First Steps Learning Center
8146 Elm Street, Mechanicsville, VA
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The Nest School is a licensed child care center in Mechanicsville, Virginia. It is licensed by the state, for up to 161 children, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety made 7 visits in the last 3 years and cited 6 rules across 3 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
| MondayToday | 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| Sunday | Not listed |
Programs
| Ages | Infants, toddlers and preschoolersFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Licensed capacity | 161 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
The Nest School has not listed its tuition.
State record
7 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Oct 1, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 4 of 7 visits · 6 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
8VAC20-780-240-C
“Orientation training shall be appropriate to the age of the children in care and include facility specific topics. There was no documentation to support that all of the facility specific topics were covered in orientation for Staff 1, Staff 2, Staff 3, Staff 4, Staff 6, Staff 7, and Staff 8.”
8VAC20-780-270-A
“The center is responsible for areas and equipment, inside and outside, to be maintained in clean, safe, and operable condition. The threes room had a strong urine smell during rest time.”
8VAC20-780-450-A
“The center shall have linens consisting of a top and bottom cover for each child during the designated rest period. Two children had only a bottom cover and not a top cover during rest.”
8VAC20-780-240-C
“Orientation training shall be appropriate to the age of the children in care and include facility specific topics. There was no documentation to support that all of the facility specific topics were covered in orientation for Staff 1, Staff 2, Staff 3, Staff 4, Staff 6, Staff 7, and Staff 8.”
8VAC20-780-270-A
“The center is responsible for areas and equipment, inside and outside, to be maintained in clean, safe, and operable condition. The threes room had a strong urine smell during rest time.”
8VAC20-780-450-A
“The center shall have linens consisting of a top and bottom cover for each child during the designated rest period. Two children had only a bottom cover and not a top cover during rest.”
22.1-289.035-B-4
“The center is required to obtain background checks from any state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. The center did not request a search of the child abuse and neglect registry from one state for Staff 1, who has been employed for more than a year and was working with children at the time of the inspection.”
8VAC20-780-510-B
“Medication shall be given to a child only with written authorization from the parent. Two emergency medications for one child did not have written authorization from the parent.”
8VAC20-780-550-D
“The center shall implement a monthly practice evacuation drill. The center did not conduct a monthly evacuation drill in April 2024 or May 2024.”
8VAC20-780-500-B
“Based on observation, the facility failed to have a leakproof covered receptacle for soiled linens. Evidence: three classrooms had open laundry baskets with no lid or lining that contained soiled linens.”
8VAC20-780-510-B
“Based on review of five medications, the facility failed to have written authorization from the parent to administer one medication. Evidence: There was no written parent/guardian authorization to administer one medication to 1 child. Child B did not have a medication authorization form signed by the parent.”
8VAC20-780-500-B
“Based on observation, the facility failed to have a leakproof covered receptacle for soiled linens. Evidence: three classrooms had open laundry baskets with no lid or lining that contained soiled linens.”
8VAC20-780-510-B
“Based on review of five medications, the facility failed to have written authorization from the parent to administer one medication. Evidence: There was no written parent/guardian authorization to administer one medication to 1 child. Child B did not have a medication authorization form signed by the parent.”
8VAC20-780-320-B
“Based upon observation, the facility failed to have hand washing sinks that have warm water that does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Evidence: The hot water temperature at the hand washing sink in the Duck A classroom reached 132 degrees Fahrenheit.”
8VAC20-780-140-A
“Based on review of six children’s records, the facility failed to have a physical examination for each child within 30 days of attendance. Evidence: Child 2 (date of enrollment 6/05/2023) did not have documentation of a physical on file.”
8VAC20-780-60-A
“Based on review of 6 children's files, the facility failed to have 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 A has diagnosed food allergies, but did not have a completed allergy action plan on file.”
8VAC20-780-320-G
“Based on observation and staff interview, the restrooms designated for school age children did not have at least one toilet enclosed. Evidence: In the school age room (gym), there were 3 individual toilets designated for school age children. The bathrooms each had one 1/2 door, which did not allow privacy for children ages 5 to 12 years of age while toileting.”
8VAC20-780-550-A
“Based on review of the emergency preparedness plan and staff interview, the facility failed to develop the plan in consultation with local or state authorities. Evidence: the emergency preparedness plan did not have documentation that the local or state authorities had reviewed the plan.”
22.1-289.036-B-2
“Based on review of the background checks for the applicant, the facility failed to have documentation of fingerprint results at the time of inspection. Evidence: The record for the licensee did not contain a fingerprint-based background check as required. A member of management confirmed the fingerprint-based background check results for the licensee had not been returned.”
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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 October 1, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 7 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 6 rules across 4 of 7 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.
161, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
The state record does not list it as accepting subsidies. Ask the provider directly.
Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. These are the hours on the state record. Holiday hours can differ.
It has not listed its tuition. Call (804) 696-4018 to ask.
(804) 696-4018.
7147 Stonewall Parkway, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. The nearest other daycare we list is First Steps Learning Center, 0.5 miles away.