Ms. Valerie Cotten
A family day home in Abingdon, Virginia 24211
26269 Watauga Road, Abingdon, Virginia 24211. (276) 608-1536.
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
- 13 deficiencies in the last three years
- May 272026 the latest visit on record
- 12 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?
14 inspections on record, the latest on May 27, 2026.
13 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 2, 2026. Updated weekly.
When those deficiencies happened
13 deficiencies in 6 months of the last 36. Last cited May 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 2, 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 2, 2026. Updated weekly.
May 27, 2026: subsidy health and safety inspection5 deficiencies
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The provider shall obtain for each caregiver and adult household member a current Report of Tuberculosis Screening form,to be completed every two years.
“Caregiver #1 and #3 did not have up to date two year repeat TB screenings completed.”
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In addition to satisfactory completion of first aid training and CPR training, caregivers shall obtain a minimum of sixteen clock hours of training annually in areas relevant to their job responsibilities.
“Caregiver #1 and caregiver #3 did not have record of 16 hrs. of the annual training required.”
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The provider shall maintain an up-to-date record at the family day home for each enrolled child.
“Child record # 6 did not have an annual update completed for the child’s record.”
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The diapering surface is required to be non-absorbent.
“The diapering pad had a rip in it making it non-absorbent.”
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Soiled disposable diapers and wipes shall be disposed of in a leak-proof or plastic-lined storage system that is either foot operated or used in such a way that neither the caregiver’s hand nor the soiled diaper or wipe touches the exterior surface of the storage system during disposal.
“There was not a leak-proof or plastic-lined storage system that is either foot operated or used in such a way that neither the caregiver’s hand nor the soiled diaper or wipe touches the exterior surface of the storage system during disposal available.”
Dec 1, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
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A child’s record shall contain emergency contact including name, address, and phone # of two designated persons to contact in case of an emergency.
“Child #1 who had been enrolled for 3 months had one emergency contact listed. Child #2 who had been in enrolled for 1 day did not have any emergency contact info. on file.”
Jun 9, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
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Assistant and substitute provider records shall contain two or more references and the name and address of the telephone of a person to be notified in an emergency.
“Assistant #2 did not have two or more references documented and the information to contact in case of an emergency and had been employed for about 6 weeks.”
Apr 29, 2025: complaint inspection1 deficiency
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The provider shall ensure that a caregiver not exceed 16 points by using the point system.
“An assistant was left to care to care for children for a total of 26 points for approximately 15 minutes until the provider returned.”
Dec 6, 2024: inspection3 deficiencies
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Family day homes are required to request a copy of the results of a central registry check before the caretaker begins work.
“Caretaker #2 had been working several months and there was not a record of a completed central registry check.”
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Areas of the home shall me maintained in a safe condition.
“The wooden step stool n the bathroom in which the children use had a loose step that exposed a staple.”
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Potentially poisonous substances such as cleaning agents shall be stored away from food in areas inaccessible to children.
“Cleaning bottles were being stored on the side of the diapering table accessible to children.”
Dec 12, 2023: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-800-350-E
“Based on observation, the hot tap water available to children was above 120 degrees. Evidence: 1. The hot water in the sink children use was hot to the touch and had steam coming from it.”
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8VAC20-800-960-E
“Based on observation, bottle were not labeled with the child’s name and date. Evidence: 1. Two infants (child #1 and #2) were in care on bottles and bottles were not labeled with names and dates.”
Jan 26, 2023: inspection1 deficiency
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8VAC20-800-260-B
“Based on observation, the provider failed to have a non climbable barrier at least four feet high such as, but not limited to, a fence or impenetrable hedge shall surround outdoor play areas located within 30 feet of drowning hazards such as, but not limited to, inground swimming or wading pools, ponds, or fountains not enclosed by safety fences. There is a hole where a fish pond used to be and it had approximately 3-5 inches in it.”
Nov 30, 2022: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-800-260-B
“Based on observation, the provider failed to have a nonclimbable barrier at least four feet high such as, but not limited to, a fence or impenetrable hedge shall surround outdoor play areas located within 30 feet of drowning hazards such as, but not limited to, inground swimming or wading pools, ponds, or fountains not enclosed by safety fences. Evidence: 1. There is a fish pond approximately 5 by 5 feet that had approximately 4-5 inches of water in it. The pond is located in the backyard.”
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8VAC20-800-350-E
“Based on measurement, the provider failed to maintain hot water at taps available to children within a range of 105?F to 120?F. Evidence: 1. The bathroom faucet water in which the children use had a reading of 135 degrees.”
Sep 22, 2022: inspection7 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-A
“Based on record review, the provider failed to get a central registry history check on an employee every five years. Evidence: 1. Staff person #4 has a central registry history check dated 1/11/2017; therefore a repeat central registry check was due 1/11/2022.”
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8VAC20-800-280
“Based on observation, there were potentially poisonous substances accessible to children. Evidence: 1. On the front porch there were plant care chemicals, armor all, bug and tar remover and fire starters.”
