The Merit School Learning Center (#36)
A child day center in Aldie, Virginia 20105
25375 Supreme Drive, Aldie, Virginia 20105. (703) 957-3484.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. Virginia’s own record is on legacy.dss.virginia.gov.
The short answer
- 8 deficiencies in the last three years
- May 272026 the latest visit on record
- 305 children, its licensed capacity
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean4
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Licence status
- Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
- Capacity
- The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
21 inspections on record, the latest on May 27, 2026.
8 violations cited in the last three years.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
When those deficiencies happened
8 deficiencies in 4 months of the last 36. Last cited May 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, in its source’s words
Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
May 27, 2026: subsidy health and safety inspection2 deficiencies
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If diaper ointment or cream is used, written parent authorization noting any known adverse reactions shall be obtained.
“On the date of the inspection, the written parent authorization for Child #1 for an over-the-counter diaper ointment was incomplete. The authorization did not specify the dosage or frequency to be used.”
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Staff who work with children shall annually attend at least 16 hours of training to include the departments health and safey update course.
“On the date of the inspection, Staff #1 had not completed the departments health and safety update course for 2025.”
May 30, 2025: inspection2 deficiencies
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Each child shall have a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician before the childs attendance or within 30 days after the first day of attendance. The current form required by the Virginia Department of Health shall be used to report the results of the examination and shall be signed by a physician.
“A well visit summary was obtained for Child #1 prior to enrollment but it did not contain all required components or a physicians signature. A complete physical examination was not obtained until approximately 6 months after the first date of attendance.”
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Annual approval from the health department shall be provided for meeting reuirements for water supply, sewage disposal system, and food service (if applicable).
“The most recent health inspection, conducted in August 2024, did not include the sewage disposal system.”
Jul 25, 2024: inspection2 deficiencies
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Based on observation, areas and equipment of the center, outside, was not maintained in a safe and operable condition.
“Evidence: 1) The garden boxes on the preschool playground has chipped and peeling paint. 2) The preschool and school age playground has depleted mulch along the cemented surface, causing a tripping hazard. 3) On the JK playground, there are sections of the wooden fence that are rotted. 4) On the preschool playground, the corner section of the wooden fence has a partially attached and rotted baseboard and screws that are coming loose, making the fence unstable.”
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Based on record review and interview, the center did not maintain, in a way that is accessible to all staff who work with children, a current written list of all children’s allergies.
“Evidence: Child #1 (DOE: 6/17/2024) has a confirmed food allergy that was not documented on the allergy chart posted in the classrooms.”
Feb 13, 2024: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-440-B
“Based on observation, cots were not identified for use by a specific child. Evidence: The cots in the JK classroom were labeled with numbers. The cot chart on the wall in the classroom did not have children’s names listed to correspond with each number.”
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8VAC20-780-450-A
“Based on observation, cots used by children did not include a top cover and bottom cover. Evidence: Two children were observed napping in the preschool classroom without a bottom sheet between the children and the cot.”
Oct 30, 2023: subsidy health and safety inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-790-600-D-1
“Based on record review and interview, all staff did not have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the ages of children in care. Evidence: Staff #1 record does not contain certification for current CPR. Center management confirmed that the staff has not completed the in-person portion of the certification exam.”
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8VAC20-790-600-D-2
“Based on record review and interview, all staff did not have current certification in first aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Evidence: Staff #1 record does not contain certification for first aid. Center management confirmed that the staff has not completed the in-person portion of the certification exam.”
Oct 30, 2023: inspection5 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-270-A
“Based on observation, areas of the center were not maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: There are two areas of peeling paint in the school age classroom.”
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8VAC20-780-50-A
“Based on observation, staff and children’s were not treated confidentially. Evidence: The supplemental page from the facilities 5/31/2023 inspection which contains staff and children information and states “DO NOT POST” was observed posted at the facility with the inspection summary and violation notice.”
