Ballad Health Center for Early Learning - Abingdon
A child day center in Abingdon, Virginia 24210
300 Towne Centre Drive, Abingdon, Virginia 24210. (276) 258-4980.
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
- 40 deficiencies in the last three years
- Jul 202026 the latest visit on record
- 300 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?
22 inspections on record, the latest on Jul 20, 2026.
40 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
40 deficiencies in 8 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 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.
Jul 20, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-340-A
“When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. On 7/17/26, child #1 (age 2 years) was able to open a door and exit to the fenced in play area. Staff # 1,2,3 & 4 did not realize the child had exited the bike area.”
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8VAC20-780-340-F
“Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. On 7/17/26, child #1 (age 2 years) was unsupervised for approximately 10-15 seconds.”
Mar 26, 2026: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-340-A
“When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection and guidance. On 3/20/26, Staff # 2 was in the classroom, observed the forbidden actions of Staff # 1, and did not intervene.”
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8VAC20-780-410-1
The inspectors’ words, 165 words
“Roughly handling a child is a forbidden action. ? On 3/20/26, Staff # 1 picked up Child # 1, 2 years of age, by the back of the child’s pants. Then, Staff #1 picked Child #1 up by the child’s arm and lifted child to their feet. Staff #1 proceeded to use Child #1?s right arm to turn child around and pulled the child backwards by the arm to their rest mat. Staff #1 roughly tossed Child #1 onto their rest mat. ? Staff #1 grabbed Child #2, 2 years of age, by the arm and leg and flipped the child into a different position on their mat. Staff #1 then grabbed their right arm and lifted Child #2 off their mat to a standing position. Staff #1 picked up Child #2?s rest mat while still holding onto the child’s right arm and moved the rest mat and child to another spot on the floor. Staff #1 roughly forced Child #2 onto their rest mat.”
Aug 27, 2025: subsidy health and safety inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-790-600-D-1
“REPEAT VIOLATION All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of the date of employment, current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the ages of children in care. Staff # 2 & 6, who have been actively working with children for three months and staff #5, who has been actively working with children for four months, did not have documentation of receiving CPR certification.”
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8VAC20-790-600-D-2
“REPEAT VIOLATION All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of the date of employment, current certification in first aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Staff # 2 & 6, who have been actively working with children for three months and staff #5, who has been actively working with children for four months, did not have documentation of receiving CPR certification.”
Aug 27, 2025: inspection3 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-4
“The center is required to obtain background checks from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. Staff #3, employed for more than four months, did not have documentation of requesting a central registry check from one state.”
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8VAC20-780-260-A
“The center shall provide to the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report from the appropriate fire official having jurisdiction. The center did not have documentation of an annual fire inspection report.”
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8VAC20-780-500-B
“REPEAT VIOLATION The diapering surface shall be cleaned with soap and at least room temperature water and sanitized after each use. The diapering pad in the Bunnies room was wiped with disinfecting wipe after each change of diapers.”
May 28, 2025: subsidy health and safety inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-790-600-D-1
“All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of the date of employment, current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the ages of children in care. Staff #1, who had been actively working at the center for five months, did not have documentation of receiving CPR certification.”
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8VAC20-790-600-D-2
“All staff who work directly with children shall have within 90 days of the date of employment current certification in first aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Staff #1, who has been actively working with the children for five months did not have documentation showing certification in first aid.”
May 28, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
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8VAC20-780-410-1
“The following acts are forbidden: striking and roughly handling a child. On 5/22/25, Staff #1, popped Child #1 (age 15 months) on the hand. Video footage observed from 5/22/25 showed that Staff #1, pulled Child #1 by the leg, sliding the child forcefully away from the other children.”
May 28, 2025: complaint inspection1 deficiency
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8VAC20-780-370-4
“There shall be a daily schedule for infants based on their individual needs. During the day, infants shall be provided with comfort as needed. During the inspection an eight month old was crying, for approximately two minutes, while in a bouncy seat and no one attempted to console or proved comfort for the child. The child threw up when staff #1 finally picked up the child.”
Feb 25, 2025: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-450-A
“Cribs, cots, mats and beds used by children other than infants during the designated rest period or during evening and overnight care shall have linens consisting of a top cover and a bottom cover or a one-piece covering which is open on three edges. The rest mats being used during nap time in the Leopards and Pandas classrooms did not have a bottom cover.”
