Merritt Academy

8VAC20-780-40-E

“Based on review of Center’s policies and procedures, video review and staff interviews, the licensee did not ensure that the center’s own policies and procedures were followed. Evidence: 1. Documentation of the Center’s procedures entitled ?Merritt Procedures - the Details?? states under the SIGHT AND SOUND heading the following: ? ?The sight and sound requirement means you must be able to see and hear children at all times within the class and while moving around campus.? ? ?Helpful hints when transitioning from place to place and keeping sight and sound: ? Name to face recognition before leaving the class by using supervision log/Tadpoles (Supervision logs should be used when changing location)? ? ?Visibly review the room/playground before leaving? ? ?Frequent student headcount? 2. Staff #1 stated, ?We are supposed to do Name to Face when you leave the classroom and enter another place?. Staff #1 stated ?I did not do Name to Face before leaving the classroom?. 3. Staff #2 stated, ?I should have done Name to Face after [Staff #1] and children joined us in line to go to the playground?. Staff #2 confirmed that staff are trained on Name to Face procedures every year and teacher workdays. 4. On August 30, 2023, at approximately 9:11am, Staff #1 was observed exiting the classroom door without visibly reviewing the room before leaving.”

8VAC20-780-340-F

“Based on video observation, staff interviews, and documentation review, a child under 10 years of age was not always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On August 30, 2023 a video confirmed that Child #1 (2 years old) was left alone and unsupervised in the classroom for approximately 28 minutes: a. At approximately 9:08am, the children in the Two’s classroom (Room 44) were observed on video lining up to go to the playground. Staff #2 led a group of children outside of the classroom door while Staff #1 remained in the classroom with three children. Staff #1 was cleaning and sanitizing the tables while one child stood by the door crying, another child followed Staff #1 around while cleaning the tables, and Child #1 sat on the floor in front of a tall bookshelf. At approximately 9:11am, Staff #1 stated ?Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go? and took two children by the hands and exited the classroom, leaving Child #1 sitting in the library area alone in the classroom. 2. Staff #1 and Staff #2 confirmed that Child #1 was left unsupervised in the classroom for approximately 28 minutes. 3.A ?Team Member Incident Report? confirmed that Child #1 was left unsupervised in the classroom.”

8VAC20-780-340-A

“Based on video observation and staff interviews, staff did not ensure the care, protection, and guidance of a child. Evidence: 1. On August 30, 2023, at approximately 9:11am, Child # 1 (2 years old) was left alone and unsupervised in a classroom for approximately 28 minutes. 2. Staff #1 confirmed that they walked out of the classroom with two children and left Child #1 inside of the classroom. 3. Staff #2 confirmed Child #1 was left alone and unsupervised in the classroom. 4. The video of the classroom shows that upon being left alone in the classroom, Child #1 stood up and looked at the door, then moved to the window and looked out of the window for approximately three minutes. At approximately 9:16am, Child #1 went to the classroom door and stood by it. At approximately 9:21am, Child #1 began to cry loudly for one minute. Child #1 began to cry again at 9:24am and continued to cry off and on for another ten minutes. 5. At approximately 9:39am,Staff #3 went into the classroom and can be heard on the phone stating, ?[Child #1] has been in this classroom by himself since 9 o?clock. They just noticed as they were leaving the playground that [Child #1] was not there.? Staff #3 then left the classroom with Child #1.”

8VAC20-780-290-A-3

“Based on observation, electrical outlets did not have protective covers. Evidence: 1. In the Toddler classroom, one electrical outlet did not have a protective cover.”

8VAC20-780-280-H

“Based on observation, personal belongings were accessible to children. Evidence: 1. In the K-3 classroom, a bag belonging to a staff member was hung on a hook accessible to children.”

8VAC20-780-570-B

“Based on observation, one bottle fed infant was not held when being fed. Evidence: 1. During the time of the inspection, staff was observed feeding an infant(6 months old)a bottle while the was laying on a boppy pillow on the floor.”

8VAC20-780-400-B

“Based on video observation and staff interviews, behavioral guidance was not constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and intended to redirect children to appropriate behaviors. Evidence: 1. On 06/14/2023, at approximately 4:47pm, in response to Child #1 (22 months) coloring on an attendance document attached to a clipboard, Staff # 1(date of hire-09/13/2022) said ?Look at what this[child] is doing? Why are you doing that?? Staff #1 pinches Child #1?s nose using their two fingers and Child #1 begins to cry. Staff #2 (Date of hire-10/18/2021)walks over to Child #1 and said ?Hey [Child #1], no, you are okay.? Staff #1 said ?It was a pinch. Come here. Why did you do this young lady? Why did you do this?? 2. Staff #2 takes Child #1 to the other side of the classroom to comfort them. Staff #2 asks Child #1, ?What happened? Were you coloring? Then what happened?? Child #1 continues to cry for approximately a minute before calming down, getting some water, and returning to play. 3. Staff #2 stated that there were no marks on the child and the child appeared to be okay after stopping crying. 4. Staff #1 remained on the other side of the classroom opening bubble wrap for the class. Staff #1 did not attempt to comfort or talk to Child #1 while crying. 5. On 06/08/2023, at approximately 10:20am, Staff #1 is observed with a yard stick in their hand during show and share time. Child #2(three years old) is seated backwards in their chair. Staff #1 taps the back of Child #2 with the yard stick and says, ?Turn around, turn around.? 6. Child #2 turns around in their chair and holds their back. 7. Staff #1 states, ?[Staff #3], I think I got [Child #2] in the back too good.?”

