VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Merit School of Doc Stone (#67)
95 Dunn Drive
Stafford, VA 22556
(540) 628-4999

Current Inspector: Beth Velke (804) 629-8302

Inspection Date: Dec. 14, 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. 8VAC20-820 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:

8VAC20-780-370-5.G Discussed the requirements for tummy time. A total of 30 minutes each day for infants who cannot turn themselves over and are awake shall be placed on their stomachs to facilitate upper body strength and to address misshapen head concerns.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 12/14/23 from 9:45 a.m. to 11:49 a.m. with the Assistant Director. There were 80 children in care, ranging in age from two months to five-years-old, supervised by 16 staff. The children were observed in free play. Six child records and five staff records were reviewed. Required postings were observed. The attendance, menu, and emergency drill log were reviewed. The first aid kit, flashlight, and battery- operated radio were observed. Areas of non-compliance are identified in the Violation Notice. If you have questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Beth Velke, at beth.velke@doe.virginia.gov or 804-629-8302. 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 5 p.m. on 01/05/24.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-270-A
Description:	Repeat Violation Based on observation, it was determined that not all areas of the center inside and outside were maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In the toddler classroom, ages 15-24 months-old, soft blocks were observed with dirt that had been ground into the pores of the block. Six of the soft blocks had pieces missing from them with bite marks. Glitter was observed on the back of the home living equipment and three rows of wooden toddler chairs were stacked six high against the wall creating a trip and tipping hazard. 2. In the Montessori C classroom, ages three to five-years-old, a walking rope was observed hanging on the back of the bathroom door. The rope was hanging in such a way that it created a semi-circular loop creating a strangulation hazard. 3. In the Montessori C classroom, the window ledge had a thick build up of dust and the block shelf had residue of a substance that had been spilled and not wiped away. 4. In the Montessori B classroom, ages three to five-years-old, a heavy layer of dust was observed on the back of the home living sink. Chairs were stacked five high while the children were actively playing creating a trip and tipping hazard. 5. In the Preschool classroom, ages two-years-old, debris and dirt were observed on the shelves where the toys are kept. 6. In the Montessori A classroom, ages three to five-years-old, there were 24 glass mason jars stacked on top of three plastic bins filled with toys, the items were stacked in a way that if any item was removed from the center the stack would fall. This stack was accessible to the children and in a room that they access throughout the day. 7. In the Montessori A classroom, a sensory rug was curling posing a trip hazard, the rug was in the walkway leading to the bathroom. 8. In the Stepping Stones classroom, ages two years old, dirt build up was observed near the climber.
Plan of Correction:	1. The soft blocks were thrown away the day of the inspection. Glitter was cleaned off of the back of the home living the day of the inspection. Extra chairs were removed from the classroom. 2. The walking rope was immediately removed from the bathroom door and put into the cabinet the day of the inspection. 3. The window ledge and the block shelf were cleaned the day of the inspection. 4. The home living sink was cleaned the day of the inspection. The chairs were unstacked the day of the inspection. 5. The shelves were cleaned the day of the inspection in the Preschool Classroom. 6. The 24 glass mason jars were immediately removed from the classroom the day of the inspection. 7. The one corner of the sensory rug that was curling was secured the day of the inspection. 8. The entire Stepping Sones classroom was cleaned the day of the inspection.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-520-C
Description:	Based on observation, the facility did not ensure that diaper ointments met the minimum requirements. Evidence: Diaper ointment was observed on the changing table accessible to children
Plan of Correction:	There were no children on the changing table at the time and the ointment was not accessible to children since the table is 4 ft in height. The ointment was immediately placed in a locked area.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-560-M
Description:	Based on observation a child was allowed to drink while walking around. Evidence: In the Preschool classroom, ages two-years-old, a child was observed walking and drinking from their water bottle. The requirement is that no child shall be allowed to drink or eat while walking around.
Plan of Correction:	The child was redirected to sit at the table right away at the time of the inspection. Teachers were retrained that children are not to walk with food and drink.