First Steps Infant Development Center, LLC
A child day center in Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
1100 East Jefferson Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. (434) 295-5575.
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
- 24 deficiencies in the last three years
- May 192026 the latest visit on record
- 58 children, its licensed capacity
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?
10 inspections on record, the latest on May 19, 2026.
24 violations cited in the last three years.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Oct 30, 2026. Updated weekly.
When those deficiencies happened
24 deficiencies in 6 months of the last 36. Last cited May 2026. The last 3 years, to Oct 30, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | 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 |
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 Oct 30, 2026. Updated weekly.
May 19, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee’s first day of employment.
“Staff #1, who had been employed for two weeks, did not have a central registry search requested. Staff #1 was working alone with children”
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Documentation shall be maintained of emergency evacuation, shelter in place and lockdown.
“April 2026 evacuation drill was not documented after it was performed.”
Sep 24, 2025: inspection6 deficiencies
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Providers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment.
“Caregiver #3, who had been employed for two days and did not have a completed national criminal background check and was observed working with children.”
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The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee’s first day of employment and returned within 30 days of employment.
“Staff #2, who had been employed for 2 ? months before the central registry check was returned.”
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Hazardous substances must be in a locked place that prevents access by children.
“In the infant room, the cleaning solution and sanitizing solution were in an unlocked cabinet, out of reach of children.”
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The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center’s activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with these standards, the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department.
“At arrival all three staff were positioned together on the playground and not following their playground safety plan for positioning of staff.”
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Documentation shall be maintained of emergency evacuation, shelter-in place, and lockdown drills that include.
“The log was missing the following items: The method used for notification of the drill, The number of staff participating, any special conditions simulated, problems encountered, if any and for emergency evacuation drills only, weather conditions.”
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Documentation of at least 2 references to character, reputation, and competency are to be checked prior to employment.
“Staff #1, who has been actively working at the center for the past 3 months, did not have any completed reference verifications on file.”
Mar 12, 2025: inspection2 deficiencies
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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. This list shall be dated and kept confidential in each room or area where children are present.
“The allergies lists were posted and were not dated.”
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The diapering area shall have soap, disposable towels, and single use gloves such as surgical or examination gloves.
“The gloves observed being used during a diaper change in the toddler area was food handler gloves.”
Nov 18, 2024: inspection4 deficiencies
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Program leaders shall have six months of supervised programmatic experience and 24 hours of training within six months of being promoted or one month after being promoted.
“Staff # 2 did not have documentation of the 24 hours of training and has been working as program lead for 3 months. Staff # 5 did not have the documentation of the 24 hours of training and has been working as program lead for 9 months.”
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The center shall ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, are maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.
“In the pre-K room, there was an outlet plate that was cracked and would not allow the outlet cover to remain in the outlet.”
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Hazardous substances must be in a locked place that prevents access by children.
“In the restroom area, the cleaning solution and sanitizing solution were in an unlocked cabinet, out of reach of children.”
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Three written agreements between the parent and the center shall be in each child’s record by first day of the child’s attendance.
“The children’s records were missing the agreement that the parent will inform the center within 24 hours or the next business day after his child or any member of the immediate household has developed any reportable communicable disease, as defined by the State Board of Health, except for life threatening diseases which must be reported immediately.”
May 13, 2024: inspection5 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-160-A
The inspectors’ words, 101 words
“Repeat Violation Based on a review of staff records and interview on May 13, 2024, the center failed to ensure each staff member submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and within the last 30 calendar days prior to beginning employment. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #3, hired 12/14/23, contained documentation of tuberculosis dated 12/31/23. 2. The record of staff #4, hired 03/26/24, contained documentation of tuberculosis dated 02/07/24. 3. The record of staff #5, hired 04/08/24, contained documentation of tuberculosis dated 02/16/24. 4. Administration acknowledged the documentation was not obtained within the required timeframe.”
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8VAC20-780-160-C
“Based on a review of staff records and interview on May 13, 2024, the center failed to obtain results of a follow-up tuberculosis screening at least every two years from the date of the first initial screening. Evidence: The record of staff #1 contained documentation of the most recent tuberculosis screening dated 03/17/22. Administration acknowledged an updated tuberculosis screening was not obtained.”
