VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

First Steps Infant Development Center, LLC
1100 East Jefferson Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434) 295-5575

Current Inspector: Kelly Lindsay (540) 309-2494

Inspection Date: Sept. 24, 2025

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 20 Access to minor?s records 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 22.1 Early Childhood Care and Education 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks During the inspection, the inspector reviewed the areas listed above. Unless otherwise noted as a violation within this inspection report, the provider was in compliance with the standards reviewed.

Comments:

An unannounced, on-site monitoring inspection was initiated on 09/24/2025 and completed on 10/01/2025. The on-site inspection began at 12:20 PM and ended at 2:00 PM. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 47 children present and 11 staff. The inspector reviewed 3 children?s records, 3 staff on-site. This inspection included document review, tour of the facility and 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. 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 10/24/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-2
Description:	Providers must obtain a completed national criminal background check prior to the employee's first day of employment. Caregiver #3, who had been employed for two days and did not have a completed national criminal background check and was observed working with children.
Plan of Correction:	Before a rehire/training the center will make sure all proper paperwork is in place.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-3
Description:	The center must request a search of the central registry prior to the employee's first day of employment and returned within 30 days of employment. Staff #2, who had been employed for 2 ? months before the central registry check was returned.
Plan of Correction:	Center will next to call on proper channels to check on background checks and leave a paper trail of the calling.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	The operational responsibilities of the licensee shall include ensuring that the center's activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with these standards, the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department. At arrival all three staff were positioned together on the playground and not following their playground safety plan for positioning of staff.
Plan of Correction:	When arrived there was a meeting on the playground. Center will be more aware of playground times and out playground guide.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-70
Description:	Documentation of at least 2 references to character, reputation, and competency are to be checked prior to employment. Staff #1, who has been actively working at the center for the past 3 months, did not have any completed reference verifications on file.
Plan of Correction:	Center will be diligent in including resumes and all references in all paper and digital files.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-280-B
Description:	Hazardous substances must be in a locked place that prevents access by children. In the infant room, the cleaning solution and sanitizing solution were in an unlocked cabinet, out of reach of children.
Plan of Correction:	The teacher was changing a diaper and set the baby down then lock the cabinet. Center will remind teachers to lock cabinets during the process of diaper changing time.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-550-G
Description:	Documentation shall be maintained of emergency evacuation, shelter-in place, and lockdown drills that include. The log was missing the following items: The method used for notification of the drill, The number of staff participating, any special conditions simulated, problems encountered, if any and for emergency evacuation drills only, weather conditions.
Plan of Correction:	The center has changed all emergency evacuation, shelter in place and lockdown drill forms.