F.A.Z. Creative Education Learning Center
1776 Old Meadow Road, Mc Lean, VA
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First Steps Academy is a licensed child care center in Mc Lean, Virginia. It is licensed by the state, for up to 170 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM. It describes a STEM / STEAM approach, with after-school care, infant care, part-time care and preschool. It lists monthly tuition from $1,084 to $2,753.
Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety made 8 visits in the last 3 years and cited 14 rules across 5 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
| MondayToday | 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| Sunday | Not listed |
Programs
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license. It lists: Infancy to kindergarten |
|---|---|
| Programs | After-school care, infant care, part-time care, preschool and toddler care |
| Approach | STEM / STEAM |
| Daily life | Potty training: Potty training highlighted in Twos program |
| Discounts | Sibling Discount: 5% for 2nd, 10% for 3rd, 15% for 4th child |
| Parent updates | Parent app (Tadpoles, Tadpoles App) |
| Accreditation | Cognia (AdvancED) accredited |
| Licensed capacity | 170 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
First Steps Academy lists monthly tuition from $1,084 to $2,753.
| Monthly · program, in its own words | Price |
|---|---|
| Infants Full-Day (2026-2027) Monthly Tuition | $2,753 |
| Part-Time 2s Half Day Monthly Tuition | $1,356 |
| Part-Time Infant Half Day (6:30 am – 12:30 pm) Monthly Tuition | $1,583 |
| Part-Time Toddler Half Day Monthly Tuition | $1,454 |
| Part-Time: 2s 2-Days Monthly Tuition | $1,084 |
| Part-Time: 2s 3-Days Monthly Tuition | $1,650 |
| Part-Time: Infant 2-Days Monthly Tuition | $1,267 |
| Part-Time: Infant 3-Days Monthly Tuition | $1,937 |
| Part-Time: Toddler 2-Days Monthly Tuition | $1,163 |
| Part-Time: Toddler 3-Days Monthly Tuition | $1,770 |
| Threes Full-Day (2026-2027) Monthly Tuition | $2,057 |
| Toddlers Full-Day (2026-2027) Monthly Tuition | $2,529 |
| Twos Full-Day (2026-2027) Monthly Tuition | $2,357 |
| Yearly · program, in its own words | Price |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten (10 month program) Annual Tuition | $20,570 |
| Application/waitlist fee (non-refundable) | $75 |
| Annual Registration Fee (non-refundable) | $450 |
State record
8 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Sep 22, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 5 of 8 visits · 14 rules in all
For comparison: 91% of Virginia daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 8.
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
8VAC20-780-570-B Complaint related: No
“Bottle fed infants who cannot hold their own bottles shall be held when fed. Bottles shall not be propped.”
8VAC20-780-430-A Complaint related: No
“Furnishings, equipment and materials shall be of an appropriate size for the child using it. Child A was too big for the infant bouncy seat that was being used.”
8VAC20-780-130-A
“The center shall obtain documentation that each child has received required immunizations before the child can attend the center. Child A had no documentation of required immunizations.”
8VAC20-780-60-A
“Each center shall maintain and keep at the center a separate record for each child enrolled which shall contain the following information: work phone number and place of employment for each parent who has custody. Child 4 did not have documentation of parent work information for one of their parents listed.”
8VAC20-780-280-B
“Hazardous substances such as cleaning materials, insecticides, and pesticides shall be kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Room 1 had soap water and bleach water, not in use, and not in a locked place. Room 4 had 2 air fresheners marked keep out of reach of children, on a shelf and not in a locked place.”
8VAC20-780-290-A-3
“Electrical outlets shall have protective covers that are of a size that cannot be swallowed by children. Room 9 had an uncovered electrical outlet on a power-strip accessible to children, next to the teacher's desk.”
8VAC20-780-550-E
“Shelter in place procedures shall be practiced a minimum of twice per year. The facility only completed one shelter-in-place drill within the past twelve months. One was completed on 5/24/24 and the previous one was completed on 8/11/23.”
8VAC20-780-130-E
“The center shall obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. Child 3's most recent updated immunization was on 7/12/2024.”
8VAC20-780-140-A
“Each child shall have a physical examination by or under the direction of a physician: before the child's attendance, or within 30 days after the first day of attendance. Child 2 did not have documentation of a physical exam, and has been in care for approximately 5 and a half months.”
