Living Word Ministry
A religious exempt child day center in Lynchburg, Virginia 24504
825 Taylor Street, Lynchburg, Virginia 24504. (434) 515-4079.
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
- 64 deficiencies in the last three years
- Sep 172026 the latest visit on record
- 30 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?
11 inspections on record, the latest on Sep 17, 2026.
64 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
64 deficiencies in 4 months of the last 36. Last cited Sep 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.
Sep 17, 2026: inspection1 deficiency
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There shall be at least 1 staff on duty who has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing a daily health observation of children.
“There was no staff on sight trained to perform a daily health observation of the children.”
Jun 29, 2026: complaint inspection17 deficiencies
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Staff members under 18 years of age shall be under the supervision of an adult staff member.
“On 6/23/2026, Staff #1 (under age 18 years) was left alone in a supervision role in the center van for over an hour with 7 children (ages 5-12 years) and was not supervised by an adult staff member.”
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The center shall have documentary evidence that each person in a supervisory position has been certified by a practicing physician or physical assistant to be free from any disability which would prevent from caring for children under their supervision.
“Staff #1 and Staff #2 were supervising children and did not have a staff health reports completed.”
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The center shall ensure compliance with Virginia transportation safety requirements, including child restraint device requirements, as required under Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia.
“During a trip on the center van on 6/23/2026, the center failed to ensure that Child #3 (age 5 years), Child #6 (age 7 years) and Child #7 (age 5 years) were in the required child restraints.”
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Systemic vioalation
“A sworn statement shall be completed prior to employment. Staff #1 (employed for one month) and Staff #2 (employed for over a year) did not have sworn statements completed.”
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Systemic violation
“Providers shall obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1 (employed for one month) did not have a national criminal background check completed prior to hire and was working alone with children.”
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Systemic violation
“The center shall request a search of the central registry prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1 (employed for one month) did not have central registry checks requested and was working alone with children.”
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The center shall obtain the child’s proof of identity and age within seven business days of attendance.
“Child #1, enrolled for over a year, did not have proof of identity on record.”
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Systemic violation
“The child’s record shall include all required components. The records for Child #1, Child #2, Child #3, Child #4, and Child #5 did not include all required components.”
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The center shall ensure each staff person is evaluated by a health professional and issued a statement that the individual is determined to be free of communicable tuberculosis.
“Staff #1 (employed for 1 month) and Staff #2 (employed for over 1 year) had no tuberculosis screening completed.”
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Within the first 90 days of employment all staff who work directly with children shall complete Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff.
“Staff #2 (employed for over one year) did not complete the Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff and was working directly with children.”
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Orientation training for staff shall be completed on specific topics prior to the staff member working alone with children and within seven days of the date of employment or the date of employment.
“Staff #1 (employed 1 month) and Staff #2 (employed over 1 year) had not completed orientation training.”
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Repeat violation and systemic violation
“All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of date of employment current certification in CPR. Staff #2 (employed for over a year) did not have a current certification in CPR and was working directly with children.”
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Repeat violation and systemic violation
“All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of date of employment certification in First Aid. Staff #2 (employed for over a year) did not have a current certification in First Aid and was working directly with children.”
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Equipment of the center shall be maintained in a safe condition.
The inspectors’ words, 95 words
“A 15-passenger van was used to transport children between the ages of 5 and 12 years during a center trip on 6/23/2026. While the van was parked in direct sunlight, seven children remained inside the vehicle with Staff #1 for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The engine was not running, and the air conditioning system was not operating. The vehicle’s windows could only be propped open about an inch, providing minimal ventilation. During this time, the children were sweating and verbally requesting ways to cool themselves as the outside temperature was approximately 80 degrees.”
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Inside areas occupied by children shall be maintained no lower than 68 degrees and shall not exceed 80 degrees.
The inspectors’ words, 124 words
“On 6/23/2026 in the early afternoon, a 15-passenger van used to transport seven children between the ages of 5 and 12 years was parked in direct sunlight for approximately one hour and 15 minutes while the children remained inside the vehicle with Staff #1. The recorded outdoor high temperature for that day was 82?F. During that time, the vehicle’s engine was not running and the air conditioning system was not operating. The windows were propped open about an inch. Numerous studies have shown that the inside of a vehicle heats up very quickly, by as much as 40 degrees higher than outside temperatures, even with the windows cracked. The children in the vehicle were sweating as the inside area was not maintained below 80?F.”
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The center shall ensure that during transportation of children the staff has a list of the names of the children being transported.
