Sterling Early Learning Academy
A child day center in Sterling, Virginia 20164
46586 S Cottage Road, Suite 600, Sterling, Virginia 20164. (571) 926-9496.
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
- 38 deficiencies in the last three years
- Apr 72026 the latest visit on record
- 233 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?
26 inspections on record, the latest on Apr 7, 2026.
38 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
38 deficiencies in 8 months of the last 36. Last cited Mar 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.
Mar 20, 2026: complaint inspection3 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-40-M
“The center is required to keep a current list of all known allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions in each room or area where children are present. The list must be dated and kept confidential. There was no current list of all known allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions posted in the Pre-K classroom. The Director was reviewing children’s records to create a list which was dated March 19, 2026. The allergy list was not posted in the classrooms on the day of inspection March 20, 2026.”
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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. Up-to-date information is required to be requested from the parent for each child’s record at least annually. The information in the record of Child #1 had not been updated since 11/15/2023.”
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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. Child A’s (3-year-old) epi-pen was kept in the child’s backpack in the Pre-K classroom between March 16, 2026 to March 19, 2026. Staff 1 acknowledged Child A had medication in backpack. Staff 1 did not remove the medication from the backpack and lock it up.”
Mar 12, 2026: complaint inspection3 deficiencies
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Complaint Related
“The center is required to obtain a completed sworn statement prior to the employee’s first day of employment. The sworn statement for Staff #1, who was working at the center on 2/16/2026, was dated four weeks after their first day of employment.”
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22.1-289.035-B-2
“Complaint Related Providers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1, who had been employed on 2/16/2026, did not have a completed national criminal background check.”
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8VAC20-780-160-A
“The center is required to obtain documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Staff #1 was currently working on 2/16/2026 and has a TB screening that was dated four weeks after their first day of employment.”
Jan 22, 2026: subsidy health and safety inspection1 deficiency
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8VAC20-780-380-A
“Centers shall have a posted daily schedule that allows for flexibility as children’s needs require. On January 22, 2026, in the toddler classroom, the posted daily schedule was not being followed by Staff 1 and 2. Staff stated they were not following the schedule because they were working with a new child. Staff 1 was on the floor with 9 children and Staff 2 was standing to the side watching the children. Neither staff were observed working with the child and this child was standing in the room crying.”
Nov 10, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
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Repeat Violation
“The license and any other documents required shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. The findings from the most recent inspection, dated 10/09/2025 and the was not posted .”
Oct 9, 2025: inspection8 deficiencies
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22.1-289.011-F
“The license and any other documents required shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. The findings from the most recent inspection, dated 7/09/2025 and the provisional license, were not posted .”
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8VAC20-780-160-A
“Each staff member shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with the children. The screening for Staff #1 was not completed within 30 days of hire.”
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Repeat Violation
“When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. On 10/09/2025, an infant child was sitting in a infant seat on the playground during the same time toddler and two year old children were running with push toys on the playground.”
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8VAC20-780-340-B
“The required ratio for children ages Birth to 16 month is one staff per four children. There were four staff observed supervising 24 children (youngest child16 months old) from approximately 10:15 am to 10:30 am.”
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8VAC20-780-370-5
“Infants shall be protected from older children. During infant outdoor playground time, there were 9 infants on the playground with 5 toddler’s and 11 two year old children.”
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Systemic Deficiency Repeat Violation
“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 standards own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and terms of the current license issued by the department. The center’s daily activity schedule for the infant, toddlers and two’s classroom, safety procedures, and supervision policy were not followed. The policy and procedures not being followed on the playground at the same time resulting in staff to child ratio not being met.”
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8VAC20-780-70
“Documentation of at least 2 references to character, reputation, and competency are to be checked prior to employment. Staff #1, Staff #2 and Staff #3 who have been actively working at the center for the past 2 months, did not have completed reference verifications on file with date of contact, signature of person who completed the reference check, and the relationship of reference for Staff #1, Staff #2, and Staff #3.”
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8VAC20-780-70
“Documentation of at least 2 references to character, reputation, and competency are to be checked prior to employment. Staff #1, Staff #2 and Staff #3 who have been actively working at the center for the past 2 months, did not have completed reference verifications on file with date of contact, signature of person who completed the reference check, and the relationship of reference for Staff #1, Staff #2, and Staff #3.”
Jul 9, 2025: inspection8 deficiencies
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Repeat Violation Systemic Deficiency
“The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff 2, who had been employed for two weeks, did not have a central registry search requested.”
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63.2-1509-A
“Staff employed by a child day program who have reason to suspect that a child is abused or neglected shall report the matter immediately to the local department’s toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline. The center was notified by a staff that Staff 1 was seen grabbing Child 1 by the arms and failed to report it.”
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8VAC20-770-70-A
“Documentation of at least 2 references to character, reputation, and competency are to be checked prior to employment. Staff 2, who has been actively working at the center for two weeks, did not have any completed reference verifications on file.”
