ratio of one staff member for every ten children, ages three years to the age of eligibility to attend public school. Evidence: On 4/28/21 from approximately 8:30 am ? 10:50 am children from the JK and kinder classes were combined and there were 12 children with one staff supervising. Children in the classroom ranged from 3-5 years of age. Staff stated that the class is out of ratio 2-3 times per week, and has been so for approximately 2-3 months.
Plan of Correction:	Attendance records show only 10 children in care within those age groups from 8:30-9:37. At 9:37 they go to 12 children but have 2 teachers signed into that classroom. The classroom was not out of ratio during this time frame. We will continue to monitor the children?s attendance and the staffing schedules to ensure that we continue to maintain state ratios.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-350-F
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on staff interviews, it was determined that the facility is casually and repeatedly reassigning children from their regular group disrupting the children's schedule and attachment to their staff members and group. Evidence: staff interviews revealed that children are moved daily both in the morning and in the afternoons to maintain ratios and allow staff members to go home.
Plan of Correction:	With the current enrollment the children are divided into two cohorts: 2yrs and under and 3yrs and older. As additional children arrive at the school and additional staff are available the children are divided into smaller groups to provide more individualized learning and activities. As children begin to leave care the smaller groups return to their original cohort. As the children are consistent within their cohort, so are the teachers that work within that cohort. The transitioning of teachers is carefully thought out to reduce the potential exposure to COVID-19. Children are not intermingled between cohorts. We believe that we are compliant with the guidelines as we understand them.