Thomas B. Hargrave Educational Center
A child day center in Portsmouth, Virginia 23701
801 Tazewell Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23701. (757) 485-9499.
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
- 28 deficiencies in the last three years
- Mar 312026 the latest visit on record
- 75 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?
15 inspections on record, the latest on Mar 31, 2026.
28 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
28 deficiencies in 5 months of the last 36. Last cited Mar 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, in its source’s words
Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
Mar 31, 2026: subsidy health and safety inspection6 deficiencies
-
22.1-289.035-B-2
“The center must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment. The criminal background check for staff #1 was obtained approximately two weeks after employment.”
-
8VAC20-780-130-A
“The center shall obtain documentation that each child has received immunizations before the child can attend the center. The record for child #2 who has been in care for approximately six months did not contain documentation of immunizations.”
-
8VAC20-780-140-A
“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. The record for child #1 and child #2 who have been in care for approximately six months did not have documentation of a completed physical.”
-
8VAC20-780-160-C
“At least every two years from the date of the initial screening or testing staff members shall obtain and submit the results of a follow-up tuberculosis screening. The last tuberculosis screening documented for staff #2 was expired for approximately 10 months.”
-
8VAC20-780-270-A
“Areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a safe and operable condition. The following maintenance and safety issues were observed: Approximately six large metal bolts around the play area perimeter were protruding causing a potential tripping hazard.”
-
8VAC20-780-60-A
“Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain all required information. The record for child #2 did not have documentation of viewing proof of the child’s identity”
Sep 12, 2025: inspection1 deficiency
-
22.1-289.057-A
“The program is required to submit to VDH and implement a plan to test potable water for lead. The center did not have evidence of a testing plan submitted to VDH and/or the program did not have evidence of the implementation of the required testing plan.”
Sep 12, 2025: complaint inspection3 deficiencies
-
22.1-289.035-B-1
“The center is required to obtain a completed sworn statement prior to the employee’s first day of employment. The sworn statement for Staff #1, who was observed working in the center with children, did not have documentation of a completed sworn statement.”
-
22.1-289.035-B-2
“The center must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1, who was observed working in the center with children, did not have a completed national criminal background check.”
-
22.1-289.035-B-3
“The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1, who was observed working in the center with children, did not have a central registry search requested”
Jan 15, 2025: inspection6 deficiencies
-
22.1-289.036-A
“The center must complete a sworn statement and request a repeat criminal history and central registry request search every five years. The record for Agent/Board Member #1 and Agent/Board Member #2 had an expired criminal history check and central registry request.”
-
8VAC20-770-70-A
“Documentation to demonstrate that the individual possesses the education, certification, and experience required by the job position, and orientation and training as required. The record for staff #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 who have been working at the center for at least three months did not have documentation of a completed Daily Health Observation training.”
-
8VAC20-780-245-A
“Staff shall complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care. The record for staff #1 and staff #3, who have been working at the center for at least a year did not have documentation of completing at least 16 hours of training annually.”
-
8VAC20-780-270-A
“Areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a safe and operable condition. The following maintenance and safety issues were observed: Multiple tricycles had broke plastic seats creating a potential poking or snagging injury. Approximately 8 large metal bolts around the play area perimeter were protruding causing a potential tripping hazard.”
-
8VAC20-780-40-H
“The sponsor shall maintain public liability insurance for bodily injury for each center site with a minimum limit of at least $500,000 each occurrence and with a minimum limit of $500,000 aggregate. The center did not have documentation of liability insurance available to review at the center.”
-
8VAC20-780-60-A
“Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain the following information: Name, address, and phone number of two designated people to call in an emergency if a parent cannot be reached. The record for child #1 who has been enrolled for at least two years did not have the address for both emergency contacts.”
Dec 12, 2024: inspection6 deficiencies
-
8VAC20-770-70-A
“For staff hired after March 1, 1996, the following staff records shall have documentation that two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment. Staff #1 did not have two references in their file and has been employed for 6 months working with children.”
-
8VAC20-780-130-A
“The center shall obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center. Child #2 did not have documentation of immunizations and has been attending the school for two months.”
-
8VAC20-780-140-A
“Each child shall have a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician within 30 days after the first day of attendance. Child #2 and Child #3 did not have documentation of a physical examination has been enrolled at the center for more than 30 days.”
