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Mountainside Montessori School

Inspection · 2025-09-09

Date
2025-09-09
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Angela Dudek
(804) 629-8167
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
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 renewal inspection was initiated and completed on 9-9-25. The on-site inspection began at 9:00am and ended at 11:25am. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 65 children present and 11 staff. The inspector reviewed 5 children?s records and 5 staff records on-site. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility, interviews, observations, and measurements. 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 9-16-25. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations

8
Standard 22.1-289.035-B-3
(Repeat Violation) For staff hired after 7/1/24, the Provider is required to request a Central Registry check prior to employment.

The record for Staff #1 and Staff #2 did not contain documentation that the Central Registry check had been requested prior to hire.
Plan of Correction: Central Registry searches were requested on 9-9-25
Standard 22.1-289.036-A
The Center is required to obtain a criminal history background check every five years from the date of the last criminal history background check.

The record for Staff #3 did not contain a subsequent fingerprint background check as required. The fingerprints were due 10 months ago.
Plan of Correction: This board member who does not spend time in the classroom will return from out of state on 9/18/25 had has scheduled an appt.
Standard 8VAC20-780-280-B
(Repeat Violation) The Center is required to keep hazardous substances in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

During inspection in the unlocked staff bathroom directly off the front hallway and where children have access, 1 container of a bleach product and 1 container of toilet cleaner were stored on an open shelf.
Plan of Correction: Although the shelf is well above the height of children, we ordered the recommended lock on 9-9-25
Standard 8VAC20-780-330-B
The Center is required to ensure that the required resilient surfacing surrounding playground equipment with moving parts or climbing apparatus created a sufficient fall zone.
1)The playground has a swingset that is 81 inches in height with wood chips at 2 inches in depth at 133 inches from the back of the right swing instead of the required 6 inches.
2)The playground has a web climber that is 53 inches in height at the center with wood chips at 1 inch in depth directly under the center instead of the required 6 inches.
Plan of Correction: Parents are scheduled to help spread mulch on Friday 9/12/25
Standard 8VAC20-780-350-B-3
The Center is required to maintain the required supervision ratio of 1 staff to 8 children whenever children are in care for children aged 2 years old.

During the inspection, the center did not maintain the required supervision ratio of 1 staff for every 8 children in the yellow house classroom (ages 2-6 years old) where the youngest child was age 2. There were 18 children present with 2 staff.
Plan of Correction: We will work on designating a third adult to supplement classroom staff in yellow house.
Standard 8VAC20-780-350-B-4
The Center is required to maintain the required supervision ratio of 1 staff to 10 children whenever children are in care for children aged 3 years old to school age eligible.

During the inspection, the center did not maintain the required supervision ratio of 1 staff for every 10 children in the green house classroom (ages 3-6 years old) where the youngest child was age 3. There were 22 children present with 2 staff.
Plan of Correction: We will work on designating a third adult to supplement classroom staff in green house.
Standard 8VAC20-780-550-D
(Repeat Violation) The Center is required to implement a monthly practice evacuation drill.

Evidence: There was no documentation of an evacuation drill for June 2025 or July 2025.
Plan of Correction: N/A
Standard 8VAC20-780-70
(Repeat Violation) The Center is required to maintain documentation for staff records including two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment.

The center did not have two or more references on file for Staff #1.
Plan of Correction: Written references have been requested.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services