Kenya Vinson-Sawyer
A family day home in Portsmouth, Virginia 23704
1416 Centre Ave, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704. (757) 633-4402.
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
- 47 deficiencies in the last three years
- Sep 212026 the latest visit on record
- 12 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?
3 inspections on record, the latest on Sep 21, 2026.
47 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
47 deficiencies in 3 months of the last 36. Last cited Sep 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.
Sep 21, 2026: subsidy health and safety inspection22 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-1
The inspectors’ words, 120 words
“Systemic Deficiency Prior to employment or caring for children caregivers shall provide a sworn statement or affirmation disclosing whether he has ever been convicted of or is the subject of pending charges for any offense within or outside the Commonwealth and whether he has been the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth. A completed sworn statement or affirmation was not on file for caregiver 1 and caregiver 2. Both caregivers were observed caring for children during the inspection and were outside alone with a group of 5 children when the inspector arrived. The sworn statement for caregiver 3, who was not present during the inspection, had not been signed or dated.”
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22.1-289.035-B-2
“Systemic Deficiency Prior to employment or caring for children caregivers shall submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information described in subdivision B 2 of ? 19.2-392.02. The results of a fingerprint background check were not on file for caregiver 1 and caregiver 2. Both caregiver’s were observed alone and caring for children during the inspection. Additionally, a fingerprint background check was not on file for caregiver 3 who was not present, but had been present during previous inspections and remained employed according to the provider.”
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22.1-289.035-B-3
The inspectors’ words, 97 words
“Systemic Deficiency Prior to hire the family day home is required to obtain a copy of the results of a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to ? 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse or neglect against him. A central registry search was not on file for caregiver 1 and caregiver 2. Both caregiver’s were observed alone and caring for children during the inspection. Additionally, a central registry check was not on file for caregiver 3 who was not present, but had been present during previous inspections and remained employed according to the provider.”
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8VAC20-790-250-B
“Within the first 90 days of employment or service all caregivers shall complete Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff sponsored by the Department of Education. Caregiver 2, who has been employed for approximately five months has not completed the Virginia Preservice Training course. Caregiver 3, who has been employed for over 90 days, has completed 1 of 3 modules required in the preservice training course.”
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8VAC20-790-250-D-1
“All caregivers shall have within 90 days of employment current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) appropriate to the ages of children in care. The training shall include an in-person competency demonstration. There was no documentation to demonstrate that caregiver 2 and 3 had current CPR certification. Caregiver 2 was observed caring for children during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-790-250-D-2
“All caregivers shall have within 90 days of employment current certification in first aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. There was no documentation to demonstrate that caregiver 2 and 3 had current first aid certification. Caregiver 2 was observed caring for children during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-120-B
“Systemic Deficiency Assistants’ and substitute providers’ records shall contain all required elements. The record for caregiver 1, 2 and 3 lacked documentation of a hire date and two or more reference checks. Caregiver 2’s record lacked a job title and emergency contact information was not on file for caregiver 1 and 2.”
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8VAC20-800-170-A
“Systemic Deficiency The provider shall obtain from each caregiver at the time of hire and each adult household member prior to coming into contact with children a current Report of Tuberculosis Screening form published by the Virginia Department of Health or a form consistent with it documenting the absence of tuberculosis in a communicable form. There was not documentation of a TB screening for caregiver 1 and caregiver 2. Both were observed caring for children during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-200-C
“Documentation of the orientation shall be signed and dated by the provider and substitute provider or by the provider and assistant. There was no written documentation to demonstrate that caregiver 1 and 2 had received orientation training by the end of their first week of assuming job responsibilities.”
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8VAC20-800-240-A
“Systemic Deficiency Outside areas of the family day home shall be maintained in a safe condition. Broken pieces of plastic, with sharp points, were observed inside the outside deck post cap. Children were observed playing on the deck and this post cap was within easy reach of children.”
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8VAC20-800-30-A
“The provider shall ensure compliance with these standards and the terms of the current license issued by the department and with relevant federal, state or local laws, and other relevant regulations. The terms of the current license issued by the department states, “The number of children receiving care under the age of two (2) years shall be limited to four (4) as per the Portsmouth Building Official. There were five (5) children in care under the age of two years during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-50-A
“Systemic Deficiency The family day home shall keep a written record of children in attendance each day. The provider stated she did not have a written record of children in attendance.”
