The Merit School of Old Town Manassas

The center shall inform all staff who work with children of children’s allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions.

“Evidence: In the Pre-K class, four-years-old, the teacher was unable to identify the diagnosed food allergies of a child in their care. A review of the child’s records show that a physician documented the child’s food allergies, that requires emergency medication, nine months ago.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-L.

The center shall provide to the licensing representative an annual health department inspection report for meeting requirements for water supply, sewage disposal and food service.

“Evidence: The most recent health department inspection on file was two years ago.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-B.

Based on observation; the facility did not ensure that the ratio for children 16 months to 24 months as 1 staff to 5 children.

“Evidence: In the toddler class, (16 months to 24 months), Licensing Inspector (LI) observed 7 children with 1 staff member.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-350-B-2.

Based on observation; the center did not ensure that infants placed in their crib were place on their back (supine).

“Evidence: In the Infant classroom, (ages 6 weeks- 12 months), LI observed a staff member laying an infant on their stomach in a crib to fall asleep.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-370-1.

Based on observation the center did not ensure that portable wading pools were not used for children that are not toilet trained.

“Evidence: The toddler class was observed playing in a splash pad/wading pool at the time of the inspection. None of the toddlers were toilet trained.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-470-E.

Repeat Violation Based on observation it was determined that not all procedures for diapering were followed.

“Evidence: In the toddler class, seven clear plastic bags of children’s clothing were observed on top of the diaper changing pad.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

Based on documentation and interviews; the facility did not ensure that ratios of 1 staff to 4 children was maintained in the birth to 16-month classroom.

“Evidence: On 3/21/24 between approximately 7:57 a.m. and 8:09 a.m. the infant classroom, birth to 16 months, had a total of five children in care with one teacher supervising.”

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

Based on interviews; the center did not ensure that staff were counted in the required staff-to-children ratios only when they are directly supervising children.

“Evidence: On 3/21/24 at approximately 8:09 a.m., Staff #1 was engaged in a video call on their phone, while being counted in the required staff-to-child ratio in the infant classroom. Interviews revealed that Staff #1 was observed with an earpiece to the phone in their ear, engaged in a video call.”

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

Repeat Violation

“Based on review five staff records; the center did not obtain documentation of the results of a central registry search within 30 days of employment for all staff members. Evidence: The record for Staff #5 with a start date of 01/04/23, the results of the Central registry search background check was dated 02/23/23.”

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

Repeat Violation

“Based on record review and staff interviews, the center did not ensure that all program leaders had documentation of high school program completion or equivalent on file. Evidence: The record for Staff #2, with a title of teacher, did not contain documentation of education.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-210-A. From a complaint.

Based on staff interviews, it was determined that staff did not ensure care, protection, and guidance of all children.

“Evidence: On August 11, 2023 at approximately 10:00 a.m. child #1, 21-months old, walked out of the fenced in playground area and entered the parking lot. An interview with Staff #1 revealed, Child #1 walked five to ten feet into the parking lot before being retrieved. Staff #1 stated Staff #2 and Staff #3, the staff responsible for the child, were unaware that the child had walked into the parking lot.”

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

Based on interview and record review, the center did not obtain a parent’s written permission or obtain a written assessment to assign a child to a different age group.

“Evidence: Child #1, 21 months (08/08/23 ), was moved to the Preschool Explorers, two-year-old group, on the second day of care (08/09/23). Staff #9 confirmed written permission was not obtained and Staff #4, Lead Toddler Explorer teacher, confirmed no assessment was obtained prior to the move.”

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

Based on a review of five staff records, the facility did not ensure that all program leaders had documentation of high school program completion or equivalent on file.

“Evidence: The record for Staff #1, Staff #2, Staff #3, and Staff #4, with a title of teacher, did not contain documentation of education.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-210-A.

Based on observation an infant unable to hold their bottle was not held when fed.

“Evidence: In the Infant A class, a three month old child, was in an infant seat drinking from a bottle propped by a soft toy.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-B.

Based on review five staff records, the center did not obtain documentation of the results of a central registry search within 30 days of employment for all staff members.

“Evidence: The record for Staff #4 with a start date of 1/10/23, the results of the Central registry search background check was dated 2/23/23”

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

Based on review of five staff records, the facility did not ensure that all program leaders had documentation of high school program completion or equivalent on file.

“Evidence: 1. The record for Staff #1, with a title of teacher, did not contain documentation of education. 2. The administrator confirmed that documentation of education is not requested from staff.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-210-A.

Based on observation, hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, insecticides, and pesticides were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

“In the older Junior Kindergarten room sanitizing spray was stored unlocked, on a shelf above the toilet in the children’s restroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Based on observation and interview, hazardous substances were not kept in original containers or in substitute containers that clearly indicate their contents. 1. In the toddler classroom, both the sanitizing solution and the cleaning solution were stored in spray bottles labeled ?sanitizer?. Staff identified the ?yellow? spray as cleaning solution and ?pink? spray as sanitizing solution; the ?pink? spray was a clear liquid

“2. In the Older Two-Year classroom, a small plastic bottle with an orange substance was located on the children’s handwashing sink. Staff indicated that it was used to clean the sink, staff were unable to identify the contents of the substance.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-G.

Based on interview with staff, the diapering surface was not always being cleaned with soap and water and sanitized after each use.

“Evidence: 1.In the infant classroom, staff stated that only one solution, the ?pink? solution, is used to clean the diapering surface. The spray bottle was labeled ?sanitizer?, soap and water was not used prior to sanitizing the diapering surface. 2. In the toddler classroom, staff stated that only one solution, the ?yellow? solution, is used to clean the diapering surface. The spray bottle was labeled ?sanitizer?, soap and water was not used prior to sanitizing the diapering surface.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-B.

Based on observation a child was allowed to drink while walking around.

“Evidence: A child from the Three year class was observed walking on the playground drinking from a hard plastic cup with a hard plastic straw coming from the center of the cup.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-M.

Based on review of the written attendance record, the center did not ensure they maintained a written record of daily attendance for each group of children documenting arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.

“1. In the Older Junior Kindergarten class there were twelve children present in the classroom, the written record reflected there were nine. 2. In the Younger Junior Kindergarten class there were two children present on the playground, the written record reflected there were five.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain the results of a Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry search within 30 days of employment for all staff.

“Evidence: Staff #1 (Date of Hire: 9/16/2022) did not have Central Registry results on file at the time of inspection.”

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

Based on observation, the center did not ensure that prepared infant formula is dated.

“Evidence: In the Infants room there were 4 prepared infant formula bottles in the refrigerator that were not dated.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain for all staff who have lived outside the state of Virginia within the last 5 years a copy of the results of a criminal history record information check prior to the first day of employment or a search request of the child abuse and neglect registry by the 30th day of employment.

“Evidence: Staff #4 (Date of Hire: 2/14/2022) indicated on a signed Sworn Disclosure Statement on 2/1/22 and 5/17/22 that they have resided in Pennsylvania and New York within the last 5 years. Staff #4 did not have the results of a Pennsylvania criminal history record information check on file. Staff #4 did not have documentation of a search request of the child abuse and neglect registry for Pennsylvania or New York on file.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening or test at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children for all staff.

“Evidence: Staff #1 (Date of Hire: 5/3/2022) had a TB test on file dated 5/16/2022.”

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