Merritt Academy

8VAC20-780-340-A · When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance.

On 10/08/2024 a fire drill was conducted at approximately 2:40pm. It was the end of nap time. Child #1 (2 year old) was not seen and left on their cot while the classroom was evacuated. There was confusion with the head count at the exit. As the Staff did their name to face check, approximately 20 feet into the breezeway from the corner of the classroom, the mistake was discovered. The child was immediately retrieved. The child was alone in the classroom for approximately 1 minute 18 seconds.

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8VAC20-780-160-A · Based on record review, each staff member did not submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis(TB) screening within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment.

Evidence: 1. Staff #4's record (date of hire-10/10/2023) contained documentation of a negative TB screening that was not within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment. Documentation of a negative Tb screening was dated 08/19/2023.

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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.

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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.

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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.?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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