Charlotte · Licensed center

The Willow Oaks Academy, LLC

What the state has found

The state cited rules at 10 of its 13 licensing inspections since February 2024.

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

Aug 3, 20262 citations
  • “Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met. During the walkthrough of the center, I observed space #1 had one teacher with eight two-year olds and four three-year old children. Space #2 had one teacher with six one- year olds and two two-year old children.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/3/2026

  • “Drinking water was not freely available to children of all ages. During the walkthrough of the center, I observed that space #4 and #5 did not have individual drinking utensils available for children.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/3/2026

May 22, 20261 citation
  • “Center administrators and staff did not use the information provided in the application to ensure that each individual child's needs are met. On the child's application, the parent checked off that the child did have an allergy and listed a strawberry allergy, the caregiver handed the parent a strawberry yogurt for the child when the child was picked up early/ right before snack time.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/2/2026

May 6, 20266 citations
  • “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 staff member, M.W, did not have documentation of completing a CBC before 1/2026 expiration date.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2026

  • “All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. I observed all four tires of the vehicle used to transport children with low tire treading.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2026

  • “The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests. I observed a bag of trash on the floor in space #5.”

    Violation corrected during visit

  • “Electrical cords were accessible to infants and toddlers. In space #1, I observed an electrical cord accessible to toddlers.”

    Violation corrected during visit

2 more from this inspection
  • “All vehicles were not insured for liability as required by state law. The Ford Transit 350 #LFR-2731 did not have documentation of insurance.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2026

  • “Signage was not posted regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction at the entrance of the center and/or in vehicles used to transport children. The vehicle used to transport children did not have a no smoking sign posted.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2026

Jan 27, 20261 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. I observed a public bathroom door unlocked, where body spray and lotions were accessible to children.”

    Violation corrected during visit

Jan 14, 2026No rules cited
May 14, 20254 citations
  • “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 space #3, I observed an electrical outlet that was not in use without a safety cover.”

    Violation corrected during visit

  • “The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. I observed debris on the Outdoor Learning Environment.”

    Violation corrected during visit

  • “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, with a start date of 1/8/25 did not have documentation of completing First Aid training within 90 days of hire. (A.B)”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/14/2025

  • “Prescribed medicines, that are pharmaceutical samples, was not stored in the manufacturers original packaging, was not labeled with the child's name, and/or written instructions did not include the required information. In space #2, I observed an asthma pump that was not in the original packaging, was not labeled with the child's name and did not include written instructions.”

    Violation corrected during visit

Apr 11, 20252 citations
  • “Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. A child was hurt on 3/31/25 and there was no incident completed until 4/1/25.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/23/2025

  • “An incident report was not completed and mailed to a Division representative within seven days after the incident when medical treatment was required. A copy of the incident report was not sent to me, Child Care Consultant, within seven days, for an incident that occurred on 3/31/25.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/23/2025

Jan 30, 20253 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 (ZM), with a start date of 9/10/24, received TB test on 9/11/2024 (after start date).”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/31/2025

  • “Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The center documented a lockdown drill for August 2024 and the next one was 12/2024. The center should have had another drill in October 2024.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/31/2025

  • “Staff working in part-time, full-day or track out school age care programs required to complete BSAC training, did not complete it within three months of employment. The center did not have a school age caregiver that completed BSAC within three months of employment.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/31/2025

Dec 10, 2024No rules cited
Nov 8, 2024No rules cited
Sep 12, 20241 citation
  • “Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Although the facility had written permission slips for children to be transported, the permission slips did not include completed information for who the transportation provider was and date permission would expire which cannot exceed 12 months.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/19/2024

May 17, 20248 citations
  • “Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. One child in space #5 did not have documentation of their arrival time.”

    Violation corrected during visit

  • “All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. In space #1, #2 and #5 I observed peeling paint and walls not in good repair.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

  • “Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In space #2, I observed diaper cream in a zip lock bag in the cabinet that was not locked.”

    Violation corrected during visit

  • “All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One out of eleven staff members health questionnaire expired on 2/3/23, they did not have have documentation of an annual health questionnaire. (AP)”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

4 more from this inspection
  • “Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. One staff member out of eleven, did not complete the required hours of on-going training. (AP)”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

  • “Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One childs records did not have documentation of the child's hospital preference.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

  • “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, with a start date of 1/16/24 signed their Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on 1/18/24, which was after their start date. (JB)”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

  • “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 start date of 1/16/24 completed their Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 4/26/24, which after 90 days of their start date. (JB)”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

Feb 6, 20243 citations
  • “All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair. In space #1, I observed peeling paint on the cabinets under the handwashing sink.”

    Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/16/2024

  • “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 #4, I observed sanitizing wipes in the outside bag, accessible to children.”

    Violation corrected during visit

  • “Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member's individual personnel file. One out of six staff members, with a start date of 8/28/23, had a medical report on file dated for 10/4/23, which was after their start date. (L.F)”

    Violation corrected during visit

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — North Carolina DCDEE

Last visit
August 3, 2026
On file
13 visits since February 2024 — 3 cited nothing, 3 of those unannounced
Fixed?
All 31 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.