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8VAC20-800-520-B
“Cribs shall not be used as a play space for infants. Child 1 and child 4 were placed in a crib with plastic play blocks.”
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8VAC20-800-60-B
The inspectors’ words, 95 words
“Systemic Deficiency The provider shall maintain an up-to-date record at the family day home for each child enrolled which contain all required elements. 1. The record for child 1,3,4 and 5 lacked complete emergency contact information. 2. The record for child 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5,lacked complete employment information for one or both custodial parents. 3. The record for child 1 lacked the home address and telephone number of one custodial parent. 4. The record for child 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 lacked the name and policy number of the child’s medical insurance.”
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8VAC20-800-70-A
The inspectors’ words, 173 words
“Systemic Deficiency Before the child’s first day of attendance, parents shall be provided in writing all required information in the written information for parents. 1. The following information was not on file for child 2 and child 4: *Whether or not there is liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate in force on the family day home operation as required by 22.1-289.050 of the Code of Virginia. 2. The following written information was not on file for child 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7: *Address of the website of the department with a note that a copy of this chapter and additional information about the family day home may be obtained from the website including compliance history. *Amount of time per week that an adult assistance is scheduled to care for the child and the name of the adult assistant. *Policies for administration of medication 3. Provisions of the family day home’s emergency preparedness and response plan was not on file in the record of child 4.”
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8VAC20-800-830-A
“The emergency evacuation procedures shall be practiced monthly with all caregivers and children in care during all shifts that children are in care. The emergency log for the family day home lacked documentation of a practice fire drill for July and August of 2026. The provider confirmed that a fire drill had not been conducted in July or August of 2026.”
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8VAC20-800-830-C
“Repeat Violation Documentation shall be maintained of emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place drills that includes the date and time of the drill. The emergency practice log for the family day home lacked documentation of the date and time of the shelter-in-place practice drills.”
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8VAC20-800-90-A
“Repeat Violation Before a child may attend the family day home, the provider shall obtain documentation that the child has been adequately immunized according to the requirements of ? 32.1-46 A of the Code of Virginia and applicable State Board of Health regulations. The provider did not have documentation of any required immunizations for child 2, 3 and 4. These children were in care during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-90-C
“Repeat Violation The family day home shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. The provider did not have documentation of updated immunizations for child 1who was in care during the inspection. Child 1 is under the age of two years and the most recent immunizations were administered more than 9 months from the date of the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-900-B
“Children shall not be allowed to eat or drink while walking, running and playing. Child 6 was observed walking around the home while eating a graham cracker.”
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8VAC20-800-920
“Menus. When meals or snacks are provided by the family day home, the menu for the current one-week period shall be given to parents or posted or placed in an area accessible to parents. The menu was not posted and the provider confirmed the menu had not been posted.”
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8VAC20-800-960-E
“Bottles shall be labeled with the child’s full name and the date, if more than one infant is in care. A bottle for child 3 was not dated. Child 5’s bottle was not labeled with a name or date.”
May 29, 2026: subsidy health and safety inspection14 deficiencies
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22.1-289.035-B-1
“Prior to employment or caring for children caregivers shall provide a sworn statement or affirmation disclosing whether he has ever been convicted of or is the subject of pending charges for any offense within or outside the Commonwealth and whether he has been the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within or outside the Commonwealth. Caregiver 1 had not completed a sworn statement or affirmation. Caregiver 1 was observed caring for children during the inspection.”
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22.1-289.035-B-2
“Prior to employment or caring for children caregivers shall submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information described in subdivision B 2 of ? 19.2-392.02. The results of a fingerprint background check was not on file for caregiver 1. Caregiver 1 was observed caring for children during the inspection.”
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22.1-289.035-B-3
“Prior to hire, the family day home is required to request a copy of the results of a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to ? 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse or neglect against him. The provider stated a search of the central registry had not been requested for caregiver 1. Caregiver 1 was observed caring for children during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-100-A
“The provider shall obtain documentation of a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician prior to a child’s attendance or within 30 days after the first day of attendance. The provider did not have written documentation of a physical exam for child 3. Child 3 was in care during the inspection and has been enrolled for more than 30 days.”
