Three Star Center License
✓ Licensed
The Pa-paw Patch
Vale, NC
· Lincoln County
3819 CAT SQUARE RD,
Vale, NC 28168
Quick Facts
Capacity
100 children
Age Range
0 through 12
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
3
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Licensed Three Star Center License
Active License
License Number
18000609
License Holder
TODDLER'S COVE ACADEMY INC
License Issued
Apr 8, 2023
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
THE PA-PAW PATCH is a Three Star Center License in VALE NC, with a maximum capacity of 100 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-29 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2026-01-08 | Announced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-08-20 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-08-20 | Violation | 808 | 15A NCAC 18A .2832(a) |
| 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. On Playground 2, one water table with a broken lid and one dump truck had standing water in them. | |||
| 2025-08-20 | 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 member with a date of employment of 04/24/2023 had expired on 05/09/2025. | |||
| 2025-08-20 | 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 member with a date of employment of 04/24/2023 had expired on 05/09/2025. | |||
| 2025-08-20 | 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 member with a date of employment of 04/24/2023 who was required to complete twenty hours of on-going training had completed some on-going training from an unapproved training agency and had not completed twenty hours as required. | |||
| 2025-08-20 | Violation | 1203 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(b) |
| Operational policies were not discussed with parents on or before the child's first day and/or they were not notified in writing of all changes. The acknowledgement statement for written notification of operational policy changes was not on file for one child with a date of enrollment of 07/01/2024. | |||
| 2025-08-20 | 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. A staff roster was not established in the ABCMS portal to notify DCDEE of current and new staff member employment. | |||
| 2025-08-20 | 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 EPR Plan was updated on 06/09/2025 but had not been reviewed with eleven out of twelve staff members. | |||
| 2025-08-20 | Violation | 1867 | .0605(k)(1-4) |
| The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. On Playground 1, the rubber mulch and pea gravel surfacing measured less than one inch to seven inches within the fall zone of the composite structure and the spring rockers. | |||
| 2025-08-20 | 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. One staff member with a date of employment of 01/21/2025 completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 04/27/2025 rather than 04/21/2025 as required. | |||
| 2025-07-09 | Announced Inspection | No | |
| 2025-02-12 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-02-12 | Violation | 603 | 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) |
| All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 2, 3, and 6, the rugs were visibly soiled. | |||
| 2025-02-12 | 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. In Spaces 1, 2, and 3, a black substance that may be mold and/or mildew was seen on the ceiling vents and the ceiling tiles surrounding the ceiling vents. In Space 3, the doors, doorframes, and walls were visibly soiled. | |||
| 2025-02-12 | Violation | 721 | G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) |
| All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. In Spaces 3 and 6, the dramatic play set furniture and toy shelves were visibly soiled. | |||
| 2025-02-12 | 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. In Space 3, the pharmaceutical label on a prescription medication indicated that the medication should be discarded after 11/30/2024 and was not returned to the parent or discarded within 72 hours. | |||
| 2024-09-04 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-09-04 | Violation | 404 | 15A NCAC 18A .2803(a) |
| All staff did not wash their hands thoroughly after diapering each child. In Space 3, the teacher did not wash her hands after diapering each child. The teacher wore a pair of gloves and changed multiple children without removing the gloves and washing her hands in between diapering each child. | |||
| 2024-09-04 | Violation | 405 | 15A NCAC 18A .2803(c)(2) |
| A child's hands were not washed after each diaper change. In Space 3, the teacher did not wash each child's hands after changing each diaper. | |||
| 2024-09-04 | Violation | 533 | 15A NCAC 18A .2804(d) |
| Human milk, formula and other bottled beverages including sippy cups, sent from child's home were not fully prepared, dated, and labeled for the appropriate child. In Space 1, one bottle was not labeled with the name of the child and the date the bottle was to be served. | |||
| 2024-09-04 | Violation | 619 | 15A NCAC 18A .2819(c) |
| Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. In Space 3, the teacher did not disinfect the diaper changing pad after diapering each child. | |||
