Tom Thumb Academy Inc.
A child care center in Salemburg, North Carolina 28385
115 E Clinton St, Salemburg, North Carolina 28385. (910) 525-3774.
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The short answer
- 22 violations in the last three years
- Jun 242026 the latest visit on record
- 90 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?
8 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Jun 24, 2026.
22 violations cited in the last three years, 22 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
22 violations in 5 months of the last 36. Last cited Jun 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.
Jun 24, 2026: unannounced2 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 administrator did not notify the division of new hires within 5 days as required by the rule.”
-
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.
“Banana Boat sunscreen for an enrolled child, D. P., was not returned to the parent or discarded after the authorization expired on May 12, 2026”
Jun 12, 2025: unannounced6 violations
-
A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“A current activity plan was not posted in space #5.”
-
A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date.
“CeraVe topical ointment with an expiration date of 02/25 and Butt Paste topical ointment with an expiration date of 04/23 were administered to enrolled children after the expiration date.”
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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 member with a hire date of 5/12/25 did not have a medical report on file prior to the first day of employment.”
-
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.
“A staff member with a hire date of 5/12/25 did not have an Emergency Information Form on file prior to the first day of employment.”
-
Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child.
“A power strip in a space accessible to children did not have safety covers”
-
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 member with a hire date of 5/12/25 did not have a TB test or screening on file prior to the first day of employment.”
Dec 10, 2024: unannounced4 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. An employee with a hire date of 9-3-24 did not complete CPR training within 90 days of employment.”
-
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. An employee with a hire date of 9-3-24 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment.”
-
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.
“An employee with a hire date of 10-9-24 did not have a completed medical report on file until 12-4-24.”
-
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.
“An employee with a hire date of 10-9-24 did not have a completed TB test and/or screening with negative results on file until 12-6-24.”
Dec 2, 2024: unannounced3 violations
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A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.
“In space 3, a current activity plan was not posted.”
-
Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child.
“In space 3, an electrical outlet, not in use, was uncovered.”
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Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.
“In space 3, a caregiver left one (1) caregiver alone to provide care for fourteen (14) children. Staff/child ratios for this group of children is 1:10.”
Oct 2, 2024: unannounced5 violations
-
Center has not passed required sanitation inspection and received an approved or superior rating.
“The center received a “Provisional” sanitation inspection on September 30, 2024.”
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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.
“An expired epi-pen and diaper cream were not returned back to the parent or discarded within 72 hours.”
-
Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
“An authorization form to administer Vaseline was not on file for one child.”
-
Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.
“The last documented monthly playground inspection was completed on August 29, 2024.”
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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.
“Plastic grocery bags were located in two (2) spaces designated for children ages one-year old and under.”
Dec 14, 2023: unannounced2 violations
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Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child.
“An outlet in the hallway was not being used and was not covered.”
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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 last fire inspection was completed on 10-14-22.”
All 8 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Nov 21, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jun 12, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 6 violations cited |
| Dec 10, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Dec 2, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 3 violations cited |
| Oct 2, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 5 violations cited |
| Mar 25, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Dec 14, 2023 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since Aug 18, 2017.
- Licensed for 90 children, ages 0 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 82000163.
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: Tom Thumb Academy Inc..
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 36 child care providers in Sampson County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 10; this one had 22.
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 |
|---|---|
| Tom Thumb Academy Inc. This child care provider | 22 |
| Salemburg Elementary | 10 |
| Debbie’s Day Care Home | 13 |
| Ms Sara’s | 1 |
| Faith Academy Inc. | 34 |
| Dolly’s Child Care | 8 |
| Little Dolphins Child Care Center | 30 |
| Cason’s Community Day Care LLC | 1 |
| Margie Hill’s Day Care Home | 18 |
| Hicks Child Care | 19 |
| Toddlers Preschool, Inc. | 6 |
| Fun Time Academy, Inc. | 4 |
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.