Concord · Licensed center
The Goddard School At Edison Square
- Medium play-based center, licensed for 143 children.
- A Goddard School franchise. The brand is owned by Sycamore Partners, a private-equity firm.
What the state has found
The state cited rules at 9 of its 18 licensing inspections since August 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
Jun 3, 20261 citation
“A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 6 there were two permission to administer forms which had expired.”
Violation corrected during visit
Dec 18, 20254 citations
“Safe pick-up and delivery procedures were not communicated to parents and/or were not posted where they can be seen by the parents. The safe arrival and departure policy was not posted where it is visible to families.”
Violation corrected during visit
“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 Spaces 3, 5, and 8 there were items which were not properly stored. An aerosol room spray was in an unlocked cabinet. Diaper creams were not stored above five feet.”
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) In Space 8 the feeding plan for children under 15 months of age was not posted.”
Violation corrected during visit
“A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Spaces 5 and 7 there were diaper creams or ointments which did not have a permission to administer form.”
Violation corrected during visit
Jul 10, 20251 citation
“Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A two year old child was left unattended in the classroom for approximately eight minutes.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 7/16/2025
Feb 14, 20256 citations
“A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. A prescription medication had a pharmaceutical label which had expired.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/26/2025
“A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Spaces 4 and 6 the current activity plan was not posted for review.”
Violation corrected during visit
“When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. In Spaces 3, 4, 5, and 6 there were not a sufficient variety of activities in the Library area.”
Violation corrected during visit
“Food brought from home, did not meet the nutritional requirements and necessary supplements were not provided by center. The lunch policy stated that children's lunches brought from home would not be supplemented by the facility. This was discussed with the Executive Director and the policy will be changed to meet rule requirements.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/26/2025
2 more from this inspection
“All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. In Spaces 3 and 5 there were visible areas of drywall and soiled areas on the walls which will need to be painted or cleaned.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/26/2025
“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 8 plastic bags were stored below five feet and not in locked storage.”
Violation corrected during visit
Oct 2, 20241 citation
“Child was handled roughly. On September 20, 2024, a staff member handled a seven-month-old child in a rough manner by pushing the child’s head down then grabbing and pulling the child’s hair until the child cried.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/8/2024
Jul 25, 20241 citation
“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 9 batteries were not kept in locked storage as required.”
Violation corrected during visit
Mar 22, 20241 citation
“Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child was left alone in the classroom for approximately four minutes unsupervised.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/4/2024
Mar 12, 20249 citations
“Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Spaces 2 and 5 permission to administer forms had expired.”
Violation corrected during visit
“For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 7, there were not enough materials to allow multiple children a range of choices. There was a sink, stove shelf but no pots, pans, food or other home living items. Manipulatives did not have sufficient quantities in order for multiple children to play.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/15/2024
“All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair. In Space 4 there was an area of exposed drywall which was covered during the visit. In Space 6 there was an area of exposed drywall with a hole.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/15/2024
“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. In Spaces 4 and 7 there were power strips without safety covers.”
Violation corrected during visit
5 more from this inspection
“Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 5 and on the playground there were prescription and non-prescription medications which were not locked or stored 5 feet up as required.”
Violation corrected during visit
“A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. In Space 2 an expired medication was stored in the classroom.”
Violation corrected during visit
“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 6 there was a prescription medication which was not stored in its original pharmaceutical container.”
Violation corrected during visit
“Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One staff with a hire date of 4/11/22 did not have an updated staff development plan and annual staff evaluation.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/15/2024
“The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with parents of currently enrolled children 0-5 within 30 days of adopting the policy. One child did not have a signed policy in their file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/15/2024
Aug 30, 20232 citations
“A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 9 there was Aquaphor ointment that did not have a permission to administer form. In Space 4 a tube of Babyganics was missing information on the permission to administer form.”
Violation corrected during visit
“A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. In Spaces 6 there was vaseline ointment which had expired. In Space 7 a bottle of Cerave sunscreen had expired.”
Violation corrected during visit
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — North Carolina DCDEE
- Last visit
- June 3, 2026
- On file
- 18 visits since August 2023 — 9 cited nothing, 7 of those unannounced
- Fixed?
- All 26 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.
Jun 2026 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · June 3, 2026
A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 6 there were two permission to administer forms which had expired.
Violation corrected during visit
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Dec 2025 Unannounced visit 4 findings
Unannounced visit · December 18, 2025
Safe pick-up and delivery procedures were not communicated to parents and/or were not posted where they can be seen by the parents. The safe arrival and departure policy was not posted where it is visible to families.
Violation corrected during visit
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 Spaces 3, 5, and 8 there were items which were not properly stored. An aerosol room spray was in an unlocked cabinet. Diaper creams were not stored above five feet.
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) In Space 8 the feeding plan for children under 15 months of age was not posted.
