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The Merit School of Quantico (#66)

Inspection · 2024-06-10

Date
2024-06-10
Complaint Related
Yes
Licensing Inspector
Beth Velke
(804) 629-8302
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 Staffing and Supervision.
8VAC20-780 Programs.

Inspector Notes

An unannounced complaint investigation was conducted on 6/10/24 from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in response to a complaint received in the licensing office regarding allegations of care, protection and guidance of children, supervision, and forbidden actions. Based on a review of available documentation and interviews conducted the allegation regarding care, protection, and guidance of children and supervision were determined to be valid and violations were cited. The allegation regarding forbidden actions was unable to be substantiated due to insufficient corroborating evidence. Other violations not reported in the complaint were also found during the investigation and are included in the Violation Notice. If you have questions regarding this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Beth Velke, at beth.velke@doe.virginia.gov or 804-629-8302.

Please complete the "Plan of Correction" and "Date to be Corrected" areas on the Violation Notice for each violation cited and return to me by 5 p.m. on 7/10/24.

Violations

4
Standard 8VAC20-780-340-A
Based on interviews and review of documentation it was determined that staff did not always ensure children's care, protection, and guidance.

Evidence: At approximately 11:00 a.m. on June 6, 2024, during water play, staff reported, they heard a cry and found Child #1, two-years-old, lying face down on a ramp of a play structure, bleeding from the mouth and missing a tooth. Staff reported they were unaware that Child #1 had walked behind them to play on the climbing equipment until they heard the child crying.
Plan of Correction: All staff have been retrained on playground safety and supervision. Staff have been shown where to position themselves that allow them to view the entire playground at all times.
Standard 8VAC20-780-40-N
Based on interviews with staff, the center failed to follow required playground safety procedures including active supervision by staff to include positioning of staff in strategic locations, scanning play activities and circulating among children.

Evidence: On June 6, 2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m. staff reported that they were grouped together supervising three wading pools that were along the fence close to the building, had their backs to the play equipment, and that they did not position themselves in a way where they could view the entire playground.
Plan of Correction: All staff have been retrained on playground safety and supervision. Staff have been shown where to position themselves that allow them to view the entire playground at all times.
Standard 8VAC20-780-400-B
Based on documentation and interviews, the center did not ensure that behavioral guidance was constructive in nature and redirected children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts.

Evidence: Staff reported that on the afternoon of March 27th, Child #1, 22 months old, was removed from the group and placed in a crib because Child #1 was pushing and hitting children in the group and would not listen to the teachers verbal commands to stop.
Plan of Correction: Child was pushing and hitting other children while the teacher was doing diaper changes. Child #1 was placed in the crib in an attempt to keep the other children safe during this time. Center management had a conversation with all staff reminding them to call a member of management if they need assistance during diaper changes or potty training.
Standard 8VAC20-780-470-E
Based on observation the center did not ensure that portable wading pools were not used for children that are not toilet trained.

Evidence: Interviews with staff reveled that the Preschool A and Preschool B classes, two-years-old, participated in wading pool activities during water days and that not all of the children in the groups were toilet trained.
Plan of Correction: Wading pools were immediately removed from toddler playground.
View original record on Virginia Department of Social Services