| 2024-09-04 | 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. In Space 1, walls were visibly soiled and the drywall was torn under the soap dispenser at the handwashing sink. In Space 2, walls and baseboards were visibly soiled, the drywall was torn under the soap dispenser at the handwashing sink, and paint was chipping on the baseboards. In Space 3, walls, doorframes, doors, baseboards, and cabinets were visibly soiled and paint was chipping on the interior doors. In Space 4, walls, doorframes, and baseboards were visibly soiled and paint was chipping on four of the interior doors | |||
| 2024-09-04 | Violation | 721 | G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) |
| All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. In Space 1, one high chair tray, the handwashing sink, and counters were visibly soiled with buildup and two cot sheets were visibly soiled. In Space 2, two diaper pails, all child-sized chairs, two handwashing sinks, and two counters were visibly soiled with buildup. In Space 3, one dustpan, all toy shelves, all child-sized chairs, two dramatic play sets, dress up clothes, rugs, handwashing sinks, and counters were visibly soiled with buildup. In Space 6, four toy shelves, all child-sized chairs, rugs, handwashing sinks, and counters were visibly soiled with buildup and four toy shelves needed to be refinished. | |||
| 2024-09-04 | Violation | 847 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) |
| Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 1, authorization to administer one oral non-prescription medication was given using the topical permission form with no medication administration log attached. In Space 1, one permission to administer a non-prescription topical medication was missing the valid dates and when to administer the medication. | |||
| 2024-09-04 | 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. In Space 3, one diaper pail liner full of soiled diapers was left laying in the floor of the bathroom used by girls. | |||
| 2024-09-04 | Violation | 1206 | 10A NCAC 09 .0515(a) |
| Center did not have a plan to encourage parent participation and inform them about the program and its services. The director had posted the child care rule for Parent Participation Plan requirements and had included two of the four components of the Parent Participation Plan in the parent handbook. The Parent Participation Plan did not include procedures to encourage families to visit the center with the child prior to enrolling and attending the facility. The Parent Participation Plan did not include procedures for parents to follow when they have a complaint or grievance. | |||
| 2024-07-10 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0724-060L |
| 2024-07-10 | Violation | 852 | .0802 (e) |
| 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. On May 23, 2024, an injury occurred involving a one-year-old child and an incident report was not completed. | |||
| 2024-05-24 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-05-24 | 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. First Aid training for one staff member with a date of employment of 10/02/2023 was due by 01/02/2024. The staff member completed First Aid training on 01/16/2024. | |||
| 2024-05-24 | 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. CPR training for one staff member with a date of employment of 10/02/2023 was due by 01/02/2024. The staff member completed CPR training on 01/16/2024. | |||
| 2024-05-10 | Announced Inspection | No | |
| 2024-04-09 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | Rule Violated | |
| 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 6, a first aid kit containing one instant cold pack was stored in an unlocked drawer. | |||
|
Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) Violation corrected during visit |
|||
| 2024-04-09 | Violation | Rule Violated | |
| Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 6, a first aid kit containing three packs of aspirin, one pack of first aid cream, three packs of acetaminophen, three packs of Ibuprofen, one sting relief pad, and one tube of After Bite was stored in an unlocked drawer. | |||
|
Provider Response: (Contact the State Licensing Office for more information.) Violation corrected during visit |
|||
| 2024-03-01 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-03-01 | 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. The administrator added the missing arrival time for the child. | |||
| 2024-03-01 | Violation | 605 | 15A NCAC 18A.2817(b) |
| Toilet fixtures were not cleaned and disinfected at least daily and when visibly soiled. In the bathroom shared by Space 5 and 6, the toilet basins were soiled with build up. | |||
| 2024-03-01 | Violation | 620 | 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) |
| All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair. In the bathroom shared by Space 5 and 6, the bathroom wall had a tear in the sheet rock where a soap dispenser had been removed from the wall, the walls were visibly soiled, and the rubber baseboards were visibly soiled with buildup. | |||
| 2024-03-01 | Violation | 721 | G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) |
| All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. In Space 5, a stand-alone dollhouse had worn edges and torn paper covering and a table in the dramatic play area had broken edges and chipping paint. The administrator removed the dollhouse and the table from the classroom. | |||
| 2024-03-01 | 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 2, 5, and 6, four prescription medications for chronic illnesses were stored in locked cabinets making them not readily accessible to the staff in the event of an emergency. The administrator moved these emergency medications to shelves above five feet in cabinets in the classroom making them inaccessible to children but easily assessible to teachers. | |||
