Falls Church Merrifield Preschool

8VAC20-780-130-E

“The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. The record for Child #3 (3 years old) did not contain updated immunizations and was overdue by over 1 year.”

8VAC20-780-420-E-3 Complaint related: No

“Repeat Violation Staff shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child’s record is up to date. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child’s record at least annually. The original enrollment information in 8 out of 8 records reviewed did not have an annual update.”

8VAC20-780-350-B-4 Complaint related: Yes

“Complaint Related The required ratio for children ages 3 years old up to school age eligible is one staff per 10 children. On August 11, 2026, in Classroom #4, Staff #1 was observed alone with 17 children for approximately 4 minutes while Staff #2 was in the kitchen area with the door closed.”

8VAC20-780-420-E-3

“Repeat Violation Staff shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child's record is up to date. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child's record at least annually. The information in the records of Child #1 and Child #7 had not been updated in over 17 months which are overdue by 5 months. The information in the record of Child #2 had not been updated in over 3 years which is overdue by 2 years. The information in the records of Child #3, #4, and #5, had not been updated in over 13 months which are overdue by 1 month.”

8VAC20-780-510-L

“Medication shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. A medication was unlocked in a bin of ointments in the children’s bathroom in Classroom #3.”

8VAC20-780-270-A

“The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. There was a drawer with a broken lock in Classroom #5 that contained a sharp knife accessible to children.”

8VAC20-780-40-M

“The center is required to keep a current list of all known allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions in each room or area where children are present. The list must be dated and kept confidential. The list in Classroom #2 was not current and did not include the name of Child #3 who was present in the classroom and had a documented allergy. The list in Classroom #3 was not current and included the name of Child #8, but that child had transitioned out of the classroom.”

8VAC20-780-240-A

“Staff are to complete the VDOE sponsored online orientation course within 90 days of hire. Staff #1, who is working with children, has not yet completed this course which is overdue by 6 months.”

8VAC20-780-420-E-3

“Staff shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child's record is up to date. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child's record at least annually. The information in the record of Child #1 had not been updated in over 2 years which is overdue by over one year.”

8VAC20-780-130-E

“The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. Child #2 (4 years old), last immunization record was over 3 years ago and was due over 2 years ago.”

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening must be submitted at the time of employment, before coming into contact with children, and shall have been completed within the last 30 days of the date of employment. Staff #2, employed for over 2 months, had documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening dated over 1 year prior to their date of employment.”

8VAC20-780-410-1 Complaint related: No

“The following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: roughly handling a child. On April 14, 2025 in Classroom #1, Staff #1 approached Child #2 (age 3) by the changing area, grabbed their right forearm and pulled the child towards them, causing the child to fall to the ground on their left knee. Staff #1 forcibly pulled off the child’s jacket. Staff #1 then turned to the row of children behind them, pointed a finger in Child #3?s (age 4) face and yanked Child #3?s left shirt sleeve to forcibly remove it. Staff #1 then walked behind Child #1 (age 4) who was sitting in a chair, grabbed them by their upper arms to lift them and turned Child #1 around towards them, then pushed the child away in another direction, causing the child to open their mouth to appear like they were screaming and stomp away to another area of the classroom where it continued. On April 14, 2025, after nap time, Staff #1 grabbed Child #1 (age 4) underneath their arms and lifted them off their cot. Staff #1 pulled the child with both arms while on their tip toes across the room to a changing area where Staff #1 then forced the child to sit down in a chair.”

8VAC20-780-420-E-3 Complaint related: No

“The center shall request at least annually parent confirmation that the required information in the child's record is up to date. -The record for Child #1 (enrolled over 1 year and 7 months) had not be updated annually and was overdue by over 7 months. -The record for Child #3 (enrolled over 2 years) had not be updated annually and was overdue by over 7 months.”

8VAC20-780-500-A

“Based on observation, hands were not washed about toileting. Evidence Child #1 in the Koalas classroom did not wash their hands after toileting. Staff #1 in the Koalas classroom did not wash their hands after assisting a child with toileting.”

8VAC20-780-280-B

“Based on observation, hazardous substances, were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence In the Turtle classroom, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer and liquid soap that said "keep out of reach of children" were not kept in a locked place.”

8VAC20-780-80-A

“Based on review of written attendance records, the written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs did not match the actual number of children in care. Evidence The written attendance record in the in the Giraffes classroom listed 19 children present, the actual number of children present was 18.”

8VAC20-780-500-C

“Based on observation, the child-sized toilet chairs were not sanitized after each use. Evidence In the Koalas classroom, after each use the child-sized toilet chair was used, it was not sanitized. The chair was emptied and only rinsed out with water.”