VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Falls Church Merrifield Preschool
8111 Gatehouse Road, Suite 120
Falls church, VA 22042
(571) 405-6267

Current Inspector: Nancy Radcliffe (703) 268-3728

Inspection Date: March 11, 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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Technical Assistance:

A discussion was held with the director regarding when they are not onsite that someone be aware of where all files are kept and emergency procedures.

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted today from 9:00am-10:45am. There were 90 children directly supervised by 13 staff. The physical plant, 5 staff records, 5 children?s records, medications, evacuation drills, injury reports, emergency supplies, and policies were inspected. Children were observed participating in group play, reading books, playing outside, and painting. There was an assortment of age appropriate materials for the children in care. Areas of non-compliance are identified in the Violation Notice. If you have any questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector: Nancy Radcliffe at nancy.radcliffe@doe.virginia.gov or call 703-268-3728.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-80-A
Description:	Based on review of written attendance records, the written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs did not match the actual number of children in care. Evidence The written attendance record in the in the Giraffes classroom listed 19 children present, the actual number of children present was 18.
Plan of Correction:	Corrected during inspection, we will ensure to always sign in the correct child when they arrive.
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 In the Turtle classroom, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer and liquid soap that said "keep out of reach of children" were not kept in a locked place.
Plan of Correction:	Corrected during the inspection. Items should not have there.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-A
Description:	Based on observation, hands were not washed about toileting. Evidence Child #1 in the Koalas classroom did not wash their hands after toileting. Staff #1 in the Koalas classroom did not wash their hands after assisting a child with toileting.
Plan of Correction:	Handwashing procedures will be reviewed again. We will ensure all staff and children was their hands when required.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-C
Description:	Based on observation, the child-sized toilet chairs were not sanitized after each use. Evidence In the Koalas classroom, after each use the child-sized toilet chair was used, it was not sanitized. The chair was emptied and only rinsed out with water.
Plan of Correction:	We will begin today using the bleach and water in the chairs after each use.