Officials at the Learning Webb Day Care Center, located at 4430 Winston Avenue, were served the suspension order earlier today and must close immediately. At that hearing, an independent hearing officer will decide if the suspension was justified, and whether it should be continued or lifted. If the hearing officer lifts the suspension at this hearing, the DHS still could proceed with revoking the license if it decides it is warranted. According to DHS, the agency violated licensing rules regarding transporting children and management s and staff s responsibilities.
Officials say the center also has a lengthy history of other violations.
DHS is responsible for licensing family homes, group homes, and child care centers in Tennessee. The state agency also has the authority to suspend, revoke, or deny child care licenses for serious violations. Last October, the agency implemented a zero-tolerance policy after a series of careless incidents that jeopardized the health and safety of children continued to occur at a number of child care agencies. Approximately 24 of the children are in the state s child care subsidy program. The center s annual license was renewed in February of this year and was first licensed by the state in 1982.