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: June 14, 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 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies. 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Technical Assistance:

Provided consultation on standard: 1) 280 ? hazardous substances shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. If a key is used, the key shall not be accessible to the children. Cosmetics, medications, or other harmful agents shall not be stored in areas, purses, or pockets that are accessible to children. 2) 500 ? the diapering surface shall be used only for diapering or cleaning children. 3) 520 ? if diaper ointment is used, the following requirements shall be obtained: a. Written parent authorization noting any known adverse reactions b. The products shall be in the original container and labeled with the child?s name c. The products shall be inaccessible to children d. A record shall be kept that includes the child?s name, date of use, frequency of application and any adverse reactions 4) 570E ? bottles shall be dated and labeled with the child?s name

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted from 9:45 am ? 2:00 pm with the director. There were 86 children, ranging from three months to ten years of age, present with nine staff supervising. Children were observed having water play out on the playground, listening to music, having sunscreen applied and playing in the gym. Five children's records and five staff records were reviewed and in compliance. Nine medications, authorization forms and allergy care plans were reviewed. The emergency drill log, daily attendance, written allergy list, fire and health inspections were reviewed. Please complete the columns for "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" for each violation cited on the violation notice, and then return a signed and dated copy to the licensing office by 4:00pm on Tuesday, 6/28/2022. If you have further questions about this inspection please contact Donna Liberman at 540-359-5244 or Donna.Liberman@doe.virginia.gov. The garden playground shall remain off limits until the fence has been repaired.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-M
Description:	Based on observation, and interviews with staff, the facility failed to maintain a current written list of all children?s allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions. Evidence: the written list that was posted was dated 2/25/22. Children with dates of attendance after 5/31/22, who had allergies, sensitivities and dietary restrictions, were not included on the list; staff confirmed that the list was not up to date.
Plan of Correction:	Corrected on site. A current allergy list dated 5/31/22 had been updated and was available at the school. Multiple classrooms had the updated posting however, some classrooms had not updated their posting. All classrooms have updated posting. Each classroom has an Ipad and noted on the app are children's allergies.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Description:	Based on review of the written attendance record, the facility did not ensure all children were included on the written attendance record. Evidence: 1) In the infant A class, 4 children were listed on the attendance record and 9 children were observed in the class 2) In the toddler class, 7 children were listed on the attendance record and 10 children were observed 3) In the 2?s/3?s class, 7 children were listed on the attendance record and 8 children were observed 4) In the 3?s class, 14 children were listed on the attendance record and 15 children were observed 5) In the school age class, 12 children were listed on the attendance record and 14 children were observed
Plan of Correction:	All teachers were aware and stated to the inspector the number of children that were in attendance. Both electronic and written attendance were corrected onsite to reflect the number of children in attendance. Reviewed policies for maintaining attendance and retrained staff on proper use of both written and electronic attendance sheets.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on observation, it was determined that not all areas inside and outside of the center were maintained in a safe condition. Evidence: 1) On the garden playground there were two fence balusters bent in such a way that there was a gap wide enough to allow the ten toddler children playing on the playground to fit through the fence and exit into the parking lot 2) The fence post leading to the swimming pool from the large playground was slanted outward from the top down causing a possible entrapment or strangulation risk 3) There are large cracks in the plastic border maintaining the mulch on the playground that are sharp 4) The window casing closest to the garden playground was bent and broken with a sharp edge exposed. 5) The electrical box next to the light switch in the gym was falling off the wall leaving wires underneath exposed and accessible to children
Plan of Correction:	1) Children were immediately removed from garden area and the area was closed until repairs could be made. Maintenance team was immediately notified on date of visit to begin to make corrections as quickly as possible. Maintenance team made repairs to balusters and garden playground is now being used again. 2) The area of the openings are three and a half inches wide and four and a half inches and have been temporarily repaired. These accommodations were made until it could be determined if fence materials needed to be ordered. 3) This piece of border had previously been repaired and will now need to be replaced. Replacement border has been ordered and will be installed upon receipt. 4) A temporary repair to the window casing has been made, and our maintenance team will re-evaluate a permanent solution. 5) Access to the gym was denied until box could be repaired. Electrical box was repaired, and gym is operational for students.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-510-E
Description:	Based on review of medication and authorization forms, the facility did not follow the center?s procedures for administering medication as required. Evidence: child #6's long-term medication was on-site with a parent?s authorization dated 4/22/22 and no physician's authorization.
Plan of Correction:	Medication (eczema lotion) was removed from center until parent has correct forms. A short-term medication form was on file instead of the physician?s long-term medication. Medication will not be accepted from parent until correct forms are completed.