Salem Montessori School - Infant & Toddler Program

Children under 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.

“On 5/20/2026, center staff left Child 1 (age 2 years) on the playground alone. Staff did not have sight and sound supervision of Child 1 for approximately 5 minutes.”

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

Centers shall be in compliance with the center’s own policies and procedures required by these standards.

“The center’s playground and general safety guidelines states staff must know how many children they have in care at all times and children must never be left unattended. On 5/20/2026, Child 1 (age 2 years) was left alone on the playground for approximately 5 minutes.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-E. From a complaint.

The center is required to obtain background checks from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years.

“Staff #1 (employed for more than 2 months) did not have documentation of requesting a central registry check and criminal background search from another state. Staff #2 (employed for 6 months) and Staff #3 (employed for 1 month) did not have documentation of requesting a central registry check from another state.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

REPEAT VIOLATION For each group of children, the center shall maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.

“8 children were present in the Lilac classroom, but only 4 were marked present on the attendance record.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

8VAC20-780-160-C

“A tuberculosis (TB) screening is required every two years from the last screening. Staff #2 updated screening was due 9 months ago. The updated screening has not yet been completed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

8VAC20-780-80-A

“For each group of children, the center shall maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs. There were 10 children present in the Sunflower classroom, but only 9 were marked present on the attendance record.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

The program is required to submit to VDH and implement a plan to test potable water for lead.

“The program did not have evidence of a testing plan submitted to VDH. Testing has not yet been done.”

Rule 22.1-289.057-A.

Based on staff record review, the center failed to ensure that no person shall be hired for compensated employment prior to the center obtaining an employment eligibility letter upon completion of a fingerprint background check as required by the Code of Virginia.

“EVIDENCE: Staff 2 has a documented start date of 3/18/2024 and the record does not have an employment eligibility letter upon completion of a fingerprint background check as required by the Code of Virginia.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-2.

Based on record review, the center failed to provide new staff orientation to a new staff person.

“EVIDENCE: Staff 2 has a documented start date of 3/18/2024 and there is no documentation to show they have had new staff orientation.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-B.

Based on observation, the center failed to have a program lead qualified staff person in each group of children.

“EVIDENCE: Staff 3 and 4 were the only staff people in the Lily Room, which had children aged seven months to ten months. Neither staff person was qualified to be a program leader.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-D.

Repeat violation

“Based on record review, the center failed to maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs. EVIDENCE: There were six children in care in the Lily Room, and the attendance record showed that four children were in care.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Based on interviews and record review, the center failed to have a written assessment by the program director and program leader prior to assigning a child to a different age group if such age group is more appropriate for the child’s developmental level and the staff-to-children ration and group size shall be for the established age group.

“EVIDENCE: There was no written assessment prior to moving Child 1 into an older age group. Attendance sheets show this occurred on 11/14/2023. The lack of an assessment was confirmed by Staff 1.”

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

Based on staff record review, the center failed to obtain an out of state search of the child abuse and neglect registry for a new staff member who lived out of state within the past five years.

“EVIDENCE: The sworn disclosure statement dated 4/8/2023 for Staff 4 shows this staff member lived outside of Virginia within the past five years. The documented hire date for Staff 4 is 4/11/2023 and as of 9/5/2023 the staff file did not have the results of the child abuse and neglect registry for the state the staff person resided in. There was no documentation to show it had been requested from the other state.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Based on staff record review, the center failed to obtain the results of a TB screening for a new staff member, completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment.

“EVIDENCE: The documented hire date for Staff 4 was 4/11/2023 and the date of the TB screening was 4/14/2023.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Based on observation and interview, the center failed to maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.

“EVIDENCE: The Ivy room did not have written attendance at the start of the inspection. At the time, six children were in care in that group. Staff 4 stated that the attendance clipboard was missing that morning.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Based on record review, the Licensee failed to ensure Child Protective Services Background Check is completed within 30 days of hire.

“EVIDENCE: Licensing Inspector reviewed 6 staff records. CPS Background check for Staff #3 was completed on 8/19/2022; date of hire began 7/11/2022. Background Check was not completed within 30 days of the hire date.”

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

Based on child record review, the center failed to obtain an immunization record prior to a child being at the center.

“EVIDENCE: Licensing Inspector reviewed 5 children records. Child #1 began on 9/6/2022 and there was no immunization or exemption form in the record until 11/9/2022. The religious exemption form is dated 11/9/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

Based on record review, the Licensee failed to ensure staff complete a tuberculosis skin test/screening prior to the date of hire.

“EVIDENCE: Licensing Inspector reviewed 5 staff records. Tuberculosis screening for Staff #3 was completed after the date of hire (7/11/2022). Documentation in the staff record indicates that the tuberculosis screening was completed on 7/13/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Based on observations, the Licensee failed to keep hazardous cleaning agents in a locked location.

“EVIDENCE: In the Daisy Toddler Classroom, Licensing Inspector observed hazardous cleaning agents (toilet bowl cleaner), unlocked in the bathroom used by the children in care.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-E.

Based on observations, the Licensee failed to ensure electrical outlets are covered with protective covers.

“EVIDENCE: In the Ivy Toddler Classroom, there were several uncovered electrical outlets observed by the Licensing Inspector.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-290-A-3.

Based on interviews & record review, the Licensee failed to have at least one staff in each classroom has current CPR and First Aid certification.

“EVIDENCE: In the Buttercup Classroom Staff #2 and Staff #3 advised the Licensing Inspector that they did not have current CPR and First Aid certification. LI reviewed staff records which did not include documentation of a current First Aid & CPR certification. In the Lily Infant Classroom, there was not at least 1 staff person present who has current CPR and First Aid certification.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A.