Kindercare Learning Centers LLC
A child care center in Knightdale, North Carolina 27545
200 Forest Dr, Knightdale, North Carolina 27545. (919) 266-4166.
- 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
- 52 violations in the last three years
- Aug 122026 the latest visit on record
- 144 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?
24 DCDEE visits in the last three years, the latest on Aug 12, 2026.
52 violations cited in the last three years, 52 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
40 violations in 9 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 12, 2026: unannounced9 violations
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Air conditioning units were accessible or did not have a guard to keep objects from being thrown into the unit.
“The air conditioner units did not have a lock on the gate and/or have a mesh guard over the unit where the fan is located.”
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All group leaders were not at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma, and/or had not completed Basic School Age Care (BSAC) training.
“Proof of BSAC for four (4) employees that work with school-age children was not on file.”
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All vehicles were not insured for liability as required by state law.
“Proof of insurance for both vehicles could not be provided during the visit.”
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Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years.
“Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter. Proof of ITS-SIDS could not be located for the assigned teacher (PP) working with the infants in space one.”
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Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child’s first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child.
“Annual emergency medical information has not been updated for five (5) children.”
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Human milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child’s home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child.
“In space one, two infant’s bottles were not dated.”
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
The inspectors’ words, 98 words
“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. #1. The grass was ankle high on the playground at the back of the building, the playground used for toddlers and around the steps located on the playground used for preschool children #2. In space three (3), an epi-pen was in a locked cabinet. This was corrected during the visit. #3. In space 7, there was a hole in the wall located under the window and a hole in the wall located beside the door labeled “furnace”. Tape was partially covering the hole beside the door.”
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information. #1. On four (4) medication permission slips the amount to be administered was missing. #2. One Epi-pen did not have a signed and dated permission slip.”
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“First aid kit and/or fire extinguisher was not located in vehicle; kit and/or extinguisher was not mounted or secured if in passenger area. #1. A fire extinguisher was not in the mini van. #2. The bracket that holds the fire extinguisher on the mini bus was broken.”
Aug 27, 2025: unannounced9 violations
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An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child’s parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted.
“(omit posting for centers located in a residence). In space two (2), infant feeding schedules were not posted.”
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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.
“In space 1 & 2 documentation if the infants were observed on their back, side or tummy every 15 minutes was not constantly documented. Staff stated they were logging safe sleep times in the tablet, although, the tablet did not indicate the infants sleep positions.”
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Each child’s bed, cot, or 2” mat was not individually assigned and identified.
“In space two (2) four (4) out of seven (7) cribs were not labeled with the child’s name and if they can/can not roll.”
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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.
“Two (2) unused outlets accessible to children were uncovered.”
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Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.
“In space 5 (Discovery/2’s) in refrigerator located in the housekeeping center had one door hanging off the hinge.”
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Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage.
“A vacuum cleaner, two brooms and a Bona Swiffer power mop were stored in two bathrooms.”
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
The inspectors’ words, 138 words
“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.(1) In space 8, A Bona Swiffer power mop with a bottle of Bona Cleaner attached to the handle was accessible to children in the bathroom. (2) In space 6, in an unused bathroom, a bottle of Pine Sol and Nettoyant Bathroom Cleaner was on a tote about 2 ft. from the floor. (3) In space 2, a bottle of Febreze room spray and a bottle of Nettoyant Bathroom Cleaner were on a shelf less than 5 ft. from the floor. The teacher is space 2, moved these two items to a higher shelf during the visit.”
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Rule violated (DCDEE’s description below)
“Locked storage rooms and cabinets shall include those which are unlocked with a combination, electronic or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. Rule 15A NCAC 18A .2820 Unapproved locks were on the closet door in space two (2) (infants) and space six (6). Chemicals that had “Keep out of Reach of Children” on the label and a staff’s backpack/handbag and plastic bags were observed less than 5 ft. from the floor in several closets.”
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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.
“One staff member’s Recognizing and Responding training was completed March 3, 2029 and expired March 3,2024.”
