Kindercare Learning Centers LLC

Children were not adequately supervised at all times.

“On September 9, 2026, a child was discovered alone in Space #4 by a parent. The child was unsupervised for approximately six (6) minutes. Staff, assigned to Space #4, were not positioned indoors in a manner that allowed them to adequately see or hear the child or provide assistance. Staff were not aware of the child’s location. The parent immediately notified the director, who then took the child outdoors to join her classmates and teachers in the outdoor learning environment.”

Rule Children were not adequately supervised at all times.. Corrected during the inspection.

A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.

“One staff member E. Baines did not have a current Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file. It expired 10/14/24.”

Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 18, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“A purse was hanging on a hook next to children’s personal belongings and at a height lower than five feet from the floor in space #4. The purse was removed and secured in a locked cabinet.”

Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

“The hand washing sink in space #4, was clogged.”

Rule All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 17, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.

“The first two weeks orientation was not completed for one staff member.”

Rule Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 17, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.

“The first 6 weeks of orientation were not completed for two staff members.”

Rule New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 17, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.

“Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months. The last shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was on 5/1/26.”

Rule Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 17, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.

“One child in space #3 was blocked from trying to leave a classroom by a teacher extending her arms to prevent the child from running into her. The child fell against a wall, slid down the wall and fell on the floor.”

Rule Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 23, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The number of children present was not within permit capacity.

“Upon my arrival to space #3, there were twenty-eight children present. The capacity of space #3 is twenty-seven children.”

Rule The number of children present was not within permit capacity.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 11, 2026. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months.

“One new staff member did not have a medical report on file prior to employment. The medical report on file was dated 10/13/25. The employees date of employment was 10/6/25.”

Rule Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months.. Corrected during the inspection.

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.

“One new staff member did not have Emergency information on file prior to employment. The emergency information on file was dated 10/13/25. The date of employment was 10/6/25.”

Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.

“One new staff member did not complete the first two weeks of orientation training. Date of employment was 3/2/26.”

Rule Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 24, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months.

“One new staff member did not have TB testing results on file prior to employment. The TB test was dated 10/7/25. The date of employment was 10/6/25.”

Rule On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months.. Corrected during the inspection.

The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person’s file.

“One new staff member did not have a signed acknowledgment form regarding the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file prior to providing care for children. Date of staff member’s employment was 3/2/26.”

Rule The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file.. Corrected during the inspection.

Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.

“Fire drills were last practiced and recorded on March 20, 2025.”

Rule Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.

“Monthly playground inspections were last completed and documented on October 24, 2024.”

Rule Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.

“One staff member (B.B. DOE 4/29/25) did not complete the first 6 weeks (16 hrs) of orientation.”

Rule New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.

“Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were last practiced and recorded on March 4, 2025.”

Rule Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 2, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.

“Two staff members did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. J.B. missing four trainings and T.S. missing three trainings.”

Rule Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person’s file.

“One new staff member (B.B.) did not sign an acknowledgement form prior to employment. DOE was 4/29/25. The form was signed on 5/1/25.”

Rule The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file.. Corrected during the inspection.

Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use.

“The diaper changing surface was not cleaned with a detergeant solution before using disinfectant in space #2B.”

Rule Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 22, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Human milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child’s home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child.

“In space #1, there were five infant bottles and three breast milk bags stored in a refrigerator without dates.”

Rule Human milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child's home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child.. Corrected during the inspection.

The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests.

“The grass was not cut on the outdoor areas used by spaces #1, #2, #3, #6, and #7.”

Rule The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Oct 22, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.

“With a quick swoop, a child was picked-up by the arms and placed in another area of the classroom. Children were observed being picked-up in a proper manner during today’s visit.”

Rule Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.. Corrected during the inspection.

Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.

“Space #2, has been over staff/child ratio from August 12, 2024 through August 15, 2024 sometime between 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM. All classrooms were in compliance with minimum staff child ratios during today’s visit.”

Rule Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.. Corrected during the inspection.

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 facility did not have a current fire inspection on file. The last fire inspection was dated 4/4/23.”

Rule Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage.

“One toilet in the boy’s bathroom was covered with a plastic bag. The administrator stated that the toilet was stopped up.”

Rule Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.

“Mulch under the large play equipment on the playground, outside of space #4 measured approximately one inch under the slide and around the equipment.”

Rule The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 5, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.