Little Hands of Love Preschool Inc.
A child care center in Shelby, North Carolina 28150
2770 Carla Drive, Shelby, North Carolina 28150. (704) 538-0918.
- administrative action in the last three years
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
- 30 violations in the last three years
- Jul 82026 the latest visit on record
- 81 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?
15 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Jul 8, 2026.
30 violations cited in the last three years, 30 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
30 violations in 8 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 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.
Jul 8, 2026: announced4 violations
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A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
“On staff member, C. Simpson, employed on March 20, 2023, did not have on file and available for review a current criminal background check qualifying letter prior to the February 15, 2026, expiration date.”
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Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month.
“In Space #2, on June 23, at 11:00am, 11:15am, 11:30am, 11:45am, and 12:00pm an infant nine months of age sleep positions were not documented.”
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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.
“On June 11, 2026, in Space #6, one child’s departure time was not documented. On June 24, 2026, in Space #5, one child’s departure time was not documented. On June 24, 2026, in Space in Space #6, one child’s departure time was not documented. On June 26, 2026, nine children’s departure times were not documented.”
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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).
“On staff member, C. Simpson, employed on March 20, 2023, did not have on file and available for review a current criminal background check qualifying letter prior to the February 15, 2026, expiration date.”
Feb 6, 2026: unannounced5 violations
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Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month.
“In Space #2, one infant 10 months of age and enrolled on June 10, 2025, did not have documented their sleep position and no staff initial on the documentation available for review on January 6, 2026, sleep check chart for the times 11:00am through 12:30pm. One infant eight months of age and enrolled on September 2, 2025, not have documented their sleep position and no staff initial on the documentation available for review on January 19, 2026, sleep check chart for the times 12:00pm and 12:15pm.”
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Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.
“In Space #6, a blue tote with Barbie’s materials had protruding broken edges around the rim of the tote that could cause injury to children.”
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Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“In Space #6, one child five years and 10 months of age and enrolled on July 10, 2023, had documentation available for review of expired permission to administer medication that had expired on January 18, 2026. Staff stated the medication had not been administered to the child.”
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The EPR Plan did not include the date of the last revision of the plan.
“The emergency preparedness and response plan expired on January 8, 2025.”
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The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child’s parent or health care professional.
“In Space #6, one child five years and ten months of age and enrolled on July 10, 2025, had a medical action plan that had expired on January 19, 2026. In Space #5, one child three years and 10 months of age and enrolled on August 8, 2022, had a medical action plan that had expired on September 22, 2024.”
Sep 24, 2025: unannounced2 violations
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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.
“In Space #3, on September 23, 2025, four children’s departure times were not documented.”
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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, CVS Health Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Ointment expired in July 2025 for a child one year of age. The medication permission form was current. The medication had not been administered to the child since it had expired. The medication was removed from the classroom.”
Apr 23, 2025: unannounced2 violations
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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 #2, twelve children one year of age did not wash their hands prior to lunch being served.”
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Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child’s file.
“In Space #2, one child eighteen months in age did not have available for review of all the required information documented on incident reports dated February 27, 2025, and February 21, 2025. The missing information on both forms included the type of medical treatment received and cause of injury.”
Feb 11, 2025: announced3 violations
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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.
The inspectors’ words, 95 words
“In Space #2, on January 17, 2025, three children’s departure times were not documented and on January 24, 2025, two children’s departure times were not documented. In Space #3, on January 15, 2025, one child’s departure time was not documented. In Space #4, on January 15, 2025, one child’s departure time was not documented and on January 20, 2025, one child’s departure time was not documented. In Space #5, on January 25, 2025, one child’s departure time was not documented. In Space #6, on February 10, 2025, fourteen children’s departure times were recorded not documented”
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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.
The inspectors’ words, 106 words
“In Space #5, the following leftover medication was not returned to parents within 72 hours. The medication included one Albuterol Inhaler for a child four years of age and was enrolled on July 10, 2023. The medication permission form expired on September 21, 2024. The medication had not been administered to the child. In Space #5, the following leftover medication was not returned to parents within 72 hours. The medication included one Albuterol Inhaler for a child four years of age and was enrolled on September 15, 2021. The medication permission form expired on September 21, 2024. The medication had not been administered to the child.”
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The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child’s parent or health care professional.
“In Space #4, one child, four years of age and was enrolled on July 10, 2023, did not have on file and available for review a current medical action plan. The medical action plan expired on October 27, 2024.”
Aug 7, 2024: unannounced6 violations
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A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child’s parent or authorized health professional.
“In Space #2, the following medications Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution and Budesonide Inhalation Suspense were administered to a child on Monday, August 5, 2024, and August 6, 2024, without a current medication permission on file and the medication permission form was not available for review.”
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Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.
