Three Star Center License
✓ Licensed
Higher Calling Child Care
Smithfield, NC
· Johnston County
115 B NORTH 7TH STREET,
Smithfield, NC 27577
Quick Facts
Capacity
45 children
Age Range
1 through 12
Transportation
Yes
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
3
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Licensed Three Star Center License
Active License
License Number
51000839
License Holder
HIGHER CALLING MINISTRIES AND CHILD CARE INC
License Issued
Jul 10, 2018
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
Stancil
2018-05-19 22:58:31
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months
All my children have attend Higher Calling Child Care for more then a decade. I was truly sad when they transfer to Smithfield, NC. However owner/Director Shonda Covington Said "She'll Be happy to transport my child to the new location which is in Smithfield NC. Mrs.Shonda Covington has taught my children to read at age 2 also potty training. My child only attend 3 days they always have in house field trips older children go on field trips though out the year. I'm truly happy and she accept 3rd Party. If you don't know now you know come visit Mrs.Shonda in Smithfield your be happy that you came
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About the Provider
HIGHER CALLING CHILD CARE is a Three Star Center License in SMITHFIELD NC, with a maximum capacity of 45 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-11 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2026-08-11 | Violation | 812 | 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) |
| 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. The outlet was not covered in the classroom designated for preschool children. | |||
| 2026-08-11 | Violation | 1867 | .0605(k)(1-4) |
| The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. The loose surfacing around the play structure was 3 inches. | |||
| 2026-03-23 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-08-26 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-08-26 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. | |||
| 2025-08-26 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A slat was missing on the fence. The swing was not anchored and the around the legs of the swing was exposed. | |||
| 2025-08-26 | 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. An aerosol can was in unlocked storage in the office area. | |||
| 2025-08-26 | 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 monthly playground inspection was completed on 6-3-25. | |||
| 2025-08-26 | Violation | 1321 | GS110-91(1) |
| Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. | |||
| 2025-08-26 | Violation | 1323 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) |
| Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. Immunization records were not available for one child and nothing was present in the file indicating a religious exemption. | |||
| 2025-08-26 | Violation | 1821 | .0607(d)(8) |
| The EPR Plan did not include the date of the last revision of the plan. | |||
| 2025-08-26 | Violation | 1834 | .0801(b) |
| Application did not have a medical action plan attached for any child with health care needs such as allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services. Two children's records indicated a child had an allergy but a medical action plan was not available. | |||
| 2025-04-24 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-04-16 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-04-16 | Violation | 318 | 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(6) |
| Children between 12 and 24 months of age were grouped with children 3 years of age or older. A one year old child was grouped with children ages three to eight years of age. | |||
| 2025-04-16 | Violation | 501 | 10A NCAC 09 .0901(a) |
| Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. The children had juice for lunch rather than milk as required by Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care. | |||
| 2025-04-16 | Violation | 528 | 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) |
| Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. Food substitution was not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served. | |||
| 2025-04-16 | 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 Orange Air Sense was sitting on the desk and not in locked storage as required. | |||
| 2025-04-16 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. There were twenty (20) children ages one to eight with one caregiver for a brief period of time. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-09-05 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. The surfacing was not an adequate depth under the swings. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The concrete footers around the swings were exposed. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | 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 front section of the fence was not at least 4 feet high. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | Violation | 828 | .0604 (m) |
| Air conditioning units were accessible or did not have a guard to keep objects from being thrown into the unit. The air conditioning until was accessible to the chidlren. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | Violation | 862 | 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) |
| The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Verification of EMC reviewed with staff was not available. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | Violation | 1032 | 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) |
| 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. A medical statement was not on file for one employee who was hired on 2-6-24 until 2-14-24. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | 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. Verification of negative TB was not available for one staff member who was hired on 2-6-24 until 2-16-24. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | 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. Emergency information was not available for one staff member. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One staff member did not have verification of completion of orientation within the first 6 weeks of hire. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | 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. Verification that the EPR plan had been reviewed was not available. | |||
| 2024-09-05 | 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. Verification that the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was reviewed prior to providing care was not available. | |||
| 2024-05-07 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-01-19 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0124-105L |
| 2024-01-19 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plan for the one and two year old children did not have a date and the activity plan for the three and four year old children and the school age children was not current. | |||
| 2024-01-19 | 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. The kitchen door was unlocked and the cabinet where the cleaning products and chemicals were stored was not securely locked. | |||
| 2024-01-19 | Violation | 1321 | GS110-91(1) |
| Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. One child who was present did not have a medical statement on file. | |||
| 2024-01-19 | Violation | 1323 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) |
| Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. One child who was present did not have immunization record on file. | |||
| 2023-09-21 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-09-21 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plan for the 3-5 year old children was not posted. | |||
| 2023-09-21 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Toys were in the fall zone of the climbing structure. The swing set at the far end of the play area was not anchored. | |||
| 2023-09-21 | Violation | 812 | 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) |
| 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. An outlet was not being used and was not covered in the classroom for the school age children. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-05-10 | 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 fire inspection was completed on 2-15-21. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 1032 | 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) |
| 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. A medical statement was not available for two new staff members. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. Verification of a negative TB was not available for two staff members. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. Emergency information was not available for two new staff members. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 1042 | G.S. 110-91(9) |
| Accurate records were not maintained for all staff. One new staff member did not have a file. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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). | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Verification of receipt of orientation was not available for two new staff members. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. Verification of completion of six hours of training within the first two weeks of training was not available for two staff members. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 1233 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Verification of receipt of a job description and personnel and operational policies was not available for two new staff members. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. A valid qualification letter was not on file and available for review for two new staff members. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. The ERP Plan was not reviewed with two new staff members during orientation. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. Verification of completion of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment Training was not available for two new staff members. | |||
| 2022-12-14 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-12-14 | Violation | 1104 | GS 110-91 (13); 10A NCAC 09 .1001(b) |
| More than one person occupied a seat belt or child safety seat. According to the van driver, there was an occasion when two siblings shared a seat belt. | |||
| 2022-09-28 | Announced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-09-28 | Violation | 115 | G.S. 110-102 |
| A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center. The NC Summary of Child Care Law was not posted as required. | |||
| 2022-09-28 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. The surfacing under the equipment was not at least 6 inches deep. | |||
| 2022-09-28 | Violation | 721 | G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) |
| All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. A swing on the playground was broken. | |||
| 2022-09-28 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The swing sets were not anchored. | |||
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