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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. Child #4, who had been attending for 11 months, did not have documentation of an immunization record on file.”
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8VAC20-780-140-A
“Physical examinations completed by a physician shall be obtained prior to the first day of attendance or within 30 days after the first day of attendance. There was no physical examination in the record of Child #4, who had been enrolled for 11 months.”
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8VAC20-780-340-A
“When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Staff 1 rough handled Child 1 (age 2) around the week of June 23, 2025.”
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Repeat Violation Systemic Deficiency
“The center is required ensuring that the center’s own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department. The center’s policy and procedurs were not followed for mandatory reporting requirements and behavorial guidance.”
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8VAC20-780-410-1
“The following acts are forbidden: physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, restricting movement through binding or tying, forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position, or exercise as punishment. Around the week of June 23, 2025, Child 1 sat on the cot crying during naptime. Staff 1 grabbed Child 1 by the arms to keep child from moving off the cot.”
Sep 19, 2024: complaint inspection7 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 #1, who is currently working, did not have a sworn statement completed prior to employment.”
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22.1-289.035-B-2
“Centers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1, who was working for two days, did not have a completed national criminal background check.”
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22.1-289.035-B-3
“The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1, who had been working for days, did not have a central registry search requested.”
-
8VAC20-780-160-A
“Documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening must be submitted at the time of employment, before coming into contact with children, and shall have been completed within the last 30 days of the date of employment. Staff #1 had no documentation and had been employed for two days.”
-
8VAC20-780-350-B-3
“The required ratio for children 2 year old is one staff per eight children. Staff member acknowledged from September 2, 2024, to September 19, 2024, there was 1 staff member present with 12 children in the classroom for one hour.”
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8VAC20-780-440-E
“Centers shall ensure cribs are at least 12 inches of space between occupied cribs. Children were observed sleeping in three cribs There were less than 6 inches of space between the occupied cribs.”
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8VAC20-780-70
The inspectors’ words, 136 words
“Centers must keep a staff record for each staff person. During the inspection, Staff #1 was actively working at the center and providing care for children in 2 year old classroom. Staff #1 did not have record which included the following items: 1. Name, address, verification of age requirement, job title, and date of employment or volunteering; and name, address, and telephone number of a person to be notified in an emergency which shall be kept at the center. 2. Two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment. 3. Documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education, certification, and experience required by the job position, and orientation and training. 4. Health information 5. Information about any health problems that may interfere with fulfilling the job responsibilities.”
Aug 27, 2024: inspection3 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-280-H
“Based on observation and staff interview, staff purse was not stored in a area inaccessible to children. Evidence: 1. In the Two’s B and Pre-K B classroom, a staff purse was on the shelf. The classrooms are accessible to children.”
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8VAC20-780-500-B
“Based on observation and staff interview, the diapering surface was not cleaned with soap and at least room temperature water and sanitized after each use. Evidence: 1.In the Two’s A and B classroom, the bottle for solution did not have daily mix of amount of bleach solution to sanitize the diapering surface. 2.The bleach solution was made on 8/26/2024 and it did not have any bleach solution to sanitize the diapering surface.”
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8VAC20-780-570-E
“Based on observation and staff interview, the center did not ensure prepared infant formula shall be refrigerated, dated and labeled with the child’s name. Evidence: 1. In the Toddler A classroom, two bottles were not labeled and dated with child’s name.”
Aug 27, 2024: complaint inspection1 deficiency
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8VAC20-780-500-B
“Based on observation and staff interview, the diapering surface was not cleaned with soap and at least room temperature water and sanitized after each use. Evidence: 1. In the Two’s A and B classroom, the bottle did not have the daily mix amount of bleach solution to sanitize the diapering surface. 2. The bleach solution was made on 8/26/2024 and it did not have any bleach solution to sanitize the diapering surface.”
Apr 9, 2024: inspection3 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-130-E
The inspectors’ words, 91 words
“Based on children record review, 2 out 5 records, the center didn not obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years Evidence: 1. Child #1 (date of enrollement 5/18/2023) did not have documentation of immunization once every six months for children under the age of two years at the time of inspection. 2. Child #2 (date of enrollment 1/18/2022) did not have documentation of immunization once every six months for children under the age of two years at the time of inspection”
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8VAC20-780-40-K
“Based on observation, the center did not follow written procedures for safe sleep practices and and sudden infant death syndrome awareness. Evidence: 1. In the Infants 1 classroom, a child had a sound machine in the crib while sleeping.”
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8VAC20-780-500-B
“Based on observation, the center did not ensure nonabsorbent surface for diapering or changing were used. Evidence: 1. In the Pre-Toddlers A classroom, the blue changing pad has two rips in the corner. Therefore the changing pad was not a nonabsorbent surface for diapering or changing.”
