Lightbridge Academy Steele Creek

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. Two (2) staff members were involved in a verbal altercation in a classroom with children present on September 23, 2026. Profanity was used and threats were made between the two (2) staff members.

Violation pending provider response

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. It was reported that an owner was present in a classroom relieving staff for bathroom breaks. The owner does not have a criminal background check. This was not listed in the allegations but later reported during staff interviews.

Violation pending provider response

A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Prior to being in a classroom, paperwork was not completed by an owner to receive a valid qualification letter and placed on file at the facility. This was not listed in the allegations but later reported during staff interviews.

Violation pending provider response

Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. One refrigerator in space two (2) used to store milk and food did not have a thermometer.

Violation corrected during visit

Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. Diaper cream authorization to administer had expired for one (1) child in space one (1). Diaper cream authorization to administer had expired for three (3) children in space six (6).

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/1/2026

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 member did not complete first aid training within 90 days of employment.

Violation corrected during visit

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 complete cpr training within 90 days of employment.

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. Thirteen (13) newly hired staff was not added to the ABCMS within five business days.

Violation pending provider response

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 training within one year of employment.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/1/2026

Staff did not interact with children in positive ways by helping them feel welcome and comfortable, treating them with respect, listening to what they say, responding to them with acceptance and appreciation, and/or participating in activities with the children. An argument occurred between a staff member and a staff member/parent regarding care of the staff member/parent's child. The argument included yelling and cursing and while children were present.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/5/2026

A violation was found for which there is no item number. The internal temperature of potentially hazardous foods requiring hot storage shall be 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above except during periods of preparation and service. Potentially hazardous food that will be transported hot shall be held at a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above during transportation. The temperature of the food served for lunch was no more than 105 degrees prior to serving. This is a violation of a requirement in 15A NCAC 18A .2806(k)(2).

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/5/2026

All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Verification was not on file that the EPR plan was reviewed with one new staff member during orientation.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/7/2026

All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. Two new staff did not have a health question on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/7/2026

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. One new staff member did not have verification on file that a negative TB test or screening had been completed.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/7/2026

New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One new staff member did not have verification on file that orientation had been completed.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/7/2026

A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking. Based on parent report, a teacher was terminated on December 16, 2025 because the parent had observed via the facility's live camera feed pushing, pulling of children and pulling a child forward while sitting on a cot causing the child to fall backwards.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 1/12/2026

Children were not adequately supervised at all times. On December 15, 2025, a teacher was asleep during nap time with a group of five children one year of age. It is unknown how long the teacher was asleep.

Violation corrected during visit

A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking. On November 25, 2025, a teacher pulled a child nineteen months of age by the arm across the room.

Violation corrected during visit

Children were not adequately supervised at all times. On November 10, 2025, a teacher was asleep during nap time with a group of four children all four years of age. It is unknown how long the teacher was asleep.

Violation corrected during visit

Over-the-counter medicines were not in their original containers or administered as authorized in writing by parent, physician or authorized health professional. A child one year of age had Benadryl present without authorization from a physician or health professional.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

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 #10, verification that sleep checks were conducted on October 17, 2025 and October 20, 2025 was not on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

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 new staff member did not have verification on file of a negative TB test or screening.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

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 new staff member with a hire date of July 9, 2025 has not completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. One new staff member with a hire date of June 23, 2025 did not complete the training until October 26, 2025.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

A violation was found for which there is no item number. In child care centers, toilet tissue paper shall be provided in each toilet room and stored in a clean, dry place. The toilet room shall include or be adjacent to a handwash lavatory. Storage in toilet rooms shall be limited to toileting and diapering supplies. All toilet fixtures shall be kept clean and in good repair. Toilet fixtures shall be child-sized, adult-sized toilets that are adapted to accommodate children, or potty chairs. In space #9, child size chairs were stored in the bathroom. In space #7, child size chairs and a rug was stored in the bathroom. This is a violation of a requirement in NCAC 18A .2817.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

Diapers were not changed whenever they were soiled or wet and/or were changed on a shift basis. On October 10, 2025, a child three years of age was present from 8:50a.m. to 3:10p.m. The child's pull up was not changed during the time present.

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. Verification was not on file that an approved fire inspection has been completed within 12 months. The fire inspection on file is dated September 3, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. The activity plans did not include developmental domains for Early Learning and Development.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

Each child's bed, cot, or 2" mat was not individually assigned and identified. In space #8 and #9, the cot charts did not match the names on individual cots. Cots were labeled with children's names that are no longer in the classroom.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. Over-the-counter medications required to be locked was stored in a plastic container in an unlocked closet located in the resource/work room.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One staff member with a hire date of October 14, 2025 did not complete health and safety training.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/4/2025

New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One new staff member hired August 11, 2025 did not have documentation on file that 16 hrs. of orientation had been completed.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/7/2025

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 bottle of sanitizer on the cubby that was not 5 feet.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/8/2025

Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In space #3 stored under the diaper changing table were diaper creams and Vaseline that were assessable to the children.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/8/2025

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 staff member had a Chick-Fil-A cup of iced coffee on the counter.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/8/2025

Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. There was no parent authorization form for one of the diaper creams or the Vaseline.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/8/2025

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. There was no current lesson plan in space #1 and space #3.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/8/2025

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 #1 and #3 on the shelf under the diaper changing table were zip lock plastic bags, and wipes in a plastic bag assessable to children under that age of three.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/8/2025

