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The Merit School at The Castle (#9)

Inspection · 2025-03-26

Date
2025-03-26
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Florence Martus
(804) 389-0157
SHSIA monitoring inspection of an approved subsidy vendor to determine compliance with current subsidy requirements regarding the health and safety of children and to promote quality standards for the children in their care.
No

Areas Reviewed

8VAC20-780 Administration.
8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training.
8VAC20-780 Physical Plant.
8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision.
8VAC20-780 Programs.
8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies
8VAC20-780 Special Services.
8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE.
8VAC20-770 Background Checks
20 Access to minor's records
22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education
63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above to include standards found out of compliance during the previous inspection. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed. If there were any serious injuries or fatalities related to a violation, the details will be included in the description of the violation.

Inspector Notes

An unannounced, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated on 03/26/2025 and completed on 03/26/2025, as a part of the licensure period. The on-site inspection began at 10:00am and ended at 12:30pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 52 children present and 12 staff. The inspector reviewed five children?s records and five staff records on-site. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations.

Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Please complete the plan of correction (POC) and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice. Specify how the violation will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five business days from today, which will be the close of business on 04/29/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations

3
Standard 8VAC20-780-40-E
The center is required to ensure the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards are in compliance.

On 03/26/25, the center had a medication on-site for Child #6 that expired over six months ago. The center?s medication policies state medication must not exceed the expiration date.
Plan of Correction: Per the Center: "Medication was sent home on 3/26/2025. New paperwork given to parents."
Standard 8VAC20-780-550-D
The center shall implement a monthly practice evacuation drill.

The center did not practice an evacuation drill in December 2024.
Plan of Correction: Per the Center: "Fire drill was done 12/17/2024. Document was updated showing fire drill was completed."
Standard 8VAC20-780-70
Each staff record should contain documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education, certification, and experience required by the job position, and orientation and training.

The record of Staff #5, who has been employed for five months, did not contain documentation that the staff member has completed orientation training.
Plan of Correction: Per the Center: "Employee Handbook Acknowledgment was signed with employee with inspector on site on 03/26/2025."
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services