Academy of Stars

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

“The Criminal Record Check qualification letter for the center owner could not be located today.”

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: Aug 12, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing.

“Additional surfacing was needed around the stationary outdoor equipment. The director stated that the owner was ordering mulch.”

Rule All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jun 22, 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.

“There was no documentation on file that the two new teachers have received new staff 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: Jun 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“The staff person, who began employment on 3/25/26 did not have a medical assessment on file.”

Rule 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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 21, 2026. 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.

“There was no verification that the policy had been reviewed with the staff person, who began employment on 3/26/26.”

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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Apr 21, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.

“There were not activity plans posted for the children for the current week.”

Rule A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 30, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

At least one person who meets qualifications for administrator or lead teacher was not on site during operating hours except at the beginning or end of the operating day as described in rule .0714(b).

“The only staff person on the premises, began employment on 3/23/26.”

Rule At least one person who meets qualifications for administrator or lead teacher was not on site during operating hours except at the beginning or end of the operating day as described in rule .0714(b).. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 30, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

At least one staff member was not present who had successfully completed First Aid and/or CPR training when children were in care.

“The only staff person on the premises during today’s visit did not have current CPR and First Aid training.”

Rule At least one staff member was not present who had successfully completed First Aid and/or CPR training when children were in care.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 30, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“The new teacher, who began employment yesterday, had not completed a medical assessment or negative TB test.”

Rule 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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 30, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility for the new teacher, who began employment yesterday, 3/23/26.”

Rule Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below). Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 30, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.

“There were no activity plans for the children present today.”

Rule A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 30, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“The outdoor shed on the playground was unlocked and unsafe to open.”

Rule A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

“During today’s visit there was one staff present with 8 children, ages 1 to 3.”

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

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“The return air vent needed to be cleaned in classroom space #3/4. This was a violation of NC Sanitation Rule 15A NCAC 18A .2826 (b).”

Rule Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below). Corrected during the inspection.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“The direct exit from classroom space #5 was locked with a double action. The children were present in this classroom for diaper changing procedures. This is a violation of NC Fire Code.”

Rule Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below). Corrected during the inspection.

A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center.

“The infant did not have the signed form on file.”

Rule A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 9, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Application did not include the names of individuals to whom the center may release the child, as authorized by the person who signs the application.

“One child needed emergency contact information on file, if the parents could not be reached.”

Rule Application did not include the names of individuals to whom the center may release the child, as authorized by the person who signs the application.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 9, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.

Rule Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 9, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.

“One staff needed a current annual evaluation on file.”

Rule Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 9, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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.

“The staff person, who began employment on 6/18/25, needed a negative TB test on file.”

Rule 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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 9, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.

“The teacher in classroom space #1/2 had last completed the required Health and Safety trainings in 2018.”

Rule Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 12, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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).

“Criminal Record Check clearance had expired for the teacher in classroom space #1/2.”

Rule 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).. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 12, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.

“The refrigerator for infant bottles in classroom space #5 did not have a thermometer.”

Rule Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 9, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“The direct exit from classroom space #5 (infant classroom) was not single action. It required two steps to open. This is a violation of NC Fire Code.”

Rule Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below). Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 9, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.

“(1) The director needed 1.5 additional hours of in-service training to meet her yearly requirement. (2) The teacher in classroom space #5 needed 9 additional hours of in-service training to meet her yearly requirement.”

Rule Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 12, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“NC Sanitation Rule 15A NCAC 18A .2806 (a) states that food shall be stored in approved, clean, tightly covered, storage containers once the original package is opened. During today’s visit there was an open package of soda crackers and an opened packet of cinnamon graham crackers.”

Rule Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below). Corrected during the inspection.

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

“New staff orientation had not been completed for the staff, who began employment on 3/16/24.”

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: Nov 13, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

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

“There were exposed tree roots in the fenced-in space. The roots were underground on the ends and exposed above ground in the center, creating a tripping hazard for children.”

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: Sep 18, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.

“The subsitute caregiver, working in classroom space #1/2, did not have a file.”

Rule All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 19, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.

“One staff needed an updated Health Questionnaire on file.”

Rule All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.. 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 staff needed updated emergency information on file.”

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.

Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.

“The staff person, who completed the Health and Safety trainings on 12/16/18, had not completed the trainings for a second time.”

Rule Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 18, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.

“The caregiver, substituting in classroom space #1/2 today, did not have Criminal Record Check clearance.”

Rule Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 19, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.

“According to informaiton, provided by the parent, on one child’s application, the child was allergic to eggs and had Benadryl and an Epi-Pen for the allergy. The information was not posted.”

Rule Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 18, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.

“The lead teacher assigned to classroom space #1/2 needed an additional 3 hours of training to meet her yearly requirement.”

Rule Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 18, 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.

“A verbal altercation between staff members, containing inappropriate language, occurred in front of children in classroom space #3/4.”

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: Aug 27, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.

“When first checked the thermometer in the refrigerator registered 50 degrees. When checked again later, after the director turned the dial for a lower temperature, the thermometer registered 60 degrees.”

Rule Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.. Corrected during the inspection.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“Pests were not excluded from the child care center. Durham County Environmental Health cited demerits regarding pest control related to insects and roaches during sanitation inspections conducted on 8/1/24 and 8/7/24. This is a violation of a rule in NC Sanitation Requirement 15A NCAC 18A .2831(b).”

Rule Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below). Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 28, 2024. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Caregiver did not interact in a positive manner with each child every day.

“The teacher in the room assigned to toddler children was using negative words such as no, don’t, and stop in a harsh tone while re-directing children.”

Rule Caregiver did not interact in a positive manner with each child every day.. 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.

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.

“Safe sleep checks were not completed for the infant classroom for the last 30 days.”

Rule 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.. 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.

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance.

“Attendance was not maintained in the infant classroom for the last week.”

Rule Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance.. 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.

For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices.

“Materials in the toddler classroom was not accessible to the children. The shelves were turned not allowing children to access the materials.”

Rule For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices.. 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.

Perishable foods were not stored to protect against spoilage.

“Bread had an expiration date of 12/21/23 and 1/12/24.”

Rule Perishable foods were not stored to protect against spoilage.. 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.

Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.

“The refrigerator maintained a temperature of 53 degrees F.”

Rule Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.. 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.

Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)

“A violation of the NC Fire Code was observed today. The direct exit from classroom #1,toddler classroom and classroom #6 were locked during today’s’ visit. The three classrooms had children under 2 1/2 years old present.”

Rule Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below). 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.