Alexandria Goddard School Faces State License Revocation
State inspectors cite repeated safety violations at the facility ahead of its November license expiration.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Child Care
Live Poll
Do you trust that local authorities provide enough information about safety violations at neighborhood daycares?
The Virginia Department of Social Services issued a Notice of Intent to Revoke the license of the Goddard School of Alexandria Old Town on August 27, 2026. This action follows repeated high-risk health and safety violations documented during state inspections since April.
Why it matters
The revocation notice addresses ongoing concerns regarding child safety, medical readiness, and facility sanitation at the center. These state-identified violations represent a significant departure from standard childcare regulatory requirements.
Inspections revealed numerous safety failures, including mouse droppings in 6 classrooms and staff lacking emergency medication training for 7 children. Reported incidents also include physical handling of an 8-month-old and a 3-year-old, as well as a child consuming a known allergen.
The players
Virginia Department of Social Services
The state agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing health and safety regulations for licensed childcare facilities.
Goddard School of Alexandria Old Town
A local early childhood education center part of a national network of 650 schools.
The details
State inspectors conducted repeated site visits and record reviews, uncovering hazardous conditions such as uncovered electrical outlets and improper reporting of injuries to parents. The facility failed to follow mandatory notification protocols for communicable disease cases, and multiple instances of inappropriate physical discipline and inadequate medical training for staff were documented.
Timeline
April 2026: State inspections identified mouse droppings in six classrooms.
May 2026: Inspectors found staff lacked training for administering emergency medication.
July 2026: An inspection documented a staff member physically swatting an infant.
August 27, 2026: The state issued a formal Notice of Intent to Revoke the license.
November 19, 2026: The current operating license is scheduled to expire.
The Home Front
This enforcement action sits within the broader framework of Virginia child care licensing standards designed to protect children in state-regulated facilities. It reflects an increase in regulatory oversight for childcare centers failing to meet mandatory safety and reporting thresholds.
Families currently enrolled at the center should review their child's records and ensure all allergy and emergency contact information is current. Residents should monitor official state updates to confirm the status of the facility's license as the November 19 expiration date approaches.
The takeaway
Childcare facilities are subject to strict safety mandates, and official inspection results serve as a primary tool for parents to assess the quality of their center. Parents should periodically verify the status of their provider through state-level licensing databases to ensure compliance.
Further reading
For more information on finding and vetting local facilities, visit the Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Patch.
Live Poll
Do you trust that local authorities provide enough information about safety violations at neighborhood daycares?
