Cadence Academy Preschool, Raintree
A child care center in Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
8010 Strawberry Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277. (704) 543-0118.
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
- 57 violations in the last three years
- Jul 132026 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?
14 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Jul 13, 2026.
57 violations cited in the last three years, 57 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
57 violations in 8 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 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.
Jul 13, 2026: unannounced1 violation
-
Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.
“On June 10, 2026, space #1 was out of staff child ratio for approximately seven to eight minutes. There were twelve children less than twelve months of age present with two staff members.”
Jun 16, 2026: unannounced2 violations
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An incident report was not completed and mailed to a Division representative within seven days after the incident when medical treatment was required.
“An incident report for an incident occurring on May 29, 2026 resulting in a child receiving medical treatment was completed, however a copy was not sent to a Division representative.”
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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 completed for an incident that occurred on May 29, 2026 did not contain where the child received medical treatment, time parent was notified and by whom.”
Jan 21, 2026: unannounced14 violations
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All beds, cots, or mats with individual linen were not provided for each child.
“A crib for one infant was not labeled with the child’s name.”
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All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“In space #5, the handle to the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table was broken. In space #4, the cushion to two chairs had exposed foam. In space #7, a lounger pillow was ripped with exposed foam and tile on the floor near the door was cracked in several places.”
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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 had completed CPR certification from an approved organization however, the course is not approved.”
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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 had completed First Aid training from an approved organization however, the course is not approved.”
-
All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.
“Three staff members had not completed an annual health questionnaire.”
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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.
“One staff member with a hire date of October 20, 2025 did not have a medical report on file.”
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Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.
“One staff member did not have verification on file that an annual staff evaluation and staff development plan had been completed.”
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Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child’s first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child.
“One child’s emergency medical care information had not been updated since 2024.”
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Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.
“Five staff members did not have verification on file that health and safety training had been completed.”
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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.
“In space #1, one infant’s diaper cream expired in 2024.”
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Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“Parent authorization for a medication expired December 2025.”
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Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.
“In space #3, there was not a thermometer in the refrigerator.”
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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 #1, there was no soap at the diaper changing sink.”
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The EMC plan did not name the person responsible, and at least one alternate, for choosing and carrying out the plan of action to obtain appropriate medical care.
“The EMC plan posted throughout the building was not current.”
Sep 3, 2025: unannounced5 violations
-
A violation was found for which there is no item number.
The inspectors’ words, 97 words
“In child care centers, toilet tissue paper shall be provided in each toilet room and stored in a clean, dry place. The toilet room shall include or be adjacent to a handwash lavatory. Storage in toilet rooms shall be limited to toileting and diapering supplies. All toilet fixtures shall be kept clean and in good repair. Toilet fixtures shall be child-sized, adult-sized toilets that are adapted to accommodate children, or potty chairs. In space #4, there were toys and equipment being stored in the restroom. This is a violation of a requirement in 15A NCAC 18A .2817(a).”
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Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“In space #4, Two tubes of diaper cream was stored in an unlocked bottom cabinet. In space #5, six tubes of diaper cream was located in a storage container on a shelf that was unlocked and not five feet above the floor.”
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New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.
“Two staff members with hire dates of March 2025 and April 2025 did not have verification on file that orientation had been completed.”
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Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.
“Five children with emergency medication had authorizations that had been completed, however there was no parent signature on the forms.”
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The EMC plan did not name the person responsible, and at least one alternate, for choosing and carrying out the plan of action to obtain appropriate medical care.
“The EMC plan has not been updated since there were changes in administration in July 2025.”
Jan 28, 2025: unannounced13 violations
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A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center.
“The NC Summary of the Law was not posted.”
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A violation was found for which there is no item number.
“Purses and other personal effects belonging to child care center employees shall be kept inaccessible to children and shall be stored in accordance with this Rule, as applicable. In space #3, a staff member’s purse was located on the bottom shelf of a unlocked cabinet. This is a violation of a requirement in 15A NCAC 18A .2820 STORAGE”
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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.
“In space #3, a bottle of body spray was located in an unlocked cabient. There was a flammable warning on the bottle.”
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All openings to the outer air were not protected against the entrance of flying pest.
“A door to an outside playground was propped open.”
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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 had a CPR card on file by an approved organization however, the course completed was not approved.”
-
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. Two staff members had a First Aid Card on file by an approved organization however, the course completed was not approved.”
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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.
“One new staff member’s medical report was older than 12 months from hire date.”
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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.”
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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.
“In space #9, the power strip had two outlets that were not protected by safety covers.”
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Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child’s first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child.