The inspectors’ words, 164 words
“In Space #3, on July 26, 2024, one child’s departure time was not documented. In Space #2, on July 12, 2024, one child’s departure time was not documented; on July 23, 2024, four children’s departure times were not documented; on July 25, 2024, two children’s departure times were not documented; and on July 31, 2024, nine children’s departure times were not documented. In Space #4, on July 11, 2024, three children’s departure times were not documented and on July 31, 2024, four children’s departure times were not documented. In Space #5, on July 25, 2024, nine children’s departure times were not documented and on July 26, 2024, two children’s departure times were not documented. In Space #6, on July 12, 2024, one children’s departure time was not documented; on July 18, 2024, twenty children’s departure time was not documented; on July 19, 2024, twenty-three children’s arrival and departure times were not documented; and on July 31, 2024, eleven children’s departure times were not documented.”
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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.
The inspectors’ words, 100 words
“In Space #2, the following leftover medication was not returned to parents within 72 hours. The medication included one tube of Destin Diaper Cream and the permission to administer medication expired on March 29, 2024. Staff stated that medication had not be administer to the child since the expiration date. In Space #4, the following medications were not returned to parents within 72 hours. The medication included one jar of Silver Sulfa Cream and the permission to administer this medication expired on June 15, 2024. Staff stated that medication had not be administer to the child since the expiration date.”
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Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“In Space #2, the following medication did not have a current medication permission form available for review. The medications included Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. Staff stated that the medication had not been administered to the child. In Space #4, the following medication did not have a medication permission form available for review. The medication included Nystatin Cream.”
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Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“Playground inspection form for July 2024 was not documented and was not available for review.”
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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, Shelia Pruett, employed on August 15, 2022, did not have a valid qualifying letter on file available for review. The qualifying letter expired on July 29, 2024.”
Apr 19, 2024: unannounced1 violation
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Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.
“In Space #3, on March 11, 2024, one child’s departure times was not documented and on March 12, 2024, one (1) child’s departure time was not documented.”
Feb 15, 2024: unannounced7 violations
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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. Three staff members employed on November 13, 2023, August 2, 2023, and August 29, 2023, did not have the current documentation on file for review of the completing the required CPR training. One staff member employed on March 20, 2023, current documentation on file available for review of completing the CPR had expired on January 31, 2024.”
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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 November 13, 2023, August 2, 2023, and August 29, 2023, did not have the current documentation on file for review of the completing the required First Aid training. One staff member employed on March 20, 2023, current documentation on file available for review of completing the First Aide training had expired on January 31, 2024.”
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Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.
“In Space #2, on February 2, 2024, one child’s departure time was not documented, and in Space #3, on February 14, 2024, on child’s departure time was not documented.”
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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.
“The leftover medications were not returned to parents within 72 hours. The following leftover over the counter medications included one tube of Aquaphor Healing Ointment, which expired in December 2023 and one tube of Boudreaux Butt Paste, which expired in December 2023.”
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Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.
“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The most recent annual fire inspection documentation on file for review was completed on January 20, 2024. The facility’s annual fire inspection was not submitted to DCDEE until February 15, 2024.”
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Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age.
“In Space #2, four plastic containers of baby wipes, with written warnings keep out the reach of children, were located in an unlocked storage diaper changing station cabinet and were accessible to children in a two years of age classroom of children. The diaper wipes containers included Parent’s Choice Soothing with Shea Butter, Pampers Sensitive, Pampers Baby Clean, and Parent’s Choice Ultra-Sensitive.”
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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 September 5, 2023, did not have available for review training documentation for completing the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment by the required due date of December 5, 2023.”
All 15 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 8, 2026 | Announced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Feb 6, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Sep 24, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| May 5, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Announced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Aug 7, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 6 violations cited |
| Jun 18, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| May 15, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Apr 19, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Mar 20, 2024 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 15, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 7 violations cited |
| Jan 16, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Nov 14, 2023 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Three Star Center License since Dec 3, 2019.
- Licensed for 81 children, ages 0 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 23000294.
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 issued one or more administrative actions for this facility in the past three years; North Carolina’s page doesn’t say what they were, and shows one only after its 30-day appeal period.
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: Little Hands of Love 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 57 child care providers in Cleveland County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 5; this one had 30.
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 |
|---|---|
| Little Gems Child Development Center, Inc. | 17 |
| Kids World Child Development Center | 5 |
| Tlc Center | 16 |
| Little Hands of Love Preschool Inc. This child care provider | 30 |
| Berryland Clubhouse II | 7 |
| Berryland Clubhouse I | 1 |
| Restoration Learning Academy | 11 |
| Little Kings and Queens Child Development Center, | 6 |
| Union Elementary School | 0 |
| Washington Elementary School | 1 |
| Anointed Children Childcare Academy, LLC | 1 |
| Connected Kids Child Development Center | 3 |
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.