Jul 22, 2025: unannounced1 violation
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Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.
“During working hours an employee disciplined her own child by popping her on the hand.”
Jun 19, 2025: unannounced2 violations
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Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older.
“A six-year-old school-age child was grouped with two-year-old children.”
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Children’s records were not made available for review.
“One nine-year-old school-age child and one six-year-old school-age child were present without an available file.”
May 5, 2025: 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.
“In the hallway bathroom, hallway and space four (4), there were seven (7) uncovered outlets.”
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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.
“In space 3, a bag of diapers were in a plastic bag sitting on top of the diaper changing table. In space 4, in an unlocked cabinet plastic bags, glitter and a few teacher supplies were accessible to one and two-year old children.”
Jan 7, 2025: unannounced4 violations
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Caregiver or team of caregivers were not assigned to each infant or toddler as primary caregiver.
“Primary caregivers were not assigned to the toddlers in Toddler A & B classrooms.”
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Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
“At the end of the day, a parent left the classroom door open and two toddlers walked across the hallway to an empty classroom. They were unsupervised for about a minute.”
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Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child’s file.
“A copy of one (1) incident report completed on 10-4-24 was completed and given to the parent, although it was not available for review.”
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Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.
“The ratios for toddlers are 1:6 or 2:12. In Toddler B classroom . The classroom currently has twelve children enrolled. Two (2) staff members were present with thirteen children (eleven one-year-olds, one two-year-old and one four-year-old child was present). Making the classroom out of compliance for child/staff ratios. The Director moved the 4-year-old child to the preschool classroom, across the hall with two teachers and nineteen (19) additional four and five-year-old children; correcting this violation.”
Nov 21, 2024: unannounced2 violations
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Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“In space four (4), Toddler Room B eight (8) over-the-counter diaper creams were in an unlocked drawer located below the diaper changing pad. The drawer is less than 5 ft. from the floor. The Director removed these medications from the classroom during the visit.”
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Parent’s medication authorization did not include required information.
“In space 4, toddler room B, eight (8) over-the-counter diaper creams did not have permission to administer medication forms on file.”
Sep 11, 2024: unannounced10 violations
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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. Proof of CPR was not on file for eleven employees.”
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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. Proof of 1st Aid training was not on file for eleven employees.”
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An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child’s parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted.
“(omit posting for centers located in a residence). In Infants 2, feeding schedules could not be located for six (6) out of eleven (11) children. Five feeding schedules were observed, but not posted.”
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Caregiver or team of caregivers were not assigned to each infant or toddler as primary caregiver.
“In Infants 2, primary caregivers have not been assigned to the each infant/toddler.”
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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.
“Four infants observed sleeping did not have safe sleep charts completed for them. Two infants safe sleep charts were last checked August 21, 2024; and they’ve been present. The remaining safe sleep charts could not be located since they re-opened the classroom the morning of my visit.”
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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.
“Ten (10) unused electrical outlets were observed uncovered throughout the center. Safety plugs were used to cover these during the visit.”
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Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage.
“In the bathroom in space eight (used for three-year old children) six cardboard boxes were stacked in the corner, two vacuum cleaners and a Bona Swiffer power mop with a bottle of Bona cleaner attached to the handle were in the bathroom. Additional bathrooms were being used for storage through the center.”
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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 last passed fire inspection was on 6-5-23. The center had an inspection and needed a re-inspection due to violation(s) cited. As of 9-10-24, the Town of Knightdale Fire Department is waiting for KinderCare to issue the payment before a re-inspection will be completed. Once completed a copy of the fire inspection must be submitted to me.”
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Running water, soap and individual sanitary towels, or other approved hand-drying devices were not supplied at each lavatory.
“In space eight, there were no paper towels available at the handwashing sink.”
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The child care provider that is a firm, partnership, association, or corporation, the chief executive officer or other person serving in like capacity or a person designated by the chief executive officer as responsible for the operation of the facility, did not complete criminal history background check.
“Knightdale KinderCare has a new corporate contact (CD) and a criminal background check has not been processed. A copy of the letter must be on file and a copy sent to me.”