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8VAC20-800-120-B
“Assistants’ and substitute providers’ records shall contain all required elements. The record for caregiver 1 lacked documentation of a job title, hire date and two or more reference checks.”
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8VAC20-800-170-A
“The provider shall obtain from each caregiver at the time of hire and each adult household member prior to coming into contact with children a current Report of Tuberculosis Screening form published by the Virginia Department of Health or a form consistent with it documenting the absence of tuberculosis in a communicable form. There was no documentation of a TB screening for caregiver 1. Caregiver 1 was observed caring for children during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-240-A
The inspectors’ words, 134 words
“Repeat Violation Outside areas of the family day home shall be maintained in a safe condition. Unsafe conditions shall include, but not be limited to, the presence of poisonous plants; tripping hazards; unstable heavy equipment, furniture, or other items that a child could pull down on himself; splintered, cracked, or otherwise deteriorating wood; chipped or peeling paint; visible cracks, bending or warping, rusting, or breakage of any equipment; head entrapment hazards; and protruding nails, bolts, or other components that could entangle or could snag skin. Accessible screws were observed protruding from one wooden slat on the outdoor play structure. Loose screws were placed in an area of the deck gate that is accessible to children. The chairs placed in the sitting area of the outdoor play area have areas of deteriorated and splintered wood.”
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8VAC20-800-50-A
“Repeat Violation The family day home shall keep a written record of children in attendance each day. The provider stated she did not have a written record of children in attendance. There were five children in care during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-540-B
“Infant walkers shall not be used. Two infant walkers were observed on the children’s outdoor play area.”
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8VAC20-800-60-B
“Repeat Violation The provider shall maintain an up-to-date record at the family day home for each child enrolled which shall contain all required elements. 1. The enrollment record for child 1, 2 and 3 lacked complete emergency contact information. 2. The enrollment record for child 2 lacked the enrollment form with parent contact information. 3. The enrollment record for child 3 lacked information for one parent 4. The enrollment record for child 1,2,3, 4 and 5 lacked documentation regarding the child’s health insurance”
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8VAC20-800-70-A
The inspectors’ words, 142 words
“Repeat Violation Before the child’s first day of attendance, parents shall be provided in writing all required information in the written information for parents. 1. The following written information was not on file for child 3: *Whether or not there is liability insurance of at least $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate in force on the family day home operation as required by 22.1-289.050 of the Code of Virginia. 2. The following written information was not on file for child 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5: *Address of the website of the department, with a note that a copy of this chapter and additional information about the family day home may be obtained from the website including compliance history. *Amount of time per week that an adult assistant is scheduled to care for the child and the name of the adult assistant”
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8VAC20-800-830-C
“Documentation shall be maintained of emergency evacuation and shelter-in-place drills. The provider stated she could not locate the written emergency log for the family day home.”
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8VAC20-800-90-A
“Before a child may attend the family day home, the provider shall obtain documentation that the child has been adequately immunized according to the requirements of ? 32.1-46 A of the Code of Virginia and applicable State Board of Health regulations. The provider did not have documentation of immunizations for child 3 who was in care during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-90-C
“The family day home shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations for a child who is not exempt from the immunization requirements according to subsection B of this section: The provider did not have documentation of updated immunizations for child 2 and child 5.”
Mar 13, 2026: inspection11 deficiencies
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8VAC20-800-240-A
The inspectors’ words, 104 words
“Areas and furnishings of the family day home, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a safe condition. 1. The table in the corner area of the room used for napping children contained multiple glass items that could be unsafe if handled by children. The table is a potential toppling hazard. A closed zip lock bag containing batteries was observed on the floor near the table. 2. The diaper storage container hooked over the crib’s for child 2 and child 3 is a potential safety hazard due to the sharp edge on the metal bracket that hooks on the top of the crib railing.”
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8VAC20-800-250-A
“Hanging items including window blind or curtain cords shall be out of reach of children under five years of age. An occupied crib was placed beside a window with curtains and a mini blind cord within reach of child 2 who is under five years of age.”
