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The Merit School at The Castle (#9)

Inspection · 2025-10-03

Date
2025-10-03
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.
8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS.
8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES.
8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770)
20 Access to minor?s records
22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide
63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above. 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 monitoring inspection was initiated on 10/3/2025 and completed on 10/3/2025 in response to a self-report received by the licensing office on 9/29/2025 relating to allegations of Supervision and Forbidden actions. The inspector reviewed one child record and one staff record on-site on 10/3/2025. 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 (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on
10/17/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations

1
Standard 8VAC20-780-410-1
The following acts are forbidden: physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, restricting movement through binding or tying, forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position, or exercise as punishment.

Staff reported during interviews on October 3,2025, that they observed Teacher #1, push Child #1 to the ground and say, "How do you like it?" to Child #1. This incident occurred on the playground after Child #1 tried to push another child off of the hippo toy.
Plan of Correction: As soon as this incident was reported,
Teacher #1 was immediately placed on
administrative leave pending
investigation. CPS and licensing were
notified on 9/26/35 about this incident.
After the internal
investigation was completed the
following morning, the teacher?s
employment was terminated from the
company. The center?s Positive
Guidance and Discipline Policy was
reviewed with all staff to reinforce that
any form of physical punishment or
rough handling of children is strictly
prohibited. All staff were reminded of
appropriate behavior management
techniques and the importance of
maintaining a safe and nurturing
environment for all children.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services