The Merit School at The Castle (#9)

The center shall obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center.

“Child #1, who had been attending for 42 days, did not have documentation of an immunization record on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

(Repeat Violation) Physical examinations completed by a physician shall be obtained prior to the first day of attendance or within 30 days after the first day of attendance.

“There was no physical examination in the record of Child #1, who had been enrolled for 42 days.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-140-A.

Documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening must be submitted at the time of employment, before coming into contact with children, and shall have been completed within the last 30 days of the date of employment.

“The TB in the record of Staff #4, who has been employed for four months, was completed 41 days prior to employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Prescription medication may be administered if the medication is maintained in the original, labeled container; and only to the child identified on the prescription label in accordance with the prescriber’s instructions pertaining to dosage, frequency, and manner of administration.

“On 04/16/26, staff administered a prescription medication to Child #8. The medication was not maintained in the original, labeled container, and did not contain the prescriber’s instructions pertaining to dosage, frequency, and manner of administration.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-I.

Centers shall keep a record of medication given to children that contains the required information.

“On 04/16/26, Child #8 was administered a prescription medication. The documentation of medication given did not include the amount and type of medication given to the child.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-N.

A written care plan is required for each child with a diagnosed food allergy, to include instructions from a physician regarding the food to which the child is allergic and the steps to be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed allergic reaction.

“Child #5, who has been enrolled for over a month, has a diagnosed food allergy and did not have a written care plan in their file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A-8.

COMPLAINT RELATED When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance.

“On 07/03/25, Staff #1 was rough housing with Child #1 (6-years-old) when he slapped the child on both sides of their face.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-A. From a complaint.

Physical examinations completed by a physician shall be obtained prior to the first day of attendance or within 30 days after the first day of attendance.

“There was no physical examination in the record of Child #2, who had been enrolled for 32 days.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-140-A.

COMPLAINT RELATED The required ratio for children birth up to 16 months is one staff per four children.

“Documentation reviewed and interviews conducted on 11/06/25 and 11/13/25 revealed that on 10/29/25, Staff #1 and Staff #2 were alone with 11 children, ages ranging from 4 months up to 14 months, for over an hour. On 10/31/25, Staff #1 and Staff #2, were alone with 11 children, ages ranging from 4 months up to 14 months, for approximately 10 minutes.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-350-B-1. From a complaint.

COMPLAINT RELATED When children are in ongoing mixed age groups, the staff-to-children ratio and group size applicable to the youngest child in the group shall apply to the entire group.

Rule 8VAC20-780-350-C. From a complaint.

COMPLAINT RELATED Bottle fed infants who cannot hold their own bottles shall be held when fed. Bottles shall not be propped or used while the child is in his designated sleeping location.

“Interviews conducted on 11/06/25 and 11/13/25 revealed that on 10/31/25, Staff #3 was observed giving Child #1 (9-months-old) a bottle while the child was in their crib.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-B. From a complaint.

In order to promote the child’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social well-being and growth, staff shall interact with the child and one another to provide needed help, comfort, support.

“Documentation reviewed and interviews conducted on 11/06/25 and 11/13/25 revealed that Staff #1 was observed yelling at staff and slamming classroom doors on several occasions in front of the children in care.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-400-A.

Behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.

“On 10/29/25, Staff #1 said to Child #1 (6-year-old) that they were going to stab them in the back of their head if they approached another parent.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-400-B.

The following acts are forbidden: physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, restricting movement through binding or tying, forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position, or exercise as punishment.

“Staff reported during interviews on October 3,2025, that they observed Teacher #1, push Child #1 to the ground and say, “How do you like it?” to Child #1. This incident occurred on the playground after Child #1 tried to push another child off of the hippo toy.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-410-1.

The center is required to ensure the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by these standards are in compliance.

“On 03/26/25, the center had a medication on-site for Child #6 that expired over six months ago. The center’s medication policies state medication must not exceed the expiration date.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-E.

The center shall implement a monthly practice evacuation drill.

“The center did not practice an evacuation drill in December 2024.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-D.

Each staff record should contain documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education, certification, and experience required by the job position, and orientation and training.

“The record of Staff #5, who has been employed for five months, did not contain documentation that the staff member has completed orientation training.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

8VAC20-790-600-D-1

“All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of the date of employment current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the ages of children in care. Staff #3 and Staff #4 obtained a certification in CPR more than four months after their date of employment. Both staff members work directly with children.”

Rule 8VAC20-790-600-D-1.

8VAC20-790-600-D-2

“All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of the date of employment current certification in first aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Staff #3 and Staff #4 obtained a certification in first aid more than four months after their date of employment. Both staff members work directly with children.”

Rule 8VAC20-790-600-D-2.

8VAC20-770-60-C-2

“For staff hired before July 1, 2024, providers must obtain the results of a central registry search for an employee, within 30 days of employment. The central registry search results in the record of Staff #1, who is currently employed, was dated 53 days after their first day of employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-C-2.

8VAC20-780-510-F

“The medication authorization shall be available to staff during the entire time it is effective. An over-the-counter medication cream was observed for Child #2, but no medication authorization was available to staff at the time of the inspection.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-F.

