Five Star Center License
✓ Licensed
The Little School At Duke
Durham, NC
· Durham County
1516 HULL AVE,
Durham, NC 27705
Quick Facts
Capacity
191 children
Age Range
0 through 6
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
5
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Contact Information
📞 (919) 354-6600
Licensed Five Star Center License
Active License
License Number
32002041
License Holder
THE LITTLE SCHOOL AT DUKE, INC
License Issued
Nov 12, 2019
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 - Building A capacity is 89, Building B capacity is 102.
Reviews
Katie
2015-09-22 17:26:55
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I have used this provider for more than 6 months
Outstanding childcare and right on Duke's campus. I work at the medical center and have my 3 children at TLS. I feel that they are well taken care of and that the teachers are excellent. From the babies up to the pre-K kids, the children have tons of activities, excellent food (amazing chefs!), and overall our experience has been outstanding. I cannot imagine sending our children anywhere else!
Lisa
2015-09-02 18:25:15
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
I have used this provider for more than 6 months
The positive: I really liked the teachers at this school, and felt they tried very hard and loved the kids. The negative: The school lost a three year old student in the woods during an outing. The child was later found by a stranger and brought to the local police department. The school continues to take children on these "hikes" regardless of this experience, so take this into consideration when you are asked to sign a permission slip for outings.
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About the Provider
We are committed to providing an educational program that is challenging, creative, nurturing and child-centered. We are dedicated to offering an inviting and stimulating environment and developmentally appropriate program such that each child’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth is encouraged and valued. Learning should be a joyful experience.
Hours of Operation
- Days of Operation Monday–Friday
- Open Hours6 am to 6 pm 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-16 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2026-04-16 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Additional surfacing was needed for the exit points of the slides, for the dome climbers, and the black tunnels. | |||
| 2026-04-16 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. There were trees roots on the back playground that were exposed and above ground. Both ends were underground, creating a tripping hazard for children. | |||
| 2026-04-16 | Violation | 862 | 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) |
| The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. There was no documentation on file for staff, who began employment on 3/27/26 and 3/31/26. | |||
| 2026-04-16 | 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. The information on the staff/training worksheet for today's visit reflected that several staff had not completed their required number of in-service training hours for the past year or two. | |||
| 2026-04-16 | 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. There was no documentation that two staff, who began employment on 3/30/26 and 3/27/26, had received the new staff orientation. | |||
| 2026-04-16 | 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 for the staff who began employment on 3/27/26 and 3/31/26. | |||
| 2026-01-06 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2026-01-06 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Additional surfacing was needed at the exit point of the three green slides and the two black tubular slides to meet the surfacing requirements. | |||
| 2026-01-06 | 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 11/5/25, had received any new staff orientation. | |||
| 2026-01-06 | 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. There was no documentation that the staff person, who began employment on 11/24/25, had received the required new staff orientation during the first two weeks of employment. | |||
| 2026-01-06 | 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. There was no documentation that the staff person, who began employment on 11/5/25, had reviewed the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy. | |||
| 2026-01-06 | 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. Permission to administer an Epi-Pen and Benadryl to a child in classroom space #A4 for food allergies expired on 9/26/25. | |||
| 2025-10-30 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 1025-360L |
| 2025-10-30 | Violation | 540 | 10A NCAC 09 .0902(a) |
| An individual written feeding plan was not provided by child's parent or health care provider or was not followed and posted. (omit posting for centers located in a residence). (1) One child, under the age of 15 months, needed a feeding schedule on file. (2) Two children needed updated information on their feeding schedule, regarding eating table food. | |||
| 2025-06-16 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | 0625-088L |
| 2025-06-16 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. There was no measurable surfacing for the hill slides (two green and one blue) on the playgrounds nearest Hull Avenue. The dome climber on the playground nearest Hull Avenue needed additional surfacing to meeting licensing requirements. | |||
| 2025-04-24 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-04-24 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Additional surfacing was needed for both dome climbers and the tire climber. | |||
| 2025-04-24 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. (1) The hill slide on the back left playground was set-up with three black milk containers. The slide needed to be installed properly for stability. (2) The window seal, which was accessible to children on the back left playground, was rotted out with sharp edges exposed to children. (3) The foundation tiles at the bottom of the building, located on the fenced-in space outside classroom space #A3 and #A4 were broken and jagged. The area was accessible to the children. | |||
| 2025-04-24 | 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 expired for one staff in March 2025. | |||
| 2025-04-24 | 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 expired for one staff in March 2025. | |||
| 2025-04-24 | 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. In-service training requirements were tallied today for seven staff. Of the seven staff, three needed additional training hours to meet their yearly requirement. | |||
| 2025-04-24 | 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. The staff person, who began employment on 4/7/25, had not received the orientation training. | |||
| 2025-01-15 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2025-01-15 | 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 documented fire inspection was completed on 11/7/23. | |||
| 2025-01-15 | Violation | 716 | .0605(j) |
| All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Additional surfacing was needed around the two metal doom climbers, the rubber tire dome climber, and at the exit points of the slides. | |||
| 2025-01-15 | 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 playground inspection was conducted on 11/27/24. | |||
| 2025-01-15 | Violation | 1045 | .1101(a) |
| New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. The staff person, who began employment on 5/6/24, had not completed the required 16 hours of new staff orientation | |||
| 2025-01-15 | 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 documented lockdown drill was conducted on 4/30/24. | |||
| 2024-05-01 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2024-05-01 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The current activity plan posted in space S3 and N7 was dated 4/22/24. | |||
| 2024-05-01 | 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 S2, S3, and N7 power plugs did not have safety shield. | |||
| 2024-05-01 | Violation | 843 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(d) |
