Middle Creek Creative School

A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.

“A video viewed on October 14, 2026, showed a teacher pushing a child’s foot off the table on September 21, 2026. This was corrected immediately, the teacher were terminated.”

Rule A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking..

Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.

“In space #3, there was one child, one year of age grouped with one child, three years of age. The staff/child ratio for the youngest child was not met. There were eighteen children present with two teachers in space #3. The one year old child was placed in a classroom with one year old children.”

Rule Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 10, 2025. Correction verified: at a follow-up visit by DCDEE.

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.

“In the hallway leading to all classrooms, there were peeling paint on twelves entrance doors and two window seals.”

Rule All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 22, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Discipline was not appropriate for the child’s age and development.

“During a review of video footage of space #6, A teacher was observed holding a child’s hand (three years of age) and walking around the classroom for approximately ten minutes.”

Rule Discipline was not appropriate for the child's age and development.. Corrected during the inspection.

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.

“A wall in space #3, has four holes approximately 1/2 - 1-inch in depth and peeling paint that is accessible to children..”

Rule All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 9, 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.

“The last shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was not practiced every three months or documented. The last documentation was dated 12/17/24. A tornado drill that was conducted on 4/6/25 and was documented during today’s visit.”

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

A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.

“Located on the back playground area used by preschool age children there is a log house and a small wooden house both have missing boards, and the nails are exposed. The floor in the log cabin has caved in, causing an unsafe area. The Log Cabin was removed from the play area during today’s visit. Also, the bike trail in located in the center of the area is uneven causing a tripping hazard for children in care. The ground is caving in causing sink holes.”

Rule A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

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: May 30, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.

“Located on the back playground used by children Two(2)-Three(3) years of age the tiles used as a bike trail are loose and broken this creates a tripping hazard. The surfacing material located in the middle of the play area around the bike trail is worn and is not in good repair, the area is lumpy this creates a tripping hazard.”

Rule A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 13, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair.

“Located in the restroom used by children in space#5 and #7, the tiles located at the bottom of the wall near the entrance area are missing and the wall surfacing is exposed and the ceiling tiles in the entrance of the restroom from space#7 have a brown stain. Located in the bathroom stall on the right side from the entrance of space#5, the metal on the stall door is rusted or corroded, and cracked in several areas.”

Rule All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Dec 13, 2023. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.