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: June 9, 2022
Complaint Related: Yes
- Areas Reviewed:
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8VAC20-780 Administration.
8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training.
8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.
8VAC20-780 Programs.
8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies.
8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770)
22.1 Background Checks Code
63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect
- Technical Assistance:
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Technical assistance was discussed with the Director regarding: how to qualify staff as program leaders, documentation of the new requirements for orientation training, and Infant Safe Sleep. When an infant is placed in his crib, he shall be placed on his back (supine). When an infant is able to easily turn over from the back (supine) to the belly (prone) position and he is placed in his crib, he shall still be put on his back (supine) but allowed to adopt whatever position he prefers. This applies unless otherwise directed by the infant?s physician in writing.
- Comments:
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An unannounced complaint investigation was conducted on 6/9/22 in response to a complaint received in the licensing office regarding allegations of infants not being protected from older children and lack of staff qualifications and training. Based on a review of documentation and interviews conducted, the allegations regarding infants not being protected from older children and lack of qualifications were determined to be valid and violations were cited. The allegation regarding lack of training was determined to be not valid. If you have questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Laura Brindle, at laura.brindle@doe.virginia.gov or 540-905-2062.
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 6/23/22. Plans of correction should include steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard, and measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again.
- Violations:
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Standard #: 8VAC20-780-160-A Complaint related: No Description: Based on review of five staff records, the center did not ensure that each staff member submitted documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: The record for Staff D, with a start date of 3/15/22, did not contain documentation of a negative TB screening. Plan of Correction: TB screening for staff D was completed on day of visit and is now in the staff's file.
Standard #: 8VAC20-780-340-D Complaint related: Yes Description: Based on review of five staff records, the center did not ensure that in each grouping of children at least one staff member who met the qualifications of a program leader was regularly present. Evidence: Staff A, Staff B, Staff C, Staff D, and Staff E, were named as the teachers for the Infant and Toddler Classrooms. Staff B, Staff, C, and Staff D were named as the program leaders for the two classrooms. The records were reviewed for documentation of program leader qualifications. The records did not contain documentation that qualified the staff as program leaders. Plan of Correction: Staff B had 6 training hours since being promoted, 18 additional training hours will be completed by 7/9/22.
Staff C had 12 training hours since being promoted, 12 additional training hours will be completed by 7/9/22.
Staff D had 19.5 hours as of 6/9/22, promoted to lead on 5/31/22, will complete required 24 hours within the 30 day requirement (6/30/22).
Standard #: 8VAC20-780-370-5 Complaint related: Yes Description: Based on review of six accident/incident reports and interviews, the center did not ensure that infants were protected from older children. Evidence: An accident/incident report dated 6/1/22 contained documentation that Infant A was hit on the head by a toy bin when Infant B pulled the bin off of the shelf. Staff reported that Infant B is approximately 12-months-old and Infant A is approximately three-months-old. Plan of Correction: On date of accident (6/1/22) Infant A (3 months old) was on the carpeted area on a bobby pillow. Infant B (11 months old) was approximately 2 feet away and was pulling a bin off of the bottom shelf. The bin slid across the carpeted area and hit Infant A on the top of her head towards the back part of the bobby pillow. Teacher was approaching Infant B just as the accident occurred. Infant A did not cry or show any signs of discomfort. Teacher checked Infant A for injury, notified manager and parent within minutes.
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.
