Hearth Record

The Ark Child Care and Learning Center

A child care center in Clinton, North Carolina 28328

1519 Indian Town Road, Clinton, North Carolina 28328. (910) 592-5050.

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 22 violations in 4 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 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?

5 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Jul 27, 2026.

22 violations cited in the last three years, 22 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

22 violations in 4 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 2026. The last 3 years, to Nov 3, 2026.

22 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.

Jul 27, 2026: unannounced6 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. Staff members, M.L. and T. F., previous CPR certification expired on February 10, 2026, a recertification was not obtained until May 28, 2026.”

    Rule All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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. Staff members, M.L. and T. F., previous First Aid certification expired on February 10, 2026, and a recertification was not obtained until May 28, 2026.”

    Rule All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • Each employee’s personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.

    “Five (5) staff members did not have a current annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan on file.”

    Rule Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 3, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • 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 electrical outlet in the hallway accessible to children was uncovered.”

    Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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.

    “In space 1, an EpiPen and asthma medication for an enrolled child, R.J. was not returned to parent or discarded within 72 hours after the written authorization expired on February 7, 2026.”

    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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 3, 2026. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).

    “A staff member’s previous qualification letter expired on June 10, 2026. A CBC was not completed and a valid qualification letter was not obtained until June 17, 2026.”

    Rule Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).. Corrected during the inspection.

Aug 6, 2025: unannounced4 violations
  • A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.

    “A valid qualification letter was not on file for one staff member.”

    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: Aug 22, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month.

    “Documentation with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger was not completed for one child.”

    Rule Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 20, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • 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.

    “Expired diaper rash ointments were not returned to the parent or discarded within 72 hours after course of treatment.”

    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.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).

    “The qualification letter for the owner/operator expired on 7/21/2025.”

    Rule Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance).. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Aug 22, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Mar 21, 2025: unannounced6 violations
  • Each employee’s personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies.

    “A staff member with a hire date of 9-3-24 did not have a statement of receipt of a job description and operational policies on file.”

    Rule Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 31, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member’s individual personnel file.

    “Two (2) staff members did not have a medical report and a TB test maintained in a separate file from their personnel file.”

    Rule Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member's individual personnel file.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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 5, electrical outlets were not covered with safety plugs.”

    Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

    “A staff member with a hire date of 9-3-24 did not have documentation of orientation 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: Mar 31, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional.

    “An asthma inhaler and an EpiPen prescribed for two (2) children were not stored in the original container.”

    Rule Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 31, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

  • 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 training within 90 days of employment.”

    Rule 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.. Correction date, as North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) recorded it: Mar 31, 2025. Correction verified: by a letter from the provider.

Aug 22, 2024: unannounced6 violations
  • A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.

    “A current activity plan was missing in the space designated for the group of school-agers.”

    Rule A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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.

    “A mop bucket containing Fabuloso all purpose cleaner was accessible to children in Space #3. A can of air freshener and Lysol disinfectant spray was in the unlocked cabinet accessible to children in Space #2.”

    Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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.

    “Electrical outlets on power strips located in Space #1, Space #2, and Space #4 used by children were not covered.”

    Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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.

    “Diaper rash spray was not returned to the parent or discarded for one (1) child after the completion of treatment.”

    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.. Corrected during the inspection.

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

    “An authorization form for a prescription topical cream was missing the date of the parents’ signature for one (1) child in Space #1.”

    Rule Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.. Corrected during the inspection.

  • 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 and zip lock bags were stored in cubbies in the space designated for children two (2) years old.”

    Rule 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.. Corrected during the inspection.

All 5 visits on record
Visits on record
DateVisitWhat the record says
Jul 27, 2026Unannounced visit6 violations cited
Jan 13, 2026Unannounced visitNo violations cited
Aug 6, 2025Unannounced visit4 violations cited
Mar 21, 2025Unannounced visit6 violations cited
Aug 22, 2024Unannounced visit6 violations cited

Is it licensed?

  • Child Care Center, holding a Three Star Center License since Oct 14, 2019.
  • Licensed for 156 children, ages 0 through 12.
  • Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
  • North Carolina’s licence number: 82000255.
  • Restriction: Other - Apartment & workout room must remain locked during operating hours.
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: Holly Grove Holiness 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: 3 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 36 child care providers in Sampson County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 10; this one had 22.
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.

11 of the 36 in Sampson County, as the source lists them, same ZIP code first
PlaceViolations cited in the last three years
Debbie’s Day Care Home13
Faith Academy Inc.34
Dolly’s Child Care8
Little Dolphins Child Care Center30
Margie Hill’s Day Care Home18
Hicks Child Care19
Toddlers Preschool, Inc.6
Fun Time Academy, Inc.4
Lottie’s Day Care7
Newkirk’s Childcare Center, Incorporated3
The Ark Child Care and Learning Center This child care provider22
Union Elementary11

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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