Higher Horizons Day Care Center

The center is required to have employees undergo a background check every five years.

“Staff #5’s most recent sworn disclosure and central registry check were overdue by three months. Staff #8’s most recent sworn disclosure and central registry check were overdue by 11 months. The most recent national criminal background check was overdue by one year nine months. Staff #9’s most recent central registry check and national criminal background check were overdue by one year six months.”

Rule 22.1-289.035-A.

22.1-289.036-B-1

“The center is required to have agents submit a sworn disclosure every five years. The most recent sworn disclosures for staff #11 & staff #12 were overdue by six months.”

Rule 22.1-289.036-B-1.

22.1-289.036-B-3

“The center is required to have agents submit results of a search of the central registry every five years. The most recent central registry results for staff #11 & staff #12 were overdue by six months.”

Rule 22.1-289.036-B-3.

8VAC20-780-160-C

“A tuberculosis (TB) screening is required every two years from the last screening. Staff #8 updated screening was due two days ago and Staff #10 updated screening was due three months ago. The updated screenings have not yet been completed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

8VAC20-780-240-B

“Staff are to complete orientation training no later than seven days of the date of assuming job responsibilities. Staff #2 and Staff #4 have not completed the orientation which is overdue by six months. Staff #3 has not completed the orientation which is overdue by four months.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-240-B.

Areas and equipment of the center shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition.

“In the Patchwork Classroom (children ages 3-5 years), ants were observed crawling on the counter and inside of the cabinet next to the sink.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

Hazardous substances shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

“A container of hand sanitizer was found sitting on top of the children’s shelf in the open closet area.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

The following actions or threats thereof 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.

“The center’s video footage from May 9, 2025 shows Staff Member D taking the plastic handle of a pair of scissors and striking Child #2 on the hand with the plastic handle.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-410-1.

The center may administer prescription medication that would normally be administered by a parent or guardian to a child provided the center has obtained written authorization from a parent or guardian.

“Child #2’s epinephrine auto-injector had a corresponding authorization form that did not contain parents signature.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-510-I.

Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain required information.

“Child #1, 2, 3, 4 and 5’s records did not contain documentation of parents’ work phone numbers and place of employment, and previous child day cares and schools attended. Child #1 and 3’s records did not contain documentation of two emergency contacts. Child #2’s record did not contain documentation of the city and state for both emergency contacts listed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

8VAC20-780-160-C

“A tuberculosis (TB) screening is required every two years from the last screening. Staff #1 updated screening was due three weeks ago and Staff #1 updated screening was due 5 days ago. The updated screenings have not yet been completed.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-C.

The center shall notify the parent by the end of the day of any known minor injuries.

“Staff #1 observed at approximately 9:45am a bruise on the wrist of Child #1 who was playing in the gym with other children. Staff #3 asked the child what happened, and the child stated a friend did it and then resumed playing. No one saw what happened, and the child did not tell the teachers of any incident involving another person. Staff #3 shared the information with Staff #1 but neither staff notified the parents.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-O.

The center shall maintain a written record of children’s serious and minor injuries in which entries are made the day of occurrence.

“There was no written documentation of a child’s minor injury after a bruise was observed on the child’s wrist.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-P.

22.1-289.011-F

“Based on observation, the license as required by the superintendent was not posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises. Evidence: An expired license (expiration 12/13/2023) was posted instead of the current license.”

Rule 22.1-289.011-F.

8VAC20-780-160-A

“Based on record review and interview, the center failed to obtain from each staff member documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening at the time of employment and prior to coming into contact with children. Evidence: 1. The record for Staff #7 (DOH 11/28/22) did not have documentation of a negative TB screening at the time of employment. 2. The director confirmed the record for Staff #7 did not have documentation of a negative TB screening.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-160-A.

8VAC20-780-550-D

“Based on record review and interview, the center failed to implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. Evidence: 1. There was no documentation of an evacuation drill for August 2024. 2. The director confirmed the drill was not conducted in August 2024.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-550-D.

8VAC20-780-70

Rule 8VAC20-780-70.

Based on observation, hazardous substances such as cleaning materials were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children.

“Evidence: In the hallway boys bathroom, there was cleaners and disinfecting materials stored in an unlocked cabinet. In the confetti and discovery classroom, there was cleaners and disinfecting materials stored in an unlocked cabinet. In the hallway of the infant toddler classrooms, hand sanitizer was stored on an open shelf.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-280-B.

Based on record review, the center did not ensure all required information was included in the child’s record.

“Evidence: Child 9 is missing a second emergency contact. Child 10 is missing addresses for two required emergency contacts.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

Repeat violation

“Based on record review, all applicants did not complete repeat background checks every five years after the most recent check. Evidence: Applicant 1 has expired fingerprint based criminal history record results.”

Rule 22.1-289.036-A.

8VAC20-780-270-A

“Based on observation it was determined that an area was not maintained in a clean manner. Evidence: 1. A countertop in the prism’s class had rust around the corner’s edge.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-270-A

Rule 8VAC20-780-270-A.

8VAC20-780-560-O

“Based on interview and record review it was determined the center does not have written procedures to train staff on steps to take when preparing or serving food to avoid cross contamination to prevent an allergic reaction. Evidence: 1. Staff acknowledged there are children enrolled with food allergies and they don’t serve them the food but did not have a procedures on teaching staff how to avoid cross contamination.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-560-O.

8VAC20-780-60-A

“Based on record review of 5 children’s files, it was determined not all files are maintained to contains all information required. Evidence: 1. Children’s files need to maintain parent’s place of employment and phone number. Files #1 did not contain phone number. Files 2-4 were blank. 2. Files are required to contain 2 emergency contacts with addresses, and phone numbers. Files 2 and 3 were missing addresses for the contacts.”

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A.

8VAC20-780-60-A-8

Rule 8VAC20-780-60-A-8.