8VAC20-780-520-C

“If diaper ointment or cream is used, written parent authorization noting any known adverse reactions shall be obtained. A tube of diaper cream for Child #2 was observed, but no written parent authorization could be located at the time of the inspection.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-520-C.

8VAC20-780-530-A

“At least one staff in each classroom or area where children are present shall have current certification in both CPR and first aid. Staff #5 was alone with a group of nine, three-and four-year-old children and was not certified in CPR or first aid.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A.

8VAC20-780-510-E

“Based on review of medication it was determined that not all procedures regarding medication were followed. Evidence: The emergency medication for child A had an expiration date of 01/24/2024.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-E.

8VAC20-780-80-A

“Based on review of attendance records it was determined that staff did not always document the arrival and departure of each child as it occurs. Evidence: 1.) There were thirteen children observed in the two year old classroom, however there 11 children marked present on the attendance record. 2.) There were ten children observed in the three year old classroom however, there were eight children marked present on the attendance record.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

8VAC20-780-340-A

“Based on observation of the older infant class it was determined that staff did not always ensure the care, protection, and guidance of children under their supervision. Evidence: Child D (Age 13 Months) was observed laying on their cot, drinking from a sippy cup, posing a potential choking hazard.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-A.

8VAC20-780-500-B

“Based on observation of the toddler classroom it was determined that not all procedures for diapering were followed to prevent items from being on the changing table that are not used for diapering. Evidence: A bucket of toys was observed on the changing table. These items are not used for diapering.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

8VAC20-780-60-A-8

“Based on review of children’s records and review of the center’s allergy list it was determined that not all children with a diagnosed food allergy had a written care plan on file. Evidence: The center’s allergy list documented child A, child B, and child C to have a diagnosed food allergy. Child A, child B, and child C did not have an allergy care plan in their records to include instructions from a physician and steps to be taken in the event of a suspected allergic reaction.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A-8.

8VAC20-780-570-E

“Based on observation, the center did not ensure that infant bottles were dated and labeled with the child’s name. Evidence: In the Older Infants classroom, there were two bottles observed in the refrigerator that did not contain a child’s name or the date.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E.

8VAC20-780-80-A

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

8VAC20-780-410-1

Rule 8VAC20-780-410-1.

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on review of five staff records and interview, the center did not obtain documentation from each staff member of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: 1. The record for Staff A, with a start date of 9/12/22, did not contain documentation of a negative TB screening. 2. The record for Staff B, with a start date of 8/29/22, contained documentation of a TB screening dated 9/2/22.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

8VAC20-780-270-A

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-60-A

“Based on review of six child records, the center did not obtain proof of identity and age for one child. Evidence: The record for Child A, with a start date of 8/9/21, did not contain documentation of viewing proof of the child’s identity and age.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on review of five staff records, the center did not ensure that each staff member submitted documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: The record for Staff D, with a start date of 3/15/22, did not contain documentation of a negative TB screening.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-340-D

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-D. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-370-5

“Based on review of six accident/incident reports and interviews, the center did not ensure that infants were protected from older children. Evidence: An accident/incident report dated 6/1/22 contained documentation that Infant A was hit on the head by a toy bin when Infant B pulled the bin off of the shelf. Staff reported that Infant B is approximately 12-months-old and Infant A is approximately three-months-old.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-370-5. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-130-A

“Based on review of three child records and interview, the center did not obtain documentation that each child had received the immunizations required before the child attended the center. Evidence: The record for Child A, with a start date of 3/8/22, did not contain documentation of immunizations.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

8VAC20-780-160-A-1

“Based on review of two staff records and interview, the center did not ensure that documentation of tuberculosis (TB) screening for staff was submitted at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: The record for Staff #1, with a start date of 3/11/22, did not contain documentation of TB screening.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A-1.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation, the center did not ensure that hazardous substances, such as cleaning materials, were kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: During the inspection on 3/23/22 a toilet cleaning solution was stored on an open shelf above the toilets in the children’s bathroom in the “Prep” (three- to four-year-old) classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-780-550-F

“Based on documentation review and interview, the center did not ensure that lockdown procedures were practiced at least annually. Evidence: The most recent lockdown drill was documented on 5/15/2020.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-F.

8VAC20-780-550-H

“Based on documentation review and interview, the center did not maintain a record of the dates of the practice drills for one year. Evidence: During the inspection on 3/23/22 the drill log for 2021 was made available to the Inspector, but the Director was unable to locate the log for 2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-H.

22VAC40-665-520-B-11

“Based on review of three children’s records, the center did not obtain a written allergy care plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy to include instructions from a physician regarding the food to which the child is allergic and steps to be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed allergic reaction. Evidence: The record for Child A contained documentation that the child is allergic to dairy. There is no allergy care plan on record for the child.”

Rule 22VAC40-665-520-B-11.

22VAC40-665-540-A

“Based on review of three staff records, the center did not ensure that staff were evaluated by a health professional and determined to be free of communicable tuberculosis (TB) at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: 1. The TB test on record for Staff A, with a start date of 8/16/21, was dated 8/26/21. 2. The TB test on record for Staff B, with a start date of 8/23/21, was dated 8/29/21.”

Rule 22VAC40-665-540-A.