VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Merit School at The Castle (#9)
6306 Old Plank Road
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(540) 786-2434

Current Inspector: Sharon Allen (540) 272-2941

Inspection Date: March 23, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 ADMINISTRATION. 8VAC20-780 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 8VAC20-780 Physical plant. 8VAC20-780 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 8VAC20-780 Special care provisions and emergencies. 8VAC20-780 SPECIAL SERVICES. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 3/23/22 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm with the Director and Assistant Director. There were 57 children in care, ranging in age from six-weeks to five-years-old, supervised by seven staff. The older children were observed napping and the infants were observed being fed bottles, playing on the floor, and being changed. Three child records and two new staff records were reviewed. The Center has all staff CPR and First Aid certified, and multiple staff trained in Daily Health Observation Training. Four medications and their authorization forms were reviewed and the center has four staff current in Medication Administration Training (MAT). The attendance and emergency drill log were reviewed. The most recent Fire Inspection on file was dated 3/4/22 and the most recent Health Inspection on file was dated 12/2/21. Please complete the "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" areas on the Violation Notice for each violation cited and return to me by close of business on 3/31/22. Plans of correction should include steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard, and measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again. If you have questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Laura Brindle, at laura.brindle@doe.virginia.gov or 540-905-2062.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-130-A
Description:	Based on review of three child records and interview, the center did not obtain documentation that each child had received the immunizations required before the child attended the center. Evidence: The record for Child A, with a start date of 3/8/22, did not contain documentation of immunizations.
Plan of Correction:	The immunization was received and put in the child's file the day of the visit.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-A-1
Description:	Based on review of two staff records and interview, the center did not ensure that documentation of tuberculosis (TB) screening for staff was submitted at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: The record for Staff #1, with a start date of 3/11/22, did not contain documentation of TB screening.
Plan of Correction:	Negative TB results were obtained and are now in the staff member's file.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not ensure that hazardous substances, such as cleaning materials, were kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: During the inspection on 3/23/22 a toilet cleaning solution was stored on an open shelf above the toilets in the children's bathroom in the "Prep" (three- to four-year-old) classroom.
Plan of Correction:	The cleaner was on a 5 foot shelf at time of visit and was secured in a locked cabinet.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-F
Description:	Based on documentation review and interview, the center did not ensure that lockdown procedures were practiced at least annually. Evidence: The most recent lockdown drill was documented on 5/15/2020.
Plan of Correction:	Lockdown Drill was completed on 12/7/2021. Documentation was located after visit and has been placed in the licensing binder.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-H
Description:	Based on documentation review and interview, the center did not maintain a record of the dates of the practice drills for one year. Evidence: During the inspection on 3/23/22 the drill log for 2021 was made available to the Inspector, but the Director was unable to locate the log for 2022.
Plan of Correction:	All required fire drills were completed and the Fire Drill Log was located after visit and has been placed in the licensing binder.