| 2024-03-01 | 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. In Space 2, the permission to administer form for one over the counter diaper ointment had expired and the diaper ointment was being administered. In Space 3, one over the counter expired in 01/2024 and was not returned to the parent. In Space 6, the permission to administer from for one over the counter medication had expired and the medication had not been returned to the parent. The administrator removed the three over the counter medications from the classrooms and brought them her office to return to the parents. | |||
| 2024-01-17 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-01-17 | Violation | 1041 | G.S. 110-90.2(b) |
| Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. New staff orientation training was started with three new staff members employed on 01/08/2024, 01/11/2024, and 01/16/2024 prior to receiving their Criminal Background Check qualification letters. | |||
| 2024-01-17 | Violation | 1831 | .01102 (f) |
| At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. Two staff members with dates of employment of 01/08/2024 and 01/11/2024 were working alone in the infant room and had not completed ITS-SIDS training. | |||
| 2023-12-08 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 1123-268L |
| 2023-12-01 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 1123-268L |
| 2023-12-01 | 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 5, an arrival time was not recorded for two children in attendance. The teacher recorded the arrival times during the visit. | |||
| 2023-12-01 | Violation | 303 | .1801(a)(1-5) |
| Children were not adequately supervised at all times. On one occasion in November 2023, one three-year-old child was left unattended in the two-year-old classroom for an unknown period of time while the teacher and the rest of the children were outside on the playground. On November 17, 2023, one three-year-old child was left outside on the playground for an unknown period of time while the teacher and the rest of the children went inside the classroom. | |||
| 2023-12-01 | Violation | 316 | 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)(5) |
| Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older. During the months of October and November, children zero, one, two, and three years of age were grouped together for longer than the first hour of operation during the early morning arrival hours of 6:00am and 7:30am. | |||
| 2023-12-01 | Violation | 429 | .0508(b)(1-5) |
| The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 2, daily art activities were planned but were not carried out. In Space 5, snow-theme sensory and science materials were not available to carry out the planned activities. In Space 6, farm-theme materials and toys were not available to carry out the planned activities. In Space 6, black-line worksheets were planned daily as "art work". | |||
| 2023-12-01 | Violation | 611 | 15A NCAC 18A .2821(c) |
| All beds,cots, or mats with individual linen were not provided for each child. One three-year-old child was allowed to sleep on the floor during the early morning arrival hours instead of being given their cot on which to sleep. | |||
| 2023-12-01 | Violation | 1756 | 10A NCAC 09 .2818 |
| Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. The enhanced staff to child ratio was not maintained for the youngest child in the group. During the visit, nine three-year-old children and one two-year-old child were grouped together in Space 6. On numerous occasions in October 2023 and November 2023, the staff to child ratios were not maintained during the early morning hours. On at least one occasion in October, one teacher on-site from 6:00am to 7:00am opened the one-year-old classroom and supervised nine children ranging in age from zero to three years of age. | |||
| 2023-10-17 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 1023-160L |
| 2023-09-19 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-09-19 | 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. Staff medical records for all the employees were stored in the staff record file with all the other personnel records. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | Violation | 475 | .0510(c)(3) |
| Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. In Space 4, sand and water play activities were not available indoors or outdoors to the three-year-old children at least weekly. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | Violation | 721 | G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) |
| All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. On Playground 3, the set of steps on the castle climber were broken and the piece of equipment was not removed or repaired. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | 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 2, one container of sunscreen was stored in an unlocked drawer. The teacher locked the medication drawer. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | Violation | 846 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4) |
