Five Star Center License
✓ Licensed
Southwest Elementary Pre-k
Hickory, NC
· Catawba County
1580 32ND STREET SW,
Hickory, NC 28602
Quick Facts
Capacity
36 children
Age Range
3 through 5
Transportation
Yes
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
5
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Contact Information
📞 (828) 324-8884
Licensed Five Star Center License
Active License
License Number
18000358
License Holder
Hickory Public Schools
License Issued
Nov 18, 2024
Issued By
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
District Office
North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services - Division of Child Development
License Conditions: Other - Certified Developmental Day Program, Meets enhanced ratios minus one child per group.
Reviews
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About the Provider
Southwest Elementary is a Pre-K through fifth grade school which prides itself in its diversity. The mix of cultures in our school allows us to continually learn about different customs and ways of life. We strive to build positive relationships between our students, parents, staff and the community.
Additional Information:
Five Star Center License
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-28 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-10-10 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-10-10 | 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 most recent fire inspection was dated September 18, 2025, and received during today’s visit rather than within one week of the inspection as required. | |||
| 2025-10-10 | 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). One staff member with a date of employment of 08/12/2024 had a CBC qualification letter on file dated 07/31/2020 which had expired on 07/31/2025. | |||
| 2025-10-10 | 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. DCDEE was not notified within five business days of employment when the ABCMS staff roster was established. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/23/2023, 08/12/2024, and 09/20/2024 currently employed by the facility were not listed on the facility’s ABCMS staff roster. | |||
| 2025-10-10 | 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. A shelter-in-place drill completed in May 2025 which would make the next emergency drill due to be completed in August 2025. No emergency drill was completed in August 2025. | |||
| 2025-04-10 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-04-10 | Violation | 859 | .0605(q) |
| Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. A monthly playground inspection form was missing for November 2024. | |||
| 2025-04-10 | 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. A shelter-in-place drill was completed on 10/17/2025. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due to be completed in January 2025 but was not completed. A lockdown drill was completed on 04/09/2025. | |||
| 2024-11-07 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-11-07 | Violation | 508 | .0901(g) |
| Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas. In Space 2, no allergy list was posted in the classroom. | |||
| 2024-11-07 | 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. In Space 2, a charging tower was stored on top of a counter below five feet with seven electrical outlets left uncovered. | |||
| 2024-11-07 | Violation | 841 | 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) |
| Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 1, emergency medication was stored in a ready-to-go bag placed on a hook on the wall that allowed the bottom of the bag to hang below five feet. | |||
| 2024-04-24 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2023-11-14 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-11-14 | 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 dated 03/16/2023 but was not received until 05/04/2023. The fire inspection was received prior to today's visit. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | Violation | 125 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) |
| 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. In Space 1, the arrival times for two children were not recorded at the time of arrival. The teacher recorded the arrival times for these two children. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | 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. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/14/2023 did not have a medical report on file prior to employment. The staff medical report was dated 09/23/2023 and was in the staff file. The medical report was completed and on file prior to today's visit. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | 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. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/14/2023 did not have a TB screening form or negative results of TB on file prior to employment. The TB screening form was dated 09/23/2023 and was in the staff file. The TB screening form was completed and on file prior to today's visit. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | 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 member with a date of employment of 08/14/2023 has not completed first aid training within 90 day days of employment. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | 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 member with a date of employment of 08/14/2023 has not completed CPR training within 90 day days of employment. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | Violation | 1321 | GS110-91(1) |
| Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. One child did not have a medical exam or health assessment documented and on file within 30 days of enrollment. The teacher had documentation from the parent stating a doctor appointment was scheduled for 11/20/2023. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | Violation | 1325 | .1804(b) |
| Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. Three discipline policy acknowledgement statements signed and dated by the parents did not include the date of enrollment. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | Violation | 1767 | .3005 (a)(3) |
| The health assessment did not include a vision screening. One child did not have a vision screening on file. The health examine documented on the school health screening form was completed within 30 days but a vision screening was not documented on the form. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | Violation | 1769 | .3005 (a)(5) |
