VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Ballad Health Center for Early Learning - Abingdon
300 Towne Centre Drive
Abingdon, VA 24210
(276) 258-4980

Current Inspector: Angela Farmer (276) 608-2283

Inspection Date: Feb. 25, 2025

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above to include standards found out of compliance during the previous inspection. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed. If there were any serious injuries or fatalities related to a violation, the details will be included in the description of the violation.

Technical Assistance:

Effective January 1, 2025, the VDOE will begin determining compliance with ? 22.1-289.057 of the Code of Virginia, which is legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2020. The law requires all licensed child day programs, religious exempt child day centers that serve preschool age children, and certified preschools to test potable drinking water. The law requires that programs submit their plans and test results to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (VDH ODW) and the Superintendent. If the results of the testing indicate elevated lead levels, the program shall remediate, retest, and resubmit results to VDH ODW and the Superintendent. There is an additional alternative bottled water option that comes with additional requirements. The statutory requirement can be found online at https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title22.1/chapter14.1/section22.1-289.057/. Resources are now available for providers on the "What's New" webpage on the ChildCareVA website at https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/providers/what-s-new.

Comments:

An unannounced, on-site renewal inspection was initiated and completed on 2/25/2025, as a part of the conditional licensure period. The on-site inspection began at 11:10 am and ended at 2:20 pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 63 children present and 18 staff. The inspector reviewed five children?s records and six staff records on-site. This inspection included: document review, tour of the facility, interviews. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law, and violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-450-A
Description:	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.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will be reminded to put the available sheets on the mats during nap time.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-B
Description:	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.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will be reminded of the proper way to clean and sanitize the diapering surface after each use and to always use the foot pedal when disposing diapers.