Matthews · Licensed center
The Goddard School
- Medium center, licensed for 148 children.
- A Goddard School franchise. The brand is owned by Sycamore Partners, a private-equity firm.
- Shortlist has found no website for it yet.
What the state has found
The state cited rules at 6 of its 8 licensing inspections since September 2023.
Of the 74 Charlotte-area centers with 8 licensing inspections, 20% had rules cited at 6 of them, as this center did. 1% had rules cited at all 8.
Licensing inspections
Mar 17, 20263 citations
“Infants under the age of 12 months were not placed on their backs for sleeping unless the center had obtained the appropriate written waiver. In Space 1, it was documented that a child was placed on the side at 9:05 am on March 17, 2026.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/19/2026
“New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member hired 1/5/2026 had 15 hours orientation documented. A staff member hired 1/13/26 had 15 hours orientation documented. A staff member hired 2/28/2024 had 15 hours orientation documented.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/18/2026
“The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information. The ready to go files did not include staff emergency contact information.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/19/2026
Sep 4, 20255 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 hired April 10, 2025 does not have current First Aid certification on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/16/2025
“Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 5, one (1) child requiring emergency medication did not have the original container with the label for an inhaler.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/5/2025
“Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 7, one (1) child requiring an epi-pen did not have a current FARE plan on file. The plan on file expired July 25, 2025.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/16/2025
“Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. Seven (7) staff members did not complete the required number of on going training hours according to their education and experience.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/14/2025
1 more from this inspection
“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. The ABCMS roster was reviewed 9/3/2025 and is not up to date with veteran employees.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/16/2025
Apr 1, 20258 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. inn Space 1, batteries and white-out were stored in an unlocked drawer accessible to children.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/10/2025
“A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. Two (2) children did not have a signed safe sleep policy on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/14/2025
“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. Two (2) employees did not have a medical report on file prior to employment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/1/2025
“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 (1) employee did not have a TB test or screening on file on or before the first day of employment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/1/2025
4 more from this inspection
“Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. One (1) child did not have a signed and dated discipline policy on file on or prior to date of enrollment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/1/2025
“Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 5, the FARE plan did not include the parent signature.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/2/2025
“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 1 and 2a the locked cabinet doors did not close flush creating a pinch point. In Spaces 2b, 3 and 4 teacher supplies containing small and sharp parts were stored on cubbies lower then five feet.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/15/2025
“The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information. The ready to Go File did not contain current student applications and required information.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/14/2025
Dec 18, 20244 citations
“Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. A fire drill was not completed in June, 2024.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/3/2025
“Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The shelter in pace drills were conducted every four months in January, May, August and December.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/3/2025
“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Emergency medications were stored in a backpack lower than five feet in spaces 2B,7 and 8. An Epi-pen was stored on a gate in bag accessible to children on the playground.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/3/2025
“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. Plastic was observed on a box of diapers accessible to children in Space 2A. Spaces 2B, 3, and 4 had plastic accessible to children on the doors and in the classrooms. In Space 2b a magnetic train toy with small wheels and a small fidget were accessible to children. artwork, on a counter accessible to children. In Space 4 fairy lights were accessible to children on the door.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/3/2025
Apr 17, 20246 citations
“Running water, soap and individual sanitary towels, or other approved hand-drying devices were not supplied at each lavatory. In space 2b, there was no soap at the handwashing sink.”
Violation corrected during visit
“Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In the restroom between space #3 and #4, a container of diaper cream was located on a shelf that was less than five feet above the floor.”
Violation corrected during visit
“All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One staff member's health questionnaire was dated November 14, 2022.”
Violation corrected during visit
“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 staff member's emergency information was dated November 14, 2022.”
Violation corrected during visit
2 more from this inspection
“Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. Two children did not have a health care professional listed on the application.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/24/2024
“All administrators and staff did not complete a professional development plan within one year of employment, that included all the required information. Two staff members did not have a professional development plan on file that included the required information.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/24/2024
Nov 2, 20234 citations
“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 a TB test or screening on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2023
“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. One new staff member did not have a medical statement on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2023
“New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Two new staff did not have verification on file that they received at least 16 hours of orientation.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2023
“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 new staff member did not have verification on file that The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was reviewed prior to caring for children.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2023
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — North Carolina DCDEE
- Last visit
- March 17, 2026
- On file
- 8 visits since September 2023 — 2 cited nothing, 1 of those unannounced
- Fixed?
- All 30 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.
