The Merit School of Wellington (#20)

The center is required to obtain the results of subsequent background checks every five years from the date of the last check.

“The central registry results on record for Staff #1 were expired by more than three months.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

Lockdown procedures are required to be practiced at least annually.

“The most recent lockdown drill was documented on 2/4/25.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-F.

The center is required to maintain a written record of daily attendance for each group of children that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.

“On 5/14/25 at approximately 10:21am, five children were observed in the Prep A classroom for three-year-olds. The attendance record contained documentation of four children present.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Children three years of age or younger may not be offered foods that are considered to be potential choking hazards.

“On 11/20/2024, two- and three-year-old children were served whole corn dog nuggets, which are considered to be a potential choking hazard.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-F-4.

8VAC20-780-245-A

“Based on review of five staff records, the center did not ensure that each staff completed annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care. Evidence: The record for Staff #4 contained documentation of 13 hours of annual training.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-245-A.

8VAC20-780-330-B

“REPEAT VIOLATION Based on observation and inspection of the playground, the center did not to ensure that the required amount of resilient surfacing was under playground equipment with moving parts or climbing apparatus to create a sufficient fall zone. Evidence: The mulch around the train climber on the playground was observed to be decomposed and broken down to less than one inch deep. Six inches of resilient surfacing is required.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-330-B.

8VAC20-780-40-L

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-L.

8VAC20-780-550-G

“Based on interview and review of documentation, the center did not ensure that documentation was maintained of emergency evacuation drills. Evidence: There was no evacuation drill documented on the drill log for the month of April 2024. The assistant director stated that they completed the drill on 4/29/24 but forgot to document it.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-G.

8VAC20-780-130-A

“Based on review of five child records, the center did not obtain documentation that each child had received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child attended the center. Evidence: The immunizations on record for Child B, with a start date of 9/6/22, were dated 10/3/22; the immunizations on record for Child C, with a start date of 12/6/21, were dated 1/13/22.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on review of four 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 TB screening on record for Staff #1, with an employment date of 10/2/23, was dated 10/6/23.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

8VAC20-780-270-A

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-60-A-8

“Based on review of five child records, the center did not obtain a written 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 the steps to be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed allergic reaction. Evidence: The record for Child E contained documentation that the child has a diagnosed allergy to banana, but there was no written allergy care plan on record for Child E.”

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

22.1-289.035-A

“Based on a review of 7 staff files and interview with administrative staff, it was determined that all staff had not obtained the a repeat background check every five years. Evidence: Staff B’s Virginia Central Registry background check was dated 12/20/17 and has not been renewed every five years.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

22.1-289.035-B-4

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

8VAC20-780-270-A

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation, it was determined that hazardous substance were not kept in a locked place. Evidence: The Licensing Inspectors observed an unlocked kitchen with sanitizing agents, peroxide, disinfectant solutions, stainless steel cleaner, germicidal agents in a cabinet above the small sink. The cabinet was unlocked. On the floor under the large sink were large buckets of sanitizing solutions.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-780-330-B

Rule 8VAC20-780-330-B.

8VAC20-780-440-G

“Based on observation and interview with staff, it was determined that cribs were not used for a child under 12 months of age. Evidence: Child A, 4 months of age enrolled at the center on 2/20/23, to date the child has never slept in a crib but in an infant bouncer. Interviews revealed that the staff had not take the time to rearrange crib assignements to assign child A, a crib where the mattress can be raised to aide in safely moving the infant in and out of the crib.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-440-G.

8VAC20-780-160-C

“Based on a review of recordkeeping and interview with administrative staff, it was determined that all staff did not have tuberculosis tests/screenings at least every two years from the date of the initial screening/test. Evidence: Staff A’s tuberculosis test/screening was dated 10/17/20, staff B’s tuberculosis test/screening was dated 9/9/19.”

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

8VAC20-780-350-B-1

“Based on interviews, it was determined that the center is not maintaining the 1 staff to 4 children ratio for infants. Evidence: Interviews revealed that on an almost daily basis since February 2023, the center is out of ratio in the infant room. From 7:30 am to 8:00am there are 9 infants and toddlers with two staff.”

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

8VAC20-780-350-B-2

“Based on interviews, it was determined that the center is not maintaining the 1 staff to 5 children ratio for toddlers, 16 to 24 months of age. Evidence: 1. Interviews revealed that since February 2023 and on average 3 to 4 times a week the center is out of ratio in the toddler room with 6 or more toddlers with 1 staff from 8:15 to 8:20 am. 2. On 5/21/23 from 8 to 8:30 am there were 6 toddlers with one staff.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-350-B-2. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-350-B-4

“Based on interviews, it was determined that the center is not maintaining the 1 staff to 10 children ratio in the JK classroom, which serves 4-year-old children. Evidence: 1. Since February 2023, the center has been out of ratio in the JK room. On an almost daily basis from 8:45 am to 9 am there are 12 to 15, 4-year -old children with one staff. 2. On April 26, 2023 there were 11- 4 year old children with one staff from 8:30 am to 8:40 am”

Rule 8VAC20-780-350-B-4. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-130-A

“Based on a review of six children’s files and interview with the director, it was determined that child C did not have immunization record on file. Immunizations are due upon enrollment and child C has been enrolled since 9/6/22.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

8VAC20-780-40-M

“Based on observation and interview, it was determined that one has an allergy , but was not listed on the written allergy/sensitivity/dietary restriction list. Evidence: Child A was diagnosed with an allergy to Amoxicillin but was not listed on the allergy list. Child A enrolled on 7/25/22.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-M.

8VAC20-780-60-A-8

“Based on a review of recordkeeping and interview, it was determined that child B has a diagnosed food allergy to grapefruit, pomegranate and tap water, but there was no written allergy care plan on file.”

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