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8VAC20-800-60-A
“Based on record review, the provider did not maintain up to date records for each enrolled child. Evidence: 1. Five children’s records were reviewed, child #2 was past due for an annual update.”
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8VAC20-800-60-B
“Based on record review, child records did not contain all of the required information. Evidence: 1. Child #1’s record did not have the doctor’s name and #. 2. Child #3’s record did not have emergency addresses listed. Two are required. No policy # was listed for the health insurance. There was no signature on the emergency medical authorization.”
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8VAC20-800-770
“Based on observation, the provider did not have a working battery operated weather band radio. Evidence: 1. The provider had a battery operated radio but is was not working.”
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8VAC20-800-90-C
“Based on record review, the provider did not obtain documentation of additional immunizations for a child who is not exempt from the immunization requirements according to subsection B of this section: Evidence: 1. Child # 3 last had immunizations documented 12/7/2021. Immunizations are due once every six months for children under the age of two years.”
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8VAC20-820-120-E-2
“Based on observation, the findings of the most recent inspection were not posted. Evidence: 1. The last inspection had fallen and was not posted.”
Jun 15, 2022: inspection3 deficiencies
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8VAC20-800-140-D
“Based on interview, the substitute provider failed to maintain a record of arrivals and departures on each day that the substitute provider works.”
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8VAC20-800-280
“Based on observation, the provider failed to keep poisonous substance supplies inaccessible to children. Evidence: 1. the inspector observed a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, two bottles of oral rinse and other personal care items stored under the bathroom sink that the children use.”
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8VAC20-800-320-C
“Based on observation, the provider failed to keep an electrical device unplugged by the bathroom sink. Evidence: 1. The inspector observed a flat iron unplugged near the bathroom sink basin that the children use.”
Apr 11, 2022: complaint inspection11 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-2
“Based on interview with the provider, the provider failed to ensure that prior to employment, all persons who work with children have completed fingerprint background checks. Evidence: 1. There are no fingerprint background checks on file for caregivers #2 and # 5. 2. Caregiver #2 stated she had been working since 10/2021. 3. The provider confirmed that caregiver #2 had been working regularly as a caregiver since October 2021. 4. The provider stated caregiver #5 was “just helping out and is a sub.””
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8VAC20-770-60-B
The inspectors’ words, 122 words
“Based on interview with the provider, the provider failed to ensure that an employee or volunteer of a licensed or registered child day program or of a family day home approved by a family day system must not be employed or provide volunteer service until the agency or home has the person’s completed sworn statement or affirmation. Evidence: 1. There is not a sworn statement on file for caregivers # 2 and #5 who were providing care to children on 04/11/2022. 2. Caregiver #2 stated she had been working since 10/2021. 3. The provider confirmed that caregiver #2 had been working regularly as a caregiver since October 2021. 4. The provider stated caregiver #5 was “just helping out and is a sub.””
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8VAC20-770-60-C-2
“Based on interview with the provider, the provider failed to ensure that all persons who work with children have a search of the central registry search completed within 30 days of employment or volunteer service. Evidence: 1. There was no central registry completed for caregivers #2 and #5. 2. Caregiver #2 stated she had been working since 10/2021. 3. The provider confirmed that caregiver #2 had been working regularly as a caregiver since October 2021. 4. The provider stated caregiver #5 was “just helping out and is a sub.””
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8VAC20-800-120-A
“Based on interview and record review, the provider did not maintain a record for each caregiver. Evidence: 1. There were no records for caregiver #2 and #5. The provider stated she did not have have any records for the two caregivers. 2. Caregiver #2 stated she had been working since 10/2021. 3. The provider confirmed that caregiver #2 had been working regularly as a caregiver since October 2021. 4. The provider stated caregiver #5 was “just helping out and is a sub.””
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8VAC20-800-320-E
The inspectors’ words, 125 words
“Based on observation and interview, the provider had a portable electric heater accessible to children and failed to have a barrier or screen and was located within three feet from combustible materials. Evidence: 1. The inspector observed a portable electric heater located approximately three feet off the floor, that was plugged up, in use and producing heat in the back room used by children in care. The heater was sitting directly on top of a rounded wooden trunk, hot to the touch and located less than the required 3 feet distance from combustibles including a large, cushioned chair with a fleece blanket covering it, two wooden plaques and a plastic play kitchen. The hot heater was accessible to the reach of the children in care.”
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8VAC20-800-40-A
The inspectors’ words, 142 words
“Based on observation and record review, the provider failed to ensure that the total number of children receiving care at any one time does not exceed the maximum licensed capacity of the home. 1. The provider is licensed for a capacity of 12 children which is on the face of the license issued to the provider. 2. The inspector arrived at the home at approximately 8:50 a.m. on 4/11/2022 and observed 22 children in care ages seven months through five years of age. The inspector counted the children in two rooms. 3. The licensing inspector, licensing administrator, and local law enforcement arrived at the home at approximately 1:05 pm on 4/14/2022 and observed 23 children in care ages seven months through five years of age. The inspector counted the children in two rooms, the hallway (three children), and one bedroom (one child).”
