Three Star Center License
✓ Licensed
Children's Discovery Center
Franklin, NC
· Macon County
185 SLOAN ROAD,
Franklin, NC 28734
Quick Facts
Capacity
25 children
Age Range
2 through 12
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
3
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Licensed Three Star Center License
Active License
License Number
56000186
License Holder
THE LEARNING LADDER ACADEMY, INC.
License Issued
Nov 1, 2021
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
CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER is a Three Star Center License in FRANKLIN NC, with a maximum capacity of 25 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 2 through 12. The provider also participates 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-17 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0726-144L |
| 2026-07-17 | Violation | 125 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) |
| Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. After review of the arrival and departure records for June 26, 2026, it was determined that two (2) children did not have an arrival time documented and two (2) children did not have a departure time documented. | |||
| 2026-07-17 | 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). After staff file review and review of the ABCMS Provider Portal, it was determined that B. Patton's Criminal Background Check Qualification Letter expired on 07/07/2026. | |||
| 2026-07-17 | 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. After review of a newly hired staff member's file A. Charlton, it was determined that First Aid training was not completed within 90 days of employment. The employee's start date was March 30, 2026; therefore, First Aid training was due by June 28, 2026. | |||
| 2026-07-17 | 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. After reviewing a newly hired staff member's file A. Charlton, it was determined that CPR training was not completed within 90 days of employment. The employee's start date was March 30, 2026; therefore, CPR training was due by June 28, 2026. | |||
| 2026-07-17 | Violation | 1321 | GS110-91(1) |
| Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. After review of children's files, it was determined that one child's (S.N.) file did not contain a medical report completed within 30 days of enrollment. The child was enrolled on May 30, 2026; therefore, the medical report was due by June 29, 2026. | |||
| 2026-07-17 | Violation | 1324 | .1804(c) |
| Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. After review of children's files, it was determined that one child's file (B.B) did not contain a signed acknowledgment verifying that the parent or guardian had received and reviewed the facility's discipline policy. | |||
| 2026-07-17 | Violation | 1757 | G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) |
| A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.After staff file review and review of the ABCMS Provider Portal, it was determined that B. Patton's Criminal Background Check Qualification Letter expired on 07/07/2026. | |||
| 2026-07-17 | Violation | 1805 | G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) |
| 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. After review of the facility's ABCMS Provider Portal, it was determined that one staff member whose employment ended on June 19, 2026, had not been terminated in the facility's ABCMS Provider Portal. Additionally, a newly hired staff member, A. Charlton, and a floater from a parent school, with the same owner, A. Torres, had not been added to the facility's ABCMS Provider Portal. | |||
| 2026-07-17 | Violation | 1914 | .0802(b)(1-2) |
| The person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan was not on the premises at all times and/or did not accompany children for off premise activities. After reviewing the facility's Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMC), it was determined that the alternate person listed on the plan is no longer employed at the facility. | |||
| 2026-03-30 | Announced Inspection | No | |
| 2026-02-12 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2026-01-30 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 107 | GS 110-91; GS 110-106 |
| The center did not comply with the permit restrictions. The age range for this facility is children two (2) years of age to five (5) years of age. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 303 | .1801(a)(1-5) |
| Children were not adequately supervised at all times. One (1) child that was one (1) year of age was left alone in space#3 eating. Additionally, the group moved to space #3 from space # 2 for snacks. Five (5) children between the ages of two (2) years of age to five (5) years of age were left alone in space # 2 to retrieve their water bottles for snack. One (1) child three (3) years of age was left alone in space #2 for approximately 3 minutes. The child finished cleaning up and joined the group in space # 3. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 526 | 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) |
| Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The Menu was posted in the kitchen and dated for 1/19-1/23/2026. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 619 | 15A NCAC 18A .2819(c) |
| Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. Today three (3) diaper changes were observed consecutively, between the first and second diaper change observed the changing mat was not cleaned and disinfected. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 840 | .2820(b) |
| 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. A can of Lysol aerosol spray was stored in an unlocked bathroom. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 1033 | .0701(a) |
| 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. Newly hired staff on 10/21/2025, TB form was dated 11/18/2019. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 1034 | .0701(a) |
| All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. Newly hired staff on 10/21/2025 medical was dated 5/20/2020. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | 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. After review of the staff files it was noted that two (2) existing staff members did not have the required number of on-going training completed within their second year of employment. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 1328 | G.S. 110-91(9) |
| Children's records were not made available for review. Maintaining accurate records on the children in your care helps to ensure their health and safety, informs families of rules you are required to follow and your center’s policies, and provides a certain transfer of knowledge so that you can provide the best care possible for their children. | |||
