Inspection · 2026-01-22
Date
2026-01-22
Complaint Related
No
Licensing Inspector
Dominick Fields
(540) 359-5244
(540) 359-5244
SHSIA monitoring inspection of an approved subsidy vendor to determine compliance with current subsidy requirements regarding the health and safety of children and to promote quality standards for the children in their care.
No
Violations
3Standard 22.1-289.035-B-4
REPEAT VIOLATION
SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY
A search of the sex offender registry and child abuse and neglect registry from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years must be conducted prior to employment.
Staff #1 resided in one state outside of Virginia in the preceding five years. The center did not conduct a search of the sex offender registry for that state prior to employment. The search was completed seven days after employment.
SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY
A search of the sex offender registry and child abuse and neglect registry from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years must be conducted prior to employment.
Staff #1 resided in one state outside of Virginia in the preceding five years. The center did not conduct a search of the sex offender registry for that state prior to employment. The search was completed seven days after employment.
Plan of Correction: Staff #1 was hired and onboarded by the Cornerstones Human Resources Department on 12/18/25 and received training and onboarding at Laurel Learning Center on 12/19/25. Her official start date was 12/22/25. On 12/23/25 the employee shared information with the Director about living out-of-state. Staff #1 had not included that on the employment application, mistakenly believing it was out-of-state work history needed. The Director immediately dismissed the employee until checks could be completed. The out-of-state sex offender registry search for Staff #1 was completed on 12/23/25. The out-of-state national background check was returned on 1/2/26, clearing Staff #1 to resume employment on 1/5/26.
To ensure this violation is not repeated, Laurel Learning Center and Cornerstones' Human Resources (HR) department have established a coordinated new-hire and onboarding process whereby HR will ensure completion of all background checks, references and other pre-hire requirements (such as health screenings and out-of-state registry and background checks) are in place before an employee's first day of work.
HR staff will prepare the applicant's file for review, using a checklist developed for licensed child day center staff. The EVP, Human Resources will review and sign off on the file before it is released to the Center to schedule the employee for work.
Developed coordinated process with HR for applicant pre-employment records as of 11/21/26.
The Assistant Director will implement and oversee a staff file checklist to ensure files are up to date. Status: Implemented Checklist 12/22125.
To ensure this violation is not repeated, Laurel Learning Center and Cornerstones' Human Resources (HR) department have established a coordinated new-hire and onboarding process whereby HR will ensure completion of all background checks, references and other pre-hire requirements (such as health screenings and out-of-state registry and background checks) are in place before an employee's first day of work.
HR staff will prepare the applicant's file for review, using a checklist developed for licensed child day center staff. The EVP, Human Resources will review and sign off on the file before it is released to the Center to schedule the employee for work.
Developed coordinated process with HR for applicant pre-employment records as of 11/21/26.
The Assistant Director will implement and oversee a staff file checklist to ensure files are up to date. Status: Implemented Checklist 12/22125.
Standard 8VAC20-780-270-A
REPEAT VIOLATION
Areas and equipment of the center, outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Unsafe conditions shall include, but not be limited to, splintered, cracked or otherwise deteriorating wood; visible cracks, and breakage of any equipment.
The seat cushions in the playhouse on the playground have several holes. This was previously cited on November 18, 2025. The plan of correction was not followed.
Areas and equipment of the center, outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Unsafe conditions shall include, but not be limited to, splintered, cracked or otherwise deteriorating wood; visible cracks, and breakage of any equipment.
The seat cushions in the playhouse on the playground have several holes. This was previously cited on November 18, 2025. The plan of correction was not followed.
Plan of Correction: On 11/18/25, the green seat cushions from the privacy nook chairs were removed in response to the previous citation and corrective action was implemented.
During the most recent inspection, a green bench cushion located in the Cozy Cabana was identified as having a small hole on the back portion of the cushion. The damage was not visible during routine use due to the bench frame.
The damaged cushion was removed immediately following the inspection.
Laurel Learning Center administration contacted Lakeshore Furniture. The cushion is under warranty and a replacement has been ordered.
Completion Date: Cushion was removed immediately after inspection. A new cushion has been ordered.
During the most recent inspection, a green bench cushion located in the Cozy Cabana was identified as having a small hole on the back portion of the cushion. The damage was not visible during routine use due to the bench frame.
The damaged cushion was removed immediately following the inspection.
Laurel Learning Center administration contacted Lakeshore Furniture. The cushion is under warranty and a replacement has been ordered.
Completion Date: Cushion was removed immediately after inspection. A new cushion has been ordered.
Standard 8VAC20-780-330-B
REPEAT VIOLATION
SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY
Fall zones are defined as the area underneath and surrounding equipment that requires a resilient surface. Resilient surfacing shall comply with minimum safety standards.
The climbing wall structure on the playground exceeds 6 feet in height and did not have the required amount of resilient surfacing (mulch) beneath and within the fall zone. Playground equipment with a fall height over 6 feet requires a minimum of 12 inches of resilient surfacing (mulch). The resilient surface on the playground near the climbing wall measured less than 3 inches.
The curved ladder structure on the playground exceeds 4 feet in height and requires a minimum of 9 inches of resilient surface (mulch). The resilient surfacing (mulch) near the curved ladder measured less than 3 inches.
SYSTEMIC DEFICIENCY
Fall zones are defined as the area underneath and surrounding equipment that requires a resilient surface. Resilient surfacing shall comply with minimum safety standards.
The climbing wall structure on the playground exceeds 6 feet in height and did not have the required amount of resilient surfacing (mulch) beneath and within the fall zone. Playground equipment with a fall height over 6 feet requires a minimum of 12 inches of resilient surfacing (mulch). The resilient surface on the playground near the climbing wall measured less than 3 inches.
The curved ladder structure on the playground exceeds 4 feet in height and requires a minimum of 9 inches of resilient surface (mulch). The resilient surfacing (mulch) near the curved ladder measured less than 3 inches.
Plan of Correction: On 1/16/26, two certified playground safety inspectors conducted an assessment of the Laurel Learning Center playground.
Laurel Learning Center administration contacted Cardinal Landscaping to add approximately 50 cubic yards of mulch to all playground fall zones to meet required depth standards.
Installation was scheduled for the week of 1/26/26; however, inclement weather (snowstorm) delayed installation.
Children will be restricted from using these structures until the required mulch is installed and fall zones meet safety standards.
Anticipated Completion Date: Upon next available installation date following weather clearance (no later than 1/22/26).
Laurel Learning Center administration contacted Cardinal Landscaping to add approximately 50 cubic yards of mulch to all playground fall zones to meet required depth standards.
Installation was scheduled for the week of 1/26/26; however, inclement weather (snowstorm) delayed installation.
Children will be restricted from using these structures until the required mulch is installed and fall zones meet safety standards.
Anticipated Completion Date: Upon next available installation date following weather clearance (no later than 1/22/26).