Charlotte · Licensed center

Cadence Academy Preschool, Whitehall

Large center, licensed for 177 children.
Run by a for-profit business, which holds the license.

What the state has found

The state cited rules at 7 of its 10 licensing inspections since September 2023.

Of the 256 Charlotte-area centers with 10 or more licensing inspections, more than 99% had rules cited at some but not all of them, as this center did. Fewer than 1% had rules cited at all of them.

Licensing inspections

Sep 8, 20264 citations

“Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. Staff/child ratio chart was not posted in space three (3).”
Violation corrected during visit
“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) An individual written feeding plan was not provided for one (1) enrolled child in space one (1).”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/9/2026
“A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A current activity plan wasn't posted in space two (2), three (3), and space ten (10). This was a repeat violation.”
Violation corrected during visit
“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. A fire inspection was completed on 05/02/2025 but submitted within one week and not completed on the form provided by the Division.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/28/2026

Aug 18, 202624 citations

“Menus for all meals and snacks were not planned at least 1 week ahead and dated. The menu was not current.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. One (1) diaper cream in space four (4) permission to administer had expired.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections have not been completed since March 2026.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026

20 more from this inspection

“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. Three (3) child care providers did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Four (4) staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“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. One (1) staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“On-going training received was not within the 9 topic areas listed in GS 110-91(11) and/or the health and safety training topic areas in rule .1102. One (1) employee's health and safety trainings did not include the administration of medication topic area.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“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. Five (5) 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.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. One (1) child's medical exam was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.”
Violation corrected during visit
“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. Training in the ABCMS has not been completed by an administrator, and six (6) new employees have not been added to the ABCMS for this facility.”
Violation pending provider response
“A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A current activity plan was not posted for group two (2), four (4), and eleven (11).”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not practiced monthly or documented since December 2025.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“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. On or before the first day of work, one (1) staff did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One (1) staff did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“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. One (1) child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. One (1) staff file was not made available for review.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“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. One (1) staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. One(1) new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. Two (2) employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record has not been completed since November 2025.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The EPR plan was not reviewed annually with staff.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“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. Three (3) staff members 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.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026
“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 (1) staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/31/2026

May 4, 2026No rules cited

Feb 12, 2026No rules cited

Aug 21, 20253 citations

“New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. There wasn't documentation that one (1) new staff that had contact with children had received at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks.”
Violation corrected during visit
“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 the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from their individual personnel file.”
Violation corrected during visit
“Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. Parent's medication authorization had expired for five (5) diaper creams.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/25/2025

Feb 6, 20253 citations

“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. One (1) staff member did not successfully complete recertification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2025
“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. One (1) staff member did not successfully complete recertification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2025
“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 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.”
Violation corrected during visit

Aug 28, 202411 citations

“A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. Two (2) authorizations to administer sunscreen had expired in space six (6) and space ten (10).”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024
“Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. Two (2) staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024
“A written statement from each child's parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not available. A written statement from each child's parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not updated for one (1) child.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024
“The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. One (1) staff did not review the EPR Plan annually.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024

7 more from this inspection

“A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A current activity plan was not posted in space three (3) and space eleven (11).”
Violation corrected during visit
“Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. One (1) ointment type was not listed on the authorization form in space four (4).”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024
“The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. The EMC plan was not reviewed with one (1) staff annually.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024
“The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in space three (3).”
Violation corrected during visit
“All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One (1) staff did not have an updated annual health questionnaire on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024
“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. Emergency medical care information was not updated annually for three (3) children.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024
“The professional development plan was not reviewed annually. The professional development plan was not reviewed annually for one caregiver.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/11/2024

Aug 1, 2024No rules cited

May 1, 20243 citations

“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) An individual written feeding plan was not posted for one (1) child.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/14/2024
“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. Lysol in an aerosol dispenser was located in a closet that had the the keys in the lock in space three. Closet containing glitter in a space with children younger than three (3) was locked but not closed in space nine.”
Violation corrected during visit
“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. One (1) caregiver's TB test was older than 12 months.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/14/2024

Sep 7, 20235 citations

“Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. Three (3) childcare providers required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/19/2023
“Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. One (1) child's file did not have a signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/19/2023
“The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. The depth of the mulch was not based on critical height of the climbing equipment on the toddler playground.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/29/2023
“Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Three (3) childcare providers did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/19/2023

1 more from this inspection

“Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics for three (3) childcare providers.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/19/2023

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — North Carolina DCDEE

Last visit: September 8, 2026
On file: 10 visits since September 2023 — 3 cited nothing, 2 of those unannounced
Fixed?: 52 of 53 record a correction, in the licensor’s own words.
Most serious: North Carolina DCDEE does not publish a severity level for a citation, so there is no most-serious to name.

North Carolina DCDEE describes every citation in the licensor’s own words and records the correction in that same text — the only one of the six states that publishes whether a violation was fixed. It attaches no rule number and no report document.

Sep 2026 Unannounced visit 4 findings

Unannounced visit · September 8, 2026

Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. Staff/child ratio chart was not posted in space three (3).

Violation corrected during visit

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) An individual written feeding plan was not provided for one (1) enrolled child in space one (1).

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/9/2026

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A current activity plan wasn't posted in space two (2), three (3), and space ten (10). This was a repeat violation.

Violation corrected during visit

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. A fire inspection was completed on 05/02/2025 but submitted within one week and not completed on the form provided by the Division.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/28/2026

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003079 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Aug 2026 Unannounced visit 24 findings

Unannounced visit · August 18, 2026

Menus for all meals and snacks were not planned at least 1 week ahead and dated. The menu was not current.