May 6, 2024: unannounced1 violation
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The facility operator did not complete the corrective action as specified by the Division.
“The center director failed to submit the plan required by Stipulation #3 regarding appropriate treatment of children and the plan required by Stipulation #4 regarding supervision of children by the due date of 4/9/24.”
Nov 29, 2023: unannounced4 violations
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Child was handled roughly.
“On November 9, 2023, Katelin Smith, pinched two one-year-old children on the chest . On September 16, 2022, Katelin Smith and another staff member hit one-year-old children on their hand. On another occasion, Katelin Smith pushed a one-year-old child on the forehead.”
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Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
“On 4/27/23, a staff member failed to provide adequate supervision to one-year-old children as she slept while responsible for their care. Staff members failed to supervise one-year-old children as they were unaware that one child received multiple bite injuries on multiple occasions from being bitten by other children in care.”
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Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child’s developmental needs.
“Katelin Smith used an inappropriate tone of voice when she addressed the children.”
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There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.
“On February 13, 2024, the Division substantiated maltreatment.”
Nov 7, 2023: unannounced8 violations
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At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care.
“A teacher that was employed in March 2023, was alone in the classroom for infants without having ITS-SIDS training.”
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Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years.
“Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter. A teacher that was employed March 2023 that works with the infants did not complete ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of hire.”
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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.
“Through out the center, five outlets not in use were not covered.”
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Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards.
“In space 5, the faucet, hot and cold knobs were missing from the pretend sink in the housekeeping center.”
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Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
“Two tubes of creams were in reach of children. One tube of diaper cream was on a changing table in space five and one tube of Nystatin Ointment was under a unlocked changing table in space six.”
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Over-the-counter medicines were not in their original containers or administered as authorized in writing by parent, physician or authorized health professional.
“One tube of Burts Bees diaper cream was not labeled with the child’s name and the permission slip could not be located.”
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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.
“In several unlocked closets, large plastic bags used for storage were observed in the classrooms with children under three years of age.”
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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.
“One staff member that started March 2023 has not completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of hire.”
All 24 visits on record
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 12, 2026 | Unannounced visit | 9 violations cited |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Aug 27, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 9 violations cited |
| Jul 30, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jul 22, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Jun 19, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| May 5, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jan 7, 2025 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Nov 21, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 2 violations cited |
| Nov 21, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Sep 11, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 10 violations cited |
| Jun 13, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| May 6, 2024 | Unannounced visit | 1 violation cited |
| Mar 26, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Mar 15, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 15, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Feb 1, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Jan 2, 2024 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Dec 18, 2023 | Announced visit | No violations cited |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
| Nov 29, 2023 | Unannounced visit | 4 violations cited |
| Nov 7, 2023 | Unannounced visit | 8 violations cited |
| Nov 7, 2023 | Unannounced visit | No violations cited |
Is it licensed?
- Child Care Center, holding a Five Star Center License since Mar 10, 2026.
- Licensed for 144 children, ages 0 through 12.
- Enrolled in North Carolina’s subsidized child care program.
- North Carolina’s licence number: 9255230.
- Restriction: Other - Ratios.3208(b) & 30 sq. ft. inside.
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: Kindercare Education LLC.
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 470 child care providers in Wake County, the middle value for violations cited in the last three years was 5; this one had 52.
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 |
|---|---|
| Kindercare Learning Centers LLC This child care provider | 52 |
| Cora’s Caring Hands | 2 |
| Knightdale Head Start | 4 |
| Kids Educational Center IV | 6 |
| Widewaters Learning Center | 13 |
| Forestville Road Elementary | 1 |
| Hodge Road Elementary | 0 |
| Touched By An Angel Open Arms Child Care Center | 19 |
| Knightdale Station Preschool | 11 |
| Knightdale Elementary | 2 |
| Grace and Mercy Christian Academy | 5 |
| Little Achievers Daycare LLC | 1 |
| Young Explorers Child Care Center | 21 |
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.