Innovation Station Child Development Center
A child day center in Alexandria, Virginia 22314
500 Dulany Street, Jefferson Building Suite 1, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. (571) 272-2880.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. Virginia’s own record is on legacy.dss.virginia.gov.
The short answer
- 47 deficiencies in the last three years
- Aug 242026 the latest visit on record
- 138 children, its capacity in the state’s list
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean4
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Licence status
- Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
- Capacity
- The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
16 inspections on record, the latest on Aug 24, 2026.
47 violations cited in the last three years.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
When those deficiencies happened
45 deficiencies in 9 months of the last 36. Last cited Aug 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, in its source’s words
Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
Aug 24, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-260-A
“The center shall provide to the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report from the appropriate fire official having jurisdiction. No annual fire inspection report was available.”
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8VAC20-780-510-G
“Medication shall be labeled with the child’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage amount, and the time or times to be given. Children #9 and #13 had non-prescription medications at the center that were not labeled with their names.”
Jun 1, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-340-A
“Repeat Violation When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. On May 28, 2026, Infant #1 (10 months of age) was placed on the counter next to the sink to wash their hands after a diaper change by Staff A. Staff A then turned to wash their own hands, without holding onto the infant. Infant #1 fell backwards off the counter, falling approximately three feet onto the floor, and landed on their forehead.”
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8VAC20-780-550-P
“Repeat Violation The center shall maintain a written record of children’s serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. The record shall include the following: Staff and parent signatures or two staff signatures. The injury report from the May 28th 2026 injury, did not contain a staff and parent signature, or two staff signatures.”
Mar 11, 2026: inspection7 deficiencies
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22.1-289.011-F
“The license and any other documents required by the Superintendent shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. The most recent inspection report was not posted. (1/7/2026).”
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8VAC20-780-245-J-1
“To safely perform medication administration practices listed in 8VAC20-780-510, whenever the center has agreed to administer prescribed medications, the administration shall be performed by a staff member or independent contractor who has satisfactorily completed a training program for this purpose. Multiple staff stated that a prescription medication was administered by non-certified staff.”
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8VAC20-780-50-A
“Staff and children’s records shall be treated confidentially. Staff and children’s information was not treated confidentially when the supplemental pages of two previous inspections were posted.(811/25, 9/22/26)”
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8VAC20-780-510-B
“Prescription medication shall be given to a child only with written authorization from the parent. Child #1’s record did not contain written authorization for a medication that had been applied to the child.”
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8VAC20-780-510-L
“Medication shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. One prescription medication was not stored locked in Room #1.”
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8VAC20-780-520-C
“If diaper ointment or cream is used, the following requirements shall be met: written parent authorization noting any known adverse reactions shall be obtained. Child #1’s record did not contain written authorization to apply diaper cream.”
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8VAC20-780-70
“The following staff records shall be kept for each staff person: documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment. Staff A’s record contained two references that were obtained 67 days after employment.”
Jan 7, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-340-A
“Repeat Violation When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. In room #1: Staff were unaware of the location of the emergency medications for a child. (Child 1). The child was present in the classroom during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-780-510-I
“The center may administer prescription medication that would normally be administered by a parent or guardian to a child provided the center administers drugs only to the child identified on the prescription label. Child #1 had a medication on site that did not have a prescription label attached.”
Sep 22, 2025: inspection12 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-4
The inspectors’ words, 111 words
“Repeat Violation The center is required to obtain background checks from any state in which the individual has resided in the previous five years. Staff B, employed for more than 11 months did not have a child abuse and neglect search for a residence outside of Virginia in the past 5 years. Staff D’s sex offender search result on file was overdue by 4 weeks when it was conducted. Staff F, employed for five months did not have the results of a sex offender search on file, and did not have the results of a child abuse and neglect search for a residence outside of Virginia in the past 5 years.”
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8VAC20-780-160-A
“Each staff member and individual from an independent contractor shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. Documentation of the screening shall be submitted at the time of employment and shall have been completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment. *Staff E’s record contained documentation of a negative screening result that was overdue by 5 days. *Staff F’s record contained no results. Results were overdue by 5 months.”
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8VAC20-780-240-A
“The Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course shall be completed within 90 calendar days of employment. 3 staff had no documentation of completing the VDOE sponsored course. Staff C’s documentation was overdue by 2 weeks. Staff E’s documentation was overdue by 2 months. Staff F’s documentation was overdue by 2 months.”
