Hearth Record

Open Door School

A child care center in Charlotte, North Carolina 28211

234 North Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211. (704) 364-1521.

North Carolina’s own record, on ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov

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

The last 24 months 24 violations in 5 months of the last 36. Last cited Jan 2026. Every month

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?

6 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Jan 13, 2026.

24 violations cited in the last three years, 24 of them marked corrected.

Source:

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

24 violations in 5 months of the last 36. Last cited Jan 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 3, 2026.

24 violations by month over the last 3 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 Dec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

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.

Source:

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.

Jan 13, 2026: unannounced4 violations
  • A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.

    “The gate to the garden did not close properly creating a hazard. The stumps in the garden area and near the shed on the near outdoor play area are decomposing and have sharp edges protruding creating a safety risk. The root on in the corner of the far play area near the shed has sharp edges protruding and is beginning to rot. The mud kitchen has weathered boards which are splintering creating a safety risk.”

    Rule A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 6, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.

    “One (1) staff member had a qualifying letter on file dated 1/12/2026.”

    Rule A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 14, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • 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.

    “Both outdoor play areas have leaves and debris piled up around fences, tables and gates.”

    Rule 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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 22, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.

    “The resilient surfacing under the stationary equipment on both outdoor play areas was compacted under the slides. The mulch on the far outdoor area under the tire swing did not meet the critical height depth.”

    Rule The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Jan 16, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Sep 8, 2025: unannounced6 violations
  • A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S.

    “110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The provider doens not hace a current roster completed in ABCMS.”

    Rule A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 26, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.

    “One (1) employee hired 8/11/2025 did not have the required six hours of training within first two weeks documented.”

    Rule Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 11, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • 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 annual fire inspection was due on or before April 20, 2025. The inspection on file is dated August 29, 2025.”

    Rule Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.

    “One (1) child requiring emergency medication had a permission to administer form for Benadryl on file expired 7/8/2025.”

    Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 11, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.

    “One (1) employee hired 8/25/2025 did not have required health and safety training documented and on file.”

    Rule Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 25, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • 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.

    “One (1) employee hired 8/11/2025 did not have the policy on file on or before caring for children. The policy is dated 8/25/2025.”

    Rule 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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Sep 15, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Feb 10, 2025: unannounced12 violations
  • A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center.

    “A parent signature stating receipt of the summary of law was not on file for two (2) children.”

    Rule A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 21, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • 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. All staff did not review the center’s EPR plan. There is not a current EPR on file for staff review.”

    Rule All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 11, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • 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 hired 8/26/2024 does not have a health assessment signed by a physician on file.”

    Rule 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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 28, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.

    “One staff member hired 8/26/2024 did not have a completed staff orientation form on file.”

    Rule Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 28, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.

    “The fence to the garden area and the boat on the outdoor play area has a nail protruding.”

    Rule Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 21, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.

    “A fire drill for September, 2024 was not documented on the fire drill log.”

    Rule Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 24, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.

    “One staff member hired 8/26/2024 did not have a completed staff orientation form on file.”

    Rule New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 28, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.

    “A shelter-in-place drill dated 12/20/2024 was not conducted at least every three months. The previous drill was conducted 9/16/2024.”

    Rule Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 24, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Signage was not posted regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction at the entrance of the center and/or in vehicles used to transport children.

    “A smoking and tobacco restriction sign was not posted at the entrance of the facility.”

    Rule Signage was not posted regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction at the entrance of the center and/or in vehicles used to transport children.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child’s file.

    “A signed parent statement was not on file for two (2) children.”

    Rule Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 21, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with parents of currently enrolled children 0-5 within 30 days of adopting the policy.

    “A signed statement and the date of enrollment was not on file for two (2) children.”

    Rule The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with parents of currently enrolled children 0-5 within 30 days of adopting the policy.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 21, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current.

    “The facility has an expired EPR plan dated 8/11/2023 on file.”

    Rule The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Feb 11, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Aug 12, 2024: unannounced1 violation
  • 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 fire inspection was not submitted to DCDEE within one week of receiving the inspection. The inspection was conducted April 20, 2024.”

    Rule Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection.. Corrected during the inspection.

Feb 15, 2024: unannounced1 violation
  • 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.

    “In space #2, the arrival times for two children had not been documented for today.”

    Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

All 6 visits on record
Visits on record
DateVisitWhat the record says
Jan 13, 2026Unannounced visit4 violations cited
Sep 8, 2025Unannounced visit6 violations cited
Feb 10, 2025Unannounced visit12 violations cited
Oct 3, 2024Unannounced visitNo violations cited
Aug 12, 2024Unannounced visit1 violation cited
Feb 15, 2024Unannounced visit1 violation cited

Is it licensed?

  • Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since Jul 30, 2026.
  • Licensed for 37 children, ages 2 through 5.
  • Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
  • North Carolina’s licence number: 6055153.
  • Restriction: Other - Meets reduced enhanced ratios.
Source:

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.
Source:

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: Of Charlotte, Unitarian Church.
Source:

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.
Source:

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 24.
Source:

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.

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

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.

Source:

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.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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