The Phoenix Academy
A child care center in Charlotte, North Carolina 28205
2515 Central Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina 28205. (980) 207-3028.
- administrative action in the last three years
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The short answer
- 76 violations in the last three years
- May 52026 the latest visit on record
- 34 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?
17 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on May 5, 2026.
76 violations cited in the last three years, 76 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
76 violations in 11 months of the last 36. Last cited May 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.
May 5, 2026: unannounced6 violations
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All group leaders were not at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, and/or had not completed Basic School Age Care (BSAC) training.
“One group leader did not obtain the required eleven months after beginning employment.”
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At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care.
“The administrator and designated infant caregiver’s ITS-SIDS training expired February 2026. Both staff obtained ITS-SIDS training on April 24, 2026. There was one infant enrolled the second week of April, and no staff held a current ITS-SIDS certification.”
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Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years.
“Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter. The administrator and designated lead teacher for infants ITS-SIDS training expired February 2026.”
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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.
“The food served for lunch was not what was listed on the posted menu listed as meatballs, wheat bun, pineapples. The children were served door dashed McDonald’s chicken nuggets, pineapples, French fries and milk. The change in menu was not listed on the posted menu.”
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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.
“The operator was due to renew her Health and Safety Training in 2025 and did not.”
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Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage.
“The toilet in the only adult bathroom on site was not operational.”
Nov 17, 2025: unannounced9 violations
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“There was not a current posted lesson plan for each required group (toddlers, pre-K and school-age)”
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All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“Three wooden outdoor fence slats were separated and leaning towards the interior of the playground.”
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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.
“The ceiling in space #4 was monitored with the ceiling with water damage/leak, chipped paint and falling in the damaged area.”
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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 were three identified books in poor condition in space #4.”
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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.
“One staff member was scheduled to be off and the operator ordered lunch from an outside vendor. The change was not listed on the posted menu.”
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Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“The last documented drill was listed as July 7, 2025.”
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Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.
“There was a posted allergy list in space #4. However, the posted allergy list was not current. One child listed with an allergy was no longer enrolled at the facility.”
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The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information.
“The Ready to Go File was monitored not current with each enrolled child.”
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The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current.
“The center EPR plan was dated March 2024 and had not been updated or reviewed annually by the operator/administrator.”
May 5, 2025: unannounced6 violations
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All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“Several outdoor wooden ramp slats were monitored disconnected with exposed hardware in the children’s path of travel to the outdoor play environment.”
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All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair.
“A floorboard in space #3 was in poor repair.”
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All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards.
“The right front passenger mirror was monitored cracked throughout.”
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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.
“The walls, windowsill and baseboards were monitored dirty in space #3.”
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First aid kit and/or fire extinguisher was not located in vehicle; kit and/or extinguisher was not mounted or secured if in passenger area.
“A fire extinguisher was monitored stored in a box in the back of the van. The extinguisher was not mounted or secured.”
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For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not have a list of the children being transported.
“Children are transported weekly, and no transportation roster was developed/current.”
Mar 18, 2025: unannounced2 violations
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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 were three to four pieces of equipment monitored with broken plastic pieces missing or broken off. A broken lattice was monitored separated from the ramp with exposed hardware. There were at least two to three separated or warped wooden fence slats.”
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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 two plastic containers on the playground with standing water in them.”
Feb 4, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
“A staff member came to answer the front door, and a child left the teacher and returned to the classroom with no adult present.”
Dec 16, 2024: unannounced7 violations
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All lead teachers did not have at least a NC Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent or were not enrolled within 6 months of hire, and/or did not complete the credential or it’s equivalency within 2 years.
“A lead teacher was hired September 27, 2022, and did not obtain the credential or its equivalency within 2 years.”
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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. A staff person’s CPR expired 11/2024.”
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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. A staff person’s FA expired 11/2024.”
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Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance.
“Daily attendance was not documented for thus far in December.”
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Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.
“Children’s arrival and departure times were not documented consistently. Last Thursday, Friday and today (Monday) were not documented.”
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Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.
“There were two loose carpets in space #4 potentially causing a tripping hazard for children and adults.”
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Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, gasoline, or kerosene were not stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or made inaccessible to children.
“The adult restroom was monitored with stored chemicals and the key left in the doorknob. The key was removed, door locked and key hung on a hook outside of the kitchen.”
Nov 4, 2024: unannounced3 violations
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A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
“A valid DCDEE CDC qualification letter was not on file for one existing staff whose CBC qualification expired October 29, 2024.”
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Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.
“A new employee did not have the first two weeks of orientation documented.”
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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 for the date of issuance).
“An existing staff member’s DCDEE CBC expired October 29, 2024.”
Oct 23, 2024: unannounced17 violations
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“A space heater was monitored maintained in the infant room/space #2. The heater was removed from the space by the operator during the visit and placed next door. The kitchen door was monitored unlocked.”
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A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
“A staff person was working on site without a DCDEE CBC qualifying letter.”
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All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.
“One existing staff member did not have a current annual HQ on file.”
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At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care.
“A staff person was monitored working in the infant room/space #2 with two infants present without completing ITS-SIDS training. The staff person was removed from the classroom during the visit.”
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At least one staff member counted to comply with the rule did not complete the training in playground safety within six months of employment date.
“A staff person without playground safety training completed a monthly outdoor inspection and report.”
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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 staff person was hired and permitted to begin working without a DCDEE staff medical report.”
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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.
“One existing staff member did not have a current annual emergency contact information on file.”
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Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.
“An unqualified caregiver was present with four children; two children were infants, and 2 children were two years of age. The two-year-old children were regrouped with preschool children in space #4 until the operator arrived.”
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Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.
“A completed incident report was dated August 21, 2024, was not filed in the applicable child’s file or logged onto the center’s incident log.”