“There was no list of names of the children being transported during a center trip on 6/23/2026.”
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Staff shall verify that all children have been removed from the vehicle at the conclusion of any trip.
“On 6/23/2026, the center van arrived to a local store where Staff #3 parked the vehicle to shop for center supplies. Upon arrival to the destination, staff failed to ensure that children were removed from the vehicle. Seven children (ages 5 through 12 years) remained confined inside the vehicle with Staff #1 with minimal ventilation while Staff #3 shopped for 1 hour and 15 minutes.”
Jun 18, 2026: subsidy health and safety inspection17 deficiencies
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Each person in a supervisory position has been certified by a practicing physician or physical assistant to be free from any disability which would prevent from caring for children under their supervision.
“Staff #1 and Staff #4 were supervising children and did not have a physical examination completed.”
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A person trained and certified in first aid and CPR will be present at the center whenever children are present.
“No staff on site were certified in first aid and CPR.”
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The center shall be in compliance regarding the immunization of children against certain diseases.
“Child #1, enrolled for 2 months, did not have immunizations in the file.”
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A sworn statement must be completed prior to employment.
“Staff #1 (employed for 2 years) and Staff #3 (employed for 20 months) did not have sworn statements completed.”
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Repeat violation
“Providers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #4?s national criminal background check was completed 14 days after hire.”
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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 (employed for 2 years), Staff #3 (employed for 20 months), and Staff #4 (employed for over a month) did not have central registry checks completed and were working alone with children.”
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Repeat violation
“The center must obtain the child’s proof of identity and age within 7 business days of attendance. Child #1, enrolled for over a year, did not have proof of identity on record.”
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Repeat violation
“The center shall ensure each staff person is evaluated by a health professional and issued a statement that the individual is determined to be free of communicable tuberculosis. Staff #1 (employed for 2 years), Staff #3 (employed for 20 months) and Staff #4 (employed for over a month) had no tuberculosis screening completed.”
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All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of date of employment certification in CPR.
“Staff #1 (employed for 2 years) and Staff #3 (employed for 20 months) did not have current certification in CPR and were working directly with children.”
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All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of date of employment certification in First Aid.
“Staff #1 (employed for 2 years) and Staff #3 (employed for 20 months) did not have current certification in First Aid and were working directly with children.”
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A first aid kit must contain the all the required components.
“The center did not have an antiseptic cleaning solutions.”
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The center must have a working, battery-operated radio.
“The center did not have a radio.”
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Repeat violation
“The center shall practice monthly evacuation drills. In the past year, monthly evacuation drills have not been completed.”
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Repeat violation
“The center shall conduct a shelter-in-place twice a year. In the past year, a shelter-in-place procedure was not practiced twice during the year.”
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Repeat violation
“The center shall practice lockdown procedures at least annually. In the past year, an annual lockdown drill has not been practiced.”
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The center shall maintain a record of the dates of the practice drills for one year.
“There was no record of the drills for the past year.”
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When food is brought from home, the food container shall be clearly labeled in a way that identifies the owner.
“There were 4 lunch boxes that were not labeled with the child’s name.”
Apr 16, 2025: subsidy health and safety inspection7 deficiencies
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Vender shall ensure each staff person is evaluated by a health professional and issued a statement that the individual is determined to be free of communicable tuberculosis (TB).
“Staff 2, who has been actively working for 3 weeks, had no TB screening in the record.”
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Orientation training for staff shall be completed prior to the staff member working alone with children and within seven days of the date of employment or the day of subsidy vendor approval.
“Staff #2, who has been actively working for one month, had no documentation of orientation in the record.”
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The vendor shall have a written emergency preparedness plan that address staff responsibility and readiness with respect to emergency evacuations, relocation, lockdown and shelter-in- place procedures.
“The center did not have a written Emergency Preparedness plan.”
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The vendor shall post emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures/maps in a location conspicuous to staff and children.
“Emergency maps/procedures were not posted.”
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The vendor shall conduct monthly evacuations drills.
“Monthly evacuation drills have not been completed.”
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The vendor shall practice shelter-in-place procedures twice a year.
“Shelter-in-place procedures have not been practiced.”
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The vendor shall practice lockdown procedures at least annually.
“Annual lock down drills have not been practiced.”
Apr 16, 2025: inspection2 deficiencies
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Providers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment.
“Staff 2, employed for 3 weeks, did not have a completed national criminal background check.”
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Provider must obtain the child’s proof of identity and age within 7 business days of attendance.
“Child 1, enrolled for over one year, did not have proof of identity on record.”