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8VAC20-800-280
“Potentially poisonous substances, materials and supplies such as, but not limited to, plant care chemicals and pesticides shall be stored in areas inaccessible to children. Two containers of pesticides were stored behind the garage which is accessible to the children’s outdoor play area.”
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8VAC20-800-50-A
“The family day home shall keep a written record of children in attendance each day. The provider stated she did not have a written record of children in attendance. There were four children in care during the inspection.”
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8VAC20-800-500-D
“Outdoor play equipment shall meet the following requirements: Openings above the ground that are closed on all sides shall be smaller than 3-1/2 inches or larger than nine inches to prevent head entrapment hazards. 1. The opening between wood slats ( picnic table side) of the outdoor climber measure 4 inches and 4-1/2 inches at the platform for the slide. 2. The opening of one wood slat (swing side) of the outdoor climber measures 4 inches at the platform for the slide.”
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8VAC20-800-530-B
“Cribs when being used by infants shall have a tight-fitting bottom cover. Child 2 was placed in a crib with a loose fitting crib sheet.”
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8VAC20-800-540-A
“High chairs shall be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and when occupied by a child, a safety strap shall be used and securely fastened. Child 1, age two years, was observed in a high chair without the safety strap securely fastened.”
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8VAC20-800-60-B
The inspectors’ words, 135 words
“The provider shall maintain an up-to-date record at the family day home for each enrolled child which shall contain all required elements. 1. The enrollment record for child 1, child 2, and child 4 lacked the name address and phone number for a second emergency contact. Additionally, the address for the first emergency contact was lacking in these children’s records. 2. The enrollment record for child 3 did not have the name, address and telephone number of one parent’s place of employment. 3. The enrollment record for child 2 lacked a work phone number for each parent’s place of employment. 4. The first date of attendance was not indicated in the records of child 1 and child 4. 5. Proof of the child’s age and identity was not documented in the record of child 2.”
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8VAC20-800-70-A
The inspectors’ words, 150 words
“Before the child’s first day of attendance, parents shall be provided in writing all required information in the written information for parents. 1. The following written information was not on file for child 1,2, 3 and 4: *Whether or not there is liability insurance of at lease $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate in force on the family day home operation as required by 22.1-289.050 of the Code of Virginia. * Provisions of the family day home’s emergency preparedness and response plan; * Address of the website of the department, with a note that a copy of this chapter and additional information about the family day home may be obtained from the website, including compliance history that includes information after July 1, 2003. 2. The enrollment record for child 1 lacked requirement for paid caregivers to report suspected child abuse and neglect according to 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia.”
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8VAC20-800-900-B
“Children shall not be allowed to eat or drink while lying down. Child 2 and child 3 were placed in a crib with a bottle of formula. Both children were observed drinking from the bottle while lying down in the crib.”
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8VAC20-800-960-E
“Bottles shall be labeled with the child’s full name and the date, if more than one infant is in care. Two bottles, for child 2 and child 3, were not labeled with the child’s full name and date.”
All 3 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2026 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 22 violations cited |
| May 29, 2026 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 14 violations cited |
| Mar 13, 2026 | Inspection | 11 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Family Day Home: Provisional license, expires Mar 29, 2027.
- 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 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
Has Virginia acted against it?
- 0 complaint inspections on record.
- No complaint allegations published with findings.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations and Search for Child Day Care: each complaint’s page, with its allegations and findings. Checked Nov 5, 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 88 child care providers in the City of Portsmouth, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 12; this one had 47.
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 |
|---|---|
| Children’s Harbor - Olde Towne | 25 |
| Effingham Street Family YMCA | 32 |
| Denise Godfrey | 7 |
| Ms. Letitia Paige | 17 |
| Lisa Brooks | 28 |
| AlphaBEST @ Park View Elementary | 18 |
| Zion Baptist Church | 4 |
| Jump’n Jellybeans Daycare and Learning Center | 20 |
| Gentle Touch Learning Center 2 | 20 |
| Monchel Stallins | 9 |
| Tantania Brown | 0 |
| Kenya Vinson-Sawyer This child care provider | 47 |
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.