| 2026-01-30 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. One (1) child (staff members’ child) that was one (1) year of age was present during our visit. Enhanced ratios allow for Staff/child ration one (1) to six (6). During today’s visit, the total number of children present was ten (10) between the ages of one (1) to five (5). | |||
| 2026-01-30 | 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 shelter in place or locked down drill was completed on 8/4/2025. | |||
| 2025-06-30 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0625-112L |
| 2025-06-30 | Violation | 609 | 15A NCAC 18A .2803(a) |
| Staff did not wash their hands thoroughly before beginning work, before/after handling food, before bottle feeding or serving to other children, after toileting or handling body fluids, after diaper changing and after handling soiled items. A staff member changed two (2) children's diapers/pull-ups and did not wash his/her hands after changing each child. No staff members washed their hands after returning from outside. | |||
| 2025-06-30 | Violation | 1034 | .0701(a) |
| All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. The most recent Health questionnaire was dated 11/13/20 for a staff member who was employed on 11/17/20. Additionally, the most recent health questionnaire for a staff member who was employed on 8/27/18 was dated 8/24/20. | |||
| 2025-06-30 | Violation | 1035 | .0701(a) |
| 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. The most recent emergency information form for a staff member who was employed on 11/17/20 was dated 12/4/20, but additional note "update:4/4/24" was also written. Regardless of the date, the form was not renewed annually. The most recent emergency information form for a staff member hired on 8/27/18 was dated 4/9/21. | |||
| 2025-06-30 | Violation | 1314 | .0802(c)(2) |
| Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. Emergency information did not provide the children's health care providers in two (2) children's applications. | |||
| 2025-06-30 | Violation | 1324 | .1804(c) |
| Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. Acknowledgement of receipt of program's discipline policy was not in file for two (2) newly enrolled children. Per administrator, the children's first day was today. | |||
| 2025-06-30 | Violation | 1325 | .1804(b) |
| Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. No acknowledgement form for receipt of program's discipline policy was found on the newly enrolled children's files. | |||
| 2025-06-30 | 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. The staff member's medical statement, TB screening result and health questionnaire was mixed with other documents in the file for a staff member who was employed on 11/17/20. | |||
| 2025-06-18 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0625-112L |
| 2025-06-18 | Violation | 125 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) |
| Daily records of arrival and departure times for children at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. During the visit today, eleven children did not have documentation on the sign in chart with an arrival time. In review of the daily records of arrival and departure for this week, on 6/17/25 there were three children in attendance that did not have documentation on the sign in and sign out sheet with an arrival and departure time and on 6/16/15 there were six children in attendance that did not have documentation on the sign in and sign out sheet with an arrival and departure time. | |||
| 2025-06-18 | 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. One staff hired on 7/8/21 had a First Aid certification on file that expired 2/2023 and a renewal of First Aid training through an agency that is not approved by the Division dated 5/19/25. | |||
| 2025-06-18 | 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. One staff hired on 7/8/21 had a CPR certification on file that expired 2/2023 and a renewal of CPR training through an agency that is not approved by the Division dated 5/19/25. | |||
| 2025-06-18 | Violation | 1328 | G.S. 110-91(9) |
| Children's records were not made available for review. One child present during the visit did not have any paperwork on file for review. | |||
| 2025-06-18 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. One (1) staff member had ten (10) children, two-to-five years of age from 8:30 am to 8:59 am on May 19, 2025. | |||
| 2025-06-18 | Violation | 1914 | .0802(b)(1-2) |
| The person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan was not on the premises at all times and/or did not accompany children for off premise activities. The two people identified on the emergency medical care plan are no longer employed at the child care facility. | |||
| 2025-02-20 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-02-10 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-02-10 | Violation | 303 | .1801(a)(1-5) |
| Children were not adequately supervised at all times. Upon entering the building there was one teacher with fourteen children ages two-five years of age by herself. The other teacher was in the kitchen with another room between them preparing lunch. Additionally at the end of my visit a child came into the side room where I was working and went to the bathroom. The teachers were unaware he had left to go to the restroom. | |||
| 2025-02-10 | Violation | 544 | .0510(f) |
| Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. While the teacher was by herself with children she turned on a tv program . There were two(2) children that were two years old present. | |||
| 2025-02-10 | Violation | 620 | 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) |
| All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. A window in the classroom was broken out and is covered with a piece of wood and needs to be repaired. The siding that runs along the bottom of the building has rusted out spots all along the part that meets the grass. | |||
| 2025-02-10 | Violation | 1034 | .0701(a) |
| All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. Five (5) teachers did not have updated health questionnaires in their files. | |||
| 2024-06-10 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-06-05 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-06-05 | Violation | 303 | .1801(a)(1-5) |
| Children were not adequately supervised at all times. The group of children ages two to five-years old ran into the building from outside. The three (3) teachers were at the back of the line. A three-year old ran into the side room where the office is and into the bathroom where they change pull-ups. He washed his hands and played in water. All the teachers walked past this room and started helping children in the classroom and at the bathroom at the end of the long room at the other bathroom. One teacher walked to the room where the three-year-old child was and closed the curtain which separated the office space from the classroom. The child was still at the sink washing his hands and playing in water. Ms. Walsh came in and I pointed him out and he was returned to his group. Time was four minutes and teachers never knew he was missing from the classroom. | |||
