Cullowhee Valley Elementary
A child care center in Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723
240 Wisdom Dr, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723. (828) 293-5667.
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
- 24 violations in the last three years
- Aug 282026 the latest visit on record
- 150 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?
10 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Aug 28, 2026.
24 violations cited in the last three years, 24 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
24 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 27, 2026: unannounced4 violations
-
A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“There was not a current activity plan post or available for review.”
-
Staff working in part-time, full-day or track out school age care programs required to complete BSAC training, did not complete it within three months of employment.
The inspectors’ words, 105 words
“After review of five (5) staff files it was noted that two (2) staff files did not have a training certifcate on file indicating that they had completed the required BSAC training. Both staff members have been hired for three months; one staff member’s hire date was noted 09/18/2025 and the other staff member’s hire date was noted 08/18/2025. Additionally, there were two members that did not complete the required training within three months. One staff member was hired on 08/25/2025 and their BSAC training certificate was dated 12/03/2025. The other staff member was hired on 08/11/2025 and their BSAC training certificate was dated 12/18/2025.”
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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.
“After review of staff files it was noted that four (4) staff members did not have a training certificate indicating completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member was hired on 08/18/2025, two staff members were hired on 08/25/2025 and one staff member was hired on 09/18/2025.”
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There was no written emergency medical care (EMC) plan.
“An EMC plan was not posted.”
Dec 10, 2025: unannounced2 violations
-
Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.
“There was no menu posted for the month of December.”
-
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“It was reported today that a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill has not been completed for this school year.”
May 7, 2025: unannounced7 violations
-
A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“A current activity plan was not available for the two (2) groups of school-age children.”
-
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. M.K. (sub) did not have verification of CPR certification.”
-
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. M.K. (sub) did not have verification of completed First Aid certification.”
-
Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
“The last fire drill was completed on 3/2/25. A fire drill was not conducted for the month of April.”
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Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, gasoline, or kerosene were not stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or made inaccessible to children.
“Four (4) bottles of hand sanitizer were stored accessible in the cafeteria.”
-
School-aged children were not adequately supervised.
“As children were arriving, they were observed coming into the cafeteria and then walking back out of the cafeteria and down the hallway to wash their hands without a staff member.”
-
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The last emergency drill which was a lockdown drill was completed on November 25, 2024”
Jan 17, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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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.
“After review of staff files, it was noted that two (2) staff members (BA) (JP) had not completed the required training within 90 days of employment. BA hired on 08/29/24 training completed 01/13/15. JP hired on 08/22/24 training completed 12/03/2024.”
Jan 8, 2025: unannounced2 violations
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Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.
“The posted snack menu posted on the information board was for November.”
-
School-aged children were not adequately supervised.
The inspectors’ words, 112 words
“As children were arriving, they were observed coming into the cafeteria being checked in by the group leader and then walking back out of the cafeteria and down the hallway to wash their hands without a staff member. At 4:06 a group of children were observed lining up to go to the gym from the cafeteria and child was observed walking out of the cafeteria and down the hallway without the group leader knowing he had left the group. At 4:09 another child was observed leaving the cafeteria unsupervised after the group had left to go the gym and playing on the squares in the foyer area before going into the gym.”
May 8, 2024: unannounced1 violation
-
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The last recorded emergency drill was conducted on 01-31-2024”
Jan 17, 2024: unannounced7 violations
-
All staff did not review the center’s EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff.
“Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. After review of new teachers’ files it was noted that new teacher GS did not have documentation that the faclity’s EPR plan had been reviewed.”
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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.
“After review of new teachers’ files it was noted that new teacher GS was hired on 11-14-2023 but did not have a medical until 12-08-2023. Another new teacher LS was hired on 09-07-23 but did not have a medical on file.”
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Each employee’s personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies.
“After review of new teachers’ files it was noted that new teaccher GS file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they had received personnel and operational policies.”
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Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.
“Upon my arrival to the facility it was noted that all thirty-six children present wee being cared for in one (1) large group with two (2) teachers.”
-
School-aged children were not adequately supervised.
“During my time at the faclity it was observed on several occassions children walking out of the cafeteria and down the hall without a teacher to the bathroom. Many times the teachers were unware a child had left the cafeteria and were not aware of where the child was going or if the child returned. While children were playing outside when parents came to pick them up children were sent inside by themselves and walked up the hallway without any adult supervsion to the cafeteria.”
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Within the first 6 weeks of assuming responsibility for supervising group of children, each employee did not complete at least 3 additional clock hours of training on topics outlined in this rule.
“After review of new teachers’ files it was noted that new teacher GS hired on 11-14-2023 did not have documentation that the required orientation had been completed.”
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Within the first two weeks of assuming responsibilty for supervising a group of children, staff did not complete at least 6 hours of training on topics outlined in this rule.
“After review of new teachers’ files it was noted that new teacher GS hired on 11-14-2023 did not have documentation that the required orientation had been completed.”
All 10 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Apr 27, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Dec 10, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| May 14, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| May 7, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 7 violations cited |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Jan 8, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| May 8, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Jan 25, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jan 17, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 7 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Three Star Center License since Jun 21, 2019.
- Licensed for 150 children, ages 5 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 50000062.
- Restriction: Other - Playground area does not meet child care playground safety standards.
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: Jackson County Public Schools.
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 16 child care providers in Jackson County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 14; this one had 24.
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 |
|---|---|
| Kneedler Child Development Center | 3 |
| Cullowhee Valley Elementary This child care provider | 24 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Pre-K | 22 |
| Cullowhee Kids Preschool | 2 |
| Fairview Head Start | 3 |
| Patty’s House | 1 |
| The Fairview Kids’ Place | 8 |
| First Steps Preschool | 19 |
| Kidz Playhouse | 15 |
| Hampton Preschool and Early Learning Center | 13 |
| Pam’s Child Development Center, LLC | 8 |
| Cashiers Valley Preschool | 17 |
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
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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.