Skip to content
Child care center 

First Steps Academy

7900 Westpark Drive, Mc Lean, VA 221024.1· 13 reviews
licensed capacity
170
open each week
5 days
monthly, posted tuition
$1,084

We are a directory, not the daycare. We cannot hold a spot, enroll a child or answer questions about care.

Own this daycare? Claim it
Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About First Steps Academy

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.

InfantsBefore- and after-schoolSTEM / STEAMOpens before 7 AMPosts tuition

Ages served: infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children

From the state license. Ages it lists: infancy to kindergarten
Ask when you call: current openings, staff-to-child ratio and teacher qualifications.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
Hours today
6:30 AM to 6:15 PM
Licensed capacity
170 children

Hours

Hours

MondayToday6:30 AM to 6:15 PM
Tuesday6:30 AM to 6:15 PM
Wednesday6:30 AM to 6:15 PM
Thursday6:30 AM to 6:15 PM
Friday6:30 AM to 6:15 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayNot listed
From the state licenseHours it lists: “6:30 am – 6:15 pm (Full-Day Tuition Rate Hours)”

Programs

Programs and care

AgesInfants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license. It lists: Infancy to kindergarten
ProgramsAfter-school care, infant care, part-time care, preschool and toddler care
ApproachSTEM / STEAM
Daily lifePotty training: Potty training highlighted in Twos program
DiscountsSibling Discount: 5% for 2nd, 10% for 3rd, 15% for 4th child
Parent updatesParent app (Tadpoles, Tadpoles App)
AccreditationCognia (AdvancED) accredited
Licensed capacity170 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

First Steps Academy lists monthly tuition from $1,084 to $2,753.

Monthly · program, in its own wordsPrice
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
Showing 6 of 13 · Show all 13
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 wordsPrice
Kindergarten (10 month program) Annual Tuition$20,570
Application/waitlist fee (non-refundable)$75
Annual Registration Fee (non-refundable)$450
14 posted prices. Rates change, so confirm before you enroll.

State record

Inspection reports for First Steps Academy

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
License (Two Year)
Capacity
170 children
Ages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
License number
#ID28810
See the state's record

Summary

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

  • Health, medication and illness 5
  • Safety and hazards 3
  • Food and nutrition 2
  • Building, equipment and play areas 2
  • Records and paperwork 1
  • Staff training and qualifications 1

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

See all 12 visits
  1. Sep 22, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  2. Apr 30, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
  3. Feb 12, 2026Complaint investigation2 rules cited
    • Food and nutrition

      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.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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.”
  4. Sep 11, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
  5. Mar 28, 2025Inspection7 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      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.”
    • Safety and hazards

      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.”
    • Safety and hazards

      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.”
    • Safety and hazards

      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.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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.”
  6. Nov 15, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
  7. Apr 24, 2024Inspection2 rules cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
    • Staff training and qualifications

      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.”
  8. Nov 13, 2023Inspection2 rules cited
    • Food and nutrition

      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.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
  9. Mar 8, 2023Inspection5 rules cited
    • Background checks

      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.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
    • Records and paperwork

      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.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
  10. Sep 13, 2022Inspection2 rules cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
    • Safety and hazards

      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.”
Show 2 earlier visits
  1. Mar 28, 2022Inspection3 rules cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
    • Food and nutrition

      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.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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.”
  2. Oct 26, 2021InspectionNo rules cited

Copied from Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety on October 2, 2026; the state's records start around Oct 2012. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

Reviews

Parent reviews

No parent reviews yet

If your child goes or went here, your review helps other parents. We check every review against our review guidelines.

Your rating

Daycares near First Steps Academy

FAQ

Questions about First Steps Academy

Is First Steps Academy licensed?

Yes. Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety lists it as licensed and operating.

When was First Steps Academy last inspected?

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.

Has First Steps Academy had rules cited by the state?

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.

How many children can First Steps Academy care for?

170, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

Does First Steps Academy accept child care subsidies?

The state record does not list it as accepting subsidies. Ask the provider directly.

What are First Steps Academy's hours?

Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:15 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does First Steps Academy cost?

Monthly tuition from $1,084 to $2,753, as it lists it.

What is First Steps Academy's phone number?

(703) 821-6663.

Where is First Steps Academy?

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.

Sources: Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety (license and visits).