Charlotte · Licensed center

Sterling Elementary

Medium center, licensed for 108 children.

What the state has found

The state cited rules at 5 of its 12 licensing inspections since December 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

Apr 14, 2026No rules cited

Nov 20, 2025No rules cited

Nov 10, 202511 citations

“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 does not have a current CPR certification on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/20/2025
“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. In Space B1, one (1) child does not have a signed permission to play outside of fenced area.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on
“A health assessment was not on file at the NC Pre-K site within 30 days after a child entered the NC Pre-K program or the health assessment was more than 12 months old at the time of program entry. One (1) child does not have a current health assessment on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/17/2025
“The health assessment did not include a vision screening. Two (2) children enrolled did no have a vision screening on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/17/2025

7 more from this inspection

“The health assessment did not include a hearing screening. Two (2) children enrolled did no have a hearing screening on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/17/2025
“All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One (1) substitute staff did not have an annual health questionnaire on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2025
“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) substitute staff did not have an emergency information form on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2025
“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 does not have a current FA certification on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/20/2025
“The health assessment did not include a dental screening. Five (5) children enrolled did not have a dental screening on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/23/2026
“NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. In Space B3, fifteen (15) children were present with one (1) teacher from approximately 9:50 am – 10:01 am.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/20/2025
“The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. The mulch under the monkey bars measured 1.75 inches and at the end of the red slide measured 3.25 inches on the fenced outdoor play area.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/12/2025

Oct 6, 2025No rules cited

Aug 25, 2025No rules cited

May 13, 2025No rules cited

Mar 10, 2025No rules cited

Feb 6, 20256 citations

“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space B5 there is broken tile around a loose drain on the floor in the bathroom creating a safety hazard.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/12/2025
“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. bulk hand soap, fresh scent shampoo, and hand wipes stating keep out of reach of children stored lower than five feet and accessible to children. In B5, pressurized fun string was on a shelf accessible to children. In Space B4, hand soap stating to keep out of reach of children on the counter by the sink and an unlocked cabinet with three (3) Clorox hand wipes and Lysol in an unlocked cabinet on the lower shelf accessible to children.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/6/2025
“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). One (1) staff , A.C., has expired qualifying letter on file dated December 10, 2024.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/11/2025
“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 hired 8/26/2024 does not have a current First Aid certification card on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/14/2025

2 more from this inspection

“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 hired 8/26/2024 does not have a current CPR certification card on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/14/2025
“A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. One staff member, A.C. did not have a current CBC letter on file. The letter expired 12/10/2024.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/11/2025

Dec 9, 2024No rules cited

Dec 2, 202412 citations

“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 B3 an aerosol disinfectant spray was observed stored unlocked and Sani-Tyze cleaner was observed stored less than five feet. In spaces B4 and B5 hand sanitizer was observed stored less than five (5) feet accessible to children.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/20/2024
“Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. One staff, A.I. did not have a current DCDEE qualifying letter on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/9/2024
“A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. One staff member, A.I., did not have a DCDEE qualifying letter on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/9/2024
“The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. There was compacted and inadequate amount of mulch on the fenced area playground.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/20/2024

8 more from this inspection

“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 hired 8/26/24 did not complete the training within 90 days of employment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/20/2024
“The center did not maintain records as required in rule, and/or were not made available to the Division for review. The off-site-verification form for staff was not completed.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/20/2024
“Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The temperature in the refrigerator in space B5 was observed at fifty (50) degrees.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/20/2024
“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Water stained ceiling tiles were observed in B3 and B5 and a crack with a hole in drywall behind the toilet in space B4 was observed.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/12/2025
“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 staff member hired 8/26/2024 does not have a current CPR card on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/14/2025
“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. A power strip with uncovered outlets was accessible to children in space B4. An outlet was observed uncovered in the cozy area in Space B3.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/20/2024
“All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. HQ on file for staff were not completed within the annual timeframe. The forms were dated December 2, 2024.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/9/2024
“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 staff member hired 8/26/2024 does not have a current First Aid card on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/14/2025