| Over-the-counter medicines were not in their original containers or administered as authorized in writing by parent, physician or authorized health professional. In Space 2, one container of over the counter diaper ointment was not labeled with the name of the child. The interim administrator labeled the container of diaper ointment with the name of the child. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | Violation | 847 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) |
| Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 2, one permission to administer form was missing the information for when and how to apply a diaper ointment. The parent added the missing information when the child was picked up. In Space 3, one permission to administer form was missing the valid dates a diaper ointment could be administered. The parent added the missing valid dates when the child was picked up. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | 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. In Space 2, a ziploc bag was used to store extra clothing for each child in a basket on top of each cubby which was unlocked and below five feet. The interim administrator removed the ziploc bag from each basket. In Space 3, a bag of used grocery bags was stored below five feet on the handle of a hanging cabinet in an unlocked sick room. The interim administrator removed the bags from the unlocked sick room and placed them in a locked cabinet. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. New staff orientation training for all employees included six health and safety training courses. Health and safety training should be completed in addition to new staff orientation training. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | Violation | 1230 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(e) |
| Personnel policies were not discussed with each staff at employment and a copy was not available to all staff. Two staff members with a dates of employment of 08/15/2023 and 09/05/2023 did not have acknowledgement statements on file to document the personnel policies had been discussed with the staff members. | |||
| 2023-09-19 | 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. One child application indicated the child had a food allergy but no medical action plan was attached or on file in the center. | |||
| 2023-02-08 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-02-08 | Violation | 620 | 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) |
| All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean and in good repair. In space 4 there is a gap in the wall paneling that leaves the material underneath exposed. | |||
| 2023-02-08 | 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 quarterly emergency drill was not completed during the month of December. | |||
| 2023-02-08 | 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 (1) children's record belonging to RE did not have a documented date explaining the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was explained. | |||
| 2023-02-01 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-02-01 | Violation | 501 | 10A NCAC 09 .0901(a) |
| Meals/snacks did not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. I observed two breakfast meals that only have two food components planned, one lunch that has four food components planned, and two snacks that have one food component planned. These five meals that are planned for the month of February do not comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. | |||
| 2023-02-01 | Violation | 527 | 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) |
| A variety of foods were not included in meals and snacks. I observed that sandwiches are planned to be served for lunch nine times for the month of February, and hotdogs are planned to be served for lunch five times for the month of February. This does not provide the variety of food required for children. | |||
| 2022-12-28 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-12-28 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In space 3 the posted lesson plan was not current. | |||
| 2022-12-28 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. One (1) staff member C.F. did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. | |||
| 2022-10-31 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-10-31 | 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. One staff member working in the infant classroom today, has expired ITS-SIDS training. | |||
| 2022-10-31 | Violation | 9995 | |
| A violation was found for which there is no item number. 15A NCAC .18A .2816(e) Hot water used for cleaning and sanitizing food utensils and laundry shall be provided at a minimum temperature of 120°F (49°C) at the point of use. Water in areas accessible to children shall be tempered between 80°F (27°C) and 110°F (43°C). For handwash lavatories used exclusively by school-age children, the 80°F (27°C) minimum temperature requirement shall not apply. Hot water in an area accessible to any child, which is in excess of 120°F (49°C), shall be considered a burn hazard. Child care centers serving only school-age children are not required to provide hot water in areas accessible to children. In the event of the loss of hot water, the person in charge shall immediately contact the local health department. Upon entering the facility, the laundry room and the kitchen were both unlocked. Both the laundry room and kitchen must remain locked due to the hot water temperature that must remain inaccessible to children. | |||
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