VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Merit School of Wellington (#20)
10249 Hendley Road
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 369-7929

Current Inspector: Laura Brindle (540) 905-2062

Inspection Date: April 24, 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. 8VAC20-790 Subsidy Regulations. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 32.1 Report by person other than physician 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

1. Consultation provided on the need to immediate evacuate the infant room during practiced escape drills as there should be no delay to first clean out a crib for use first. 2. Playground standards were reviewed with the center and the need to place equipment off limits until brought into compliance. To place off limits please use sinage and caution tape to make it clear to the children, staff and public that the equipment or space is not being used. 3. Please remove all out-of-date allergy lists in each room, only the most recent list should be in the classrooms.

Comments:

An uannounced montiroing inspection was initiated on 4/24/23 and concluded on 4/26/23. The inspections took place from 12:50 pm to 4pm and 12:50 pm to 2:45 pm respectively. There were sixty-two children on site (4/24/23) with 11 staff providing supervision. Most of the children were napping during the walkthrough. Medication for three children were reviewed as well as allergy care plans. Ten injury/accident reports were reviewed along with seven staff and nine children's files. Please send documentation that you have requested the two missing background checks by 5/18/23. Send the results of the background checks upon completion. The areas of non compliance are outlined on the violation notice.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Description:	Based on a review of 7 staff files and interview with administrative staff, it was determined that all staff had not obtained the a repeat background check every five years. Evidence: Staff B's Virginia Central Registry background check was dated 12/20/17 and has not been renewed every five years.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-4
Description:	Based on a review of staff files and interview with administration, it was determined that all staff did not obtain an out of state background check. Evidence: Staff A was hired on 2/18/19 and had lived in Maryland within the last five years and does not have an out of state child abuse and neglect background check on file. There was no information provided if or when the out of state search was requested. This background check must be requested by the end of the 30th day of employment and follow up on the status of the search 45 days thereafter.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Based on observation, it was determined that areas and equipment were not maintained in a safe manner. Evidence: 1. Exposed ground mats were sticking out of the mulch to the side of the swings on the Youth Zone playground. These rubber mats presented a tripping hazard. 2. Bolts were protruding more than 2 thread on the playground fence and gate on the Youth Zone playground. The protruding bolts present an impalement hazard. 3. The green steps to the composite play structure had large cracks approximately 2 feet long on the Preschool playground.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based on observation, it was determined that hazardous substance were not kept in a locked place. Evidence: The Licensing Inspectors observed an unlocked kitchen with sanitizing agents, peroxide, disinfectant solutions, stainless steel cleaner, germicidal agents in a cabinet above the small sink. The cabinet was unlocked. On the floor under the large sink were large buckets of sanitizing solutions.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-330-B
Description:	Based on observation and measurement, it was determined that there was insufficient resilient surfacing underneath and surrounding play equipment. Evidence: 1. There was 1/2 to 1 inch of mulch directly under the four swings on the Youth Zone playground. The remainder of the mulch had turned to soil, soil is not an acceptable resilient surface. The standard requires at least 6 inches of mulch. 2. The poured in place resilient surfacing directly in front of steps leading to the composite play structure on the Preschool playground was cracked and measuring 2 feet long and 1/2 inch wide, consequently resulting in a lack of continuous resilient surfacing in the fall zone. 3. On the Preschool playground was a blue slide, 3 feet to the right of the slide was a 5 foot long and 2 inch wide crack in the poured in place surfacing, which results in a lack of continuous resilient surfacing in the fall zone.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-440-G
Description:	Based on observation and interview with staff, it was determined that cribs were not used for a child under 12 months of age. Evidence: Child A, 4 months of age enrolled at the center on 2/20/23, to date the child has never slept in a crib but in an infant bouncer. Interviews revealed that the staff had not take the time to rearrange crib assignements to assign child A, a crib where the mattress can be raised to aide in safely moving the infant in and out of the crib.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.