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8VAC20-780-500-A
“Based on observation, hand washing requirements were not met. Evidence: A child was observed having their diaper changed in the toddler classroom. The child did not get their hands washed after their diaper was changed. The teacher did not immediately wash their own hands after the diaper change.”
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8VAC20-780-520-C
“Based on observation, diaper ointment requirements were not met. Evidence: Two diaper creams in the preschool classroom were not labeled with names to identify the owners.”
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8VAC20-780-70
“Based on record review, staff records did not contain all required information. Evidence: Staff #2 record did not contain documentation of two references.”
May 31, 2023: inspection3 deficiencies
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22.1-289.011-F
“Based on observation, documents required by the superintendent was not posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. Evidence: The most recent inspection of the facility was not posted.”
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8VAC20-780-440-B
“Based on observation, cots were not identified for use by a specific child. Evidence: The cots in the Pre-K classroom were labeled with numbers. The cot chart on the wall in the classroom did not have children’s names listed to correspond with each number.”
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8VAC20-780-520-A
“Based on observation, over-the-counter skin products were kept beyond the expiration date. Evidence: An over-the-counter skin product was observed in Child #3’s cubby. The skin product expired 3/2023.”
Jan 20, 2023: inspection4 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-130-E
“Based on record review, the center did not obtained documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. Evidence: Child #2 (23 months) most recent immunizations are from when the child was 12 months old.”
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8VAC20-780-270-C
“Based on observation, areas inside occupied by children was not maintained 68 degrees or higher. Evidence: The preschool classroom was 67 degrees at the start of the inspection.”
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8VAC20-780-530-A-1
“Based on observation and interview, there was not at least one staff person present in each classroom where children were present with current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. Evidence: Staff #3 was observed working alone in the Pre-K classroom. Center management confirmed that Staff #3 does not have current CPR certification.”
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8VAC20-780-530-A-2
“Based on observation and interview, there was not at least one staff person present in each classroom where children were present with current first aid certification. Evidence: Staff #3 was observed working alone in the Pre-K classroom. Center management confirmed that Staff #3 does not have current first aid certification.”
Jun 1, 2022: inspection3 deficiencies
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Based on record review, each child does not have a physical exam within the first 30 days of attendance.
“Evidence: Child #1 (date of enrollment 6/2020) record does not contain a physical exam.”
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Based on observation, areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, were not maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.
“Evidence: 1) There was a separation in the seam of the resilient surfacing, causing a tripping hazard on the preschool playground. 2) There was a large area of peeling paint on the wall of the Junior Kindergarten B near the back door of the classroom.”
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Based on observation, restrooms did not contain all required supplies.
“Evidence: the bathroom in the KSTEM classroom did not contain hand soap.”
Mar 18, 2022: inspection4 deficiencies
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22.1-289.058
“Based on interview, the child day program has not ensured that the building was equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector. Evidence: When asked, the program director confirmed that a carbon monoxide detector had not yet been installed in the building.”
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8VAC20-780-130-A
“Based on record review, the center has not obtained documentation that each child has received their immunizations before the child could attend the center. Evidence: Child #2 (date of enrollment: 8/22/2022) record does not contain documentation of immunizations.”
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8VAC20-780-130-E
“Based on record review, the center has not obtained documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. Evidence: Child #1 (13 months) most recent documented immunizations are dated when the child was approximately 4 months old.”
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8VAC20-780-140-A
“Based on record review, the center has not obtained documentation that each child has a physical exam by a physician within the first 30 days of enrollment. Evidence: Child #2 (date of enrollment: 8/22/2022) record does not contain documentation of a physical exam.”