May 29, 20242 citations

“All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Four ceiling tiles in Space B4 and 3 in space B6 were observed stained.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on
“Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. It was reported that you send signed incident reports to the school office, you have not been maintaining an incident log.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on

Dec 14, 20236 citations

“A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Space B6 activity plan posted was dated for the week of December 4, 2023.”
Violation corrected during visit
“Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. Space B5 refrigerator thermometer read 50 degrees.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/9/2024
“All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair. Ceiling tiles were observed stained in Space B4, B5 and B6.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/9/2024
“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 outlet were observed uncovered, one in space B4 and one in Space B3.”
Violation corrected during visit

2 more from this inspection

“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. Nine staff have not updated their Emergency Information form since 2022.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/9/2024
“Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One staff employed in August 2022 has not completed the health and safety trainings within the first year of employment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/9/2024

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — North Carolina DCDEE

Last visit: April 14, 2026
On file: 12 visits since December 2023 — 7 cited nothing, 5 of those unannounced
Fixed?: All 37 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.

Apr 2026 Unannounced visit nothing cited

Nov 2025 Unannounced visit nothing cited

Nov 2025 Unannounced visit 11 findings

Unannounced visit · November 10, 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 does not have a current CPR certification on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/20/2025

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. In Space B1, one (1) child does not have a signed permission to play outside of fenced area.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on

A health assessment was not on file at the NC Pre-K site within 30 days after a child entered the NC Pre-K program or the health assessment was more than 12 months old at the time of program entry. One (1) child does not have a current health assessment on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/17/2025

The health assessment did not include a vision screening. Two (2) children enrolled did no have a vision screening on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/17/2025

The health assessment did not include a hearing screening. Two (2) children enrolled did no have a hearing screening on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/17/2025

All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One (1) substitute staff did not have an annual health questionnaire on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2025

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) substitute staff did not have an emergency information form on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2025

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 does not have a current FA certification on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/20/2025

The health assessment did not include a dental screening. Five (5) children enrolled did not have a dental screening on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/23/2026

NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. In Space B3, fifteen (15) children were present with one (1) teacher from approximately 9:50 am – 10:01 am.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/20/2025

The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. The mulch under the monkey bars measured 1.75 inches and at the end of the red slide measured 3.25 inches on the fenced outdoor play area.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/12/2025

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003467 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Oct 2025 Announced visit nothing cited

Aug 2025 Announced visit nothing cited

May 2025 Unannounced visit nothing cited

Mar 2025 Unannounced visit nothing cited

Feb 2025 Unannounced visit 6 findings

Unannounced visit · February 6, 2025

A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space B5 there is broken tile around a loose drain on the floor in the bathroom creating a safety hazard.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/12/2025

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. bulk hand soap, fresh scent shampoo, and hand wipes stating keep out of reach of children stored lower than five feet and accessible to children. In B5, pressurized fun string was on a shelf accessible to children. In Space B4, hand soap stating to keep out of reach of children on the counter by the sink and an unlocked cabinet with three (3) Clorox hand wipes and Lysol in an unlocked cabinet on the lower shelf accessible to children.

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

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). One (1) staff , A.C., has expired qualifying letter on file dated December 10, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/11/2025

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 hired 8/26/2024 does not have a current First Aid certification card on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/14/2025

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 hired 8/26/2024 does not have a current CPR certification card on file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/14/2025

A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. One staff member, A.C. did not have a current CBC letter on file. The letter expired 12/10/2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/11/2025

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003467 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Dec 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited

Dec 2024 Unannounced visit 12 findings

Unannounced visit · December 2, 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. In B3 an aerosol disinfectant spray was observed stored unlocked and Sani-Tyze cleaner was observed stored less than five feet. In spaces B4 and B5 hand sanitizer was observed stored less than five (5) feet accessible to children.