VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Higher Horizons Day Care Center
5920-B Summers Lane
Falls church, VA 22041
(703) 820-2457

Current Inspector: Lynette A Storr (703) 309-9153

Inspection Date: Dec. 4, 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 8VAC20-820 THE LICENSING PROCESS 8VAC20-820 HEARINGS PROCEDURES 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 20 Access to minors 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:

Discussed documentation of parent's work information and the injury prevention plan review.

Comments:

An unannounced, on-site renewal inspection was completed on 12/4/2025, as a part of the licensure period. The on-site inspection began at 9:00am and ended at 1:00pm. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas listed above. There were 142 children present and 24 staff. The inspector reviewed 10 children?s records and 10 staff records on-site. This inspection included: document review, tour of the facility, interviews, and observations. 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. The provider must send documentation to the Licensing Inspector that the background checks have been requested no later than 10 days following this notification dated 12/4/2025. 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 12/16/2025. A POC submitted after this date will not appear on the public website.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Description:	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.
Plan of Correction:	Sworn disclosure statements, Background and Central Registry checks for all staff will be monitored monthly to ensure no staff exceeds the five-year renewal requirement. Staff with expired (staff #5), or coming-due background checks have been submitted for processing. Evidence of this action will be forwarded to licensing. Staff (staff #8) with expired sworn disclosure statements have been updated. A copy of the signed statements will be forwarded to the licensing representative. Staff overdue (staff #9) for or close to 5-year renewal dates have applied in the Central Registry System and results are pending. Evidence of this application will be forwarded to the licensing representative.
Standard #:	22.1-289.036-B-1
Description:	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.
Plan of Correction:	With the recent hiring of a full-time HR Strategist, staff renewal dates for the sworn disclosure will be monitored monthly. Staff (staff #11 and12) with expired sworn disclosure statements have updated them (attached). Copies of signed statements for staff listed will be forwarded to the licensing representative.
Standard #:	22.1-289.036-B-3
Description:	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.
Plan of Correction:	With recent hiring of a full-time HR Strategist, expiration of staff central registry checks will be monitored for 5-year renewal. Staff overdue for 5-year renewals have applied in the Central Registry System and results are pending. Documentation evidencing this application will be forwarded to the licensing representative.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-160-C
Description:	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.
Plan of Correction:	TB screening dates for all staff will be monitored monthly to ensure all required staff receive TB screenings every two years from last screening. Staff (including staff #8 and #10) with expired TB screenings have been notified of immediate requirement for TB screening.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-240-B
Description:	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.
Plan of Correction:	With the recent hiring of a full-time HR Strategist, orientation training of all staff will be completed no later than seven days of date of assuming job responsibilities.