VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Little Bear Daycare & Learning Center
2416 4th Ave. E.
Big stone gap, VA 24219
(276) 318-0529

Current Inspector: Angela Farmer (276) 608-2283

Inspection Date: Aug. 28, 2025

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSE. 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minor?s records 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An unannounced inspection was initiated on 8/28/2025 and completed on 9/18/2025, in response to a complaint received by the licensing office on 7/31/2025 relating to allegations of staff qualifications, menus, administration. The inspector reviewed five children?s records and three staff records on-site. This inspection included: ? document review ? tour of the facility, ? interviews, The preponderance of evidence gathered during the investigation supports the allegation(s); therefore, the complaint is determined to be valid. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and the violations are documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Please complete the plan of correction (POC) and date to be corrected sections for each violation cited on the violation notice. Specify how the violation will be or has been corrected. Submit your POC within five (5) business days from today, which will be the close of business on 9/25/25. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-1
Complaint related:	No
Description:	The center is required to obtain a completed sworn statement prior to the employee's first day of employment. Staff #2, who is currently working, does not have a sworn statement on file.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-3
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee's first day of employment. Staff #1, 2, & 3 did not have documentation that a central registry search has been requested. Staff # 1 & 3 were working on day of inspection.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-130-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION 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 #3, who had been attending two weeks, did not have documentation of an immunization record on file.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Documentation of a negative tuberculosis (TB) screening must be submitted at the time of employment, before coming into contact with children, and shall have been completed within the last 30 days of the date of employment. Staff #1 TB was dated 16 months prior to the date of the inspection, at which time the staff person was working with children. Staff #3, had no documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening and had been working with children the day of the inspection.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-60-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled that contains all of the required information. Child #4 did not have a record on file. Child was in care on day of inspection. Child #1, (enrolled 3 months) and Child 2, (enrolled 2 weeks) were missing addresses of the emergency contacts.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Documentation of address,age verification, job title, date of employment, emergency contact information, at least 2 references to character, reputation and competency are to be checked prior to employment, and documentation of education or transcript. Staff #1, who was working on the day of the inspection, did not have an address, job title, age verification, date of employment, a completed reference verifications on file or documentation of education as required by the position held. Staff #2, who has been working, one month, did not have job title, documentation of education as required by the position held, or completed reference verifications. Staff #3, who was working the day of the inspection, did not have job title, date of hire, documentation of education as required by the position held, or completed reference verifications on file.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-90-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION 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. The agreement shall be signed by the parent. Child #3, did not have a written agreement signed by the parent. Child had been in care two weeks.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-210-A
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Programs leaders shall have fulfilled a high school program or equivalent and meet one of the educational and experiences required. Staff #1 & 3, who was working the day of inspection, did not have documentation on file to show how they met program leader qualifications. Staff #2, who has been working one month, did not have documentation on file to show qualified for position.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-500-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Staff shall wash hands with soap and running water before and after a diaper change. Staff #1 did not wash hands before and after changing a child's diaper. Children's hands shall be washed with soap and running water after toileting, or any contact with blood, feces or urine. Staff #1 changed a child's diaper and did not wash the child's hands with soap and water.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-560-F
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION When centers choose to provide meals or snacks, they shall follow the most recent, age appropriate nutritional requirements of the Child and Adult Care Food Program of the USDA. The menu for snacks did not have two of the five components listed.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.