Aug 2026 Unannounced visit 2 findings

Unannounced visit · August 3, 2026

Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met. During the walkthrough of the center, I observed space #1 had one teacher with eight two-year olds and four three-year old children. Space #2 had one teacher with six one- year olds and two two-year old children.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/3/2026

Drinking water was not freely available to children of all ages. During the walkthrough of the center, I observed that space #4 and #5 did not have individual drinking utensils available for children.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/3/2026

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

May 2026 Unannounced visit 1 finding

Unannounced visit · May 22, 2026

Center administrators and staff did not use the information provided in the application to ensure that each individual child's needs are met. On the child's application, the parent checked off that the child did have an allergy and listed a strawberry allergy, the caregiver handed the parent a strawberry yogurt for the child when the child was picked up early/ right before snack time.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 6/2/2026

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

May 2026 Unannounced visit 6 findings

Unannounced visit · May 6, 2026

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 staff member, M.W, did not have documentation of completing a CBC before 1/2026 expiration date.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2026

All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. I observed all four tires of the vehicle used to transport children with low tire treading.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2026

The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests. I observed a bag of trash on the floor in space #5.

Violation corrected during visit

Electrical cords were accessible to infants and toddlers. In space #1, I observed an electrical cord accessible to toddlers.

Violation corrected during visit

All vehicles were not insured for liability as required by state law. The Ford Transit 350 #LFR-2731 did not have documentation of insurance.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2026

Signage was not posted regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction at the entrance of the center and/or in vehicles used to transport children. The vehicle used to transport children did not have a no smoking sign posted.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2026

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Jan 2026 Unannounced visit 1 finding

Unannounced visit · January 27, 2026

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. I observed a public bathroom door unlocked, where body spray and lotions were accessible to children.

Violation corrected during visit

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Jan 2026 Unannounced visit nothing cited
May 2025 Unannounced visit 4 findings

Unannounced visit · May 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. In space #3, I observed an electrical outlet that was not in use without a safety cover.

Violation corrected during visit

The indoor and/or outdoor premises was not checked once a day, prior to initial use, ensuring debris, and broken equipment was removed and disposed of. I observed debris on the Outdoor Learning Environment.

Violation corrected during visit

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, with a start date of 1/8/25 did not have documentation of completing First Aid training within 90 days of hire. (A.B)

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/14/2025

Prescribed medicines, that are pharmaceutical samples, was not stored in the manufacturers original packaging, was not labeled with the child's name, and/or written instructions did not include the required information. In space #2, I observed an asthma pump that was not in the original packaging, was not labeled with the child's name and did not include written instructions.

Violation corrected during visit

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Apr 2025 Unannounced visit 2 findings

Unannounced visit · April 11, 2025

Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. A child was hurt on 3/31/25 and there was no incident completed until 4/1/25.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/23/2025

An incident report was not completed and mailed to a Division representative within seven days after the incident when medical treatment was required. A copy of the incident report was not sent to me, Child Care Consultant, within seven days, for an incident that occurred on 3/31/25.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/23/2025

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Jan 2025 Unannounced visit 3 findings

Unannounced visit · January 30, 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 (ZM), with a start date of 9/10/24, received TB test on 9/11/2024 (after start date).

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/31/2025

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The center documented a lockdown drill for August 2024 and the next one was 12/2024. The center should have had another drill in October 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/31/2025

Staff working in part-time, full-day or track out school age care programs required to complete BSAC training, did not complete it within three months of employment. The center did not have a school age caregiver that completed BSAC within three months of employment.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/31/2025

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Dec 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Nov 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Sep 2024 Unannounced visit 1 finding

Unannounced visit · September 12, 2024

Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Although the facility had written permission slips for children to be transported, the permission slips did not include completed information for who the transportation provider was and date permission would expire which cannot exceed 12 months.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 9/19/2024

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

May 2024 Unannounced visit 8 findings

Unannounced visit · May 17, 2024

Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. One child in space #5 did not have documentation of their arrival time.

Violation corrected during visit

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. In space #1, #2 and #5 I observed peeling paint and walls not in good repair.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In space #2, I observed diaper cream in a zip lock bag in the cabinet that was not locked.

Violation corrected during visit

All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. One out of eleven staff members health questionnaire expired on 2/3/23, they did not have have documentation of an annual health questionnaire. (AP)

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. One staff member out of eleven, did not complete the required hours of on-going training. (AP)

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One childs records did not have documentation of the child's hospital preference.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

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, with a start date of 1/16/24 signed their Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on 1/18/24, which was after their start date. (JB)

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

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 start date of 1/16/24 completed their Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 4/26/24, which after 90 days of their start date. (JB)

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/22/2024

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Feb 2024 Unannounced visit 3 findings

Unannounced visit · February 6, 2024

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair. In space #1, I observed peeling paint on the cabinets under the handwashing sink.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/16/2024

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 #4, I observed sanitizing wipes in the outside bag, accessible to children.

Violation corrected during visit

Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member's individual personnel file. One out of six staff members, with a start date of 8/28/23, had a medical report on file dated for 10/4/23, which was after their start date. (L.F)

Violation corrected during visit

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60003963 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

(980) 225-7030

Website
thewillowoaksacademy.com
Address
5432 Beatties Ford Rd
License
60003963, active
Quality program
Five Star License

Run The Willow Oaks Academy, LLC? Correct or add anything here, free.

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Sources 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 11, 2026.

Details

  • Phone, Address, License, Quality program — Checked July 2026 ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. To check it, open ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/childcaresearch, enter licence 60003963 under License Number, and open the result.
  • Website — Checked July 2026 thewillowoaksacademy.com
  • Who runs it — Checked September 2026 ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. To check it, open ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/childcaresearch, enter licence 60003963 under License Number, open the result and expand Owner Information: the licensee is listed as Primary Owner.

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.