The Sunshine House
A child care center in Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
15644 Donnington Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277. (704) 752-1859.
- 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
- 56 violations in the last three years
- Jun 252026 the latest visit on record
- 199 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?
11 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Jun 25, 2026.
56 violations cited in the last three years, 56 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
56 violations in 7 months of the last 36. Last cited Jun 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.
Jun 25, 2026: unannounced8 violations
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A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center.
“The Summary of the Law was not posted.”
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All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“The plastic handles on a dramatic play kitchen set on the playground were broken as well as another piece of plastic causing sharp edges.”
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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 #2, #4, and #6, there was paint chipping from the chair rail in several places. Paint is also chipping on the outside doors on the playground.”
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An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child’s parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted.
“(omit posting for centers located in a residence). In space #1, one infant did not have a written feeding plan.”
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Each child’s bed, cot, or 2” mat was not individually assigned and identified.
“In space #4 and space #6, cots were not labeled and individually assigned to the children enrolled in the classroom.”
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Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.
“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last approved fire inspection on file is dated May 6, 2025.”
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Running water, soap and individual sanitary towels, or other approved hand-drying devices were not supplied at each lavatory.
“In space #6, both rest rooms did not have paper towels at the handwashing sink.”
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Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“A shelter-in-place drill was last conducted March 16, 2026.”
Oct 2, 2025: unannounced2 violations
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Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.
“The incident log has not been maintained with all incident reports.”
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Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child’s file.
“An incident report form for an incident that occurred September 12, 2025 was not completed on the DCDEE’s Incident Report form. However, an incident injury report was completed but did not include all required information.”
Jul 2, 2025: unannounced16 violations
-
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
The inspectors’ words, 117 words
“On the toddler playground is a large tree limb with several sharp branches along with a large tarp that was wet and heavy; half hanging on the fence and the other half on the playground causing a hazard for a toddler to crawl under. On the preschool playground there is a broom caught in the air conditioner fence that is causing a tripping hazard. The is a tarp on the preschool playground that is used to cover the sandbox, however sand is on top of the tarp causing a tripping hazard. In Space 9 are pictures taped to the floor with contact paper, the contact paper has peeled off but it still attached causing a tripping hazard.”
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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.
“There was a bottle of toilet lysol cleaning in an unlocked closet.”
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All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“There were broken hula hoops, a broken bike, and broken sand buckets.”
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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. Four staff members did not review the centers EPR plan.”
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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. One staff member’s CPR description did not meet the requirements for the training.”
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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. One staff member’s First Aid description did not meet the requirements for the training.”
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All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.
“Two staff did not complete the annual health questionnaire.”
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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.
“Two staff members did not update their Emergency information annually.”
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Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.
“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last fire inspection was completed on February 8, 2024”
-
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The last a Shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was completed OCtober 29, 2024”
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Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.
“Two staff members did not complete the required in service trainings.”
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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.
“One staff member did not completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days.”
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The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests.
“There were cups and empty plastic bottles on both playgrounds.”
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The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.
“Four staff did not review the EMC plan annually”
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The written feeding plan did not include the child’s name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center.
“Two feeding schedules posted in the infant room were not signed by the parent.”
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There was no written emergency medical care (EMC) plan.
“The EMC was not current. The past administrator left on June 26, 2025 and was listed on the EMC plan.”
Jun 5, 2025: unannounced1 violation
-
Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
“On June 3, 2025, a child five years of age was left unsupervised in a classroom for approximately twenty minutes.”
Jan 6, 2025: unannounced5 violations
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“The kitchen door was unlocked without a staff person present in the kitchen. There was hot water with steam on the stove.”
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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 bottle of clorox and two bottles of Goo Gone was located in an unlocked storage room. An aeresol can of air freshner was located in a unlocked cabinets in space #8 and #9.”
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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 spaces #3, #5, #7, #8, and #9, paint is chipping and flaking throughout the spaces on the walls and windowsills.”
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Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“Monthly playground inspections for Novmeber 2024 and December 2024 were completed by staff members that have not completed playground safety training.”
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New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.
“Verification was not on file that two new staff members completed orientation.”