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Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.
“The posted menu was dated November 2023. The operator updated the menu upon her arrival to the center.”
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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.
“A staff person was permitted to begin working without negative TB results or screening.”
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Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.
“An unqualified staff person was present and working in space #2 without a DCDEE qualification. The staff person was required to leave the premises during the visit.”
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Screen time was offered to children under three years of age.
“One infant and two children two years of age were offered a tablet with children’s programming in space #2. The program was on and placed at eye level of the 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 documented safety drill was March 28, 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.
“One existing staff member was due to obtain fourteen (14) by September 27, 2024, and did not.”
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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.
“There was a center ITS-SIDS policy posted in space #2. The safe sleep policy was not followed by the unqualified staff person. An infant was observed sleeping in an infant swing upon arrival to space #2. Once notified that the infant was required to be placed in an appropriate sleeping device, the staff member placed the infant on their back in their assigned crib, with a bib on and pacifier attached.”
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The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information.
“The EPR/Ready to Go File was incomplete. There are thirty (30) children enrolled and only ten (10) children’s emergency contact information was on file. An area map was not maintained in the file.”
Aug 1, 2024: unannounced5 violations
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All openings to the outer air were not protected against the entrance of flying pest.
“A window air conditioner unit was monitored installed in space #2. There was visible dirt on the windowsills and on top of the unit.”
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All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards.
“The transportation van used to transport children at the center was monitored with a cracked windshield.”
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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.
“The walls, baseboards, cabinets and refrigerator/freezer in space #2 were monitored with chipped paint, or visible dirt.”
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Multi-use articles, including highchair feeding trays, were not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the center’s kitchen after each use.
“There were two infant highchairs in space #2 with visible food debris. The highchair coverings were also monitored visibly dirty. A tray used to store the electric bottle warmer was observed with visible stains/dirt.”
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The safe sleep policy did not contain the required information.
“The center used a sample safe sleep policy. The sample policy was not customized and identified what the center will do or not do to ensure an infant’s sleep space and practices are safe. One safe sleep policy was posted in the space #2 instead of the acknowledgement being maintained in the child’s file.”
Jun 25, 2024: unannounced4 violations
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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 3/12/24 has not obtained CPR certification.”
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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 hired 3/12/24 has not obtained First Aid Certification.”
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At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care.
“The staff I observed caring for the infant present today, has not completed ITS/SIDS training.”
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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 completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Maltreatment last on 6/30/2018.”
May 23, 2024: unannounced4 violations
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“Space 3 and 4 did not have a current activity plan posted, the plans posted were dated for last week. This is a repeat violation.”
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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.
“Lysol aerosol spray was observed on top of the kitchen refrigerator and the kitchen door was cracked open. This is a repeat violation.”
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Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older.
“Upon the consultants arrival, one staff member was on the playground with nine children ranging in age of 1-3 years.”
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Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.
“Upon my arrival I observed two staff coming from the building next door, we walked into the center together. I observed the children coming in from outdoor play, one staff was with the nine children, ranging in age of 1-3 years of age.”
May 14, 2024: unannounced12 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 3. The plan posted was from April 2024.”
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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 observed cracked open, a spray aerosol can of Lysol was observed stored on top of the refrigerator.”
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All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.
“One storage bin was observed cracked, it was observed holding block on the shelf in Space 3.”
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All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.
“One staff’s health questionnaire was completed on 5/2/23.”
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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.
“I observed peeling paint from the wall in the book center of Space 3.”
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Balloons were accessible to children.
“While in Space 3 I observed two balloons on the floor of the cubby area, that gate separating the classroom from the cubby area was open.”
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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.
“One staff’s emergency information was last completed on 5/2/23.”
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Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
“Upon my arrival the teacher in Space 3 left her group of children to answer the center front door. Space 3 cannot be seen from the lobby of the center.”
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First aid kit and/or fire extinguisher was not located in vehicle; kit and/or extinguisher was not mounted or secured if in passenger area.
“Neither the first aid kit or fire extinguisher observed in the van were secured nor mounted.”
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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 did not complete all the health and safety topic areas within five years of last completion.”
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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.
“While in Space 3 I observed a teacher chair that was torn and the foam padding was exposed. I also observed a large piece of foam on a shelf in the cubby area. Outside of Space 3 I observed plastic ziplock bags stored on a shelf accessible to children in care.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“Two staff have not completed all required topic areas of Health and Safety Training within their first year of employment.”
All 17 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| May 5, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 6 violations cited |
| Nov 17, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 9 violations cited |
| May 5, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 6 violations cited |
| Mar 18, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Feb 17, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 4, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Dec 16, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 7 violations cited |
| Nov 4, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Oct 23, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 17 violations cited |
| Aug 1, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Jun 25, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Jun 6, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| May 23, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| May 14, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 12 violations cited |
| Mar 11, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 28, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 26, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since Jun 19, 2025.
- Licensed for 34 children, ages 0 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 60003176.
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: Torrence, Shirley T.
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 76.
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 |
|---|---|
| Cnt for Children D.C. at Kilgo United Meth. Church | 24 |
| Tender Hearts Child Care Inc. | 22 |
| Fairyland Academy | 62 |
| Chantilly Elementary Asep | 5 |
| Highland Mill Montessori Elementary Asep | 6 |
| Joyland Academy | 14 |
| Marcia Playmate | 29 |
| Fairyland Institute of Early Learning, Inc. Afters | 28 |
| Fairyland Institute of Early Learning, Inc. Presch | 27 |
| Taylor’s Playhouse | 8 |
| Alliance Center for Education Stephanie Jennings | 41 |
| The Phoenix Academy This child care provider | 76 |
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.