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8VAC20-780-245-A
“Based on a review of staff records on May 13, 2024, the center failed to obtain an annual minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care for each staff. Evidence: The record of staff #1 contained documentation of 9 hours of training from 11/25/22 to 11/24/23.”
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8VAC20-780-500-A
“Based on observation on May 13, 2024, the center failed to ensure staff wash their hands with soap and running water before a diaper change. Evidence: Staff was observed not washing hands with soap and running water prior to a diaper change. The staff member was observed touching a trash can and then unlocking a door prior to putting on gloves and then immediately changed a child’s diaper.”
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8VAC20-780-60-A
The inspectors’ words, 102 words
“Based on a review of children’s records and interview on May 13, 2024, the center failed to ensure that each child’s record contained the required information. Evidence: 1. The record of child #3, enrolled 04/22/24, did not contain documentation of previous day care and schools attended by the child. 2. The record of child #5, enrolled 04/01/24, did not contain documentation of the work phone numbers for both parents listed places of employment, the addresses of two designated people to call in an emergency, and the previous day care and schools attended by the child. 3. Administration acknowledged the documentation was missing.”
Nov 16, 2023: inspection5 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-240-A
“Based on a review of staff records, the center failed to ensure that staff complete the Virginia Department of Education sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment. Evidence: The record of staff 2, hired 06/10/22, contained documentation of the orientation dated 06/30/23.”
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8VAC20-780-350-B-1
“Based on observation and interview, the center failed to maintain the ratio of 1 staff for 4 children in infant classrooms. Evidence: 1. In infant 1 there were 2 staff and 10 infants observed. 2. In infant 2 there was 1 staff and 5 infants observed. 3. Staff 6 confirmed the infant rooms were out of ratio.”
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8VAC20-780-350-B-3
“Based on observation and interview, the center failed to maintain the ratio of 1 staff for every 8 children in the two year old classroom. Evidence: 1. There was 1 staff and 13 children observed in the 2-3 year old classroom until naptime. 2. Staff 6 confirmed the 2-3 year old classroom was out of ratio.”
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8VAC20-780-530-A-1
“Based on a review of staff records, interview, and observation, the center failed to have one staff member in each classroom with current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Evidence: Staff 2 was observed teaching alone in the preschool room. The record of staff 2 does not contain documentation of CPR certification. Staff 6 confirmed that staff 2 is not certified in CPR.”
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8VAC20-780-530-A-2
“Based on a review of staff records, interview, and observation, the center failed to have one staff member in each classroom with current certification in first aid. Evidence: Staff 2 was observed teaching alone in the preschool room. The record of staff 2 does not contain documentation of first aid certification. Staff 6 confirmed that staff 2 is not certified in first aid.”
Mar 22, 2023: inspection5 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-4
The inspectors’ words, 99 words
“Based on a review of records and interview, the center did not ensure to obtain a copy of the results of a sex offender registry check prior to the first day of employment from any state in which the applicant has resided in the preceding five years. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #5, hired 03/02/23, did not contain documentation of results of an out-of-state sex offender registry check. Staff #5 indicated living in two other states in the previous five years on the staff’s sworn disclosure statement. 2. Staff #3 confirmed the sex offender check was not completed.”
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8VAC20-780-140-A
“Based on a review of children’s records, the center failed to obtain documentation of a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician for each child before the child’s attendance or within one month after attendance. Evidence: 1. The record of child #4, enrolled 02/13/23, did not contain documentation of a physical exam. 2. The record of child #6, enrolled 1/18/22, did not contain documentation of a physical exam.”
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8VAC20-780-160-A
“Based on a review of staff records, the center did not ensure each staff member completed tuberculosis screening within the last 30 calendar days prior to beginning employment. Evidence: The record of staff #4, hired 03/20/23, contained documentation of a tuberculosis screening dated 01/26/22.”