8VAC20-780-270-A
“Areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Room 9 there was peeling paint and crumbling drywall in the rear of the classroom, accessible to children.”
8VAC20-780-60-A-8
“Based on record review, the center did not have a written care plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy. Evidence: Child #6 has a food allergy and medication onsite, however, no written care plan was in the file.”
8VAC20-780-240-A
“Based on record review, not all staff completed the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course within 90 calendar days of employment. Evidence: Staff #5 (DOH 10/24/23) did not have completion certificate on file for the Virginia Department of Education-sponsored orientation course as of this date.”
8VAC20-780-560-G
“Based on observation, not all bottles were dated as required. Evidence: In the infant room, three bottles were observed in the classroom's refrigerator labeled with the children's name, but they were not dated.”
8VAC20-780-60-A-8
“Based on record review, the center did not obtain a written care plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy. Evidence: Child #6's record did not include a written care plan with instructions from the physician regarding the food to which the child is allergic and the steps to be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed allergic reaction.”
22.1-289.035-B-4
“Based on record review, the center did not obtain out of state criminal records for staff members prior to their first day of employment. Evidence: 1.Staff #2's (DOH: 2/2/2023) file contains an out of state criminal history check that was completed on 2/6/2023. 2. Staff #5's (DOH: 10/24/2022) file contains an out of state criminal history check that was completed on 11/1/2022.”
8VAC20-780-40-L
“Based on review of documentation and interview, the facility did not ensure that all staff who work with children are informed of children's allergies, sensitivities and dietary restrictions. Evidence: Staff #6 stated that there were no children with food allergies in their classroom. The written list of allergies, sensitivities and dietary restrictions confirmed that Child #8, that was present in the classroom, is allergic to shellfish.”
8VAC20-780-510-I
“Based on review of medications, long term prescription medication was not maintained in the original, labeled container. Evidence: The prescription medication for Child #7 was not in the original container with a prescription labeled attached.”
8VAC20-820-120-E-2
“Based on observation and interview, the facility did not post the findings of the most recent inspection. Evidence: Findings of the most recent facility inspection (dated 9/13/2022) were not posted.”
8VAC20-780-510-B
“Based on review of medication, long-term over-the-counter medication was administered without written authorization from the child's physician and parent. Evidence: The medication for child #6 (Benadryl) did not have an authorization form signed by the parent. This medication was administered on 2/22/2023.”
8VAC20-780-510-I
“Based on review of medication, the center did not ensure that prescription medication was maintained in the original, labeled container. Evidence: Child #5's prescription medication was observed not in the original container with the prescription label attached.”
8VAC20-780-280-B
“Based on observation, cleaning materials were not kept in a locked place using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: In the Falcon's classroom, 3 spray bottles of Lysol - all purpose cleaner and 1 spray can of Lysol disinfectant were observed unlocked in an upper cabinet in the classroom's bathroom.”
8VAC20-780-130-E
“Based on record review, the center did not obtain documentation of additional immunizations once every six months for children under the age of two years. Evidence: Child #5's record contains documentation of immunizations that was last updated on 9/10/2020.”
8VAC20-780-570-E
“Based on observation, prepared infant formula was refrigerated, but not dated. Evidence: Two bottles containing infant formula were observed in the refrigerator labeled with the child's name, but without a date.”
8VAC20-780-60-A-8
“Based on record review, the center did not obtain a written care plan for each child with a diagnosed food allergy, to include instructions from a physician regarding the food to which the child is allergic and the steps to be taken in the event of a suspected or confirmed allergic reaction. Evidence: Child #1 and Child #2 were both listed as having diagnosed food allergies, and both had emergency medication on-site; however, there was no allergy care plan on file for these children.”
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FAQ
Yes. Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety lists it as licensed and operating.
Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety lists the most recent visit on September 22, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 8 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 14 rules across 5 of 8 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 91% of Virginia daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 8. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
170, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
The state record does not list it as accepting subsidies. Ask the provider directly.
Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.
Monthly tuition from $1,084 to $2,753, as it lists it.
(703) 821-6663.
7900 Westpark Drive, Mc Lean, VA 22102. The nearest other daycare we list is F.A.Z. Creative Education Learning Center, 0.5 miles away.