“Emergency medical care information for seven children had not been updated annually.”
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Equipment and furnishings not meeting the requirements outlined in child care .0601(b) and (c) were not removed or made inaccessible.
“There was a broken shovel on the playground. In space #6, there was a broken plastic cabinet.”
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Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“Three children did not have a medical exam on file.”
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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.
“One staff member did not have verfification of a negative TB test on file. One new staff member’s negative TB test was older than 12 months from hire date.”
Sep 9, 2024: unannounced1 violation
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Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
“On August 16, 2024, a four-year-old child sustained an injury resulting in knot on the forehead without staff observing the injury occur.”
Aug 29, 2024: unannounced7 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.
“In Space 2, one child had an antifungal cream without a doctor’s permission to administer and in Space 3 one child had Vaseline without a permission to administer form and mupirocin ointment without permission from a physician. A child in Space 3 had jock itch powder without permission from a physician.”
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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, GA did not have current CPR certification on file.”
-
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, GA did not have current First Aid certification on file.”
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Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month.
“In Space 1 and Space 2 it was documented that infants were placed on their side or tummy when put in the bed.”
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Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“In Space 2, medications were found in a plastic bin in an unlocked changing table accessible to children.”
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Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age.
“Plastic bags were found accessible to children in Space 1. Cars with small wheels were found accessible to children in Spaces 2 and 4. An abacus with small beads was found in Space 7 and glue with a small cap was found in Space 8 accessible to children.”
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Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The last shelter in place drill recorded was dated 1/29/24.”
Feb 7, 2024: unannounced14 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.
“Space 4 has four diaper creams in the classroom and do not have permission to administer.”
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Accurate records were not maintained for all children.
“One child, who transferred to this location almost a year ago, only had immunization records, and incident reports on file. No other required information was on file available for review.”
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All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“Outdoors on the infant/toddler playground I observed two deflated balls, you removed them during the visit. On the PK playground the two pretend stationary steering wheels were loose and cause a pinch point. One mat on the ground at the base of the slide on the infant/toddler playground is causing a tripping hazard, as one corner is raised as the rest of the mat is flush to the ground.”
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All openings to the outer air were not protected against the entrance of flying insects.
“Space 6 and Space 10 were observed with classroom doors propped open the the outdoor play yard, while each group was outdoors playing.”
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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 hired 7-25-23 does not have proof of completing CPR certification on file.”
-
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 hired 7-25-23 does not have proof of completing First Aid certification on file.”
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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) Space 4 has one child who is under 15 months enrolled, the child’s feeding schedule was not posted.”
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Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.
“One staff hired 8/29/22 and one staff hired 6/1/21 do not have a current staff development plan or annual review on file.”
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Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics.
“One staff hired 11-16-18 completed recognizing and responding to suspicions of maltreatment last on 12/28/18, this is a health and safety training required to be completed within the next 5 years of last completion, she should have completed it again by 12/28/23.”
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Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“Two children’s files reviewed did not have a medical on file, it was confirmed both children have been enrolled more than 30 days (One child enrolled in May 2023, and the other child transferred from another location almost a year ago.)”
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Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“The “All Purpose Space” that serves preschool children, has three children with chronic condition requiring medication(epi pen and Auvi-q) the medication permission was last provided on 6/23, 3/23 and 2/7/23. Permission to administer is granted for 6 months, and you did obtain current permission to administer the medication you have on site.”
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Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.
“Space 5 has several creams and lotions in the classroom, the written permission does not indicate the instructions on when you are to administer.”
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The center’s safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily.
“Space 1 and Space 2 serve infants, neither room had the center’s safe sleep policy posted.”
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The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child’s parent or health care professional.
“The group housed in the “All Purpose” space, serving preschool children, has one child that has a medical action plan on file, it has not been updated since 2/2022 the the facility reports that child still has the condition noted on the medical action plan.”
All 14 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 13, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Jun 16, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 14 violations cited |
| Sep 3, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Jul 1, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jul 1, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jan 28, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 13 violations cited |
| Dec 27, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Dec 5, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Oct 21, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Sep 9, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Aug 29, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 7 violations cited |
| Feb 7, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 14 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since Feb 10, 2020.
- Licensed for 199 children, ages 0 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 60002684.
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: Cadence Education LLC.
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 529 child care providers in Mecklenburg County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 14; this one had 57.
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 | 56 |
| British American School of Charlotte | 27 |
| Goddard School at Ballantyne | 33 |
| Cadence Academy Preschool, Ballantyne | 26 |
| Cadence Academy Preschool, Raintree This child care provider | 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.