Five Star Center License
✓ Licensed
Branches Community School
Durham, NC
· Durham County
903 BROAD STREET,
Durham, NC 27705
Quick Facts
Capacity
44 children
Age Range
0 through 6
Subsidized Program
Does not participate
State Rating
5
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Contact Information
📞 (919) 973-2274
Licensed Five Star Center License
Active License
License Number
32002215
License Holder
BRANCHES EDUCATION LLC
License Issued
Apr 7, 2025
Issued By
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
District Office
North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services - Division of Child Development
Reviews
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About the Provider
BRANCHES COMMUNITY SCHOOL is a Five Star Center License in DURHAM NC, with a maximum capacity of 44 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 0 through 6. The provider does not participate in a subsidized child care program.
Hours of Operation
- Days of Operation Monday–Friday
Inspection/Report History
Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Date | Type | Violations | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-14 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2026-09-14 | Violation | 201 | GS 110-91(6); .1401(f) |
| A room was occupied by more children than the space allowed at 25-sq. ft. of floor space per child. As a five-star program, the indoor space capacity at this center was calculated at 30 square feet per child. Classroom space #1 measured for 11 children at 30 square feet per child. Today there were 13 children, enrolled and present, in classroom space #1. | |||
| 2026-09-14 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Current activity plans were not posted in classroom space #1 and space #3. | |||
| 2026-09-14 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. There was an exposed tree root on the middle playground. Both ends of the root were underground, leaving the middle section above ground, creating a tripping hazard for young children. | |||
| 2026-09-14 | Violation | 859 | .0605(q) |
| Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The last documented outdoor inspection was completed on 2/16/26. | |||
| 2026-03-04 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2026-03-04 | Violation | 1052 | .1103(a) |
| Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. (1) One staff person needed an additional 9.5 hours of in-service training to meet her yearly requirement. (2) Another staff needed an additional 5 hours of in-service training to meet his yearly requirement. | |||
| 2026-03-04 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One staff needed an updated annual evaluation. | |||
| 2026-03-04 | Violation | 1313 | .0802(c)(1) |
| Emergency information did not include name, address, and telephone number of parent or other emergency contact person. One child needed emergency information on file. | |||
| 2026-03-04 | Violation | 1899 | .1103(b) |
| Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. One staff needed to take Recognizing and Responding to Child Maltreatment again to complete the every five-year Health and Safety training requirement. | |||
| 2026-03-04 | Violation | 1908 | .0608(b)(1-6) |
| A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. One child needed the signed form on file. | |||
| 2026-03-04 | Violation | 9999 | |
| During today's visit the direct exit for the children in classroom space #4 was closed off with a gate. This is a violation of NC Fire Code. | |||
| 2025-10-15 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-10-15 | Violation | 106 | 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) |
| Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last annual fire inspection was completed on 6/14/24. | |||
| 2025-10-15 | Violation | 107 | GS 110-91; GS 110-106 |
| The center did not comply with the permit restrictions. The permit on the license reads "Children in care on ground level only". Upon arrival there was a child working with a therapist on the upstairs level of the center. | |||
| 2025-10-15 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. There was no documentation that the staff person, who began employment on 8/27/25 had received new staff orientation. | |||
| 2025-04-07 | Announced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-03-11 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-03-11 | Violation | 201 | GS 110-91(6); .1401(f) |
| A room was occupied by more children than the space allowed at 25-sq. ft. of floor space per child. Classroom space #1 will accommodate 10 children. There were 14 children enrolled in classroom space #1. Thirteen of the fourteen children were present on 3/11/25. | |||
| 2025-03-11 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. There was no measurable surfacing at the exit point of the two slides. | |||
| 2025-03-11 | Violation | 853 | .0802(g)(1-6) |
| Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. | |||
| 2025-03-11 | Violation | 1052 | .1103(a) |
| Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. Three staff needed additional training hours to meet their yearly requirement. | |||
| 2025-03-11 | Violation | 1882 | .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) |
| Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. The permission slip to administer a breathing treatment with Albuterol to a child in classroom space #2 was dated 9/1/24 to 9/1/25. | |||
| 2025-03-11 | Violation | 1898 | .1102(a) |
| Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. The staff person, who began employment on 12/4/23, had not completed the required Health and Safety trainings. | |||
| 2024-11-25 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-11-25 | Violation | 1044 | G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) |
| 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). Criminal Record Check clearance for one teacher expired on 11/1/24. | |||
| 2024-11-25 | Violation | 1048 | .1102(c) |
| 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. The First Aid training for one staff person expired on 8/15/24. | |||
| 2024-11-25 | Violation | 1049 | .1102(d) |
| 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. The CPR training for one staff expired on 8/15/24. | |||
| 2024-07-31 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0724-364A |