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8VAC20-780-500-C
“Based on observation and review of documents on March 22, 2023, the center failed to ensure toilet chairs were emptied promptly and cleaned and sanitized after each use. Evidence: A toilet training chair located in the Busy Bee’s bathroom (ages 18m-24m) containing urine was observed at 10:50am. A review of the documentation of each toddler’s bathroom usage indicated the last child used the restroom at 10:05am.”
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8VAC20-780-570-A
“Based on observation and interview on March 22, 2023, the center failed to ensure when a child is placed in an infant seat or high chair, the protective belt shall be fastened securely. Evidence: In the infant room four children were observed sitting in the feeding table and each child was unstrapped. Staff #2 confirmed the children were not strapped in the table stating that was her fault.”
Nov 10, 2022: inspection10 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-2
The inspectors’ words, 126 words
“Based on a review of staff records and interview on November 10, 2022, the center failed to obtain a fingerprint based national criminal record check prior to the first day of employment for each staff. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #2, hired 11/8/22, did not contain documentation of fingerprints. Staff #2 was observed working with children. Staff #5 confirmed the fingerprint results were not complete and the center allowed staff #2 to start work regardless of not having the results. 2. The record of staff #4, hired 10/31/22, did not contain documentation of fingerprints. Staff #4 was observed working with children. Staff #5 confirmed the fingerprint results were not complete and the center allowed staff #4 to start work regardless of not having the results.”
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8VAC20-770-60-C-2
“Based on a review of staff records and interview on November 10, 2022, the center failed to ensure that each staff record reviewed contained a central registry finding within 30 days of employment. Evidence: The record of staff #3, hired 6/21/21, contained documentation of a central registry finding dated 8/5/21. Staff #5 stated there was no documentation of follow-up with OBI.”
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8VAC20-780-160-A
The inspectors’ words, 112 words
“Based on a review of staff records and interview on November 10, 2022, the center failed to ensure that each staff submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #2, hired 11/8/22, did not contain documentation of a tuberculosis screening. Staff #2 was observed working with children on November 10, 2022. Staff #5 stated staff #2 had an appointment today and acknowledged it was not complete. 2. The record of staff #4, hired 10/31/22, contained documentation of a tuberculosis screening dated 11/7/22. Staff #5 confirmed that staff #2 began working with children on 10/31/22.”
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8VAC20-780-245-A
“Based on a review of staff records and interview on November 10, 2022, the center failed to obtain an annual minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care for each staff. Evidence: The record of staff #3, hired 6/21/21, contained documentation of 8 hours of training from 6/21/21-6/20/22.”
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8VAC20-780-280-B
The inspectors’ words, 140 words
“Based on observation and interview on November 10, 2022, the center failed to ensure that hazardous substances such as cleaning materials were kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. In the toddler classroom there was an unlocked cabinet under the sink containing PineSol. The label on the PineSol stated “keep out of reach of children” and “caution.” Children were observed to open the unlocked cabinet. 2. In a bathroom used by children there was Febreeze in an unlocked cabinet. The label on the Febreeze stated “keep out of reach of children” and “caution.” 3. In the pre-school room there was paint in an unlocked cabinet under the sink. The label on the paint stated “keep out of reach of children” and “warning.” 4. Staff #5 acknowledged the substances were unlocked.”
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8VAC20-780-40-E
The inspectors’ words, 128 words
“Based on observation, review of policy and interview on November 10, 2022 , the licensee failed to ensure that the center complied with the center’s own discipline policies and procedures regarding acceptable and unacceptable measures. Evidence: 1. A review of the center’s policy on unacceptable discipline states unacceptable discipline includes separation from the group. 2. On November 10, 2022, child #1 (age 2) was observed sitting alone behind a half wall, which separated this child from the other children, who were sitting on the other side of the wall listening to story time. 3. In an interview with staff #6 in the classroom it was stated that child #1 was in time-out. 4. Staff #5 acknowledged that the child was separated from the group and shouldn’t have been.”