New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Two staff members did not complete the required orientation within the first 6 weeks of employment.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/8/2025

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. In space #1 seven (7) children were present and four (4) children were documented on the attendance sheet. In space # 3 Five (5) children were present, no one was marked present on the attendance sheet.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 7/8/2025

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 was in a classroom providing care that did not have a signed acknowledgement of the policy on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/2/2025

Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu that was posted only reflected the AM and PM snack.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/2/2025

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. In space #3 two (2) aerosol cans of sunscreen were in a backpack that was hanging on a hook.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/2/2025

Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. The inhaler was not in the original RX box.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/2/2025

Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. One (1) child had an inhaler for asthma, however there was no signature on the authorized form.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/2/2025

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. In space #1 six (6) children were present and no children were documented on the attendance sheet. In space #6 ten (10) infants were present, eight (8) were marked on the attendance sheet.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/2/2025

Children were not adequately supervised at all times. In space #1 two (2) children two years of age were sitting at the table finishing a snack. The teacher was around the corner, in the bathroom with the bottom part of half door shut. She was helping three (3) other two-year-old children with handwashing and potty time. She was unable to see and hear the two (2) two-year-old children while they were eating.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 5/20/2025

Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Based on interviewing staff and reviewing the menu, snacks do not contain all the required components was confirmed. Children are served only one component for afternoon snacks.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 5/8/2025

Food brought from home, did not meet the nutritional requirements and necessary supplements were not provided by center. Based on staff interview when children bring lunch from home and did not meet the nutritional requirements, necessary supplements were not provided by the center.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 5/8/2025

Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.Today I observed seven (7) children all 1 year of age, with one (1) staff member. Staff stated that administrators are in the classrooms in the morning and if they receive a child and are out of ratio, they are out of ratio until another teacher, or another administrator arrives. This can be 2 minutes or 10 minutes. It was confirmed that last week one (1) infant teacher had seven (7) infants by herself until an administrator could get to the room to be in staff/child ratio.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 5/8/2025

For children under three years of age, developmentally appropriate toys and activities were not provided as outlined in Rule. I observed one (1) child sitting in the office drawing. I asked why the child was in the office, Ms. B. stated that she was waiting on her teacher to arrive. I asked if this was common. Ms. B. stated that yes if a child arrives before the teacher arrives, they will sit in the office. I asked Ms. B. if that happens in the afternoon, she stated that teachers leave at 5:00 and currently they do not have a closer for all the classrooms. Some children do wait in the office for their parents to pick up.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 5/8/2025

Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. Today children were observed eating E. muffins with jelly and milk for morning snack. The menu listed cereal and fruit would be served as morning snack.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 5/8/2025

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The EPR plan was completed on February 28, 2025, no Lock down or Shelter in Place drill had been completed.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/28/2025

Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. no fire drill had been completed in March 2025.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/28/2025

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. One (1) child had just woken from a nap, nothing was documented on the Safe Sleep Chart. The teacher stated the child had been sleeping for approximately 20 minutes. One (1) child was still sleeping, nothing was documented on the Safe Sleep Chart, the teacher stated the child had been sleeping for approximately 15 minutes.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/28/2025

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 #4 one infant feeding plan that was posted did not have a parent’s signature.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/9/2025

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. In space #3 four (4) children were present only three (3) were mark present on the tablet.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/9/2025

The center did not have developmentally appropriate equipment and materials accessible daily. In the infant room there were pieces of fabric with a tag that stated "not intended to use for children under the age of three" lying on the floor and on the shelves that were assessable to the infants. This was not a developmentally age-appropriate material for infants.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/10/2025

Diaper changing surfaces were not kept free of storage. The changing table had food and particles under the diaper changing mat.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/10/2025

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. One outlet was uncovered in the activity room.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/10/2025

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. There were toddlers on the playground where there were pieces of bark, sticks and leaves. There was a plastic bag of diapers on the floor of the toddler room.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/10/2025

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 members medical report was dated December 31, 2024, they date of employment was dated December 30, 2024.

Violation corrected during visit

New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. An employee was hired on December 10, 2024 and it was not documented that the employee received the required orientation.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/13/2025

A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A staff member started employment on December 31, 2024, but did not have a CBC qualification letter on file until January 17, 2025.

Violation corrected during visit

Toys and other mouth-contact surfaces were not cleaned and sanitized daily when used or cleaned more frequently if visibly dirty. In the toddler rooms there was evidence dried saliva on the mirrors and dried food on the cushions in cozy area.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/10/2025

Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. The bottle for soapy water to clean the surfaces, table, and changing table was missing the nozzle preventing the ability to clean the required surfaces.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/10/2025

Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards. In the preschool room there is tech desk that is not study and wobbles back and forth.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/13/2025

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 members TB test was dated December 31, 2024, they date of employment was dated December 30, 2024.

Violation corrected during visit

Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member started employment on December 31, 2024, but did not have a CBC qualification letter on file until January 17, 2025.

Violation corrected during visit

Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. An employee was hired on December 10, 2024 and it was not documented that the employee received the required orientation.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/13/2025

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. In space 2 10 children were present. Only 7 were documented on the attendance sheet.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/10/2025

Child was handled roughly. A teacher pulled a child up by the arm and roughly put the child in a chair and pushed the chair to the table, causing the child to cry.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 2/4/2025

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) One (1) infant did not have a feeding schedule posted.

Violation corrected during visit

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. A staff member was working in the classroom that did not have a signed policy on file.

Violation corrected during visit