-
8VAC20-780-160-A
“Each staff member shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening and have been completed within the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment. Staff #1 and Staff #3 did not have documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening in their file. Staff #2 and Staff #4 did have documentation however it was not in the last 30 calendar days of the date of employment.”
-
8VAC20-780-210-A
“Program leaders shall have fulfilled a high school program completion. Staff #1, Staff #4 and Staff #5 did not have documentation of a high school program completion and were present working with children during the time of the inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-60-A
“Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled that contains all of the required information to include the work phone number of each parent who has custody. Child #1, Child #3, Child #4, and Child #5 did not have the work phone numbers of their custodial parent in their files.”
Dec 12, 2024: complaint inspection5 deficiencies
-
22.1-289.035-B-2
“Providers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1, who had been employed for six months, and Staff #5, did not have a completed national criminal background check. Both staff members were present during the time of the inspection.”
-
22.1-289.035-B-3
“The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee’s first day of employment. Staff #1, who had been employed for six months, and Staff #3, who had been employed for three months, did not have a central registry search requested. Staff #1 and Staff #3 were both working alone with children.”
-
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 did not have documentation of a central registry check or criminal history check from which the state they resided in the past 5 years and was present working with children at the center during the time of the inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-240-A
“The Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course shall be completed within 90 calendar days of employment. Staff #1 did not have documentation of completing orientation and has been employed for 6 months working with children.”
-
8VAC20-780-40-E
“The center failed to comply in ensuring that the center’s services were maintained in compliance with these standards and the terms of the current license issued by the department. Staff #6 was employed from 2/12/2024 to 6/10/2024, and was not eligible to work at the daycare center per the Virginia Criminal Background Checks.”
Jan 10, 2024: inspection1 deficiency
-
8VAC20-780-70
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure all staff records contained all of the required information. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #5(hired 6/21/23) did not contain documentation of 2 or more references being checked prior to hire. 2. Director confirmed references were not available for staff #5 during this inspection.”
Jan 17, 2023: inspection6 deficiencies
-
8VAC20-780-130-A
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center. Evidence: 1. The record for child #1 and child #4. did not contain documentation of immunizations. 2. Staff confirmed these children were present and documents were not available during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-140-A
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that each child had a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician within the required time frame. Evidence: 1. The record for child #1(enrolled 11/7/22) did not contain documentation of a physical exam. 2. The record for child #4(enrolled 8/29/22) did not contain documentation of a physical exam. 3. Staff confirmed this documentation was not available during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-160-A
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that each staff member submitted documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. 2. Staff confirmed that this documentation was not available during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-280-B
“Based on observation it was determined the center did not ensure that all hazardous substances were kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: 1. There were Clorox wipes on an upper shelf in the boys bathroom. 2. There was aerosol air freshener spray on the sink countertop in the girls bathroom. 3. The above carry the “keep out of the reach of children” warning label.”
-
8VAC20-780-340-F
“Based on observation it was determined that the center did not ensure that children under 10 years of age are always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: The 7 children present during this inspection were on cots for nap time. Due to the placement of the cots behind bookcases and other partitions they could not be seen by the staff.”
-
8VAC20-780-70
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that each staff record contained the documentation of two or more references as to character and reputation as well as competency were checked before employment. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 (hired 8/1/22) did not contain documentation of references being checked before hire. 2. Staff confirmed that there was not documentation of references being checked.”
Oct 17, 2022: inspection12 deficiencies
-
22.1-289.035-B-2
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that each staff member submit to fingerprinting prior to hire. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1(hired 8/1/22) did not contain documentation of fingerprinting. 2. The record for staff #2(rehired 8/1/22) did not contain documentation of updated fingerprinting.”
-
22.1-289.035-B-2
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that each staff member submit to fingerprinting prior to hire. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1(hired 8/1/22) did not contain documentation of fingerprinting. 2. The record for staff #2(rehired 8/1/22) did not contain documentation of updated fingerprinting.”
-
8VAC20-780-130-A
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not obtain documentation that each child has received the immunizations required by the State Board of Health before the child can attend the center. Evidence: 1. The record for child #1 and child #2. did not contain documentation of immunizations. 2. Staff confirmed these children were present and documents were not available during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-140-A
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that each child had a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician within the required time frame. Evidence: 1. The record for child #1(enrolled 8/29/22) did not contain documentation of a physical exam. 2. The record for child #3(enrolled 8/15/22) did not contain documentation of a physical exam. 3. The record for child #4(enrolled 8/15/22) did not contain documentation of a physical exam.”
