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Charlotte · Licensed center

Kiddie Academy Of Steele Creek

kiddieacademy.com

At a glance

  • Large center, licensed for 178 children.
  • Run by a for-profit business, which holds the license.
  • Kiddie Academy franchise; the brand is owned by Essential Brands, Inc. (privately held).

What the state has found

The state cited rules at 4 of its 20 licensing inspections since October 2023.

See each inspection

Licensing inspections

  • Oct 2, 2026Nothing cited
  • Aug 21, 2026Nothing cited
  • Jul 16, 2026Nothing cited
  • Jun 9, 2026Nothing cited
  • Apr 29, 20263 citations
    • Citation
      • “Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. One (1) new staff members first two (2) weeks of orientation was not documented.”

        Violation corrected during visit

    • Citation
      • “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. Two (2) staff members did not signed documentation of receiving personnel and operational policies.”

        Violation corrected during visit

    • Citation
      • “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. An energy drink was observed in space one (1).”

        Violation corrected during visit

  • Apr 1, 2026Nothing cited
  • Feb 23, 20269 citations
    • Citation
      • “Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A staff member spent an extended period of time on the telephone while three-year-old children were awake, resulting in inadequate supervision. During this time, children were observed putting objects in their mouths and engaging in activities off of their cots without appropriate staff oversight. Additionally, while the same staff member was engaged in an extended personal conversation with a parent, a three-year-old child bit another three-year-old child.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 10/2/2026

    • Citation
      • “Foods and beverages with little or no nutritional value were available often and not just for special occasions. A staff member added sugar to three-year-old children's food in an effort to encourage them to eat it.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 10/2/2026

    • Citation
      • “Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A teacher used profanity on multiple occasions while speaking to another adult, both on the phone and in person, in the presence of three-year-old children. Additionally, on multiple occasions, staff spoke to children in a harsh and condescending manner and made condescending remarks about them in their presence. Staff appeared frustrated or irritated when children cried and did not consistently respond in a comforting or developmentally appropriate manner. Children who were crying or visibly distressed were not comforted or responded to appropriately by staff, and their emotional needs were left unaddressed. On multiple occasions, three-year-old children who were crying or upset were separated from the rest of the class rather than being provided with comfort, support, or assistance in regulating their emotions.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/2/2026

    • Citation
      • “A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking. A staff member repeatedly poked a three-year-old child in the back with their finger. On one occasion, the staff member struck a three-year-old child in the chest area and, on a separate occasion, struck the child on the upper arm. The same staff member pulled a three-year-old child's arm to force the child to sit in a chair and, on another occasion, held the child's arm and physically moved the child to a different location. On another occasion, the staff member used their foot to sweep a three-year-old child's feet out from under them in an effort to make the child sit down, causing the child to lose balance and fall onto the carpet. The same staff member threw a three-year-old child onto a pillow to make the child lie down. Additionally, the staff member slapped a three-year-old child in the face and pushed the child onto their cot.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/24/2026

    • Citation
      • “Discipline was related to food, rest or toileting. Staff used candy as a bribe for three-year-old children’s behavior. Staff members provided a candy treat for some three-year-old children based on their behavior but did not provide it for all the children.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/2/2026

    • Citation
      • “Children were disciplined by leaving them alone in a room separated from staff. A staff member prevented a three-year-old child from exiting a bathroom by holding the door closed and standing in front of the door.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/2/2026

    • Citation
      • “There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. Pursuant to its investigation, the Division has confirmed sufficient information to determine child maltreatment.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 10/2/2026

    • Citation
      • “A child was yelled at, shamed, humiliated, frightened, threatened or bullied. On multiple occasions, three staff members yelled at or spoke to three-year-old children in a harsh tone. Additionally, these staff members threatened to send children to other classrooms as a form of discipline. In addition, two staff members got into a three-year-old child's face in an intimidating manner as a means of discipline.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/2/2026

    • Citation
      • “A caregiver placed something over the face of a child during rest time. A staff member placed a blanket over a three-year-old child's head when covering them up during nap time.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 10/2/2026

  • Nov 19, 2025Nothing cited
  • May 7, 20255 citations
    • Citation
      • “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 facility's last fire inspection was conducted April 18, 2024.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

    • Citation
      • “Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. In space #4, the diaper changing surface was cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected however, the disinfectant did not remain on the surface for at least two minutes or allowed to air dry as required. The disinfectant was wipe immediately after it was sprayed on the surface.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

    • Citation
      • “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. Authorization to administer an over the counter Aveeno baby cream expired April 30, 2025.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

    • Citation
      • “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 new staff member did not have verification on file that First Aid was completed through an approved agency.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

    • Citation
      • “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 new staff member did not have verification on file that CPR was completed through an approved agency.”

        Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

  • May 2, 2025Nothing cited
  • Apr 1, 2025Nothing cited
  • Nov 7, 2024Nothing cited
  • Oct 30, 2024Nothing cited
  • Aug 28, 20243 citations
    • Citation
      • “The written feeding plan did not include the child's name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center. In space #2 one feeding schedules was not signed.”

        Violation corrected during visit

    • Citation
      • “All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. In space #7 paint was peeling on the wall.”

        Violation corrected during visit

    • Citation
      • “Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. A red backpack with an EPI pen inside was laying on a top of a toy box and not stored at least five feet or on the teacher.”

        Violation corrected during visit

  • Aug 21, 2024Nothing cited
  • Jun 26, 2024Nothing cited
  • Jun 21, 2024Nothing cited
  • May 20, 2024Nothing cited
  • Apr 30, 2024Nothing cited
  • Oct 5, 2023Nothing cited

The state cited rules at 4 of this center's 20 inspections. Most Charlotte-area centers inspected 10 or more times had rules cited at some but not all of theirs, as this center did: more than 99% of 271.

How all 271 Charlotte-area centers inspected 10 or more times compare

Of the 271 Charlotte-area centers the state inspected 10 or more times, how many of those inspections cited a rule:

  • Someover 99%This center
  • Allunder 1%
Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — North Carolina DCDEE

Last visit
October 2, 2026
On file
20 visits since October 2023 — 16 cited nothing, 13 of those unannounced
Fixed?
All 20 record a correction, in the licensor’s own words.
Most serious
North Carolina DCDEE does not publish a severity level for a citation, so there is no most-serious to name.

North Carolina DCDEE describes every citation in the licensor’s own words and records the correction in that same text — the only one of the six states that publishes whether a violation was fixed. It attaches no rule number and no report document.

Oct 2026 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Aug 2026 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Jul 2026 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Jun 2026 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Apr 2026 Unannounced visit 3 findings

Unannounced visit · April 29, 2026

Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. One (1) new staff members first two (2) weeks of orientation was not documented.

Violation corrected during visit

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. Two (2) staff members did not signed documentation of receiving personnel and operational policies.

Violation corrected during visit

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. An energy drink was observed in space one (1).

Violation corrected during visit

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60004349 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Apr 2026 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Feb 2026 Unannounced visit 9 findings

Unannounced visit · February 23, 2026

Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A staff member spent an extended period of time on the telephone while three-year-old children were awake, resulting in inadequate supervision. During this time, children were observed putting objects in their mouths and engaging in activities off of their cots without appropriate staff oversight. Additionally, while the same staff member was engaged in an extended personal conversation with a parent, a three-year-old child bit another three-year-old child.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 10/2/2026

Foods and beverages with little or no nutritional value were available often and not just for special occasions. A staff member added sugar to three-year-old children's food in an effort to encourage them to eat it.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 10/2/2026

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A teacher used profanity on multiple occasions while speaking to another adult, both on the phone and in person, in the presence of three-year-old children. Additionally, on multiple occasions, staff spoke to children in a harsh and condescending manner and made condescending remarks about them in their presence. Staff appeared frustrated or irritated when children cried and did not consistently respond in a comforting or developmentally appropriate manner. Children who were crying or visibly distressed were not comforted or responded to appropriately by staff, and their emotional needs were left unaddressed. On multiple occasions, three-year-old children who were crying or upset were separated from the rest of the class rather than being provided with comfort, support, or assistance in regulating their emotions.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/2/2026

