Open Door School
A child care center in Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
234 North Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211. (704) 364-1521.
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
- 24 violations in the last three years
- Jan 132026 the latest visit on record
- 37 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?
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.
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.
| 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.
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.”
-
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.”
-
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.”
-
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.”
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.”
-
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.”
-
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.”
-
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.”
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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.”
-
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.”
Feb 10, 2025: unannounced12 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.
“A parent signature stating receipt of the summary of law was not on file for two (2) children.”
-
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.”
-
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.”
-
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.”
-
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.”
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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.”
-
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.”
-
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.”
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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.”
-
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.”
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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.”
-
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.”
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.”
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.”
All 6 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 13, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Sep 8, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 6 violations cited |
| Feb 10, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 12 violations cited |
| Oct 3, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Aug 12, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Feb 15, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 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.
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: Of Charlotte, Unitarian Church.
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 24.
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 |
|---|---|
| Sharon Elementary Asep | 3 |
| Providence Preparatory School | 21 |
| Providence Preparatory School- Westbury Building | 19 |
| Rama Road ASEP | 7 |
| Open Door School This child care provider | 24 |
| Providence Baptist Child Development Center | 34 |
| Selwyn Asep | 16 |
| Kimberly Ratchford’s Family Day Care Home | 4 |
| Cnt for Children D.C. at Kilgo United Meth. Church | 24 |
| Carolyn’s Large Day Care Home | 8 |
| Presbyterian Hospital Child Development Center | 27 |
| Little Debbie Day Care II | 29 |
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.