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8VAC20-780-400-C
The inspectors’ words, 137 words
“Based on observation and interview on November 10, 2022, the center failed to ensure when time out is used as a behavior guidance technique it shall be used sparingly and shall not exceed one minute for each year of the child’s age. Evidence: 1. On November 10, 2022, child #1 (age 2), was observed sitting in time-out for six minutes from 12:18pm-12:24pm. Child #1 was already in time-out when the inspector came into the classroom. 2. Staff #6 in the two-year old classroom confirmed child #1 was in time-out. 3. When asked what the center’s time-out policy was, staff #5 stated one minute for each year of the child’s age. 4. Staff #5 confirmed that six minutes was unacceptable for child #1 to be in time-out and that she would speak with the staff in the classroom.”
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8VAC20-780-500-A
“Based on observation and interview on November 10, 2022, the center did not ensure that staff’s hands shall be washed with soap and running water after a diaper change. Evidence: Staff #3, in the toddler room, was observed changing two children’s diapers. Staff #3 did not wash her hands after each diaper change. Staff #3 confirmed she did not wash her hands.”
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8VAC20-780-500-B
“Based on observation on November 10, 2022, the center failed to ensure that the diapering surface shall be cleaned with soap and water and sanitized after each use. Evidence: 1. In the toddler room, staff #3 was observed changing diapers. Staff #3 changed a child and immediately changed another child on the diapering surface without cleaning and sanitizing in between children.”
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8VAC20-780-70
“Based on a review of staff records and interview on November 10, 2022, the center failed to ensure that a staff record contained documentation to demonstrate that an individual possessed the education, certification, and experience required by the job position. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #3, hired 6/21/21, does not contain documentation of program leader qualifications. 2. Staff #3 was working in the capacity of program leader during the inspection. 3. Staff #5 confirmed the documentation of program leader qualifications was not present in the record.”
May 16, 2022: inspection3 deficiencies
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Based on record review and interview, the center failed to obtain a central registry finding within 30 days of employment.
“Evidence: Staff 2’s date of hire is documented as 1/19/22 and orientation was dates 1/19/22. The findings of the central registry background check is dated 4/29/22. The notary was not signed until 2/4/22.”
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Based on record review, the center failed to obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years.
“Evidence: 1. The date of birth for child 1 is documented as 3/11/21. The only immunization record in the file was dated 8/18/21. 2. The date of birth for child 2 is documented as 3/6/20. The only immunization record in the file was dated 3/3/21.”
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Based on record review and interview, the center failed to keep a written record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs for each group of children.
“Evidence: 1. The attendance log in each classroom did not contain the departure of children each day. 2. The attendance in the 2’s classroom had not been taken as of 10:15 AM. Six children were present at that time.”
All 10 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2026 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Inspection | 6 violations cited |
| Mar 12, 2025 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Nov 18, 2024 | Inspection | 4 violations cited |
| May 13, 2024 | Inspection | 5 violations cited |
| Nov 16, 2023 | Inspection | 5 violations cited |
| Mar 22, 2023 | Inspection | 5 violations cited |
| Nov 10, 2022 | Inspection | 10 violations cited |
| May 16, 2022 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Nov 18, 2021 | Inspection | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Day Center: Two Year license, expires Mar 27, 2027.
- Ages: 1 month - 5 years 11 months.
- Capacity: 58 children.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each facility’s page. Checked Oct 30, 2026. Updated weekly.
Has Virginia acted against it?
- 0 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 Oct 30, 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 40 child care providers in the City of Charlottesville, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 4.5; this one had 24.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Oct 30, 2026. Updated weekly.
| Place | Violations cited in the last three years |
|---|---|
| Ms. Linda Carey | 5 |
| First Baptist Church of Charlottesville, VA | 0 |
| First Presbyterian Church | 3 |
| Joyce Morone | 17 |
| Charlottesville First United Methodist Church | 3 |
| First Steps Infant Development Center, LLC This child care provider | 24 |
| Our Neighborhood Child Development Center Inc. | 18 |
| Charlottesville Day School, Inc. | 5 |
| Ms. Sarah Gerome | 5 |
| Diane Anderson | 2 |
| Piedmont Family YMCA, Inc. - McIntire Park | 5 |
| Piedmont Family YMCA @ Summit Elementary | 1 |
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 Oct 30, 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 Oct 30, 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 Oct 30, 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 Oct 30, 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.