Greene Lamp Head Start Highland Center
A child care center in Kinston, North Carolina 28501
1001 East Highland Avenue, Kinston, North Carolina 28501. (252) 523-7770.
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The short answer
- 20 violations in the last three years
- Apr 292026 the latest visit on record
- 82 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?
5 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Apr 29, 2026.
20 violations cited in the last three years, 20 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
20 violations in 3 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: unannounced5 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 roster was not complete with all staff members in the ABCMS portal, thus satisfying the requirement to notify the Division of any new child care providers who were hired or moved into the facility within five business days. Staff members R. Durant, S. Scott, and P. Clark were not on the roster. This is a repeat violation.”
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A list of all children participating in the off premise activity was not available at the center.
“Children in space 4 left for a transitioning field trip during the visit. The teaching staff did not leave a list of children that were attending the field trip.”
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“On the Head Start playground, a bench on the picnic table was broken with sharp edges and there were large tree roots that causes a tripping hazard. There is a drain hole that does not have a cover, located beside the ramp that children use to access the Early Head Start playground. This is accessible to the enrolled Early Head Start children.”
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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 citronella bracelet was stored in an unlocked cabinet space 4. The bracelet was labeled with “Keep out of the reach of children” and had additional warnings.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“Staff member S. Scott has not completed the required health and safety trainings. This is a repeat violation.”
Feb 11, 2026: unannounced14 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 roster was not completed in the ABCMS portal, thus satisfying the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Nine staff members who are no longer employed must be removed from the roster. Four staff members, L. Moore, R. Durant, S. Scott, and P. Clark must be added to the roster.”
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“Thumb tacks were used in space B1-2. The thumb tacks were not secure in the wall, allowing children to pull out easily. In space B2-1, there is a metal floor strip that is not level with the floor, causing a tripping hazard. This metal strip also has sharp edges. On the playground, a black plastic border surrounding a small metal car, has a large hole with share edges.”
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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. Staff member, T. Cobb Lee’s hire date was 11/3/25. The CPR training was required to be completed by 2/3/26. Staff member L. Moore and S. Scott’s CPR training expired on 1/2025. P. Clark’s CPR expired 1/2025 and was renewed 2/13/25.”
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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. Staff member, T. Cobb Lee’s hire date was 11/3/25. The First Aid training was required to be completed by 2/3/26. Staff member L. Moore and S. Scott’s First Aid training expired on 1/2025. P. Clark’s First Aid training expired 1/2025 and was renewed 2/13/25.”
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All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair.
“In space B1-2, there is paint flaking in various locations in the classroom. These areas are accessible to children.”
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Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider.
“Written permission from a parent was not available for 1 child that was being transported.”
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Children’s records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child.
“One child did not have a medical assessment on file for review.”
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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.
“Two children did not have an immunization record on file before or within 30 days of admission.”
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Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
“Fire drills were not practiced monthly as required. A fire drill was not completed for the months of July and August of 2025.”
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Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“Two children did not have health assessment on file before enrollment or within 30 days of admission.”
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Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“In space B2-1, emergency albuterol medication permission for standing authorization had expired. One medication was dated for 6/3/25 with a permission expiration date of 12/3/25. One medication was dated for 7/22/25 with a permission expiration date of 1/22/26.”
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Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“Documentation of the required monthly playground inspections were not available for review. Inspections for the month of June and July of 2025 were not available for review.”
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Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The required drills were not practiced every three months. A drill was completed in May, the next drill was required in August. The required drill for August was not completed.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“Staff member S. Scott’s Health and Safety training were required to be completed by 1/22/2025. All of the required Health and Safety trainings for D. Mewborn have not been completed.”
May 7, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“In space B2-1, a current activity plan was not posted. The plan posted was dated for April 14-18.”
All 5 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 14 violations cited |
| May 7, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Mar 18, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| May 20, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since Feb 23, 2026.
- Licensed for 82 children, ages 1 through 5.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 54000150.
- Restriction: Other - Bldg. 1 Capacity-34: bldg. 2 capacity-48.
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: Greene Lamp.
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 31 child care providers in Lenoir County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 8; this one had 20.
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 |
|---|---|
| Marvin B. Spence Head Start Center | 7 |
| Greene Lamp Head Start Highland Center This child care provider | 20 |
| Grainger-Hill Head Start | 10 |
| M&e Wonderland Academy Pre-K | 98 |
| Greene Lamp Head Start / Contentnea | 9 |
| Northeast Elementary Preschool | 3 |
| Contentnea-Savannah School Preschool | 6 |
| Southeast Elementary Preschool | 5 |
| Loving Arms | 29 |
| Embracing Kids Child Care Center, LLC | 10 |
| Alpha and Omega Christian Day Care Center | 23 |
| Country Kids, Inc. | 15 |
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.