Higher Calling Child Care
A child care center in Smithfield, North Carolina 27577
115 B North 7th Street, Smithfield, North Carolina 27577. (919) 205-1236.
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The short answer
- 30 violations in the last three years
- Aug 112026 the latest visit on record
- 45 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?
8 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Aug 11, 2026.
30 violations cited in the last three years, 30 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
30 violations in 5 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 11, 2026: unannounced2 violations
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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.
“The outlet was not covered in the classroom designated for preschool children.”
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The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.
“The loose surfacing around the play structure was 3 inches.”
Aug 26, 2025: unannounced8 violations
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“A slat was missing on the fence. The swing was not anchored and the around the legs of the swing was exposed.”
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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.
“An aerosol can was in unlocked storage in the office area.”
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All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing.
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Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services.
“Two children’s records indicated a child had an allergy but a medical action plan was not available.”
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Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“Immunization records were not available for one child and nothing was present in the file indicating a religious exemption.”
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Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
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Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“The last monthly playground inspection was completed on 6-3-25.”
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The EPR Plan did not include the date of the last revision of the plan.
Apr 16, 2025: unannounced5 violations
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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.
“A can of Orange Air Sense was sitting on the desk and not in locked storage as required.”
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Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older.
“A one year old child was grouped with children ages three to eight years of age.”
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Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.
“There were twenty (20) children ages one to eight with one caregiver for a brief period of time.”
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Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served.
“Food substitution was not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served.”
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Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs.
“The children had juice for lunch rather than milk as required by Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care.”
Sep 5, 2024: unannounced11 violations
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“The concrete footers around the swings were exposed.”
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Air conditioning units were accessible or did not have a guard to keep objects from being thrown into the unit.
“The air conditioning until was accessible to the chidlren.”
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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. Verification that the EPR plan had been reviewed was not available.”
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All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing.
“The surfacing was not an adequate depth under the swings.”
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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.
“A medical statement was not on file for one employee who was hired on 2-6-24 until 2-14-24.”
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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.
“Emergency information was not available for one staff member.”
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New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.
“One staff member did not have verification of completion of orientation within the first 6 weeks of hire.”
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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.
“Verification of negative TB was not available for one staff member who was hired on 2-6-24 until 2-16-24.”
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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. The front section of the fence was not at least 4 feet high.”
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The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.
“Verification of EMC reviewed with staff was not available.”
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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.
“Verification that the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was reviewed prior to providing care was not available.”
Jan 19, 2024: unannounced4 violations
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“The activity plan for the one and two year old children did not have a date and the activity plan for the three and four year old children and the school age children was not current.”
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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.
“The kitchen door was unlocked and the cabinet where the cleaning products and chemicals were stored was not securely locked.”
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Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“One child who was present did not have immunization record on file.”
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Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“One child who was present did not have a medical statement on file.”
All 8 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Aug 26, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 8 violations cited |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Apr 16, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Sep 5, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 11 violations cited |
| May 7, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jan 19, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Three Star Center License since Jul 10, 2018.
- Licensed for 45 children, ages 1 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 51000839.
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: Higher Calling Ministries and Child Care Inc..
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 88 child care providers in Johnston County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 10; this one had 30.
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 |
|---|---|
| Johnston Community College Child Development Cente | 12 |
| Kidz Konnection | 42 |
| West Smithfield Elementary School | 1 |
| Children of Destiny Child Care | 5 |
| Wilson’s Mills Baptist Child Care Center | 22 |
| Higher Calling Child Care This child care provider | 30 |
| ‘small Blessings’ | 21 |
| A Bright Start Child Care Learning Center Inc. | 6 |
| Playmates Child Care of Smithfield | 5 |
| Church Street Head Start | 9 |
| Playmates Childcare and Development Center Berkshi | 8 |
| A Child’s Place | 3 |
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.