Oct 13, 2021: inspection5 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-340-A
The inspectors’ words, 237 words
“Based on interviews and photographic evidence, when staff were supervising children, they did not always ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 stated that on 9/15/2021 the class was supposed to be napping but there were two children who “would run around and one of them would not listen.” Staff #1 wanted the child (age 3 years) to “sit in the chair but [they] would scream.” Staff #1 stated that they needed to remove Child #1 from the classroom and “take [them] to my boss.” 2. The evening of 9/15/2021, the parents of Child #1 discovered four adult sized nail marks, one of which broke the skin, on Child #1’s left forearm. Child #1 stated that “[Staff #1] squished [their] arm”. Two photographs of the nail marks were sent to Center Management (See photograph 1 and photograph 2). 3. The morning of 9/16/2021 Center Management asked Staff #1 if she had grabbed Child #1’s arm on 9/15/2021. Staff #1 stated that “[Child #1] had been misbehaving throughout the day” and admitted to Management that they had “grabbed [Child #1] by the arm.” Center Management requested for Staff #1 to demonstrate on themselves how they had grabbed Child #1. Center management reported to the inspector that Staff #1 took the managers arm, “squeezed their nails” into the managers arm. Center management explained to Staff #1 that their behavior was inappropriate and Staff #1 was fired.”
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8VAC20-780-40-E
The inspectors’ words, 246 words
“Based on a review of documentation and interviews, the licensee did not ensure that the center’s own policies and procedures were followed. Evidence: 1. The licensee’s policies and procedures states that ‘Teachers will implement positive guidance strategies” and that “Teachers will ensure there is a positive classroom environment.” 2. Staff #1 stated that on 9/15/2021 the class was supposed to be napping but there were two children who “would run around and one of them would not listen.” Staff #1 wanted the child to “sit in the chair but [they] would scream.” Staff #1 stated that she needed to remove Child #1 (age 3 years). from the classroom and “take [them] to the boss.” 3. The evening of 9/15/2021, the parents of Child #1 discovered four adult sized nail marks, one of which broke the skin, on Child #1’s left forearm. Child #1 stated that “[Staff #1] squished [their] arm”. 4. The morning of 9/16/2021 center management asked Staff #1 if she had grabbed Child #1’s arm on 9/15/2021. Staff #1 stated that “[Child #1] had been misbehaving throughout the day” and admitted to management that they had “grabbed [Child #1] by the arm.” Center management requested for Staff #1 to demonstrate on themselves how they had grabbed Child #1. Center Management reported to the inspector that Staff #1 took the Managers arm, “squeezed their nails” into the Managers arm. Center management explained to Staff #1 that their behavior was inappropriate and Staff #1 was fired.”
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8VAC20-780-400-B
The inspectors’ words, 225 words
“Based on interview, behavioral guidance was not constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and was not intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 stated that on 9/15/2021 the class was supposed to be napping but there were two children who “would run around and one of them would not listen.” Staff #1 wanted the child to “sit in the chair but [they] would scream.” Staff #1 stated that she needed to remove Child #1 (age 3 years) from the classroom and “take [them] to the boss.” 2. The evening of 9/15/2021, the parents of Child #1 discovered four adult sized nail marks, one of which broke the skin, on Child #1’s forearm. Child #1 stated that “[Staff #1] squished [their] arm”. 3. The morning of 9/16/2021 Center Management asked Staff #1 if she had grabbed Child #1’s arm on 9/15/2021. Staff #1 stated that “[Child #1] had been misbehaving throughout the day” and admitted to Management that they had “grabbed [Child #1] by the arm.” Center Management requested for Staff #1 to demonstrate on themselves how they had grabbed Child #1. Center Management reported to the inspector that Staff #1 took the Managers arm, “squeezed their nails” into the Managers arm. Center Management explained to Staff #1 that their behavior was inappropriate and Staff #1 was fired.”