Apr 16, 2025: complaint inspection1 deficiency
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Children less than 10 years of ages shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff.
“Staff 1 left children (ages 3-5) unsupervised for approximately one minute on three separate occasions.”
Jul 8, 2024: subsidy health and safety inspection13 deficiencies
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Based on attendance record review, the Vendor failed to maintain a written hard copy record of daily attendance that documents the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurs for each group of children.
“EVIDENCE; Written daily attendance did not include documentation of departure for each child in each group.”
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Based on record review, the Vendor failed to obtain verification of age and the date of employment for each staff.
“EVIDENCE: 1. Record for Staff #2 did not include documentation of age verification. 2. Record for Staff #3 did not include documentation of age verification. 3. Record for Staff #3 did not include the date of hire.”
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Based on record review, the Vendor failed to ensure each staff person is evaluated by a health professional and issued a statement that the individual is determined to be free of communicable tuberculosis (TB).
“EVIDENCE: Record for Staff #1 (date of employment unknown) did not include documentation of a negative tuberculosis skin test/screening. Record for Staff #3 (date of employment unknown) did not include documentation of a negative tuberculosis skin test/screening.”
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Based on record review, the Vendor failed to ensure within the first 90 days of employment all staff who work directly with children complete Virginia Preservice Training.
“EVIDENCE: Record for Staff #2 (date of employment 5/15/2023) did not include documentation of the completed 10 hours Virginia Preservice Training. Staff #2 was observed working with children during the inspection. Record for Staff #3 (date of employment unknown) did not include documentation of the completed 10 hours Virginia Preservice Training. Staff #3 was observed working with children during the inspection.”
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Based on inspection and discussion with the Center Director, the Vendor failed to ensure each staff person completes orientation training on the required facility specific topics prior to the staff person working alone with children and within seven days of the date of employment for each staff person.
“EVIDENCE: Center Orientation Training was not completed by Staff #3.”
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Based on review of training records, the Vendor failed to ensure staff who work directly with children annually attend at least 16 hours of annual training and staff development activities.
“EVIDENCE: Staff #1 did not complete 16 hours of annual training within the past year. Staff #1 completed 9 hours of training. Staff #2 did not complete 16 hours of annual training within the past year. Staff #2 did not complete any annual training. Staff #3 did not complete 16 hours of annual training within the past year. Staff #3 did not complete any annual training.”
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Based on review of training records, the Vendor failed to ensure there is at least one staff on duty who has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing a daily health observation of children.
“EVIDENCE: There was not staff present during the inspection who has completed daily health observation training of children.”
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Based on inspection, the Vendor failed to have sinks located near the toilets that are supplied with running warm water that does not exceed 120 degrees F.
“EVIDENCE: The hot water temperature exceeded 120 degrees F. Water temperature registered 127.2 degrees F.”
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Based on inspection, the Vendor failed to have a written emergency preparedness plan that addresses staff responsibility and facility readiness with respect to emergency evacuation, relocation, lockdown and shelter-in-place procedures.
“EVIDENCE: The Center did not have a written Emergency Preparedness Plan.”
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Based on inspection, the Vendor failed to post emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures/maps in a location conspicuous to staff and children.
“EVIDENCE: Emergency maps/procedures were not posted.”
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Based on record review, the Vendor failed to conduct monthly evacuation drills.
“EVIDENCE: Monthly evacuation drills have not been completed.”
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Based on record review, the Vendor failed to practice shelter-in-place procedures twice a year.
“EVIDENCE: Shelter-in-place procedures have not been practiced.”
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Based on record review, the Vendor failed to practice lockdown procedures at least annually.
“EVIDENCE: Annual lock down drill has not been practiced.”
Jul 8, 2024: inspection6 deficiencies
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Based on record review and discussion with the Center Director, the Center failed to ensure each person in a supervisory position has been certified by a practicing physician and physician assistant to be free from any disability which would prevent hi from caring for children under his supervision.
“EVIDENCE: Record for Staff #3 did not include documentation of a health examination.”
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22.1-289.031-B-3
“Based on record review and discussion with the center director, the Center failed to”
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Based on record review, the Center failed to obtain required Fingerprint Background Check prior to employment.
“EVIDENCE: Staff #2 (date of employment 5/15/2023) has not completed the Fingerprint Background Check.”
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Based on record review, the Center failed to obtain out-of-state background checks for employees who have lived out of the state within five years from the date of hire.
“EVIDENCE; Staff #2 (date of employment 5/15/2023) has lived out-of-the state within the 5 years prior to the date of employment. Required out-of-state background checks were not completed.”
