Mountain Laurel Playschool
A child care center in Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711
902 Holly Road, Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711. (828) 398-8034.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. North Carolina’s own record is on ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov.
The short answer
- 23 violations in the last three years
- Aug 192026 the latest visit on record
- 30 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?
10 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Aug 19, 2026.
23 violations cited in the last three years, 23 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
23 violations in 4 months of the last 36. Last cited May 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.
May 7, 2026: unannounced8 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. No staff have been assigned to the child care facility in the Automated Background Check Management System (ABCMS) portal.”
-
Application for enrollment did not include all required information.
“Two (2) child files did not contain all required information. This is a repeat violation from 3/18/26. Refer to the children’s record worksheet.”
-
Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years.
“Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter. One (1) staff has been working in space #1, the classroom with infants, since 3/2/26 and has not completed the ITS-SIDS training. Refer to the staff and training worksheet.”
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Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.
“During the weeks of 4/13/26, 4/20/26, 4/27/26, and 5/3/26, there were multiple children not signed out at the end of each day.”
-
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.
“Three (3) staff did not have a signed job description or acknowledgement review statement for the operational and personnel policies. Refer to the staff and training worksheet.”
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Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“Three (3) child files did not contain the medical report within thirty (30) days of enrollment. Refer to the children’s record worksheet.”
-
Openings in equipment, steps, decks, handrails, and fencing were not less than 3 1/2 inches or greater than 9 inches.
“Outdoor space #1 had a gate that had a gap at the top that measured four (4) inches. This is a repeat violation from 3/18/26.”
-
Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet.
“The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. Outdoor space #1 had fencing that measured as low as three (3) feet, seven (7) inches. This is a repeat violation from 3/18/26.”
Mar 18, 2026: unannounced11 violations
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“In space #5, the classroom with two year old children, an activity plan was not posted.”
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A statement acknowledging the parental decision to opt out of the supplemental food provided by the center was not signed by the parent and/or maintained on file at the center.
“One (1) child file did not contain the nutrition opt out form.”
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A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center.
“A signed and dated statement by parent acknowledging receipt of the Summary of the Law before a child is enrolled was not on file for one (1) child.”
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A written statement from each child’s parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not available.
“Two (2) child files did not contain the parent’s signed permission to participate in off-premise walks.”
-
Application for enrollment did not include all required information.
“Two (2) child files did not contain all required information.”
-
Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.
“An incident log was not in use.”
-
Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“There were two (2) diaper cream medication authorizations forms for Desitin and Walgreens Creamy Diaper Rash cream that stated “as needed” and “teacher discretion,” without providing when, where, and how to apply the diaper creams.”
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Openings in equipment, steps, decks, handrails, and fencing were not less than 3 1/2 inches or greater than 9 inches.
“Outdoor space #1 had a gate that had a gap at the top that measured four (4) inches.”
-
Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet.
“The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. Outdoor space #1 had fencing that measured as low as three (3) feet, seven (7) inches.”
-
The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors.
“In space #3, the classroom with four and five year old children, and in space #2, the classroom with three and four year old children, a gross motor activity that could be completed either outdoors or indoors was not included with the activity plan.”
-
The completed, signed application was not on file on the first day each child attends.
“One (1) child file did not contain an application.”
Sep 5, 2025: unannounced1 violation
-
Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Three or more children less than 13 years old, who do not reside where the care is provided, received care on a regular basis of at least once per week for more than four hours but less than 24 hours per day from persons other than their guardians or full-time custodians, or from persons not related to them. There were twenty-five (25) children present. The children’s time exceeded the four (4) hour timeframe.”
Sep 3, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Three or more children less than 13 years old, who do not reside where the care is provided, received care on a regular basis of at least once per week for more than four hours but less than 24 hours per day from persons other than their guardians or full-time custodians, or from persons not related to them. The facility had a total of twenty-five (25) children present.”
May 7, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Three or more children less than 13 years old, who do not reside where the care is provided, received care on a regular basis of at least once per week for more than four hours but less than 24 hours per day from persons other than their guardians or full-time custodians, or from persons not related to them. I observed there were thirty-two (32) children present ages one to five years old. **Repeat Violation***”
May 5, 2025: unannounced1 violation
-
Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Three or more children less than 13 years old, who do not reside where the care is provided, received care on a regular basis of at least once per week for more than four hours but less than 24 hours per day from persons other than their guardians or full-time custodians, or from persons not related to them. The facility had thirty-three (33) children present.”
All 10 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| May 7, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 8 violations cited |
| Mar 18, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 11 violations cited |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Sep 9, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Sep 5, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Sep 3, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| May 9, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| May 7, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| May 5, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a One Star Center License since Sep 2, 2026.
- Licensed for 30 children, ages 0 through 6.
- Not enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 11000964.
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: Mountain Laurel Playschool, LLC.
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: 1 star 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 102 child care providers in Buncombe County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 19; this one had 23.
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 |
|---|---|
| Black Mountain Primary School Head Start | 19 |
| YMCA Black Mountain Afterschool | 26 |
| Black Mountain Montessori | 12 |
| Kathy’s Kiddieland | 27 |
| Donald S Collins Early Learning Center | 39 |
| Mountain Laurel Playschool This child care provider | 23 |
| West Asheville Baptist Early Learning Center | 16 |
| Asheville Jewish Community Center | 87 |
| Annette’s Day Care | 25 |
| Tammy Pratt Day Care Home | 3 |
| Rainbow Community School | 28 |
| Sand Hill-Venable Elementary Head Start | 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
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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.