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8VAC20-800-500-C
The inspectors’ words, 104 words
“Based on observation, the provider had a piece of outdoor playground equipment over a hard surface that was not at least six feet from the perimeter of obstacles. Evidence: 1. The provider has a piece of climbing equipment (rock wall) that has a slide two feet high which has no resilient surfacing underneath it and is located on a wooden deck. The rock climbing wall, 46 inches tall, has a metal post for a shade canopy within 26 inches with the perimeter. The slide and other two other sides of the play equipment were approximately two feet from the deck rails and a bench.”
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8VAC20-800-540-A
The inspectors’ words, 91 words
“Based on observation and interview, infant carrier seats, swings, strollers, feeding or activity tables, and high chairs failed to be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and when occupied by a child, a safety strap shall be used and securely fastened. Evidence: 1. There were five infants (child #13, #14, #16, #18, and #19) in infant rocking seats that were approximately 18 inches off the floor. None of the safety straps were used and securely fastened while the children were asleep in them. The provider stated the straps were not fastened.”
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8VAC20-800-570-A
The inspectors’ words, 122 words
“Based on observation, the provider failed to ensure that a caregiver does not exceed 16 points by using the following point system to determine if an additional caregiver is needed. Evidence: 1. Upon arrival at 8:50 a.m. on 4/11/2022, the inspector observed 22 children in care ages seven (7) months through five years of age totaling 53 points with three caregivers present (#1, #2, and #5). At approximately 9:20 a.m., caregiver #4 arrived. 2. Upon arrival at 1:05 p.m. on 4/14/2022, the inspector, licensing administrator, and local law enforcement observed 23 children in care ages seven (7) months through five years of age totaling 55 points with the two caregivers (#1 and #3) present. A third caregiver (#2) arrived at 1:20 p.m.”
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8VAC20-800-60-A
The inspectors’ words, 101 words
“Based on record review and interview, the provider failed to maintain an up-to-date record at the family day home for each enrolled child. evidence: 1. The inspector asked to see child records for all children in attendance. 2. There were no records for seven children. The provider stated that she had been providing care for children #11, #12, and #13 since last week because there was no day care available. Provider stated there was no record for child #16 who had been in care for approximately 10 months. Provider stated there was also no record for children #18, #20 or #23.”
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8VAC20-820-120-E-1
“Based on observation, the most recently issued license was not posted. Evidence: 1. The license was on a bookshelf near the cubbies.”
All 14 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| May 27, 2026 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 5 violations cited |
| Dec 1, 2025 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Jun 9, 2025 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Apr 29, 2025 | Complaint inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Dec 6, 2024 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| May 22, 2024 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| Dec 12, 2023 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| May 17, 2023 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| Jan 26, 2023 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Nov 30, 2022 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Sep 22, 2022 | Inspection | 7 violations cited |
| Jun 15, 2022 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Apr 11, 2022 | Complaint inspection | 11 violations cited |
| Dec 2, 2021 | Inspection | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Family Day Home: Two Year license, expires Jul 7, 2028.
- A current subsidy provider.
- Ages: 1 month - 12 years 11 months.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each facility’s page. Checked Nov 2, 2026. Updated weekly.
Has Virginia acted against it?
- 2 complaint inspections on record.
- 6 complaint allegations published with Virginia’s findings, 2 of them found valid.
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 2, 2026. Updated weekly.
| Date | What | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2025 | Complaint | Allegation: Staff Quantity. Virginia’s finding: Reported/Valid. |
| May 6, 2022 | Complaint | Allegation: Equipment. Virginia’s finding: Not Reported/Found. |
| May 6, 2022 | Complaint | Allegation: Physical Plant. Virginia’s finding: Not Reported/Found. |
| May 6, 2022 | Complaint | Allegation: Records. Virginia’s finding: Not Reported/Found. |
| May 6, 2022 | Complaint | Allegation: Staff Quantity. Virginia’s finding: Reported/Valid. |
| May 6, 2022 | Complaint | Allegation: Supervision. Virginia’s finding: Not Reported/Found. |
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 22 child care providers in Washington County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 4.5; this one had 13.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Nov 2, 2026. Updated weekly.
| Place | Violations cited in the last three years |
|---|---|
| Abingdon Church of Christ | 5 |
| Abingdon United Pentecostal Church | 0 |
| Ms. Valerie Cotten This child care provider | 13 |
| Painter Creek Church of Christ | 31 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire - Watauga Elementary | 1 |
| People Incorporated of Virginia - Abingdon Head Start | 2 |
| Pleasant View Church | 1 |
| St. John Lutheran Church | 1 |
| Sullins Academy, Inc. | 19 |
| People Incorporated of Virginia-Abingdon Early Head Start | 1 |
| Ms. Mary Thomas | 2 |
| People Incorporated of Virginia - Glade Spring | 5 |
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 2, 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 2, 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 2, 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 2, 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.