VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Merit School of Cloverdale (#32)
3498 Cranmer Mews
Dale city, VA 22193
(703) 590-4343

Current Inspector: Christina Jones (540) 340-2672

Inspection Date: April 28, 2025

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. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above to include standards found out of compliance during the previous inspection. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed. If there were any serious injuries or fatalities related to a violation, the details will be included in the description of the violation.

Comments:

An unannounced, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated and completed on 4/28/2025. The on-site inspection began at 10:50am and ended at 1:35pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 71 children present and 10 staff. The inspector reviewed 5 children?s records and 4 staff records on-site. This inspection included documentation review, tour of the facility and interviews. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Please complete the plan of correction (POC) and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice. Specify how the violation will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on 5/7/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-M
Description:	The center shall maintain, in a way that is accessible to all staff who work with children, a current written list of all children's allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions. In the Toddler classroom, Child C has a dietary restriction but was not listed on the current written list.
Plan of Correction:	The dietary restriction is a preference of the family. The allergy list was updated adding Child-C to the list.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. 1. In the PSE-A classroom, there was a spray bottle of sanitizer and a spray bottle of disinfectant in an unlocked upper cabinet. 2. In the JK-B classroom there was a spray bottle of sanitizer in an unlocked upper cabinet.
Plan of Correction:	The cabinets where the hazardous substances were stored are approximately 4 feet in height and out of reach of children. The cabinets in both classrooms were immediately locked and labled with a sign saying "keep locked at all times" The same day of the inspection.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-510-I
Description:	The center may administer prescription medication that would normally be administered by a parent or guardian to a child provided: The center has obtained written authorization from a parent or guardian. 1. The center did not obtain parent written authorization for Child A?s medication that was on site. 2. The center did not obtain parent written authorization for Child B?s two medications on site.
Plan of Correction:	The authroizatios on file were had the physician signatures on them. The parent signatures were received the same day of the inspection and filed accordingly. Parents were contacted immediately to obtain the required written medication authorizations forms.