Spark Academy
A child care center in Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
1802 South 17th Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401. (910) 685-8280.
- administrative action in the last three years
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
- 56 violations in the last three years
- Oct 202026 the latest visit on record
- 179 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?
35 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Oct 20, 2026.
56 violations cited in the last three years, 56 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
56 violations in 12 months of the last 36. Last cited Aug 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.
Aug 3, 2026: unannounced13 violations
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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 laundry room door was open and unlocked. Detergents and cleaners were present in this space.”
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All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing.
“The balance beams measured more than 18 inches in critical height and was installed over a mixture of decomposed mulch, pine straw, and sticks.”
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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.
“The volunteer present today did not have an emergency information form on file.”
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Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.
“At 8:55 am space 8 (sparrows) was out of ratios with one (1) teacher and ten (10) children one year of age. Also, space 9 (cardinals) was out of ratio with one (1) teacher and fifteen (15) children three to four years of age.”
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Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“Eight (8) children’s files were monitored today and two (2) files did not have a medical exam on file.”
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Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“Diaper creams in space 3 (robins) were stored in an unlocked cabinet less than 5 feet in critical height.”
-
Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“A playground inspection was not completed for the month of July.”
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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 TB test was not on file for the volunteer present today.”
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On or before the first day of work, the operator did not verify the age of the volunteer and/or substitute provider and/or documentation of date of birth was not maintained in the individual’s personnel file.
“There was not documentation for the volunteer present today.”
-
Substitute providers and volunteers did not have a health questionnaire on or before the first day of work and annually thereafter.
“A health questionnaire was not on file for the volunteer present today.”
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Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center’s EPR Plan and its location.
“Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. A substitute present during the visit did not have the EPR plan and it’s location reviewed with her prior to starting work.”
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The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.
“A staff member hired 04/21/26 has not had the Responding and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment.”
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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.
“Three (3) staff members have not had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy prior to providing care with children.”
Mar 26, 2026: unannounced2 violations
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All children were not held or placed in feeding chairs or other appropriate apparatus to be fed.
“An infant in space 1 drank a bottle while sitting on the floor.”
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Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy.
“Safe sleep charts were not recorded in real time.”
Mar 23, 2026: unannounced1 violation
-
Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
“On March 17, 2026, three children 2 years of age, were left unsupervised in space 8 (hummingbirds) for approximately 3 minutes.”
Dec 9, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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Each infant was not served only bottles labeled with their individual name.
“On December 4, 2025, an infant 6 months of age, was served a bottle of formula that belonged to another infant 5 months of age.”
Nov 24, 2025: unannounced2 violations
-
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.
“Aerosol disinfectant spray was observed in an unlocked cabinet in space 6 (hummingbirds) and aerosol insect repellant was observed in an unlocked cabinet in space 9 (chickadees).”
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Children did not wash their hands upon arrival at the center, after each visit to the toilet, before eating, before and after water activity play, after outside play, and after handling animals or animal cages.
“A child in space 6 (hummingbirds) did not have her hands washed after having her diaper changed.”
Oct 14, 2025: unannounced2 violations
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A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.
“On October 7, 2025, a teacher witnessed another staff member open hand slap a child on the arm when he went to drink out of another child’s bottle.”
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The child care provider did not provide the required beverage(s).
“A child was served her milk with cereal.”
Sep 10, 2025: unannounced12 violations
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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.
“Aerosol sprays were not in locked storage in space 6 (hummingbirds) and space 9 (chickadees).”
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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 member hired April 2025 has not completed her certification in CPR.”
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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 member hired April 2025 has not completed her certification in First Aid.”
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All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.
“Two (2) staff members did not have a current health questionnaire on file.”
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Application for employment and date of birth was not on file for all staff.
“A staff member hired June 2025 did not have an application on file.”
-
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.
“Two (2) staff members did not have current emergency information form on file.”
-
Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.
“Two (2) staff members did not have an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan on file.”
-
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.
“Leftover medications were not returned to the parent after the course of the treatment was completed, nor were they discarded in five (5) of the eight (8) classrooms observed.”
-
Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“A child did not have a health assessment on file.”
-
Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“In space 6 (hummingbirds), the diaper changing table was not locked that stored all the prescription and non-prescription medications.”
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Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
“Two (2) staff members did not complete the health and safety trainings within one year of employment.”
-
The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.
“Two (2) staff members did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 90 days of hire.”
Jun 23, 2025: unannounced3 violations
-
All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.
“A staff member hired in May 2025 did not have any staff records on file for review.”
