Druid Hills Academy
A child care center in Charlotte, North Carolina 28206
2801 Lucena Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28206. (980) 343-5515.
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
- 34 violations in the last three years
- May 72026 the latest visit on record
- 36 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?
7 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on May 7, 2026.
34 violations cited in the last three years, 34 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
34 violations in 5 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 7, 2026: unannounced2 violations
-
A health assessment was not on file at the NC Pre-K site within 30 days after a child entered the NC Pre-K program or the health assessment was more than 12 months old at the time of program entry.
“Three (3) children did not have a health assessment on file for review.”
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Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“One (1) child’s medication permission for an Epi pen and Benadryl expired 3/19/26.”
Sep 2, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
“A child’s medical action plan indicated Benadryl in addition to an epi pen. The Benadryl was not onsite.”
Mar 6, 2025: unannounced3 violations
-
Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“There was no documentation of playground inspections being completed for the 2024-2025 school year. Repeated violation”
-
The teacher assistant does not meet the education requirements and/or documentation was not available for review of the progress toward the required standard.
“Ms. Watt stated she has enrolled in CDA coursework, that class is to start March 17, 2025, however Ms. Watt is waiting to hear back from the Teach Program to see if she will receive funding in order to take the class. Ms. Watt has not taken any classes since the Annual Compliance Visit in September. Repeated violation”
-
There was no written emergency medical care (EMC) plan.
“The EMC was not current, the staff member listed on the EMC plan was not at the school any longer.”
Sep 5, 2024: unannounced14 violations
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A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center.
“Four (4) children did not have documentation of receiving the summary of NC Child Care Law.”
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A written statement from each child’s parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not available.
“Four (4) children did not have off-premise permissions on file for review.”
-
Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.
“Emergency contact information was not completed or updated annually for two (2) employees.”
-
Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
“The last documented drill was in May 2024. The drills were not documented on the fire drill log and the required information was not included on the documentation.”
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Gates to the fenced outdoor play area did not remain closed while children occupied the area.
“The gate on the playground did not close properly.”
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Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.
“A current menu was not posted outside the classroom.”
-
Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“Playground inspections were not documented for 2024.”
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Parent participation plan was not discussed with parents on or before the child’s first day of attendance and/or a copy was not given to them or posted in the center.
“Four (4) children did not have documentation of parent participation information.”
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Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“Documentation of shelter-in-place and lockdown drills was not available for review.”
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Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child’s file.
“Four (4) children did not have signed and dated discipline policies available for review.”
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The center did not maintain records as required in rule, and/or were not made available to the Division for review.
“The current Department of Public Instruction (DPI) forms were not completed for staff or children.”
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The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.
“Mulch underneath the monkey bars measured less than six (6) inches deep.”
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The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person’s file.
“The signed policy was not available for review for two (2) staff.”
-
The teacher assistant does not meet the education requirements and/or documentation was not available for review of the progress toward the required standard.
“The teacher assistant was instructed in October 2023 during the annual compliance visit and again during the routine unannounced visit conducted in May 2024 to enroll and begin coursework towards completing the CDA. I verified four (4) CEUs were completed.”
May 23, 2024: unannounced14 violations
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“An activity plan was not posted.”
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A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
“Three (3) employees who were observed working alone with children did not have a valid qualification letter on file for review. Two (2) employees had verifiable letters in the ABCMS system.”
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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 new employee hired 12/4/23 did not complete CPR training within 90 days of employment.”
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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 new employee hired 12/4/23 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment.”
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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 hired 12/4/24 did not have documentation of completing 6 hours of orientation within the first two weeks of employment.”
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Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
“Monthly fire drills were not documented or posted.”
-
Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook.
“A current menu was not posted.”
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New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.
“A new employee hired 12/4/24 did not have documentation of completing 16 hours of orientation within the first six weeks of employment.”
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Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.
“One (1) new employee hired 12/4/23 did not have a completed CBC qualification.”
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Substitute staff for the teacher did not meet the minimum qualifications. The lead teacher substitute who was placed in the classroom December 4, 2023 did not meet minimum requirements. There was no information available for review regarding her education and experience.”
-
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
“Shelter-in-place drills were not documented or posted.”
-
The materials and equipment indoors and outdoors were not sufficient to provide a variety of play experiences to promote the children’s emotional and social development, health and physical development, approaches to play and learning, language and communication development, and cognitive development.
“Materials were observed removed from shelves in the book center and block center. There were not enough materials observed in the housekeeping center accessible to children.”
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The NC Pre-K teacher does not meet the education requirements as specified for NC Pre-K programs.
“A qualified NC Pre-K teacher was not assigned to the classroom.”
-
The teacher assistant does not meet the education requirements and/or documentation was not available for review of the progress toward the required standard.
“The teacher assistant was instructed in October 2023 during the annual compliance visit to enroll and begin coursework towards completing the CDA. She had not registered or began working towards the CDA.”
All 7 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| May 4, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Sep 16, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Sep 2, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Sep 5, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 14 violations cited |
| May 23, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 14 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since Jun 19, 2019.
- Licensed for 36 children, ages 3 through 5.
- Not enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 60003469.
- Restriction: Other - Meets Highest Voluntary Enhanced Ratios.
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: Cms Pre-K Department.
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 34.
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 |
|---|---|
| Robbin’s Loving Day Care Home | 2 |
| Druid Hills Elementary Asep | 2 |
| Kid’s Palace | 4 |
| Lockwood Development Center | 44 |
| Alliance Center for Education at Oaklawn | 27 |
| Druid Hills Academy This child care provider | 34 |
| Walter G Byers Elementary | 15 |
| Highland Renaissance Academy | 45 |
| Cultural Giving Development Center | 39 |
| God’s Creation Scholar Academy | 14 |
| Brighter Minds Academy 2 | 51 |
| Alliance Center for Education at Brightwalk | 23 |
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.