| The health assessment did not include a dental screening. Two children did not have dental screenings on file. The health examines documented on the school health screening forms were completed within 30 days but documentation of dental screenings were not on file. | |||
| 2023-11-14 | 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. Two Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statements signed and dated by the parents did not include the date of enrollment and/or the date the policy was given and explained to the parent. | |||
| 2023-05-04 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-12-14 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-12-13 | Announced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-12-07 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-12-07 | Violation | 125 | 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) |
| 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. In Space 1, the arrival time for one child was not recorded upon arrival. During the visit, the teacher recorded the arrival time for the child correcting the violation. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | 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. In Space 1, two outlets on the plugs of two christmas light strands were uncovered. In Space 2, two outlets on the plugs of two christmas light strands and two outlets on a power strip located in the front of the room were uncovered. During today's visit, the teachers covered the outlets on the plugs of the christmas light strands and the power strip. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | 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. In Space 1, one refill container of bulk handsoap was stored above the handwashing sink and one refill container of bulk handsoap was stored under the handwashing sink. During the visit, the teachers locked the two refill containers of bulk handsoap in a cabinet in the classroom. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | Violation | 862 | 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) |
| The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Substitute staff member, MC and PW, did not review the EMC Plan on or before the first day substituting in the classroom or annually. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | 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. Substitute staff member, MC, did not have the Emergency Information form on file on or before the first day of employment. During today's visit, the substitute staff member, MC, completed the Emergency Information form. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | Violation | 1043 | G.S. 110-91( 9) |
| All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. Five substituting staff members' (MC, RT, DP, AC, and AL) staff files were missing an employment application and TB test results. One substituting staff member file was missing a health questionnaire. These staff members were not listed on the Public-School Off-Site Records Verification Staff Records form. During today's visit, the five substituting staff members were added to the Public-School Off-Site Records Verification Staff Records form and MC completed the Health Questionnaire correcting the violation. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | 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. Two staff members did not complete six clock hours of training in specific topic areas within the first two weeks of employment. KY completed five hours of orientation training within the first two weeks of employment. HL completed five hours and thirty minutes of orientation training within the first two weeks of employment. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | Violation | 1329 | .0801(a)(1-7) |
| Application for enrollment did not include all required information. The child application for enrollment for three randomly selected child record files were missing the information including any particular fears the child has and unique behavior characteristics. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | Violation | 1755 | .2902 (f) |
| Certified developmental day center staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. From 8:30am to 9:25am, in Space 2 where children were enrolled in the developmental day program and in attendance, the staff to child ratio was two staff members to fifteen children. At 9:25am, one substitute staff member, MC, entered the classroom which corrected the violation. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | 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. One staff member, PW, did not have documentation on file acknowledging she had reviewed the EPR Plan in 2022. During today's visit, PW signed the acknowledgment statement acknowledging she had reviewed the EPR Plan in August 2022. | |||
| 2022-12-07 | Violation | 1826 | .0607(g) |
| Substitutes and volunteers counted in ratio were not informed of the center's EPR Plan and its location. Documentation of this notice was not maintained on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. Substitute staff member, MC, did not have documentation on file acknowledging she had been informed of the center's School Risk Managment (SRM) Plan on or before the first day substituting. | |||
| 2022-01-06 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-01-06 | Violation | 1792 | .0901(i) |
| Staff did not model appropriate eating behaviors by consuming food or beverages that meet the nutritional requirements specified in the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs in the presence of children in care. Staff in space one were drinking flavored water in see through cups. | |||
| 2022-01-06 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Space one had an activity plan posted from December 2021. | |||
| 2022-01-06 | 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. Space one had a menu posted for December 2021. Space two had a menu posted for October 2021 and November 2021. | |||
| 2022-01-06 | 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 closest to the parking area was measuring between 3 feet 8 inches and 3 feet 10 inches. The back fence was measuring 3 feet 9 inches and 3 feet 10 inches. | |||
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