-
Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“Diaper creams stored under the diaper changing table in space 11, classroom 2 (mockingbirds) and space 7, classroom 6 (hummingbirds) were unlocked.”
-
Over-the-counter medicines were not in their original containers or administered as authorized in writing by parent, physician or authorized health professional.
“Two (2) diaper creams in space 11, classroom 2 (mocking birds) did not have written permission on file.”
Apr 14, 2025: unannounced3 violations
-
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.
“An aerosol can was observed in space 2 (wrens) in an unlocked cabinet.”
-
Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“Over the counter cold medication was stored in an open bag on a shelving unit in space 4 (chickadees).”
-
Staff did not model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs in the presence of children in care.
“A bottle of Coca Cola was observed on the counter in space 6 (hummingbirds)”
Apr 7, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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Child was handled roughly.
The inspectors’ words, 116 words
“On April 2, 2025, a staff member (floater) in space 6 (orioles) witnessed a child 22 months of age, playing in the sink. The other staff member (teacher) approached the child, told the child not to play in the sink, and moved the child away from the sink. At that time the child went behind the teacher and the floater heard the teacher tell the child not to hit her. At that time the teacher took the child into the bathroom. The floater heard multiple sounds of the child being hit and the child began to cry. The teacher and child exited the bathroom, and the teacher told the floater that she didn’t need any witnesses.”
Mar 19, 2025: unannounced3 violations
-
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 member hired October 2024 has not completed her CPR certification.”
-
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 member hired October 2024 has not completed her First Aid certification.”
-
Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“A staff members nasal spray was on the counter in space 2 and the diaper creams under the diaper changing table was not locked in space 3.”
Sep 25, 2024: unannounced3 violations
-
Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy.
“An infant in space 12 (classroom 1) was asleep and his time had not been recorded.”
-
Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required.
“An incident log has not been completed.”
-
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.
“Leftover diaper cream in space 9 (classroom 4) was not returned to the parent or discarded within 72 hours after completion of treatment.”
Apr 2, 2024: unannounced3 violations
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“Current activity plans were not posted for reference in Spaces 3, 4, 7, and 9.”
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Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“Medication authorization giving the caregiver authorization to administer medication for one child in Space 8 was not available for review.”
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Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional.
“Two prescribed medications in Space 8 were not in original labeled containers.”
Dec 12, 2023: unannounced7 violations
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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.
“Two staff members hired on 07/01/2023 and on 07/26/2023 did not have a medical report on file prior to employment.”
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Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
“Two children enrolled on 10/23/2023 and 10/27/2023 did not have a medical exam on file within 30 days after admission.”
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Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“Monthly playground inspections for November and December were not completed.”
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New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.
“N. Holt hired on 07/26/2023 did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within the first 6 weeks of employment.”
-
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.
“Two staff members hired on 07/01/2023 and 07/26/2023 did not provide results indicating they were free of active TB on or before the first day of work.”
-
The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.
“One employee hired on 07/01/2023 did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.”
-
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 staff member hired on 11/27/2023 did not have a signed acknowledgement with all the required information maintained in the staff’s file.”
All 35 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 20, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Aug 31, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Aug 5, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Aug 3, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Aug 3, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 13 violations cited |
| May 4, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Mar 26, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Mar 23, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Dec 9, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Nov 24, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Oct 20, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 12 violations cited |
| Jul 14, 2025 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Jun 23, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Jun 12, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Apr 14, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Apr 7, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Mar 19, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Mar 17, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 25, 2025 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 3, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Dec 19, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Oct 4, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Sep 25, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Apr 2, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Feb 5, 2024 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Dec 12, 2023 | Unannounced visit | 7 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since Dec 9, 2024.
- Licensed for 179 children, ages 0 through 5.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 65001077.
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: Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington Foundation.
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 74 child care providers in New Hanover County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 6; this one had 56.
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 |
|---|---|
| Grandma & Grandpa’s Day Care | 0 |
| Brighter Day Daycare | 0 |
| First Step Child Care | 4 |
| Bonnie Sanders Burney Child Development Center | 12 |
| Kids Castle II | 16 |
| Mary Washington Howe Pre-Kindergarten | 6 |
| Dorothy B. Johnson Pre-K Center | 4 |
| Wrightsboro Elementary | 16 |
| Kiddie Academy of Wilmington South Campus | 12 |
| Primrose School of Wilmington at Medical Center | 12 |
| The Children’s Courtyard #3245 | 20 |
| Spark Academy This child care provider | 56 |
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.