8VAC20-780-510-H

“Based on observation and interview, a nonprescription medication was not in the original container with the direction label attached. Evidence: 1.Child #8 has a diagnosed food allergy and has emergency medication on site. A bottle of emergency medication(Diphenhydramine) was located in a locked medication sac without the original container with the direction label attached. The epinephrine pen was also located in the locked medication sac. 2. Staff #11 confirmed that the original container was missing from the medication sac.”

8VAC20-780-440-B

“Based on observation, cots were not identified for use by a specific child. Evidence: 1. In the K2 classroom (Room44), the cots were not identified for use by a specific child.”

8VAC20-780-280-H

“Based on observation, cosmetics, medications, or other harmful agents were not stored in areas that were not accessible to children. Evidence: 1. In the K4 classroom(Room12), a container of Vaseline was located in an unlocked low drawer.”

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on record review, documentation for a tuberculosis screening was not completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #3's record (Date of hire-12/06/2022) contained documentation of a tuberculosis screening dated 10/25/2022. This tuberculosis screening results were not completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment.”

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: 1. In the K4 classroom (Room 1), a bottle of electronic wipes with the label, "Keep Out of Reach of Children", was located in an unlocked low cabinet.”

8VAC20-780-570-E

“Based on observation, infant bottles were not dated. Evidence: 1. In Class #53, infant bottles were not dated for Child #1, Child #2, and Child #3.”

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: 1. In class #57, air freshener and a bottle of bleach solution was found on a shelf in an unlocked bathroom. 2. In class #43, a bottle of bleach and water solution was not locked up in the diapering area of the classroom. The bleach and water solution was located on a high shelf and inaccessible to children. 3. In the hallway located near the K-3 classroom, the door to the mechanical room with cleaning solutions was unlocked. 4. In class#12 and class #13, bleach and water solutions and staff's personal belongings were located in low cabinets that had safety locks that were worn and not operational.”

8VAC20-780-500-B

“Based on observation, diapering surface was found non-absorbent. Evidence: 1. In class #53 and Class #55, the diapering surfaces were no longer absorbent due to cracks in the plastic coverings.”

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation, areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, were not maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In class #54, one side of the diapering station had an area that was splintered and within reach of the children in care. 2. In class #44, the foot pedal of the trashcan was broken and not fully operational.”

22.1-289.035-B-4

“Based on record review, the center did not obtain a copy of the results of an out of state criminal history information check for an individual that resided outside the state of Virginia in the past 5 years prior to the first date of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 (Start date-08/29/2022) lived in Washington DC in the past 5 years. An out of state background check was not conducted prior to the first date of employment. The Out of State background check was conducted and mailed on 08/29/2022.”

8VAC20-780-340-A

“Based on video observation, staff interview, and review of documentation, staff did not ensure the care, protection and guidance of a child. Evidence: 1. On 04/22/2022 at approximately 10:45am, the video shows Child #1 (18 months) grabbing at a book held by Child #2 (18 months) and hitting Child #2. Staff #1 was observed calling Child #1?s name from across the classroom and Child #1 stopped hitting at Child #2. Child #1 then took the book from Child #2. Staff #1 walked over to Child #1 and said, ?Really girl?, took the book from Child #1 and gave it back to Child #2. Staff #1 took Child #1 by the left arm under the elbow and pulled them from a seated position on the floor to a standing position. Child #1 began to cry. Staff #1 lifted Child #1 under both arms and placed them to another area of the carpet, and walked over to Child #2 to attend to them. Child #1 continued to cry and sob off and on for the next five minutes of the video. 2. Staff #1 stated that Child #1 cried off and on for 30 minutes after Staff #1 moved Child #1. 3. According to the Injury Report on 04/22/2022, the parents were notified by phone at 11:45 am. The parents picked Child #1 at 1:00 pm. 4. According to discharge papers from a local hospital dated 04/22/2022, Child #1 was treated and diagnosed with Nursemaid's elbow of the upper extremity.”

8VAC20-780-40-E

“Based on documentation review and video observation, the licensee did not ensure that staff followed the center’s own policies and procedures as they relate to injury prevention and behavior guidance. Evidence: 1. The Center’s policies state that staff should move children by lifting them by the trunk and avoid lifting or holding a child by the arm. 2. Staff #1 took Child #1?s left arm under the elbow and pulls them to a standing position.”

8VAC20-780-400-B

“Based on video observation, behavioral guidance was not constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and intended to redirect children to appropriate behaviors. Evidence: 1. On 4/22/2022, at approximately 10:45am, in response to Child #1 (18 months) grabbing a book from and hitting another child, Staff #1 took Child #1 by the left arm under the elbow and pulled them from a seated position on the floor to a standing position. Child #1 began to cry. Staff #1 lifted Child #1 under both arms and placed Child #1 on another area of the carpet. Child #1 cried for the next 5 minutes of the video. Staff #1 walked away from Child #1 without attempting to comfort or talk to them while crying.”

8VAC20-780-240-E

“Based on record review, staff did not complete staff orientation training in first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as appropriate to the age of the children in care within 30 days of the first day of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1's record (Date of hire- 10/18/2021) did not contain documentation of orientation training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR).”

8VAC20-780-570-B

“Based on observation, one bottle fed infant was not held when being fed. Evidence: 1. During the time of the inspection, Staff #6 was observed feeding Child #6(6 months) a bottle while Child #6 was laying on a boppy pillow on the floor.”

8VAC20-780-240-A

“Based on record review, staff did not complete the Virginia Department of Education sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment. Evidence: 1. Staff #1's record (Date of hire-10/18/2021) did not contain documentation of the Virginia Department of Education sponsored orientation course.”