Violation corrected during visit
A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Spaces 5 and 7 there were diaper creams or ointments which did not have a permission to administer form.
Violation corrected during visit
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Jul 2025 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · July 10, 2025
Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A two year old child was left unattended in the classroom for approximately eight minutes.
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 7/16/2025
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Feb 2025 Unannounced visit 6 findings
Unannounced visit · February 14, 2025
A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. A prescription medication had a pharmaceutical label which had expired.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/26/2025
A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Spaces 4 and 6 the current activity plan was not posted for review.
Violation corrected during visit
When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. In Spaces 3, 4, 5, and 6 there were not a sufficient variety of activities in the Library area.
Violation corrected during visit
Food brought from home, did not meet the nutritional requirements and necessary supplements were not provided by center. The lunch policy stated that children's lunches brought from home would not be supplemented by the facility. This was discussed with the Executive Director and the policy will be changed to meet rule requirements.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/26/2025
All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. In Spaces 3 and 5 there were visible areas of drywall and soiled areas on the walls which will need to be painted or cleaned.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/26/2025
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 8 plastic bags were stored below five feet and not in locked storage.
Violation corrected during visit
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Oct 2024 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · October 2, 2024
Child was handled roughly. On September 20, 2024, a staff member handled a seven-month-old child in a rough manner by pushing the child’s head down then grabbing and pulling the child’s hair until the child cried.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 10/8/2024
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Jul 2024 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · July 25, 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 Space 9 batteries were not kept in locked storage as required.
Violation corrected during visit
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Mar 2024 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · March 22, 2024
Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child was left alone in the classroom for approximately four minutes unsupervised.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/4/2024
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Mar 2024 Unannounced visit 9 findings
Unannounced visit · March 12, 2024
Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Spaces 2 and 5 permission to administer forms had expired.
Violation corrected during visit
For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 7, there were not enough materials to allow multiple children a range of choices. There was a sink, stove shelf but no pots, pans, food or other home living items. Manipulatives did not have sufficient quantities in order for multiple children to play.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/15/2024
All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair. In Space 4 there was an area of exposed drywall which was covered during the visit. In Space 6 there was an area of exposed drywall with a hole.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/15/2024
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. In Spaces 4 and 7 there were power strips without safety covers.
Violation corrected during visit
Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 5 and on the playground there were prescription and non-prescription medications which were not locked or stored 5 feet up as required.
Violation corrected during visit
A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. In Space 2 an expired medication was stored in the classroom.
Violation corrected during visit
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 6 there was a prescription medication which was not stored in its original pharmaceutical container.
Violation corrected during visit
Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One staff with a hire date of 4/11/22 did not have an updated staff development plan and annual staff evaluation.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/15/2024
The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with parents of currently enrolled children 0-5 within 30 days of adopting the policy. One child did not have a signed policy in their file.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/15/2024
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Aug 2023 Unannounced visit 2 findings
Unannounced visit · August 30, 2023
No longer on the state’s site as of September 25, 2026
A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 9 there was Aquaphor ointment that did not have a permission to administer form. In Space 4 a tube of Babyganics was missing information on the permission to administer form.
Violation corrected during visit
No longer on the state’s site as of September 25, 2026
A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. In Spaces 6 there was vaseline ointment which had expired. In Space 7 a bottle of Cerave sunscreen had expired.
Violation corrected during visit
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 13000450 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, ratios and staff, and sick and biting policies aren’t on this page.
How they teach
Play-based
“Play-based learning, trusted educators, and safe classrooms — now enrolling near you.”
A day here
- Meals
- Morning and afternoon snacks provided at all Schools; lunch varies by location — some offer it, others require families to pack from home (all Goddard schools)
- Outdoors
- Children play outside every day, weather permitting (all Goddard schools)
- Diapers
- Parents supply diapers, wipes, and changes of clothing (all Goddard schools)
- Updates for parents
- Daily photo/video updates via the Goddard Family Hub app (all Goddard schools)
Details
- Website
- goddardschool.com
- Address
- 10080 Edison Square Drive NW
- License
- 13000450, active
- Quality program
- Five Star License
- Ages they serve
- Infants as young as 6 weeks through Kindergarten (age 6)
Run The Goddard School At Edison Square? 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.
How they teach
- Approach — Checked July 2026 goddardschool.com
State record
From North Carolina DCDEE’s published reports, last checked October 10, 2026.
A day here
- Meals, Outdoors, Diapers — Checked July 2026 goddardschool.com
- Updates for parents — Checked July 2026 goddardschool.com
Details
- Phone, Address, License, Quality program — Checked July 2026 ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. To check it, open ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/childcaresearch, enter licence 13000450 under License Number, and open the result.
- Website — Checked July 2026 goddardschool.com
- Ages they serve — Checked July 2026 goddardschool.com
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 goddardschool.com/…/concord/concord-highland-creek
- 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.