Mt. Bethel MC Child Development Center
A child care center in Hickory, North Carolina 28601
9042 NC Hwy 127 North, Hickory, North Carolina 28601. (828) 598-0121.
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The short answer
- 47 violations in the last three years
- Sep 212026 the latest visit on record
- 74 children, its licensed capacity
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean5
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Quality rating
- Many states rate child care in a quality rating system that goes past the licensing rules, such as Texas Rising Star or Kentucky All STARS. Taking part is often voluntary, so a program with no rating hasn’t been rated low. Source: Each state’s quality rating system.
- Licence status
- Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
- Capacity
- The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
11 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Sep 21, 2026.
47 violations cited in the last three years, 47 of them marked corrected.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
When those violations happened
47 violations in 7 months of the last 36. Last cited Sep 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 3, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each violation, in its source’s words
Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
Sep 15, 2026: unannounced12 violations
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A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S.
“110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Four newly hired staff members M. Johnson, H. Roberts, H. Fox, and H. Pain, were not listed in the ABCMS portal under your program roster.”
-
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
“One staff member, G. Roberts, employed on August 21, 2025, did not have a valid qualification letter on file for review since September 7, 2026.”
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All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet.
The inspectors’ words, 93 words
“I observed one bottle of Clorox cleanup multi surface cleaner & bleach 3-n-1 spray non aerosol, one gallon of Clorox bleach, one bottle of 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, one aerosol can of Febreeze air cozy campfire scent air freshener, one bottle of Mrs. Myers clean day multi service every day cleaner, and one bottle of Dawn platinum bleach alternative dishwashing liquid easy squeeze in an unlocked cabinet in space #1 in the classroom for four year old children, the cabinet was located under the sink in the classroom that were accessible to children.”
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All staff did not review the center’s EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff.
“Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. No Emergency Preparedness Plan could be located and therefore, was not reviewed on an annual basis.”
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All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.
“Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member employed on August 21, 2025, completed CPR training on December 1, 2025.”
-
All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.
“Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member employed on August 21, 2025, completed First Aid training on December 1, 2025.”
-
Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child.
“I observed one electrical outlet approximately 1 foot of the ground beside the sidewalk on the playground for two year old children that was uncovered and accessible to children.”
-
Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.
“One staff member employed on March 9, 2016, did not complete training within the last five years on recognizing and reporting child abuse, child neglect, and child maltreatment.”
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Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).
“One staff member, G. Roberts, employed on August 21, 2025, did not complete the paperwork for a criminal background check recheck prior to the expiration date of her previous qualification letter dated September 7, 2026.”
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Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.
“No refrigerator thermometer was observed in the refrigerator that stored milk and juice for children in the classroom, in space # 1, the classroom for four year old children.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“One staff member employed on June 10, 2025, completed all health and safety training on July 30, 2026. Two staff members employed on July 15, 2025, and August 21, 2025, did not complete Administration of medication training within one year.”
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The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.
“One staff member employed on December 15, 2025, completed Recognizing and Responding to the Suspicions of Maltreatment on April 16, 2026. One staff member employed on July 15, 2025, completed Recognizing and Responding to the Suspicions of Maltreatment on November 16, 2025. One staff member employed on June 10, 2025, completed Recognizing and Responding to the Suspicions of Maltreatment on November 11, 2025.”
Jun 5, 2026: unannounced9 violations
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A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.
“In space 3, a child was grabbed by the forearm and a child was picked up off floor first by their left arm, then both arms, turns the child around, and given a slight push.”
-
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“A bucket of mop water was stored in the hallway on May 26th, May 27th, May 28th, June 1st, June 2nd, June 3rd, June 4th, and June 5th.”
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Children did not wash their hands upon arrival at the center, after each visit to the toilet, before eating, before and after water activity play, after outside play, and after handling animals or animal cages.
“In space 3, children did not wash their hands upon arrival, after outdoor play, prior to lunch, and after diapering.”
-
Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older.
“Children under one year of age were on the playground with children two years of age.”
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Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
The inspectors’ words, 97 words
“On 5/28/26, video footage of space 3 showed one child two years of age alone while a staff member stepped into the hallway while her hand was in the door jam to keep it from latching, therefore her ability to know the child’s activities was obstructed by the door. On 6/5/26, two occurrences of biting took place in space 3 due to staff not being able to render assistance to prevent biting incidents that led to injuries while both staff were completing routines at the same time and one teacher had their back turned to the children.”
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Children were not provided a meal or snack a minimum of every four hours.
“On May 28, 2026, video footage showed children were not offered breakfast in space 3.”
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Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use.
“In space 3, the diaper changing table was not cleaned after each use.”
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Staff did not model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs in the presence of children in care.
“Upon arrival, one staff member had a Bojangles cup during outdoor play. In space 3, a staff member consumed Bojangles during rest time, however one child was still awake moving about the room.”
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Staff did not wash their hands thoroughly before beginning work, before/after handling food, before bottle feeding or serving to other children, after toileting or handling body fluids, after diaper changing and after handling soiled items.
“In space 3, staff did not wash their hands upon arrival, after outdoor play, prior to lunch, and after diapering.”
Feb 24, 2026: unannounced1 violation
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Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.
“In space 2, a topical ointment expired in 2025 and the permission to administer form for the topical ointment expired 11/2025.”
Oct 21, 2025: unannounced17 violations
-
A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S.
“110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The provider roster within ABCMS is incomplete.”
-
All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.
“Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 7/14/25 did not complete CPR within 90 days of hire.”
-
All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.
“Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 7/14/25 did not complete First Aid within 90 days of hire.”