| 2024-06-05 | Violation | 524 | .0510(d)(2)(A-C) |
| When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. Children were engaged in a Disney movie that was non educational and was not written in a domain. | |||
| 2024-06-05 | Violation | 544 | .0510(f) |
| Screen time was offered to children under three years of age.Children ages two to five-years old were watching a non-educational video when I entered. | |||
| 2024-06-05 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A trike with broken plastic with sharp edges was on playground. Playground climbing toys under 18’ inches were in such close proximity that if a child fell they would fall on another climbing structure. | |||
| 2024-06-05 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. S.C. was hired on 4/9/24 and had not completed any of the required orientation for the six weeks within employment. | |||
| 2024-06-05 | Violation | 1067 | .1101(a)(b) |
| Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas.S.C. was hired on 4/9/24 and had not completed any of the required orientation for the first two (2) weeks or six weeks within employment. | |||
| 2024-06-05 | Violation | 1825 | .0607(f) |
| All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. S.C. and K.D. did not review EPR plan when hired. | |||
| 2024-06-05 | Violation | 1874 | .0608(d)(1-4) |
| 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. Based on the information reviewed today the following staff did not sign the policy prior to caring for children: S.T. hired 4/9/24 policy has not been signed. | |||
| 2024-03-05 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-02-22 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-02-22 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Upon arrival I witnessed a teacher walked out of the building, walked across the parking lot behind a building and then up a hill to get the mail. She then reappeared with mail in hand and returned to the building. The estimated time was ten (10)minutes. Upon entering the facility, I realized there was only one (1) other teacher. That teacher had been left alone with fifteen children ages three (3) to five (5) and was out of ratio. | |||
| 2024-02-14 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-02-14 | Violation | 9995 | |
| A violation was found for which there is no item number. There was a dog in the office that opens to the childcare with no door. The Admisntator did not have a shot record available. | |||
| 2024-02-14 | Violation | 303 | .1801(a)(1-5) |
| Children were not adequately supervised at all times.A child entered the space next to the classroom used as an office to use a bathroom and closed the door. The staff was in the next room with the other children. All the children were talking loudly. He could not be heard or seen during this time. A second child entered the same bathroom while teacher was putting out cots and another child was screaming by her so the same incident occurred again. | |||
| 2024-02-14 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The two (2) seesaws on the playground need to be repainted due to rusting and chipping paint. The basketball goal and caterpillar need to be pressure washed due to mildew on both. | |||
| 2024-02-14 | Violation | 1043 | G.S. 110-91( 9) |
| All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. One staff’s Criminal Background was not on site for viewing. | |||
| 2024-02-14 | Violation | 1874 | .0608(d)(1-4) |
| 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 (1) teacher did not have Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed prior to caring for children. | |||
| 2024-02-14 | 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. | |||
| 2024-02-14 | 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) teachers did not have Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment Training: within 90 days of hire. | |||
| 2023-03-30 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-03-30 | Violation | 404 | 15A NCAC 18A .2803(a) |
| All staff did not wash their hands thoroughly after diapering each child. Five children's diapers were changed with teacher not washing hands during all five changes. | |||
| 2023-03-30 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A current Activity plan was not posted. March 13-17 was posted which was two weeks prior to my visit. | |||
| 2023-03-30 | Violation | 619 | 15A NCAC 18A .2819(c) |
| Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. Five diapers were changed with the same pair of gloves on the teacher. When the gloves were changed no hand washing was completed before the applying the gloves. Changing pad was not disinfected after the diaper change. | |||
| 2023-03-30 | 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. S.R. only had Two (2) of here ten (10) hours required for on going training. | |||
| 2023-03-30 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. L.P. did not have an annual staff evaluation. | |||
| 2022-11-15 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-11-15 | 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 Lockdown/shelter in place drill was completed on 7/22/22. A drill was due in October 2022 and not preformed. | |||
| 2022-05-26 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-04-19 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-04-19 | Violation | 1321 | GS110-91(1) |
| Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. One child's file did not have a Children's Medical Report signed and approved by a physician. | |||
| 2022-04-19 | Violation | 115 | G.S. 110-102 |
| A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center. A Summary of The Law Poster was not posted in the facility. This was corrected during the visit. | |||
| 2022-04-19 | Violation | 858 | .0604(q) |
| 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 bags were located outside bathroom in large bag accessible to children waiting for bathroom. Diaper wipes were on a low shelf in the bathroom accessible to children. This was corrected during visit. | |||
| 2022-04-19 | 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. One staff did not have any current on-going training hours for the year. | |||
| 2022-04-19 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. The Administrator did not have a current staff evaluation since 2020. | |||
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