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8VAC20-780-410-1
The inspectors’ words, 231 words
“Based on interviews and photographic evidence, physical punishment, roughly handling and/or restricting movement was not forbidden. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 stated that on 9/15/2021 the class was supposed to be napping but there were two children who “would run around and one of them would not listen.” Staff #1 wanted the child to “sit in the chair but [they] would scream.” Staff #1 stated that she needed to remove Child #1 (age 3 years) from the classroom and “take [them] to the boss.” 2. The evening of 9/15/2021, the parents of Child #1 discovered four adult sized nail marks, one of which broke the skin, on Child #1’s forearm. Child #1 stated that “[Staff #1] squished [their] arm”. Two photographs of the nail marks were sent to Center Management (See photograph 1 and photograph 2). 3. The morning of 9/16/2021 Center Management asked Staff #1 if she had grabbed Child #1’s arm on 9/15/2021. Staff #1 stated that “[Child #1] had been misbehaving throughout the day” and admitted to Management that they had “grabbed [Child #1] by the arm.” Center Management requested for Staff #1 to demonstrate on themselves how they had grabbed Child #1. Center Management reported to the inspector that Staff #1 took the Managers arm, “squeezed their nails” into the Managers arm. Center Management explained to Staff #1 that their behavior was inappropriate and Staff #1 was fired.”
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8VAC20-780-550-P
“Based on interviews, the center did not maintain a written record of a child’s serious or minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. Evidence: Parent #1 and Parent #2 stated that they did not receive a written report for the injury that occurred at the center on 9/15/2021.”
All 21 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2026 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Dec 8, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Dec 8, 2025 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| May 30, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| May 30, 2025 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Jan 29, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Jan 29, 2025 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| Jul 25, 2024 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Jul 25, 2024 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Feb 13, 2024 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Oct 30, 2023 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Oct 30, 2023 | Inspection | 5 violations cited |
| May 31, 2023 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| May 31, 2023 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Jan 20, 2023 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Jan 20, 2023 | Inspection | 4 violations cited |
| Jun 1, 2022 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Mar 18, 2022 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Mar 18, 2022 | Inspection | 4 violations cited |
| Oct 13, 2021 | Inspection | 5 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Day Center: Two Year license, expires Jun 26, 2027.
- A current subsidy provider.
- Ages: Birth - 12 years 11 months.
- Capacity: 305 children.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each facility’s page. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
Has Virginia acted against it?
- 1 complaint inspection on record.
- No complaint allegations published with findings.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations and Search for Child Day Care: each complaint’s page, with its allegations and findings. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
Who does the caring?
- Virginia doesn’t publish staffing levels for individual providers. State rules set staff-to-child ratios by age.
Who owns it?
- Virginia’s search doesn’t list owners.
How is it rated?
- Virginia’s search doesn’t show a quality rating.
How does it compare nearby?
- Among 304 child care providers in Loudoun County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 8; this one had 8.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
| Place | Violations cited in the last three years |
|---|---|
| Hayat Khalifa | 25 |
| Learning Paths Academy at Stone Ridge (#28) | 8 |
| Mona Al Amouri | 5 |
| Mariam Atazai | 2 |
| Shweta Anand | 43 |
| Le Lam | 8 |
| The Merit School Learning Center (#36) This child care provider | 8 |
| Arpita Lal | 20 |
| Rohina Shrestha | 8 |
| Lata Bhagia | 39 |
| Fakhria Nowroozi | 0 |
| Reeta Devkota | 22 |
What the record doesn’t say
- Virginia doesn’t grade how serious a violation is, so no severity is shown.
- Virginia publishes a complaint’s allegations and findings only when its inspection found a violation and the records are linked.
- Virginia doesn’t publish staffing levels or owners for individual providers.
- A plan of correction sent late, or not at all, isn’t online: Virginia says to ask the inspector.
- Virginia’s pages show about the last five years of inspections; for older ones, Virginia says to contact the licensing inspector.
- Virginia says this information may not be accurate, up to date or complete, and shouldn’t be the only source in choosing care.
Sources
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Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each facility’s page.
Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly. No open licence; Virginia allows non-commercial use, so Care Ledger shows it free.
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Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations.
Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly. No open licence; Virginia allows non-commercial use, so Care Ledger shows it free.
-
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each complaint’s page, with its allegations and findings.
Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly. No open licence; Virginia allows non-commercial use, so Care Ledger shows it free.
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: Virginia Department of Education. Virginia’s own record is on legacy.dss.virginia.gov. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.
From the provider
The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.