Falls Church Merrifield Preschool

The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years.

“The record for Child #3 (3 years old) did not contain updated immunizations and was overdue by over 1 year.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-E.

Complaint Related The required ratio for children ages 3 years old up to school age eligible is one staff per 10 children.

“On August 11, 2026, in Classroom #4, Staff #1 was observed alone with 17 children for approximately 4 minutes while Staff #2 was in the kitchen area with the door closed.”

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

Repeat Violation Staff shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child’s record is up to date. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child’s record at least annually.

“The original enrollment information in 8 out of 8 records reviewed did not have an annual update.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-420-E-3. From a complaint.

The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.

“There was a drawer with a broken lock in Classroom #5 that contained a sharp knife accessible to children.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

Repeat Violation Staff shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child’s record is up to date. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child’s record at least annually.

“The information in the records of Child #1 and Child #7 had not been updated in over 17 months which are overdue by 5 months. The information in the record of Child #2 had not been updated in over 3 years which is overdue by 2 years. The information in the records of Child #3, #4, and #5, had not been updated in over 13 months which are overdue by 1 month.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-420-E-3.

Medication shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

“A medication was unlocked in a bin of ointments in the children’s bathroom in Classroom #3.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-L.

Staff are to complete the VDOE sponsored online orientation course within 90 days of hire.

“Staff #1, who is working with children, has not yet completed this course which is overdue by 6 months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-A.

The center is required to keep a current list of all known allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions in each room or area where children are present. The list must be dated and kept confidential.

“The list in Classroom #2 was not current and did not include the name of Child #3 who was present in the classroom and had a documented allergy. The list in Classroom #3 was not current and included the name of Child #8, but that child had transitioned out of the classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-40-M.

The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years.

“Child #2 (4 years old), last immunization record was over 3 years ago and was due over 2 years ago.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-130-E.

Documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening must be submitted at the time of employment, before coming into contact with children, and shall have been completed within the last 30 days of the date of employment.

“Staff #2, employed for over 2 months, had documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening dated over 1 year prior to their date of employment.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

Staff shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child’s record is up to date. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child’s record at least annually.

“The information in the record of Child #1 had not been updated in over 2 years which is overdue by over one year.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-420-E-3.

The following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: roughly handling a child.

Rule 8VAC20-780-410-1. From a complaint.

The center shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child’s record is up to date.

“-The record for Child #1 (enrolled over 1 year and 7 months) had not be updated annually and was overdue by over 7 months. -The record for Child #3 (enrolled over 2 years) had not be updated annually and was overdue by over 7 months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-420-E-3. From a complaint.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation, hazardous substances, were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence In the Turtle classroom, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer and liquid soap that said “keep out of reach of children” were not kept in a locked place.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

8VAC20-780-500-A

“Based on observation, hands were not washed about toileting. Evidence Child #1 in the Koalas classroom did not wash their hands after toileting. Staff #1 in the Koalas classroom did not wash their hands after assisting a child with toileting.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-A.

8VAC20-780-500-C

“Based on observation, the child-sized toilet chairs were not sanitized after each use. Evidence In the Koalas classroom, after each use the child-sized toilet chair was used, it was not sanitized. The chair was emptied and only rinsed out with water.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-500-C.

8VAC20-780-80-A

“Based on review of written attendance records, the written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs did not match the actual number of children in care. Evidence The written attendance record in the in the Giraffes classroom listed 19 children present, the actual number of children present was 18.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-80-A.

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation, hazardous substances were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence Hazardous cleaning supplies were observed in an unlocked cabinet under the sink in the Whales classroom.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Based on observation, over the counter products were kept beyond the expiration date of the Evidence In the Elephant classroom: expired diaper cream 12/22, insect repellent 4/22, sunscreen 7/21 and toothpaste 3/22, 6/22 was observed.

“In the Whales classroom: expired diaper cream 10/22 was observed. In the Turtles classroom: expired toothpaste 11/22 was observed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-520-A.

8VAC20-780-160-C

“Based on review of 8 staff records, one record did not contain the results of a follow up tuberculosis screening. Evidence The record for staff #1 contained a tuberculosis screening that expired 3/5/2022.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

8VAC20-780-420-E-3

“Based on review of 8 children records, 7 did not have at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child’s record is up to date. Evidence The record for children #1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 does contain in writing at least annually parent confirmation that the the required information is up to date.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-420-E-3.

8VAC20-780-440-B

“Based on observation, cots are not identified for use by a specific child. Evidence Cots located in the 3’s classroom were not labeled or identified for use by a specific child.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-440-B.