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 7, 2023

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

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 3/7/23 from 11:10am to 1:15pm with the Director. There were 60 children in care, ranging in age from one-month to five-years-old, supervised by 11 staff. The children were observed eating lunch and getting ready for nap. Six child records and four staff records were reviewed. The Center has 17 staff with current certification in CPR and First Aid, as well as trained in Daily Health Observation Training. Seven medications and 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 4/18/22 and the most recent Health Inspection on file was dated 1/6/23. Lunch served was chicken tacos, steamed vegetables, salad, fruit, and milk. 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 3/9/23. Plans of correction should include steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard, and measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Description:	Based on observation, review of documentation, and interview, the center did not ensure that for each group of children, a written record of daily attendance was maintained that documented the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurred. Evidence: 1. On 3/7/23 at approximately 11:18am there were six children observed in the Infants classroom. The attendance contained documentation of only five children present, and one child who was present was marked as in another classroom. 2. On 3/7/23 at approximately 11:39am there were eight children observed in the Toddler Explorers classroom. The attendance contained documentation of only seven children present. The staff stated that one child had arrived ?around 11:20?.
Plan of Correction:	Electronic attendance was correct. Written was corrected on site at time of visit. Staff were retrained on attendance procedures.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-570-E
Description:	Based on observation, the center did not ensure that infant bottles were dated and labeled with the child?s name. Evidence: In the Older Infants classroom, there were two bottles observed in the refrigerator that did not contain a child?s name or the date.
Plan of Correction:	All other bottles were labeled correctly. Two bottles were corrected on site at time of visit. Parents will be reminded to label bottles appropriately and staff were reminded to check for proper labeling.