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8VAC20-780-240-B
“Staff shall complete orientation training in subsection C of this section prior to the staff member working alone with children and no later than seven days of the date of assuming job responsibilities. Staff F’s orientation documentation on file was overdue by 3 weeks.”
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8VAC20-780-40-E
“Repeat Violation The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center’s activities are maintained in compliance with the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. The facility did not follow its own policy for medication administration of returning expired medications, when it did not return expired medication to the family. *Child #11 had a medication at the center that was expired by 7 months.”
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8VAC20-780-40-M
“The center shall 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 documented in the required allergy plan. This list shall be dated and kept confidential in each room or area where children are present. The allergy list for the center dated September 2025 was not current. Two children were listed in the wrong rooms.”
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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. *Child #2’s record was overdue for an annual update by 7 weeks. *Child #4’s record was overdue for an annual update by 4 weeks. *Child #10’s allergy action plan update was overdue by 6 months. *Child #12’s allergy action plan update was overdue by 2 months.”
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8VAC20-780-440-B
“Cribs, cots, rest mats, and beds shall be identified for use by a specific child. An occupied crib in the Infant 1 room was not identified for use by a specific child.”
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8VAC20-780-510-F
“The medication authorization shall be available to staff during the entire time it is effective. Child #8 had no medication authorization available for a medication that was on site.”
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Repeat Violation Systemic Deficiency When an authorization for medication expires, the parent shall be notified that the medication needs to be picked up within 14 days or the parent must renew the authorization.
“No new authorizations had been completed. *Child #12’smedication authorizations expired 7/12/25 (2 medications)”
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8VAC20-780-550-P
“The center shall maintain a written record of children’s serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. The record shall include the following: Staff and parent signatures or two staff signatures. 3 injury reports reviewed were not signed by either 2 staff, or a parent and staff.”
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8VAC20-780-70
“The following staff records shall be kept for each staff person: verification of age, 2 references conducted prior to employment. If a reference is taken over the phone, the signature of the person making the call. Staff C, D, E, F and G’s records had no verification of age on file. Staff C, D, E, F and G’s records contained references taken over the phone. There was no signature of the person making the call documented.”
Sep 22, 2025: complaint inspection1 deficiency
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8VAC20-780-550-P
“The center shall maintain a written record of children’s serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. The record shall include the following: date and time of injury; staff and parent signatures or two staff signatures. The injury report for Child #1 did not reflect and accurate time of parent notification. The time noted was the time of injury, not the time of notification. There were no signatures on the injury report.”
Aug 11, 2025: inspection2 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-A
“The center is required to have employees undergo a background check every five years. The most recent central registry check, for an out of state residence, for Staff A was overdue by 28 months.”
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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 and resolve conflicts. Multiple staff confirmed that Staff A “yelled” or used a loud/harsh tone when telling a child “You can’t say no to me” and “I don’t like the way you talked to me”.”
Apr 2, 2025: inspection10 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-1
“The center is required to obtain a completed sworn statement prior to the employee’s first day of employment. The sworn statement for Staff B, who is currently working, was dated their first day of employment.”
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22.1-289.035-B-4
“The center is required to obtain background checks from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. Staff B, employed for more than 6 months, did not have documentation of requesting a central registry check from a state of residence in the past 5 years.”
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8VAC20-780-240-I
“Documentation of orientation training shall include training topics, training delivery method, the entity or individual providing training; and the date of training. Staff A’s documentation could not be located during the inspection. Staff B’s documentation did not include the entity or individual providing the training. Staff C’s documentation did not include the date of the training.”
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8VAC20-780-280-B
“Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method. Sanitization solutions were not stored locked in rooms 1, 2, 3.”
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8VAC20-780-340-A
“When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. In room #4: *Staff were unaware of the location of the backpack containing an emergency medication for a child. (Child 9) *Staff were unaware of the location of the emergency medication for Child #3, who had transitioned to the room.”
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8VAC20-780-350-F
“The center shall develop and implement a written policy and procedure that describes how the center will ensure that each group of children receives care by consistent staff or team of staff members. No written policy and procedure was available that described how each group of children would receive care by consistent staff or team of staff members.”