| 2024-06-04 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-06-04 | Violation | 805 | .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) |
| Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. The last recorded drill was conducted on 4/8/24. | |||
| 2024-06-04 | Violation | 811 | .0604(a) |
| Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, gasoline, or kerosene were not stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or made inaccessible to children. Hand sanitizer, disinfected solution and sunscreen was stored less than 5 feet from the floor. | |||
| 2024-06-04 | Violation | 824 | GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) |
| Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The fence on the natural playground measured only 3 feet 7 inches. | |||
| 2024-06-04 | Violation | 859 | .0605(q) |
| Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The last recorded playground inspection was conducted on 4/8/24. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Space #2 and #3 did not have an activity plan posted. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A wooden pallet used as a balancing structure was not secure and didn't have sufficient surfacing materials. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 811 | .0604(a) |
| Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, gasoline, or kerosene were not stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or made inaccessible to children. A staff purse was stored in a space less than 5 feet from the floor. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 824 | GS 110-91(6); .0605((i) |
| Outdoor play area was not enclosed by fence with a minimum height of 4 feet. The top of the fence, less than six feet, was not free from protrusions. The fence on the natural playground measured 3 feet 7 inches in several areas. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 843 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(d) |
| A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. A tube of Aquaphor was administered after the expiration date of 6/2023. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 892 | .0606(b) |
| The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. A sleep policy was not posted in the infant classroom. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 1048 | .1102(c) |
| 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. Three (3) staff First Aid expired on 6/2023 was not renewed. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 1049 | .1102(d) |
| 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. Three (3) staff CPR expired on 6/2023 was not renewed. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 1065 | .1102(f) |
| Child care providers scheduled to work in the infant room, did not complete ITS-SIDS training within two months of employment or did not complete the training every three years. Child care administrators did not complete the ITS-SIDS training within 90 days of employment and every three years thereafter. A staff working in the infant class did not renew SIDS training once expired. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. A teacher in the preschool classroom was supervising eleven children; age ranging from 3 to 5 year old. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 1855 | .0605(r) |
| Center was using a trampoline other than a mini fitness trampoline for single person use. A trampoline in poor repair on the preschool playground was used for more than single use. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 1897 | .1102(g) |
| 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. Two (2) staff did not renew their training within five years. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 1899 | .1103(b) |
| Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Staff who completed training in 2017 did not renew their training within five years. | |||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | 9999 | |
| A violation was found for which there is no item number. Sanitation rule 15N NAC 18A .2807 (C) Food contact surfaces and utensils that are exposed to bacterial, viral, fungal, or hazard contaminant during used shall be made clean, free from hazard and sanitized before use. Eating utensils was stored in a teacher supply draw which could be exposed to potential hazard contaminant. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 537 | 15A NCAC 18A .2804(d)&(g) |
| Baby food that had been opened was not covered, dated, identified for each child, properly refrigerated and/or used within 48 hours. Two bottles in space #3 were not dated. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 542 | 10 NCAC 09 .0902(a) |
| The written feeding plan was not modified as the child's needs changed. Three (3) children in the infant classroom feeding schedule was not updated to their current eating schedule. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 805 | .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) |
| Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. The last documented drill was conducted on 3/8/23. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 847 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) |
| Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. There were ten (10)children with expired authorization forms. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 849 | .0803(12) |
| Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A container of Destin and Butt Paste expired 11/22. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 859 | .0605(q) |
| Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The last documented outdoor inspection was completed on 2/16/23. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 1811 | .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) |
| Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last emergency drill was conducted on 12/13/22. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 1821 | .0607(d)(8) |
| The EPR Plan did not include the date of the last revision of the plan. The last updated plan was 8/1/18. | |||
| 2023-05-19 | Violation | 1890 | .0701(d) |
| 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. A staff member that was hired on 2/6/23 did not have medical documentation on file. | |||
| 2022-06-28 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
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