First Steps Preschool
A family child care home in Whittier, North Carolina 28789
231 Boot Hill Road, Whittier, North Carolina 28789. (828) 507-2189.
- administrative action in the last three years
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
- Aug 122026 the latest visit on record
- 8 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?
6 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Aug 12, 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 4 months of the last 36. Last cited Aug 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.
Aug 6, 2026: unannounced6 violations
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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. The owner/operator has not set up the ABCMS provider portal for this program and linked staff members (A. Farmer) and household members (M. Beck) to this program’s ABCMS.”
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Monthly check for hazards on the outdoor play area was not completed using a form supplied by the Division.
“Outdoor monthly playground inspections have not been completed since December 15, 2025.”
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Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator’s own preschool children.
“Arrival and departure times have not been documented for children in attendance during the current week.”
-
Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill.The last documented monthly fire drill was conducted on December 15, 2025. Monthly fire drills were not completed or documented for January, February, March, April, May, June, and July 2026.”
-
Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“The operator did not conduct a quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill and or the drill record was incomplete.The last documented quarterly emergency drill was conducted on November 13, 2025. Required emergency drills were not conducted or documented for February and May 2026”
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The EPR Plan did not include the date of the last revision of the plan.
“The facility’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan has not been reviewed and revised for 2026.”
Sep 5, 2025: unannounced3 violations
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A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for review at the facility.
“M. Beck, whom resides in the home did not have a qualification letter on file.”
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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 from the date of issuance).
“M. Beck, whom resides in the home did not have a qualification letter on file.”
-
The operator did not conduct a quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill and or the drill record was incomplete.
“The last lockdown or shelter-in-place drill was completed on 05/30/2025.”
Mar 26, 2025: unannounced9 violations
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A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for review at the facility.
“The operator had a qualification letter on file that expired on 10/14/24.”
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All indoor and outdoor areas used by the children were not kept clean, orderly, and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children including removal of items a child can swallow; the removal of loose nails or screws and splinters on inside; and use of outdoor equipment that is too hot to touch.
“The bathroom the children use was being remodeled.There were large holes in the floor and a wall was knocked out allowing access to an unlicensed space.”
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Bacteriological analysis indicating the water is free of bacteria had not been performed on a sample of water from each well used for the children’s water supply every two years.
“Results were not kept on file in the home. The last test was done on 11/1/22. A new test is required.”
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Operator did not successfully complete a CPR course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) CPR training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification.
“A.F. CPR training was not on site for us to review. The card on file was dated 11/2024 and had expired.”
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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 from the date of issuance).
“The operator had a qualification letter on file that expired on 10/14/24.”
-
Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Operator did not successfully complete a first aid course as referenced in Rule.1702(b)(2) First aid training was not renewed on or before the expiration of the certification.A.F. first aid training was not on site for us to review. The card on file was dated 11/2024 and had expired.”
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Sleeping infants, ages 12 months and younger were not visually checked every 15 minutes.
“An infant that started in September of 2024 had no record of safe sleep checks.”
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The operator did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information is current.
“The EPR plan on file was dated 9/19/22.”
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Written record of up-to-date pet vaccinations as required by NC law and local ordinances, including rabies vaccination for dogs and cats, was not available.
“The dog and cat that live in the home did not have proof of current vaccination.”
Apr 22, 2024: unannounced1 violation
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Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care.
“There was an aerosol container of Glad air-refresher unlocked in the bathroom used by children.”
All 6 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Aug 6, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 6 violations cited |
| Sep 5, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Mar 26, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 9 violations cited |
| Sep 23, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Apr 22, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
Is it licensed?
- Family Child Care Home, holding a One Star Family CC Home License since Dec 8, 2022.
- Licensed for 8 children, ages 0 through 12.
- Not enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 50000070.
- Restriction: Other - Operating hrs 6:00am-6:00pm Amanda Beck not allowed on the premises during op. hrs or @ any time when child. are present for care@ the facility.
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 issued one or more administrative actions for this facility in the past three years; North Carolina’s page doesn’t say what they were, and shows one only after its 30-day appeal period.
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: Farmer, Angela D.
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: 1 star 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 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 |
|---|---|
| First Steps Preschool This child care provider | 19 |
| Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K | 15 |
| Fairview Head Start | 3 |
| Patty’s House | 1 |
| The Fairview Kids’ Place | 8 |
| Kneedler Child Development Center | 3 |
| Cullowhee Valley Elementary | 24 |
| Cullowhee Valley School Pre-K | 22 |
| Kidz Playhouse | 15 |
| Hampton Preschool and Early Learning Center | 13 |
| Cullowhee Kids Preschool | 2 |
| Pam’s Child Development Center, LLC | 8 |
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.