Jul 10, 2024: unannounced15 violations
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A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child’s parent or authorized health professional.
“One sunscreen was observed in Space 1, there was not permission to administer and nobody recognized the name on the medication.”
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A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date.
“One diaper cream in Space 4 expired June 2024.”
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“Indoors was observed meeting compliance. Outdoors I observed “s” hooks on toddler swings open where clothing can get caught, a hose on the infant/ toddler playground was observed unraveled and pushed against the wall, causing a tripping hazard, a drain pipe on the infant/toddler playground was observed cracked leaving sharp edges. On the preschool playground I observed the surfacing on the stationary equipment and on the balance beam cracking, torn and pulling up causing tripping hazards.”
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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. One staff’s CPR certification expired 2/24.”
-
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. One staff’s First Aid certification expired 2/24.”
-
All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.
“Three staff’s annual health questionnaires on file are dated 5/23.”
-
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.
“Three staff have not updated their emergency information since 5/23.”
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Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.
“One staff, employed more than one year, did not have an annual review on file.”
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Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
“Fire drills for the months of May and June were not documented, the last fire drill documented was dated 4/30/24.”
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Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization.
“Two diaper creams in Space 4 gave permission to administer until 2/24 and both creams remained on site and were not sent home.”
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Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“One Lotrimin AF cream was on site with the parent’s written permission to administer to a one-year-old as diaper cream. The medication itself states do not use on children under 2 years of age, consult a physician.”
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Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“A monthly playground inspection for March, May and June 2024 was not on file.”
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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 hired 4/1/24 does not have proof of receiving at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks.”
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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 top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. I observed the 4 foot chain link fencing bent inwards to the playgrounds, the top is not flush with the top rail of the fencing, causing a protrusion.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“One staff fired 6/26/23 has not completed the required health and safety trainings.”
Jan 18, 2024: unannounced9 violations
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“A current activity plan was not posted in Space 7.”
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A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center.
“The summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in the center.”
-
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 plug in wallflower air freshener with liquid air freshener was observed plugged into an outlet in the hallway.”
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All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair.
“Ceiling tiles in the lobby of the facility were observed with water stains.”
-
Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.
“Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility has not obtained an approved annual fire inspection since 12/9/2022.”
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Prohibited styrofoam and foam rubber products were accessible to children under 3 years of age and/or approved foam products were used without proper supervision.
“Foam peg boards were observed in space 4, which served 2 year olds. Some of the peg boards were observed to have bite marks.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“One staff hired 10/20/22 has not completed the health and safety training in all required topic areas.”
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The activity plan did not provide at least 4 different activities daily listed in GS 110-91(12): art/creative play; books; blocks; manipulatives; and family living and dramatic play, including one of which is outdoors if weather conditions permit.
“The current activity plans fore Space1, 2, 3, and 4 did not have their second page filled out which listed activities offered. Page 1 only lists large group, small group and gross motor activities offered.”
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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.
“One staff hired 10/2022 did not complete recognizing and responding to suspicions of child maltreatment within 90 days of hire, she completed it on 9//1/2023.”
All 11 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 25, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 8 violations cited |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Oct 2, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Jul 15, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jul 2, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 16 violations cited |
| Jun 17, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jun 5, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Jan 6, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Aug 26, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jul 10, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 15 violations cited |
| Jan 18, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 9 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Four Star Center License since Sep 11, 2017.
- Licensed for 199 children, ages 0 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 60002298.
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: The Sunshine House.
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: 4 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 529 child care providers in Mecklenburg County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 14; this one had 56.
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 |
|---|---|
| Hawk Ridge Elementary Asep | 5 |
| The Sunshine House This child care provider | 56 |
| British American School of Charlotte | 27 |
| Goddard School at Ballantyne | 33 |
| Cadence Academy Preschool, Ballantyne | 26 |
| Cadence Academy Preschool, Raintree | 57 |
| Chesterbrook Academy | 51 |
| Leafspring School | 36 |
| The Village at Leafspring School | 19 |
| Ballantyne Elementary Asep | 5 |
| Polo Ridge Elementary Asep | 7 |
| Elon Park Elementary Asep | 11 |
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
-
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.