Mar 2026 Unannounced visit 3 findings
Unannounced visit · March 17, 2026
Infants under the age of 12 months were not placed on their backs for sleeping unless the center had obtained the appropriate written waiver. In Space 1, it was documented that a child was placed on the side at 9:05 am on March 17, 2026.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/19/2026
New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member hired 1/5/2026 had 15 hours orientation documented. A staff member hired 1/13/26 had 15 hours orientation documented. A staff member hired 2/28/2024 had 15 hours orientation documented.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/18/2026
The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information. The ready to go files did not include staff emergency contact information.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/19/2026
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003970 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Sep 2025 Unannounced visit 5 findings
Unannounced visit · September 4, 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 April 10, 2025 does not have current First Aid certification on file.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/16/2025
Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 5, one (1) child requiring emergency medication did not have the original container with the label for an inhaler.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/5/2025
Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 7, one (1) child requiring an epi-pen did not have a current FARE plan on file. The plan on file expired July 25, 2025.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/16/2025
Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. Seven (7) staff members did not complete the required number of on going training hours according to their education and experience.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/14/2025
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. The ABCMS roster was reviewed 9/3/2025 and is not up to date with veteran employees.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/16/2025
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003970 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Apr 2025 Unannounced visit 8 findings
Unannounced visit · April 1, 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. inn Space 1, batteries and white-out were stored in an unlocked drawer accessible to children.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/10/2025
A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. Two (2) children did not have a signed safe sleep policy on file.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/14/2025
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. Two (2) employees did not have a medical report on file prior to employment.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/1/2025
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 (1) employee did not have a TB test or screening on file on or before the first day of employment.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/1/2025
Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. One (1) child did not have a signed and dated discipline policy on file on or prior to date of enrollment.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/1/2025
Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 5, the FARE plan did not include the parent signature.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/2/2025
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 1 and 2a the locked cabinet doors did not close flush creating a pinch point. In Spaces 2b, 3 and 4 teacher supplies containing small and sharp parts were stored on cubbies lower then five feet.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/15/2025
The EPR Plan did not include the location of the Ready to Go File and or the required information. The ready to Go File did not contain current student applications and required information.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/14/2025
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003970 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Dec 2024 Unannounced visit 4 findings
Unannounced visit · December 18, 2024
Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. A fire drill was not completed in June, 2024.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/3/2025
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The shelter in pace drills were conducted every four months in January, May, August and December.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/3/2025
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Emergency medications were stored in a backpack lower than five feet in spaces 2B,7 and 8. An Epi-pen was stored on a gate in bag accessible to children on the playground.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/3/2025
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. Plastic was observed on a box of diapers accessible to children in Space 2A. Spaces 2B, 3, and 4 had plastic accessible to children on the doors and in the classrooms. In Space 2b a magnetic train toy with small wheels and a small fidget were accessible to children. artwork, on a counter accessible to children. In Space 4 fairy lights were accessible to children on the door.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/3/2025
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003970 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Apr 2024 Unannounced visit 6 findings
Unannounced visit · April 17, 2024
Running water, soap and individual sanitary towels, or other approved hand-drying devices were not supplied at each lavatory. In space 2b, there was no soap at the handwashing sink.
Violation corrected during visit
Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In the restroom between space #3 and #4, a container of diaper cream was located on a shelf that was less than five feet above the floor.
Violation corrected during visit
All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One staff member's health questionnaire was dated November 14, 2022.
Violation corrected during visit
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 staff member's emergency information was dated November 14, 2022.
Violation corrected during visit
Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. Two children did not have a health care professional listed on the application.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/24/2024
All administrators and staff did not complete a professional development plan within one year of employment, that included all the required information. Two staff members did not have a professional development plan on file that included the required information.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/24/2024
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003970 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Nov 2023 Unannounced visit 4 findings
Unannounced visit · November 2, 2023
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 a TB test or screening on file.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2023
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. One new staff member did not have a medical statement on file.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2023
New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Two new staff did not have verification on file that they received at least 16 hours of orientation.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2023
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 new staff member did not have verification on file that The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was reviewed prior to caring for children.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/13/2023
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003970 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Shortlist replaces people’s names in the state’s text with initials. This is done by rule, not by hand, so it can miss a name or shorten a word that isn’t one. The state’s report, linked on each row, has the original.
Openings, child care subsidies, cost, hours and late pickup, teaching approach, ratios and staff, a typical day, and sick and biting policies aren’t on this page.
Details
- Address
- 9631 Northeast Pkwy
- License
- 60003970, active
- Quality program
- Five Star License
Run The Goddard School? Correct or add anything here, free.
Add what is missingSources and dates
Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.
State record
From North Carolina DCDEE’s published reports, last checked October 10, 2026.
Details
- Phone, Address, License, Quality program — Checked July 2026 ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. To check it, open ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/childcaresearch, enter licence 60003970 under License Number, and open the result.
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 goddardschool.com/…/matthews/matthews
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 sycamorepartners.com
- Who runs it — Checked September 2026 goddardschool.com/about
The private-equity firm Sycamore Partners lists Goddard Systems as a current investment. sycamorepartners.com
Goddard’s own site says “All Goddard Schools are independently owned and operated.” goddardschool.com
Medium means the middle half of Charlotte-area’s 591 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 51 to 162 children. Small is 11 to 50; large is 163 to 528.