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The Merit School of Gunston (#11)

Inspection · 2025-04-07

Date
2025-04-07
Complaint Related
Yes
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 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 (8VAC20-770)
20 Access to minor?s records
22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide
22.1 Potable Water Lead Testing
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 inspection was initiated on 04/07/2025 and completed on 04/29/2025 in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 04/03/2025 relating to allegations of child abuse and neglect, purpose and applicability, and supervision. The inspector reviewed 2 childrens records and 7 staff records on-site and electronically. This inspection included document review, interviews, observations, and tour of the facility.

The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation(s); therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and the violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Though not part of the original complaint, violations that were not reported were found related to behavioral guidance and 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. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations

2
Standard 8VAC20-780-400-B
Behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior.

On 08/19/2024, Staff #2 was observed taking the pacifier away from a toddler child for making noises during nap time.
Plan of Correction: Staff #2 no longer works for the company as of 1/28/2025. The reaction of staff #2 does not align with our behavioral guidance standards. The staff member was counseled and re-trained before being allowed to return to the classroom.
Standard 8VAC20-780-410-1
The following actions are forbidden: striking a child or roughly handling.

On 08/19/2024, the center received a report that Staff #1 observed Staff #2 hitting Child #1 (toddler) on the hand twice during nap time. A written statement provided by Staff #1 stated Staff #2 took the pacifier away from the child because they kept making noises. When the child began putting their fingers in their mouth, Staff #2 hit the child on the hand. Staff #2 was removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave.

On 09/03/2024, the center issued Staff #2 a final written warning. The written warning referenced being observed hitting the child on the hand two times. Staff #2 completed training upon returning to the center.
Plan of Correction: Staff #2 no longer works for the company as of 1/28/2025. During our review of the incident and having Staff #1 demonstrate what was witnessed, it was more of a pushing the childs hand away from their mouth than it was a "hit". The reaction of Staff #2 does not align with our teacher/child interaction expectations and the staff member was counseled and re-trained before being allowed to return to the classroom.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services