South Lexington School
A child care center in Lexington, North Carolina 27292
1000 Cotton Grove Road, Lexington, North Carolina 27292. (336) 242-1527.
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
- 19 violations in the last three years
- Apr 292026 the latest visit on record
- 144 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?
7 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Apr 29, 2026.
19 violations cited in the last three years, 19 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
19 violations in 6 months of the last 36. Last cited Apr 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.
Apr 29, 2026: unannounced1 violation
-
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. Staff were not in the ABCMS portal.”
Dec 18, 2025: unannounced4 violations
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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 children did not have a permission form signed for outside the fenced area.”
-
All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“The seesaw has a cracked seat and it needs to be replaced.”
-
All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing.
“Mulch needs to be added around the monkey bars and at the end of the slides.”
-
Emergency information did not name child’s health care professional.
“One child did not have their child’s contact information of pediatrician and choice of hospital.”
Aug 19, 2025: unannounced3 violations
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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. Ms. Brelsford did not have a current First aid training certificate on file.”
-
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.
“A new hire Ms. Helmer did not have a TB test or screening completed prior to the first day of employment.”
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The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.
“A mulch work order has been placed on August 13, 2025. Ms. Cooper will make sure that mulch will be placed around critical fall zones such as swings, slides and and equipment over 18 inches tall.”
Jan 27, 2025: unannounced5 violations
-
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“In space 106 there was an electrical box with exposed wires coming out of the box. Ms. Sonya stated that the wires were no longer active. This box needs to be removed and capped off to the children.”
-
All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair.
“In space 108 there was a piece of base board coming off the wall.”
-
All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.
“In space 327 there was black mold growing under the bathroom sink.”
-
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.
“In space 321 there was a surge protector with several outlets not covered behind the teachers desk.”
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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 a bathroom there were large trash bags down where children could access them.”
Aug 22, 2024: unannounced1 violation
-
Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member’s individual personnel file.
“Files contained medical information in them.”
Feb 13, 2024: unannounced5 violations
-
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.
“There was a teachers purse left down on a chair where children could reach it. This was in classroom 327.”
-
All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“Two toilet seats were pealing and needed to be replaced. This was located in classroom 324 bathroom.”
-
Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member’s individual personnel file.
“Medical information was in all staff files.”
-
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.
“In two classrooms cell phone cords were plugged in and active where children could reach. Outside on the playground area, there was a open socket with broken off prongs sticking out of it. The cover was missing as well.”
-
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. There was a fence pole broken and protruding out where children could get cut from it on the playground.”
All 7 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Dec 18, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Aug 19, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Jan 27, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Aug 22, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| May 29, 2024 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 13, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since May 29, 2024.
- Licensed for 144 children, ages 3 through 6.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 29000579.
- Restriction: Other - Enhanced Ratios Minus One.
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: None Listed.
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: 5 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 64 child care providers in Davidson County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 9.5; this one had 19.
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 |
|---|---|
| Lexington Head Start | 2 |
| Sheets Memorial Preschool | 21 |
| Von’s Kids, Inc. | 20 |
| First Baptist Child Development Center | 67 |
| Von’s Kids Inc. Too | 10 |
| South Lexington School This child care provider | 19 |
| Mary Myers Children’s Center #2 | 32 |
| Silver Valley Elementary | 3 |
| Southwood More at Four | 5 |
| Davis-Townsend Preschool | 2 |
| Mary Myers Daycare #2 | 16 |
| Tiny Tot | 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.