The Merit School of Gunston (#11)

8VAC20-780-260-B

Annual approval from the health department shall be provided for meeting requirements for water supply; sewage disposal system. The documentation provided for an environmental sanitation inspection was dated December 2023.

8VAC20-780-130-A

The center shall obtain documentation that each child ahs received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center. The record for Child #1, enrolled for more than two weeks, did not contain documentation of immunizations. Complaint related: No

8VAC20-780-350-Q

With parents written permission and a written assessment by the program director and program leader, a center may choose to assign a child to a different age group if such age group is more appropriate for the childs development level. Child #1 was moved to a higher age group two months prior to the child turning the appropriate age for the group. The center had an Ages and Stages Questionnaire that was completed by the parent, but did not obtain written permission. The center did not have a written assessment completed by the program director or program leader. Complaint related: No

8VAC20-780-130-A

The center shall obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center. The record for Child #1, enrolled for 7 months, contained an immunizations dated 10 days after the first date of attendance.

8VAC20-780-500-A

Staff shall wash their hands with soap and running water: before and after a diaper change. Staff #1 was observed changing 2 children's diapers and did not wash their hands before and after each change.

8VAC20-780-400-B

Behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior. On 08/19/2024, Staff #2 was observed taking the pacifier away from a toddler child for making noises during nap time. Complaint related: No

8VAC20-780-410-1

The following actions are forbidden: striking a child or roughly handling. On 08/19/2024, the center received a report that Staff #1 observed Staff #2 hitting Child #1 (toddler) on the hand twice during nap time. A written statement provided by Staff #1 stated Staff #2 took the pacifier away from the child because they kept making noises. When the child began putting their fingers in their mouth, Staff #2 hit the child on the hand. Staff #2 was removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave. On 09/03/2024, the center issued Staff #2 a final written warning. The written warning referenced being observed hitting the child on the hand two times. Staff #2 completed training upon returning to the center. Complaint related: Yes

8VAC20-780-40-E

The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the centers activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with the center's own policies and procedures. The programs Attendance and Name-to-Face Accountability training specifies Name to Face is to be completed at every threshold and/or once an hour. A report provided by the center showed Baby Steps I did not complete a Name to Face in accordance with this training from 3/24/2025 to 4/1/2025. Staff #1, #2, and #3 had documentation of completing this training. On 4/1/2025, the date of the injury, the report confirmed a Name to Face was not performed when the Baby Steps I classroom left for an outdoor buggy ride at approximately 2:15pm or upon return to the center at approximately 2:27pm.

8VAC20-780-340-A

Staff shall always ensure the care, protection, and guidance of children. On 4/1/2025, the Baby Steps I classroom failed to securely buckle Child #1 (age 9 months) into the buggy when preparing for an outdoor walk. Approximately 10 minutes after leaving for the walk, Child #1 fell from the buggy onto the sidewalk resulting in an injury to the forehead.

8VAC20-780-130-E

Based on record review, the center did not obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. Evidence: Child #1 had documentation of immunizations dated 5/25/2023.

8VAC20-780-40-M

Based on observation and interview, the center did not maintain, in a way that is accessible to all staff who work with children, a current written list of all children's allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions in each room where children are present. Evidence: Classroom #6 did not have an allergy chart posted.

8VAC20-780-550-D

Based on record review and interview, the center did not implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. Evidence: There was no documentation of an evacuation drill for the month of July.

8VAC20-780-550-P

Based on record review, children's serious and minor injury records did not contain all of the required information. Evidence: 3 out of 5 injury reports were missing the name of the parent notified, the time and method of how they were notified, by whom, and/or the future action to prevent reoccurrence.