A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking. A staff member repeatedly poked a three-year-old child in the back with their finger. On one occasion, the staff member struck a three-year-old child in the chest area and, on a separate occasion, struck the child on the upper arm. The same staff member pulled a three-year-old child's arm to force the child to sit in a chair and, on another occasion, held the child's arm and physically moved the child to a different location. On another occasion, the staff member used their foot to sweep a three-year-old child's feet out from under them in an effort to make the child sit down, causing the child to lose balance and fall onto the carpet. The same staff member threw a three-year-old child onto a pillow to make the child lie down. Additionally, the staff member slapped a three-year-old child in the face and pushed the child onto their cot.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/24/2026

Discipline was related to food, rest or toileting. Staff used candy as a bribe for three-year-old children’s behavior. Staff members provided a candy treat for some three-year-old children based on their behavior but did not provide it for all the children.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/2/2026

Children were disciplined by leaving them alone in a room separated from staff. A staff member prevented a three-year-old child from exiting a bathroom by holding the door closed and standing in front of the door.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/2/2026

There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. Pursuant to its investigation, the Division has confirmed sufficient information to determine child maltreatment.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 10/2/2026

A child was yelled at, shamed, humiliated, frightened, threatened or bullied. On multiple occasions, three staff members yelled at or spoke to three-year-old children in a harsh tone. Additionally, these staff members threatened to send children to other classrooms as a form of discipline. In addition, two staff members got into a three-year-old child's face in an intimidating manner as a means of discipline.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/2/2026

A caregiver placed something over the face of a child during rest time. A staff member placed a blanket over a three-year-old child's head when covering them up during nap time.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 10/2/2026

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60004349 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Nov 2025 Unannounced visit nothing cited
May 2025 Unannounced visit 5 findings

Unannounced visit · May 7, 2025

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 facility's last fire inspection was conducted April 18, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

Diaper changing surfaces were not cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected after each use. In space #4, the diaper changing surface was cleaned with a detergent solution and disinfected however, the disinfectant did not remain on the surface for at least two minutes or allowed to air dry as required. The disinfectant was wipe immediately after it was sprayed on the surface.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

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. Authorization to administer an over the counter Aveeno baby cream expired April 30, 2025.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

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 new staff member did not have verification on file that First Aid was completed through an approved agency.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

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 new staff member did not have verification on file that CPR was completed through an approved agency.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 5/21/2025

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60004349 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

May 2025 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Apr 2025 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Nov 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Oct 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Aug 2024 Unannounced visit 3 findings

Unannounced visit · August 28, 2024

The written feeding plan did not include the child's name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center. In space #2 one feeding schedules was not signed.

Violation corrected during visit

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. In space #7 paint was peeling on the wall.

Violation corrected during visit

Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. A red backpack with an EPI pen inside was laying on a top of a toy box and not stored at least five feet or on the teacher.

Violation corrected during visit

DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 60004349 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.

Aug 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Jun 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Jun 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited
May 2024 Announced visit nothing cited
Apr 2024 Announced visit nothing cited
Oct 2023 Announced visit nothing cited

Shortlist replaces people’s names in the state’s text with initials. This is done by rule, not by hand, so it can miss a name or shorten a word that isn’t one. The state’s report, linked on each row, has the original.

Details

Phone
(980) 595-8088
Address
6115 Brightline Park Drive, Charlotte, 28273
License
60004349
Quality program
Four Star License

We couldn’t find some information that may matter to your decision: openings, child care subsidies, cost, hours and late pickup, teaching approach, ratios and staff, a typical day, and sick and biting policies. We can ask the program for you and copy you in.

Run Kiddie Academy Of Steele Creek? Correct or add anything here, free.
Sources and dates

Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.

State record

From North Carolina DCDEE’s published reports, last checked November 8, 2026.

Details

  • Phone, Address, License, Quality program — Checked July 2026 ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. To check it, open ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/childcaresearch, enter licence 60004349 under License Number, and open the result.
  • Website, Who runs it — Checked October 2026 kiddieacademy.com
  • Who runs it — Checked October 2026 ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. To check it, open ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/childcaresearch, enter licence 60004349 under License Number, open the result and expand Owner Information: the licensee is listed as Primary Owner.
  • Who runs it — Checked October 2026 kiddieacademy.com

Kiddie Academy's own site says the founding Miller family continues to own and operate Kiddie Academy, and that other families own and operate the academies in their communities. kiddieacademy.com

Large means the biggest quarter of Charlotte-area’s 605 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 163 to 528 children. Small is 11 to 50; medium is 51 to 162.

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