Aug 29, 2023: inspection3 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-4
The inspectors’ words, 208 words
“Based on staff records review, 4 out 7 records, staff did not Authorize the child day center to obtain a copy of the results of a criminal history record information check, a sex offender registry check, and a search of the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 (date of employment 6/06/2023) did not have documentation for a search of the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry from West Virginia (WV) in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. 2. Staff #3 (date of employment 6/14/2023) did not have documentation that a search for a the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry in Virginia. 3. Staff #4 (date of employment 7/18/2023) did not have documentation for a search for a search of the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry from Utah (UT) in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. 4. Staff #5 (date of employment 8/14/2023) did not have documentation for a search for a child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry from Virginia in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years.”
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Repeat Violation Based on children records, 2 out 5, the center did not obtain documentation that each have a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician before the child’s attendance or within one month after attendance.
“Evidence: 1.Child #3 (date of enrollment 7/03/2023) did not have a physical examination in file available for review during the inspection. 2. Child #5 (date of enrollment 3/29/2023) did not have a physical examination in file available for review during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-780-160-A
The inspectors’ words, 114 words
“Repeat Violation Based on staff records review, 5 out 7 records, the child day center did not ensure each staff member submitted documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: 1. Staff # 3(date of employment 6/14/2023) did not have documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening in record. 2. Staff #4 (date of employment 7/20/2023) did not have documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening in record. 3. Staff #5 (date of employment 8/14/2023) did not have documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening in record. 4. Staff #6 (date of employment 8/09/2023) did not have documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening in record.”
May 9, 2023: complaint inspection1 deficiency
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8VAC20-780-190-A-1
“Based on staff records, 1 out 2 records, the center did not obtain documentation that program leaders had a graduate degree in a child-related field such as, but not limited to, elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and six months of programmatic experience Evidence: 1. Staff #2 (date of employment 5/18/2022) did not have a graduate degree in a child-related field 2 Staff #2 did not have documentation in record of six months of programmatic experience.”
Mar 23, 2023: inspection3 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-160-A
“Based on staff records review, the center did not obtain documentation that each staff member and individual from an independent submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (date of employment 2/20/2023) did not have documentation of the screening at the time of employment an prior to coming into contact with children.”
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8VAC20-780-240-B
“Based on staff records review, the center did not maintain documentation that staff complete orientation training prior to the staff member working alone with children and no later than seven days of the date of assuming job responsibilities. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (date of employment 2/20/2023) did not have documentation of completed orientation training prior to the staff member working alone with children and no later than seven days of the date of assuming job responsibilities.”
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8VAC20-780-70
“Based on staff records review, 1 out 9 staff records, the center did not obtain required documentation for each staff person. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (date of employment 2/20/2023) did not have documentation of two reference checks.”
Aug 12, 2022: inspection1 deficiency
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8VAC20-780-210-A
“Based on staff records, the center did not obtain program leaders have fulfilled a high school program completion or the equivalent. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 (date of employment 8/20/2021) did not have documentation of program leaders shall be at least 18 years of age, have fulfilled a high school program completion or the equivalent”
All 26 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 7, 2026 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Complaint inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Complaint inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Nov 10, 2025 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Oct 9, 2025 | Inspection | 8 violations cited |
| Jul 9, 2025 | Inspection | 6 violations cited |
| Jul 9, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Jul 9, 2025 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Mar 7, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Mar 7, 2025 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| Mar 7, 2025 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| Sep 19, 2024 | Complaint inspection | 7 violations cited |
| Aug 27, 2024 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Aug 27, 2024 | Complaint inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Aug 27, 2024 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Apr 9, 2024 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Apr 9, 2024 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Apr 9, 2024 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Aug 29, 2023 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Aug 29, 2023 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| May 9, 2023 | Complaint inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Mar 23, 2023 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Mar 23, 2023 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Aug 12, 2022 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Jan 18, 2022 | Inspection | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Day Center: Two Year license, expires Feb 8, 2028.
- A current subsidy provider.
- Ages: 1 month - 12 years 11 months.
- Capacity: 233 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?
- 6 complaint inspections on record.
- 5 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 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
| Date | What | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2026 | Complaint | Allegation: Medication/Medical Issues. Virginia’s finding: Not Reported/Found. |
| May 28, 2026 | Complaint | Allegation: Records. Virginia’s finding: Not Reported/Found. |
| Nov 6, 2024 | Complaint | Allegation: Supervision. Virginia’s finding: Reported/Valid. |
| Sep 6, 2024 | Complaint | Allegation: Physical Plant. Virginia’s finding: Reported/Valid. |
| Sep 6, 2024 | 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 304 child care providers in Loudoun County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 8; this one had 38.
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 |
|---|---|
| Sterling United Methodist Church | 1 |
| Montessori Children’s House of Loudoun | 19 |
| Lucy Ayala | 11 |
| Eliana Veira | 10 |
| All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) | 0 |
| Claude Moore Recreation and Community Center | 5 |
| Reyna King | 21 |
| Ruth Moscoso | 9 |
| Ana Salcedo Gago | 0 |
| Sterling Early Learning Academy This child care provider | 38 |
| Quba Center | 3 |
| La Petite Academy | 24 |
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.