| A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. Medication with expiration date 2/24 and 3/24 was being applied after the expiration date. | |||
| 2024-05-01 | Violation | 847 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) |
| Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. Desitin cream did not have the required information to apply. | |||
| 2024-05-01 | 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. Twenty staff members did not have verification on file for their yearly training. | |||
| 2023-11-08 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-11-08 | 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 in space #S4, and N5 was dated 10/30/23 - 11/3/23. | |||
| 2023-11-08 | Violation | 533 | 15A NCAC 18A .2804(d) |
| Breast 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. Bottles in space N1 and N2 did not have the current date. | |||
| 2023-11-08 | Violation | 807 | 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) |
| A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The Explores playground the sand box had a large rock and a pipe that was potentially hazardous. | |||
| 2023-11-08 | 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. Surge protectors had uncovered outlets in space # S1 and N 1. | |||
| 2023-11-08 | Violation | 843 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(d) |
| A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. Three containers of Aquaphor in space N5 was expired. | |||
| 2023-11-08 | 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. In space S4 authorization to administer medication for an epi pen expired on 9/23. | |||
| 2023-11-08 | 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 that started employment on 9/23/21 did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicion of Child Maltreatment training. | |||
| 2023-11-08 | Violation | 1898 | .1102(a) |
| Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One staff member that started employment on 9/23/21 did not complete the health and safety training | |||
| 2023-10-19 | Unannounced Inspection | No | 0223-150A |
| 2023-07-10 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2023-05-10 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In space S3 and N7 the activity plan was not posted. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 533 | 15A NCAC 18A .2804(d) |
| Breast 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. A bottle in space S2 was not labeled. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. The following medication had expired dates; Aquaphor, Diaper Rash Paste, Destin, Butt Paste, and Think Baby Sunscreen. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 851 | .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) |
| When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. Think Baby Sunscreen and Destini in space N2 did not have permission form. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 859 | .0605(q) |
| Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The last inspection was conducted on 12/1/22. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 862 | 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) |
| The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Seven staff didn't have documentation yearly review. | |||
| 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. SG,MH,RP, MH, and KS did not have documented training for the first two weeks of employment. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. Three employee that worked with infants training had expired. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 1308 | .0801(a)(7) |
| Application did not include the names of individuals to whom the center may release the child, as authorized by the person who signs the application. Two children files (K.P.;S.M.) did not have emergency contacts. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 1329 | .0801(a)(1-7) |
| Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Three children (E.S.,M.B., M.U) files did not have hospital preference listed. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | 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. The last documented drill was conducted on 11/11/22. | |||
| 2023-05-10 | Violation | 1824 | .0607(e) |
| The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. Seven staff did not have documentation yearly review. | |||
| 2023-02-27 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2023-02-27 | Violation | 303 | .1801(a)(1-5) |
| Children were not adequately supervised at all times. Staff members were unaware of how a seven month old child sustained five scratch marks and a bruise on their ribcage. In addition, a staff member left a one year old child outside in a hammock for a few minutes to obtain a bottle from the classroom. | |||
| 2023-02-27 | Violation | 902 | G.S. 110-91(10) |
| Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A staff member repeatedly attempted to place a bottle in a seven-month-old child's mouth when the child refused take the bottle. | |||
| 2023-02-27 | Violation | 1810 | GS 110-105.6(a) |
| There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. On August 1, 2023, the Division substantiated child maltreatment regarding a infant child with a unexplained injury. | |||
| 2023-02-27 | Violation | 1877 | .1803(a)(10) |
| A child was restrained as a form of discipline and the child's safety or the safety of others was not at risk. A staff member used her leg to restrain two one year old children on their mats during naptime for approximately five minutes. | |||
| 2023-02-16 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-11-08 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-11-08 | Violation | 428 | GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) |
| A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Spaces S1, S3, N2 and N7 did not have current activity plan posted. | |||
| 2022-11-08 | Violation | 721 | G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) |
| All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. On the North playground, pieces of rebar were used as a fastener on a retaining wall. The rebar was protruding, causing an entanglement. | |||
| 2022-11-08 | 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. Space S2, S3 and S4 didn't have safety plugs in 2 wall outlets and one multiple plug. | |||
| 2022-11-08 | Violation | 887 | .0606(g) |
| Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Documentation was not provided for daily monitoring of visual sleep checks. | |||
| 2022-07-25 | Unannounced Inspection | No | |
| 2022-06-30 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-06-30 | Violation | 1898 | .1102(a) |
| Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. Several staff have not completed training in the required health and safety topics. | |||
| 2022-06-30 | Violation | 843 | 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(d) |
| A drug or medicine was administered after its expiration date. An Epi pen with an expiration date of 5/2022 was in a classroom. | |||
| 2022-06-30 | Violation | 1232 | 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) |
| Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. A annual staff evaluation and professional development plan was missing from two staff files. | |||
| 2022-06-30 | Violation | 1835 | .0801(b) |
| The medical action plan was not updated on an annual basis or when changes to the plan were made by the child's parent or health care professional. One child's allergy care plan was more than 1 year old. | |||
| 2022-06-30 | 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. The signed acknowledgement was missing from one staff member's file. | |||
| 2022-06-30 | 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. Many staff have not completed this training within their first 90 days of employment. | |||
| 2022-02-17 | Unannounced Inspection | Yes | |
| 2022-02-17 | 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. Orientation records were not signed and completed within the appropriate time periods. | |||
| 2022-02-17 | Violation | 1041 | G.S. 110-90.2(b) |
| Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. One staff member has not been issued a valid NC qualification letter. | |||
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