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Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.
“Staff members hired on 7/15/25, 8/21/25 did not complete an emergency information for on or before the first day of work. Staff members hired on 9/17/19, 3/9/16, and 8/13/24 did not update their emergency information annually.”
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Each employee’s personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies.
“Staff members hired on 7/14/25, 8/21/25, 9/15/25, 6/30/25, 7/15/25, and 5/12/25 did not have documentation of receiving and reviewing the facility’s personnel and operational policies.”
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Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.
“Staff members hired on 4/27/15, 9/17/19, 3/9/16, and 8/13/24 did not have annual staff evaluations or staff development plans available for review.”
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Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
“The facility has not documented any monthly fire drills on the emergency drill log.”
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Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.
“Incident logs were not maintained as incidents occurred at the facility. Incident reports were not filed in children’s individual files.”
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Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.
“In space 3, a topical ointment expired 5/2024.”
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Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“Monthly playground inspections were not completed for May, June, July, and August of 2025.”
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New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.
“Staff hired on 7/14/25, 8/21/25, 9/15/25, 6/30/25, 7/15/25, and 5/12/25 did not have documentation of completing at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks of hire.”
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Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.
“In space 1, one child’s prescription medication did not have a permission to administer form on file for review. In space 4, one child’s topical ointment did not have a permission to administer form on file for review.”
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Safe pick-up and delivery procedures were not communicated to parents and/or were not posted where they can be seen by the parents.
“The facility did not have Safe pick-up and delivery procedures posted in a prominent location.”
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Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The emergency drill log did not document any drills in the form of a shelter-in-place or lockdown being conducted.”
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Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.
“Staff members hired on 9/17/19 and 3/9/16 did not complete the required number of on-going training hour annually.”
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The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.
“Staff hired on 7/14/25, 6/10/25, 6/30/25, 7/15/25, and 5/12/25 did not complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.”
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The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.
“The EMC plan has not been updated when changes occur and reviewed with staff annually.”
Nov 12, 2024: unannounced1 violation
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The activity plan did not provide at least 4 different activities daily listed in GS 110-91(12): art/creative play; books; blocks; manipulatives; and family living and dramatic play, including one of which is outdoors if weather conditions permit.
“In space 1 and space 4, the activity plan did not contain an outdoor activity.”
Jun 18, 2024: unannounced2 violations
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Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.
“In space 3, a topical ointment expired 4/2024.”
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Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The last emergency drill was completed on 2/29/24. An emergency drill should have been completed in May 2024.”
Mar 13, 2024: unannounced5 violations
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“In space 1, an air fryer was observed plugged in on the countertop. A staff member removed the air fryer from the building during the visit.”
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All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.
“Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 9/17/19 CPR training expired on 2/10/24.”
-
All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.
“Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member hired on 9/17/19 first aid training expired on 2/10/24.”
-
Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.
“In space 2, two permission to administer topical ointment forms expired in January 2024. In space 2, one topical ointment expired in February 2024. In space 3, one topical ointment expired in February 2024.”
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Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.
“In space 3, two topical ointments did not have permission to administer topical ointment forms on file for review.”
All 11 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Sep 15, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 12 violations cited |
| Jun 15, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jun 5, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 9 violations cited |
| Feb 24, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Oct 21, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 17 violations cited |
| Jul 17, 2025 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Apr 2, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Nov 12, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Jun 18, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Mar 13, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Three Star Center License since Jun 15, 2026.
- Licensed for 74 children, ages 0 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 02000126.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
Has North Carolina acted against it?
- DCDEE says it has taken no action against this facility, for its current licence and location, in the last three years.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
Who does the caring?
- North Carolina’s page gives a staff-to-child ratio policy as the provider reports it, unverified by DCDEE, so it isn’t shown.
Who owns it?
- Owner, as North Carolina lists it: Mt. Bethel Methodist Church, Inc..
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
How is it rated?
- Star Rated License: 3 stars of five.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
How does it compare nearby?
- Among 19 child care providers in Alexander County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 9; this one had 47.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations. Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
| Place | Violations cited in the last three years |
|---|---|
| Mt. Bethel MC Child Development Center This child care provider | 47 |
| Millersville Child Development Center | 37 |
| Wittenburg Elementary Before / After School Care | 1 |
| Hiddenite Elementary Child Care | 0 |
| Bethlehem Elementary Child Care | 3 |
| Taylorsville Elementary Child Care | 9 |
| Calling Kids Child Development Center, Inc. | 15 |
| Alexander Early Head Start | 17 |
| Alexander County Head Start - Stony Point | 9 |
| Alexander County Head Start - Wittenburg Elem. Sch | 9 |
| Hiddenite Elementary School - NC Pre-K | 2 |
| Bethlehem Elementary School - Ncpk | 5 |
What the record doesn’t say
- North Carolina doesn’t show a visit summary tied to an open child maltreatment investigation while the case is active, and shows an administrative action only after its 30-day appeal period, without saying what it was.
- DCDEE’s descriptions of violations are shown in its own words; a description that names or may name a person isn’t shown. Visit summaries, the consultants’ full reports, aren’t read.
- North Carolina’s page lists the provider’s own features (transport, ratios) as furnished by the provider and unverified by DCDEE, so they aren’t shown.
Sources
-
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), Child Care Facility Search (ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov): licences, DCDEE visits and violations.
Checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily. nc.gov terms: copying and distribution for non-commercial use, without alteration, citing the source. Shown free and never sold; DCDEE’s own words are quoted.
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE). North Carolina’s own record is on ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Nov 3, 2026.
From the provider
The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.