-
8VAC20-780-160-A
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that each staff member submitted documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 did not contain documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening. 2. Staff confirmed that this documentation was not available during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-240-B
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that staff received the required orientation training prior to working alone with children. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 did not contain documentation of the required orientation. 2. Staff confirmed that they did not receive this training.”
-
8VAC20-780-260-A
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center could not provide to the licensing representative an annual fire inspection report from the appropriate fire official having jurisdiction. Evidence: 1. The fire inspection report available was dated 5/11/21. 2. Staff confirmed that this was the most recent documentation available during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-260-B
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center could not provide to the licensing representative an annual approval from the health department. Evidence: 1. The health inspection report available was dated 5/12/21. 2. Staff confirmed that this was the most recent documentation available during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-280-B
“Based on observation it was determined the center did not ensure that all hazardous substances were kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: There were three bottles of cleaning solution unlocked on an upper shelf in the boys bathroom.”
-
8VAC20-780-290-A-3
“Based on observation it was determined the center did not ensure that in areas accessible to preschool aged children all unused electrical outlets had protective covers. Evidence: 1. There were 2 wall outlets and 16 outlets on surge protector strips uncapped in the areas utilized by the children in care. 2. There were 6 preschool aged children in care during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-60-A
The inspectors’ words, 151 words
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled containing all of the required information. Evidence: 1. The record for child #1 did not contain the work phone numbers for either parent and the proof of the child’s identity and age. 2. The record for child #2 did not contain one of the two required emergency contacts. 3. The record for child #3 did not contain the mother’s work phone number and the doctor’s phone number. 4. The record for child #4 did not contain the address for one of the two emergency contacts. 5. The record for child #5 did not contain city, state, and zip code for the mother and the two emergency contacts. 6. Staff confirmed these children were enrolled in care and this information was not available during this inspection.”
-
8VAC20-780-70
“Based on record review and interview it was determined the center did not ensure that the records kept for each staff person contained all of the required information. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 did not contain the two required references and documentation of orientation. 2. The record for staff #2 did not contain the address for their emergency contact.”
All 15 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 2026 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | 6 violations cited |
| Sep 12, 2025 | Complaint inspection | 3 violations cited |
| Sep 12, 2025 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Sep 12, 2025 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Inspection | 6 violations cited |
| Dec 12, 2024 | Complaint inspection | 5 violations cited |
| Dec 12, 2024 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Dec 12, 2024 | Inspection | 6 violations cited |
| Jan 10, 2024 | Inspection | 1 violation cited |
| Jan 10, 2024 | Complaint inspection | No violations cited |
| Jan 17, 2023 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Jan 17, 2023 | Inspection | 6 violations cited |
| Oct 17, 2022 | Subsidy health and safety inspection | No violations cited |
| Oct 17, 2022 | Inspection | 12 violations cited |
| May 12, 2022 | Inspection | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Day Center: Two Year license, expires Jan 27, 2027.
- A current subsidy provider.
- Ages: 2 years - 12 years 11 months.
- Capacity: 75 children.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each facility’s page. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
Has Virginia acted against it?
- 3 complaint inspections on record.
- 3 complaint allegations published with Virginia’s findings, 3 of them found valid.
Virginia Department of Education, Search for Child Day Care: each inspection’s page, with its violations and Search for Child Day Care: each complaint’s page, with its allegations and findings. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated weekly.
| Date | What | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2025 | Complaint | Allegation: Records. Virginia’s finding: Reported/Valid. |
| Dec 12, 2024 | Complaint | Allegation: Staff Quality/Training. Virginia’s finding: Reported/Valid. |
| Dec 12, 2024 | Complaint | Allegation: Terms of License. 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 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 28.
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 |
|---|---|
| Thomas B. Hargrave Educational Center This child care provider | 28 |
| Peter Pan Kindergarten & Day Care | 16 |
| HRCAP Cavalier Manor | 8 |
| HRCAP Portsmouth Head Start | 8 |
| HRCAP JFK | 19 |
| Mary Almy | 50 |
| LaToya Wade | 4 |
| Ready-Set-Go Child Development Center | 5 |
| AlphaBEST @ Simonsdale Elementary | 49 |
| AlphaBEST @ Hodges Manor Elementary | 14 |
| AlphaBEST @ Lakeview Elementary | 35 |
| AlphaBEST @ Victory Elementary | 48 |
| Toddler Time Child Development Center | 6 |
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
-
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.
-
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.