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The Merit School of Gunston (#11)

Inspection · 2025-04-07

Date
2025-04-07
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Kimberly Weaver
(571) 596-3662
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 Staffing and Supervision
8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies
8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE
8VAC20-770 Background Checks
20 Access to minor?s records
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 monitoring inspection was initiated on 04/07/2025 and completed on 04/16/2025, in response to a self report received by the licensing inspector on 04/02/2025 relating to care and protection of children. The inspector reviewed 1 child record and 3 staff records. 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. Though not a part of the original self report, violations that were not reported were found related to supervision and are documented on the violation noticed 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. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations

2
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
Staff shall always ensure the care, protection, and guidance of children.

On 4/1/2025, the Baby Steps I classroom failed to securely buckle Child #1 (age 9 months) into the buggy when preparing for an outdoor walk. Approximately 10 minutes after leaving for the walk, Child #1 fell from the buggy onto the sidewalk resulting in an injury to the forehead.
Plan of Correction: We self-reported this incidence to our licensing inspector. The straps were inspected and found to be working properly. This infant was moved from one seat to another during the walk and the buckle must not have been fully engaged at that time. Staff working in the age groups that utilize the buggy (Baby Steps-Toddlers) have been retrained on ensuring children are properly secured in the harness.
Standard 8VAC20-780-40-E
The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the centers activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with the center's own policies and procedures.

The programs Attendance and Name-to-Face Accountability training specifies Name to Face is to be completed at every threshold and/or once an hour. A report provided by the center showed Baby Steps I did not complete a Name to Face in accordance with this training from 3/24/2025 to 4/1/2025. Staff #1, #2, and #3 had documentation of completing this training.

On 4/1/2025, the date of the injury, the report confirmed a Name to Face was not performed when the Baby Steps I classroom left for an outdoor buggy ride at approximately 2:15pm or upon return to the center at approximately 2:27pm.
Plan of Correction: During our upcoming staff meeting Wednesday, May 7th we will review Name-to-Face procedures with all staff. We will emphasize the importance of this procedure, even with infants that are non-mobile.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services