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8VAC20-780-40-E
“The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center’s activities are maintained in compliance the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by these standards. The facility did not follow its own policy for medication administration when it did not return expired medications to family. (Child #2)”
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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. Child #2’s record contained an allergy action plan that was not updated annually. The plan was overdue by 2 months. Child #8’s diaper cream authorization was not updated at least annually. The authorization was expired by 2 months.”
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8VAC20-780-510-P
“When an authorization for medication expires, the parent shall be notified that the medication needs to be picked up within 14 days or the parent must renew the authorization. *Child #2 had 2 medication authorizations that were expired by nearly 7 weeks. The medication was not picked up by the parent within 14 days, nor was a new authorization form completed. *Child #5’s medication authorization was expired by 6 weeks. The medication was not picked up by the parent within 14 days, nor was a new medication authorization form completed.”
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8VAC20-780-520-C
“If diaper ointment or cream is used, written parent authorization noting any known adverse reactions shall be obtained. Child #7’s diaper cream authorization, listed a different product than the product available for use.”
Sep 25, 2024: inspection2 deficiencies
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The center’s procedures for administering medication shall allow for long-term prescription drug use with written authorization from the child’s physician and parent.
“The long term authorization for one medication authorizes a different medication than what is present at the center for Child #1.”
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The center shall maintain a written record of the children’s serios and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence. The record shall include; the date and time when parents were notified and any future action to prevent recurrence.
“1 of 6 reports reviewed did not include any future action to prevent recurrence. 1 of 6 reports reviewed was dated 8/14/24; however, the parent signed and dated the report 9/11/24. 1 of 6 reports reviewed had the time of injury recorded as the same time the parent was notified.”
Jun 17, 2024: inspection5 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-260-A
“Based on a review of documentation and statement from the local Fire Marshal office, the center did not have an annual report from the fire official having jurisdiction. Evidence: The most recent fire inspection report for the facility was dated 2/14/2022.”
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8VAC20-780-270-A
“Based on observation, the center was not maintained in a safe and operable condition. Evidence: 1. In the Infant -3 room, the “u-pillow” used by children had a hole on the front edge. 2. The Two’s-1 room had an I-pad charger plugged in to an outlet and no I-pad being charged. The cord was accessible to children, under the counter.”
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8VAC20-780-290-A-3
“Based on observation, outlets did not have protective covers that were a size that cannot be swallowed by children. Evidence: The Two’s-1 classroom had two outlets uncapped.”
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8VAC20-780-510-I
“Based on a review of medications, one medication present at the center was not maintained in the original, labeled container. Evidence: An Epi-pen was not in the original box with the prescription label attached. (Child #1)”
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8VAC20-780-60-A
“Based on a review of records, 1 of 4 child records did not contain all required information. Evidence: Child #1’s record did not contain work information for a parent.”
Nov 27, 2023: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-160-A
The inspectors’ words, 95 words
“Based on a review of records, staff records did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening result, submitted at the time of employment and completed within the last 30 days. Evidence: 4 of 5 staff records reviewed had negative screening results on file; however, they were not submitted at the time of employment, or were more than 30 days old. *Staff A’s result was dated 6/8/23. Date of Hire(DOH): 8/21/23. *Staff B’s result was dated 9/22/23. DOH: 9/5/23. *Staff D’s result was dated 9/29/23. DOH: 9/18/23. *Staff E’s result was dated 6/1/23. DOH: 9/26/23.”
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8VAC20-780-60-A
“Based on a review of records, one child record did not contain all required information. Evidence: 1 of 5 child records reviewed did not contain documentation of an allergy action plan for a diagnosed food allergy. (Child #2)”
Jan 24, 2023: inspection3 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-180-A
“Based on multiple statements, a staff member failed to demonstrate they were capable of carrying out assigned responsibilities. Evidence: On January 20, 2023 a staff member responsible for distribution of lunch provided a child a known allergen. The child has a documented food allergy to cow’s milk, a placemat indicating the allergy and a milk substitute is provided for the child. Staff stated when the kitchen staff do not send the milk substitute to the classroom with meals/snacks, the child is to drink water. (Staff A)”
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8VAC20-780-340-A
The inspectors’ words, 122 words
“Based on multiple staff statements, the facility failed to ensure care, protection and guidance of a child in care. Evidence: On January 20, 2023 at approximately 12:05 PM Child #1 was given a known food allergen. The child has a documented food allergy to cow’s milk . When lunch arrived in the classroom, there was no milk substitute provided for the child. Staff A poured cow’s milk into the drinking cup at the child’s seat/ placemat instead of providing water. The child drank some of the milk, and stated “ he hated the taste” of the milk, began to gag and then vomited. Symptoms progressed into a full anaphylaxis episode. The child was given emergency medications and transported to a local hospital.”