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8VAC20-780-500-B
“5. Disposable diapers shall be disposed system that is either foot-operated or used in such a way that staff member’s hand nor the soiled diaper touches the outer surface of the disposal container. In the Foxes room a diaper was disposed of by staff lifting the trash can lid with their hand. 7. The diapering surface shall be cleaned with soap and water and sanitized after each use. The diapering surface in the Foxes room was sprayed with bleach/water solution and wiped dry.”
Jan 15, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
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REPEAT VIOLATION Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, insecticides, and pesticides shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.
“A spray bottle containing bleach and water was in an unlocked cabinet in the Does room. Two spray cans of sunscreen + bug spray were in the cubbies used by the children, not locked.”
Nov 20, 2024: complaint inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-340-A
“When staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. On 11/4/24 and 11/15/24 two children were left alone for approximately one to four minutes by two different staff.”
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8VAC20-780-340-F
“Children under 10 years of age always shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. On 11/4/24, at approximately 9:00 a.m. one, twenty-three-month-old child was left alone in the receptionist area for approximately one minute. On 11/15/24, at approximately 2:08 p.m., one child, three years of age, was left alone in the Panda’s room for four minutes.”
Nov 4, 2024: inspection20 deficiencies
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22.1-289.011-F
“The license and any other documents required by the Superintendent shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. The current Conditional license and the Violation Notice dated 9/4/24 was not posted in a conspicuous place.”
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22.1-289.035-B-2
“Providers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employees? first day of employment. Staff #1, who had been employed for two months, 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 #2, who had been employed for two months, Staff #4,who had been employed two and a half months, and Staff # 5 who had been employed for four months, did not have a central registry search requested. Staff #2 & 5 were working with the children in the same classroom.”
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22.1-289.035-B-4
“The center is required to obtain background checks from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. Staff #3, employed for two months, did not have documentation of requesting a central registry check from one state they resided in the past five years and no documentation of requesting a central registry check or criminal history check from a different state.”
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8VAC20-780-130-A
“SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY 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 record #5 did not have an immunization record on file. Child #5 has been in care for two months.”
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8VAC20-780-140-A
“SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Each child shall have a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician: before the child’s attendance; or within 30 days after the first day of attendance. Child record #5, did not have a physical examination on file. Child #5 has been in care for two months.”
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8VAC20-780-160-A
“SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Each staff member shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Staff #2 and #5, who have been actively working with children for the past two to four months, did not have documentation of a negative TB screening on file.”
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8VAC20-780-240-B
“Staff shall complete orientation training prior to working alone with children and no later than seven days of the date of assuming job responsibilities. Staff #1-4, who have been actively working with children for two months, do not have documentation of orientation training on file.”
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Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.
“A spray bottle containing bleach and water was in an unlocked closet in the Elephant room. Bleach and laundry detergent were on the counter in the laundry room, and the door was not locked.”
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8VAC20-780-40-M
“SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY The center shall maintain 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 Badger and Panda rooms had food allergies listed. However, the lists were not dated.”
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8VAC20-780-500-B
“Disposable diapers shall be disposed in a leakproof or plastic line storage system that is either foot-operated or used in such a way the neither the staff member’s hand not the soiled diaper touches an exterior surface of the storage system during disposal. There were no foot pedal operated trash cans in the Badger rooms.”
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8VAC20-780-540-E
“The following non-medical emergency supplies shall be required on each floor of the building: one working, battery operated flashlight and one working, battery operated radio. The center did not have a radio or flashlight.”
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8VAC20-780-550-C
“SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures or maps shall be posted in a location conspicuous to staff and children. There were no emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures or maps posted at the center.”
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8VAC20-780-550-D
“SYSTEM DEFICIENCY The center shall implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. There were no monthly evacuation drills practiced for September or October 2024.”
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8VAC20-780-550-I
“The center shall have posted in a visible place at each telephone, a 911 or local dial number for police, fire and emergency medical services and the number of the regional poison control center. No emergency numbers were posted at the center.”
