The Merit School of Southpoint (#45)

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

“On 11/03/25, Child #1 (2-years-old) was left behind in the classroom when the rest of the class went to the playground. Staff #3 was in the Toddler Explorers classroom when she heard muffled crying coming from the room next door. Staff #3 looked in the room and observed Child #1 was alone, on the ground, crying, and alerted a member of management. It is estimated Child #1 was left behind for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.”

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

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

“On 11/03/25, Child #1 (2-years-old) was left behind in the classroom when the rest of the class went to the playground. It is estimated Child #1 was not within the actual sight and sound supervision of staff for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.”

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

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

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

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 first aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. The record of staff #1 contained documentation of first aid certification that expired three days ago.”

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 cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the ages of children in care. The training shall include an in-person competency demonstration. The record of staff #1 contained documentation of CPR certification that expired three days ago.”

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

8VAC20-780-130-A

“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. The record of child #1, enrolled for 24 days, did not have documentation of immunizations.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-A.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. A canister of deicer, disinfectant and absorbent cleanser were observed unlocked on the van used for transporting children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

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, who works directly with children, completed the CPR certification 11 days late.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A-1.

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, who works directly with children, completed the first aid certification 11 days late.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-530-A-2.

Prepared infant formula shall be refrigerated, dated and labeled with the child’s name.

“On 05/16/25, the center did not ensure two bottles with prepared infant formula were dated and labeled with a child’s name.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E. 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 #5, who had been in attendance for over two months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-140-A.

Based on record review and staff interview, the center did not ensure that at least one staff member who meets the qualifications of a program leader or program director is regularly present in each grouping of children.

“Evidence: Staff #2 (Date of Hire: 11/21/2023) was identified as the lead teacher in the Junior Kindergarten room, Staff #4 (Date of Hire: 11/29/2021) was identified as the lead teacher in the Baby Steps I room, and Staff #5 (Date of Hire: 5/2/2024) was identified as the lead teacher in the Preschool Explorers room. Staff #2, Staff #4, and Staff #5 do not have documentation of program leader or program director qualifications on file.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-340-D.

Based on observation and documentation review, the center did not maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs.

“Evidence: In the Junior Kindergarten classroom, there were 9 children signed in on the written attendance but only 8 children were present in the classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

Based on interviews, a staff member engaged in a forbidden action by roughly handling a child in care.

“Evidence: In the Twos classroom, on 11/3/2023 at approximately 2:30pm, Child #1 (Age 2) was sleeping under a blanket on a cot when Staff #1 yanked Child #1 by the arm and roughly pulled Child #1 to a standing position. Staff #1 pulled Child #1 quickly across the room to the changing table. At the changing table, Staff #1 grabbed Child #1 by the upper left arm and roughly lifted the child onto the changing table.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-410-1.

Based on record review, the center did not obtain the results of a criminal history record check prior to employment from each state staff have resided in the preceding five years.

“Evidence: Staff #2 (Start Date: 8/8/2023) has resided in the state of Massachusetts within the last five years and did not have the results of a Massachusetts criminal history record check on file at the time of inspection.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-B-4.

Based on record review and staff interview, the center has not had an annual fire inspection.

“Evidence: The most recent fire inspection was conducted 8/3/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-A.

Based on record review and staff interview, the center has not had an annual health inspection.

“Evidence: The most recent health inspection was conducted 8/16/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-260-B.

Based on record review and staff interview, the center did not ensure that all staff obtain current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within 90 days of the date of employment.

“Evidence: Staff #5 (Date of Hire: 10/17/2022) did not have current CPR certification on file at the time of inspection.”

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

Based on record review and staff interview, the center did not ensure that all staff obtain current first aid certification within 90 days of the date of employment.

“Evidence: Staff #5 (Date of Hire: 10/17/2022) did not have current first aid certification on file at the time of inspection.”

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

Based on record review, the center did not ensure that all staff complete a signed Sworn Disclosure Statement prior to employment.

“Evidence: Staff #5 (Date of Hire: 10/17/2022) did not have a signed Sworn Disclosure Statement at the time of inspection. Staff #5 did complete a Sworn Disclosure Statement during the inspection and was dated 3/1/2023.”

Rule 8VAC20-770-60-B.

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

“Evidence: Staff #1 (Date of Hire: 2/9/2023) did not have a tuberculosis screening or test on file at the time of inspection.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Based on record review, the center did not ensure that all staff complete the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment.

“Evidence: Staff #5 (Date of Hire: 10/17/2022) has not completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course at the time of inspection.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

Based on observation of the playground, the resilient surfacing under playground equipment on the Prep/JK playground was insufficient.

“Evidence: 1. There were 3 areas within the poured-in-place resilient surfacing on the Prep/JK playground surrounding the rock wall tunnel that is approximately 4’ in height that has cracked. In addition, there was approximately a 2” gap between two sections of the poured-in-place resilient surfacing that was located approximately 3’ from the base of the rock wall tunnel creating a tripping hazard and not providing the minimum depth for the fall zone.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-330-B.

Based on observation and record review, the center did not maintain a written list of all children’s allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions in each area where children are present.

“Evidence: In the Prep classroom, there was no posted list containing children’s allergies, sensitivities and dietary restrictions.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-M.

Based on record review, the center did ensure that staff records contained all required information.

“Evidence: Staff #3 (Date of Hire: 2/21/2023) did not have documentation on file to demonstrate that the individual has completed orientation training.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Based on record review and staff interview, the center did not maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs for each group of children.

“Evidence: In the Preschool Explorers room there were 8 children present, however, only 6 children were signed in on the classroom attendance.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

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

“Evidence: 2 of 5 bottles of prepared infant formula observed in the refrigerator in the Baby Steps 1 room were not dated.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-570-E.

Based on medication review, the center did not obtain parental authorizations for all medications on site.

“Evidence: Child #6 had two emergency medications and Child #7 had one emergency medication on site. Parental authorizations granting the center permission to administer the emergency medications were not on file for Child #6 and Child #7.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-B.

Based on record review, the center did not ensure that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment.

“Evidence: Staff #2 (Date of Hire: 11/29/2021) had reference checks on file that were completed 11/30/2021.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.