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The Merit School of Southpoint (#45)

Inspection · 2023-03-01

Date
2023-03-01
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 (8VAC20-770)
20 Access to minor?s records
22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide
63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Inspector Notes

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted 3/1/2023 from 10:20am through 1:15pm. There were 40 children directly supervised by 16 staff and all classrooms were in ratio. The physical plant, outdoor playground area, programming, menus, 5 staff records, 5 children?s records, 9 medications, emergency drills, injury reports, emergency supplies, and policies were inspected. Children were observed reading books, counting in Spanish, learning to count money, practicing days of the week, playing with bubbles, listening to story time, and coloring green eggs and ham. Positive interactions between children and staff were observed during this inspection. There was an abundant supply of age appropriate materials for the children. There was an adequate number of CPR/First Aid, Daily Health Observation, and MAT trained staff on site at the time of inspection. Areas of non-compliance are identified in the Violation Notice.

Please complete the columns for "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" for each violation cited on the Violation Notice, and then return a signed and dated copy to the licensing office by 5pm on 4/3/2023. Please email me at morgan.bryson@doe.virginia.gov with any questions.

Violations

7
Standard 8VAC20-770-60-B
Based on record review, the center did not ensure that all staff complete a signed Sworn Disclosure Statement prior to employment.

Evidence: Staff #5 (Date of Hire: 10/17/2022) did not have a signed Sworn Disclosure Statement at the time of inspection. Staff #5 did complete a Sworn Disclosure Statement during the inspection and was dated 3/1/2023.
Plan of Correction: Electronic Employment Application with Sworn Disclosure dated 9/27/2022 on file. Additional Sworn Disclosure completed during inspection on 3/1/2023.
Standard 8VAC20-780-160-A
Based on record review, the center did not obtain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening or test for all staff by the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children.

Evidence: Staff #1 (Date of Hire: 2/9/2023) did not have a tuberculosis screening or test on file at the time of inspection.
Plan of Correction: Documentation is now in the staff's file.
Standard 8VAC20-780-240-A
Based on record review, the center did not ensure that all staff complete the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment.

Evidence: Staff #5 (Date of Hire: 10/17/2022) has not completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course at the time of inspection.
Plan of Correction: Staff will not return to work until the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation is complete.
Standard 8VAC20-780-330-B
Based on observation of the playground, the resilient surfacing under playground equipment on the Prep/JK playground was insufficient.

Evidence:
1. There were 3 areas within the poured-in-place resilient surfacing on the Prep/JK playground surrounding the rock wall tunnel that is approximately 4' in height that has cracked. In addition, there was approximately a 2" gap between two sections of the poured-in-place resilient surfacing that was located approximately 3' from the base of the rock wall tunnel creating a tripping hazard and not providing the minimum depth for the fall zone.
Plan of Correction: Playground area was repaired on 3/6/2023.
Standard 8VAC20-780-40-M
Based on observation and record review, the center did not maintain a written list of all children's allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions in each area where children are present.

Evidence: In the Prep classroom, there was no posted list containing children's allergies, sensitivities and dietary restrictions.
Plan of Correction: Allergy list was in the classroom binder and is now posted on the wall in the classroom.
Standard 8VAC20-780-70
Based on record review, the center did ensure that staff records contained all required information.

Evidence: Staff #3 (Date of Hire: 2/21/2023) did not have documentation on file to demonstrate that the individual has completed orientation training.
Plan of Correction: Orientation was done, however, document was not in the staff's file. Documentation is now in the staff's file.
Standard 8VAC20-780-80-A
Based on record review and staff interview, the center did not maintain a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs for each group of children.

Evidence: In the Preschool Explorers room there were 8 children present, however, only 6 children were signed in on the classroom attendance.
Plan of Correction: Attendance was correct on the parent engagement app and written attendance was corrected during inspection.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services