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8VAC20-780-560-F
The inspectors’ words, 104 words
“Centers providing meals and snacks shall follow the most recent, age-appropriate nutritional requirements of the Child and Adult Care Food Program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Three of the five required nutritional components were not present at breakfast. Five of the required nutritional components were not present at lunch. Two of the five required nutritional components were not present at snack. The Pandas classroom had Goldfish and water for snack. The breakfast menu listed: waffle & juice or muffin & orange juice. The lunch menu listed juice on various days. The snack menu listed water or juice and one other component.”
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8VAC20-780-570-E
“Prepared infant formula shall be refrigerated, dated and labeled with the child’s name. Two prepared bottles in the Badgers room did not have the date listed.”
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8VAC20-780-60-A
The inspectors’ words, 112 words
“SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain. Child’s record # 3 was missing the sex and address of the child. Child record #2 was missing the parents place of work and work phone. Child record’s #2 & 3 are missing the physician’s name and phone number. Child records # 3 & # do not have the first day of attendance listed. Child records # 2, 3, and 4 does not address allergies. Child’s record #2 did not have documentation of viewing proof of child’s identity and age. All children listed have been in care one to two months.”
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8VAC20-780-70
The inspectors’ words, 167 words
“SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY The following staff records shall be kept for each staff person. 4-Staff #1-5, who has been actively working at the center for the past one to four months, did not have documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education and experience required by the job description. Staff # 1-5, who have been actively working with children for up to four months, do not have documentation on file that they meet the qualifications to be a program leader. 2-Documentation of a least two references to character, reputation, and competency are to be checked prior to employment. Staff #1-4, who have been actively working at the center for the past two months, did not have any completed reference verifications on file. 7-Information, to be kept at the center, about any health problems that may interfere with job responsibilities. Staff #1-5, who have been actively working at the center for the past two to four months, did not have information at the center regarding any health problems.”
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8VAC20-780-90-A
“SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY A written agreement between the parent and the center shall be in each child’s record by the first day of the child’s attendance. Child’s records # 2 & 3 did not have a written agreement with the center on file. Child #2 & 3 have been in care for two months.”
Sep 4, 2024: inspection2 deficiencies
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8VAC20-780-270-A
“Based on observation the center failed to ensure that areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Evidence: The exterior wall of the outdoor play area has metal with sharp edges and siding with pinch points. The interior wall of the outdoor play area has sharp edged screws protruding that are accessible to children in care. The pipes in the concrete flooring has insulation coming out that is accessible to children.”
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8VAC20-780-540-C
“Based on observation the center failed to ensure all the required items are in the first aid kit. Evidence: The first aid kit did not have triangular bandages.”
All 22 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 20, 2026 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| May 26, 2026 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Mar 11, 2026 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Nov 21, 2025 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Oct 24, 2025 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Oct 24, 2025 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Aug 27, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Aug 27, 2025 | Inspection | 3 violations cited |
| May 28, 2025 | Complaint inspection | 1 violation cited |
| May 28, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 2 violations cited |
| May 28, 2025 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| May 28, 2025 | Inspection | No violations cited |
| May 12, 2025 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Feb 25, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Feb 25, 2025 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Nov 20, 2024 | Complaint inspection | 2 violations cited |
| Nov 4, 2024 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Nov 4, 2024 | Inspection | 20 violations cited |
| Sep 4, 2024 | Inspection | 2 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Day Center: Two Year license, expires Mar 5, 2027.
- A current subsidy provider.
- Ages: 1 month - 12 years 11 months.
- Capacity: 300 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?
- 7 complaint inspections on record.
- No complaint allegations published with findings.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations and Search for Child Day Care: each complaint’s page, with its allegations and findings. Checked Nov 2, 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 22 child care providers in Washington County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 4.5; this one had 40.
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 |
|---|---|
| People Incorporated of Virginia - Abingdon Head Start | 2 |
| Pleasant View Church | 1 |
| St. John Lutheran Church | 1 |
| People Incorporated of Virginia-Abingdon Early Head Start | 1 |
| Cornerstone Christian Academy | 0 |
| The Bradley Street Playschool | 5 |
| Ballad Health Center for Early Learning - Abingdon This child care provider | 40 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire - Greendale Elementary | 3 |
| Kiddie Care College | 8 |
| Sullins Academy, Inc. | 19 |
| Abingdon Church of Christ | 5 |
| Ms. Mary Thomas | 2 |
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.