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8VAC20-780-40-E
The inspectors’ words, 102 words
“Based on multiple statements, the facility failed to follow its own policy for prevention of exposure to specific food and other substances to which a child was allergic. Evidence: On January 20, 2023 Staff A did not follow the proper procedure for ensuring a child did not come into contact with a known food allergen (cow’s milk). The established policy for prevention of exposure is to provide water to Child #1 if a milk substitute (oat milk) was not included with meals/snacks that are delivered to the room. The staff person provided cow’s milk to the child resulting in an allergic reaction.”
Sep 22, 2022: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-240-D
“Based on a review of records, staff left alone with children do not have documentation of completing first aid and CPR training. Evidence: Staff A has not completed first aid and CPR training. The CPR course documented is no acceptable as it is an online class only with no hands on component.”
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8VAC20-780-40-J
“Based on a review of documentation, the annual update to the injury prevention plan was not available. Evidence: The updated injury prevention plan could not be located during the inspection.”
All 16 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 24, 2026 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Jun 1, 2026 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Inspection | 7 violations cited |
| Jan 7, 2026 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Sep 22, 2025 | Inspection | 12 violations cited |
| Sep 22, 2025 | Complaint inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Aug 11, 2025 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Apr 21, 2025 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Apr 2, 2025 | Inspection | 10 violations cited |
| Apr 2, 2025 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Sep 25, 2024 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Jun 17, 2024 | Inspection | 5 violations cited |
| Nov 27, 2023 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Jan 24, 2023 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Sep 22, 2022 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Feb 15, 2022 | Inspection | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Day Center: Provisional license, expires Apr 4, 2027.
- Ages: 1 month - 6 years 11 months.
- Capacity: 138 children.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each facility’s page. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
Has Virginia acted against it?
- 3 complaint inspections on record.
- No complaint allegations published with findings.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations and Search for Child Day Care: each complaint’s page, with its allegations and findings. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
Who does the caring?
- Virginia doesn’t publish staffing levels for individual providers. State rules set staff-to-child ratios by age.
Who owns it?
- Virginia’s search doesn’t list owners.
How is it rated?
- Virginia’s search doesn’t show a quality rating.
How does it compare nearby?
- Among 171 child care providers in the City of Alexandria, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 7; this one had 47.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
| Place | Violations cited in the last three years |
|---|---|
| Hopkins House - Helen Day Preschool Academy | 61 |
| Children’s Int’l School -Alexandria | 11 |
| Washington Street United Methodist Church | 0 |
| The Campagna Center - Lyles Crouch | 4 |
| Potomac Crescent Waldorf School | 11 |
| Innovation Station Child Development Center This child care provider | 47 |
| American Day School #1 | 14 |
| Tiny Tots Playroom | 2 |
| American Day School 2 | 9 |
| Great Beginnings Early Learning Center | 30 |
| Blue Bird of Alexandria | 1 |
| The Del Ray Montessori School | 3 |
What the record doesn’t say
- Virginia doesn’t grade how serious a violation is, so no severity is shown.
- Virginia publishes a complaint’s allegations and findings only when its inspection found a violation and the records are linked.
- Virginia doesn’t publish staffing levels or owners for individual providers.
- A plan of correction sent late, or not at all, isn’t online: Virginia says to ask the inspector.
- Virginia’s pages show about the last five years of inspections; for older ones, Virginia says to contact the licensing inspector.
- Virginia says this information may not be accurate, up to date or complete, and shouldn’t be the only source in choosing care.
Sources
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Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each facility’s page.
Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly. No open licence; Virginia allows non-commercial use, so Care Ledger shows it free.
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Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations.
Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly. No open licence; Virginia allows non-commercial use, so Care Ledger shows it free.
-
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each complaint’s page, with its allegations and findings.
Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly. No open licence; Virginia allows non-commercial use, so Care Ledger shows it free.
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: Virginia Department of Education. Virginia’s own record is on legacy.dss.virginia.gov. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.
From the provider
The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.