VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Merritt Academy
9201, 9203, 9205 & 9211 Arlington Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 273-8000

Current Inspector: Karen Dickens (571) 423-6978

Inspection Date: Feb. 7, 2024

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 ? 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect ? 8VAC20-790 Subsidy Regulations.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on February 7, 2024 between the hours of 9:15am-11:45am. There were a total of 254 children with 56 supervising staff members present. Children were observed during snack time, handwashing, engaged in group activities and outdoor play time. A selection of staff and children records, medications and other documents were reviewed. The physical space, emergency supplies, evacuation drills, attendance records, and the Emergency Preparedness Plan were reviewed. Areas of non-compliance are identified in the violation notice. Please contact me if you have any questions at Karen.dickens@doe.virginia.gov.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-A
Description:	Based on record review, each staff member did not submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis(TB) screening within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #4's record (date of hire-10/10/2023) contained documentation of a negative TB screening that was not within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment. Documentation of a negative Tb screening was dated 08/19/2023.
Plan of Correction:	We have reviewed our processes to avoid this error by having any staff who have a delayed start that goes beyond 30 days from their TB screening or test, to have an additional test or screening within the 30 day time frame.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Based on observation, hazardous substances were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. In the two's classroom, a bottle labeled bleach and water was located on a low shelf of an unlocked cabinet.
Plan of Correction:	We immediately locked the cabinet and the teachers were reminded of the importance of keeping sanitizing solution locked. We are reviewing if there is a better place to store that material in a more inaccessible location.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-510-E
Description:	Based on review of medications, two long term medications did not have written authorization signed by a physician. Evidence: 1. Child #7 and Child #10 have long term medications on site. The medication authorizations for Child #7and Child #10 were signed by the parent, but was not signed by a physician.
Plan of Correction:	We have reached out to both families to get physician authorization. We have also added an additional layer of spot-checks by a designated person to avoid this error in the future.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-510-P
Description:	Based on observation and review of mediation, the center did not follow procedures regarding expired medication authorization. Evidence: 1. Child #8 has epinephrine located on site. The epinephrine expired on November 2023. The medication was not picked up by the parent within 14 days.
Plan of Correction:	Expired Epi-pen was returned to parents. New epi-pen was requested. We have added an additional layer of spot-checks by a designated person to avoid this error in the future.