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Based on record review, the Center failed to obtain proof of identity and age.
“EVIDENCE: Record for Child #2 did not include documentation of the child’s proof of age and identity (birth certificate).”
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Based on record review, the Center failed to obtain required Sworn Statement/Affirmation Background Check before employment and search of the Central Registry Background Check by the end of the 30th day of employment.
“EVIDENCE: 1. Record for Staff #3 (date of employment was not documented) did not include documentation of a completed Sworn Disclosure Background Check. 2. Record for Staff #2 (date of employment 5/15/2023) did not include documentation of the Central Registry Background Check within 30 days of employment. 3. Record for Staff #3 (date of employment was not documented) did not include documentation of the Central Registry Background Check within 30 days of employment.”
Feb 28, 2023: subsidy health and safety inspection5 deficiencies
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Based on inspection, the Vendor failed to ensure each building that was built before 2015 and that houses a child day program is equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector
“EVIDENCE: Center located inside a building that was built before 2015, was not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector.”
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Based on record review, the Vendor failed to have at least one (1) staff on duty who has obtained within the last three years instruction in performing a daily health observation of children.
“EVIDENCE: Center did not have at least one (1) staff member trained in the Daily Health Observation of children.”
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Based on inspection, the Vendor failed to have a written emergency preparedness plan that addresses center responsibility and readiness with respect to emergency evacuation, relocation, lock-down and shelter-in-place procedures. The plan shall address the most likely to occur emergency scenario or scenarios, including but not limited to fire, severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, loss of utilities, earthquakes, intruders, violence on or near the premises, chemical spills, and facility damage or other situations that may require evacuation, lock-down or shelter-in-place.
“EVIDENCE: An emergency preparedness plan has not been developed for the center.”
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Based on inspection, the Vendor failed to ensure emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures/maps posted in a conspicuous to staff and children on each floor of each building.
“EVIDENCE: Evacuation and shelter-in-place maps/procedures were not posted. Center has not developed Emergency Preparedness procedures for the center.”
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Based on inspection, the Vendor failed to post emergency 911 or local dial number for police, fire and emergency medical services and the number of the regional poison control center in a visible and conspicuous place.
“EVIDENCE: Emergency numbers were not posted”
Feb 28, 2023: inspection2 deficiencies
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Based on record review & discussion with the Center Director, the Center failed to certification that the child day center has disclosed in writing to the parents/guardians of the children in the center the qualifications of the personnel employed.
“EVIDENCE: Written statement regarding staff qualifications was not disclosed to the parents/guardians.”
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Based on inspection, the Center failed to provide a written statement to the parents/guardians of the children in the center regarding food services, health requirements for the staff and public liability insurance.
“EVIDENCE: The aspects of the Center’s operations regarding food services & health requirements for the staff have not been disclosed in writing to the parents/guardians of the children in the center and made available to the general public.”
All 11 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 2026 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Jun 29, 2026 | Complaint inspection | 17 violations cited |
| Jun 18, 2026 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 17 violations cited |
| Apr 16, 2025 | Complaint inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Apr 16, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 7 violations cited |
| Apr 16, 2025 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Oct 23, 2024 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Jul 8, 2024 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 13 violations cited |
| Jul 8, 2024 | Inspection | 6 violations cited |
| Feb 28, 2023 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Feb 28, 2023 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 5 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Religious Exempt Child Day Center: Exempt from licensure, expires Sep 21, 2027.
- A current subsidy provider.
- Ages: 2 years 6 months - 11 years 6 months.
- Capacity: 30 children.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each facility’s page. Checked Nov 2, 2026. Updated weekly.
Has Virginia acted against it?
- 3 complaint inspections on record.
- 1 complaint allegation published with Virginia’s findings, 1 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 28, 2025 | Complaint | Allegation: Supervision. Virginia’s finding: Reported/Valid. |
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 44 child care providers in the City of Lynchburg, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 6; this one had 64.
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 |
|---|---|
| Hill City Montessori School | 29 |
| Living Word Ministry This child care provider | 64 |
| Lynchburg Community Action Group-Diamond Hill | 19 |
| Peakland United Methodist Church | 0 |
| Heritage United Methodist Church | 0 |
| Elizabeth’s Early Learning Center | 26 |
| Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church | 0 |
| Randolph College Nursery School | 3 |
| Tree of Life Ministries | 8 |
| Jubilee Family Development Center | 20 |
| Five Star Academy | 12 |
| Ms. Gloria Almond | 0 |
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.