Waxhaw · Licensed center
The Goddard School
At a glance
- Medium center, licensed for 157 children.
- Run by a for-profit business, which holds the license.
- The Goddard School franchise; the brand is owned by Sycamore Partners (private equity).
What the state has found
The state cited rules at 9 of its 22 licensing inspections since September 2023.
See each inspection
Licensing inspections
Jul 14, 20261 citation
Citation
“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In space two (2) and space seven (7) the closet doors were unlocked where teacher's personal bags were located.”
Violation corrected during visit
- Oct 13, 2025Nothing cited
- Jul 23, 2025Nothing cited
Nov 20, 20241 citation
Citation
“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 one (1) and two (2) there were expired diaper cream authorizations.”
Violation corrected during visit
- Nov 8, 2024Nothing cited
- Oct 11, 2024Nothing cited
- Oct 7, 2024Nothing cited
- Sep 4, 2024Nothing cited
Jul 31, 20243 citations
Citation
“A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In the rooms serving preschool age children there was not a current activity plan posted for reference.”
Violation corrected during visit
Citation
“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. Staff Member S.T., medical report was not completed within on or before her start date.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/2/2024
Citation
“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. Staff members' MC, BA, CC, AH, CB, ST, ET, and EL files did not have a reviewed and signed acknowledgement of the Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy before beginning work with children under the age of five (5).”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/2/2024
- Jul 18, 2024Nothing cited
- Jun 18, 2024Nothing cited
- Jun 5, 2024Nothing cited
- Apr 26, 2024Nothing cited
Mar 12, 20241 citation
Citation
“The operator made an effort to falsify information. In March 2023, the administrator sent a correction letter to the child care consultant. The letter stated an employee would not return to work until she received a current qualifying letter. However, the employee was on-site providing care during subsequent visits in August 2023 and October 2023 without a current qualifying letter on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/19/2024
Mar 5, 20241 citation
Citation
“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 the space that serves two (2) year old a child was observed to being playing with a plastic bag holding crayons during rest time.”
Violation corrected during visit
- Feb 21, 2024Nothing cited
Feb 19, 20244 citations
Citation
“The operator made an effort to falsify information. The operator made an effort to falsify information. On March 19, 2024, I spoke with Ms. P., Administrator, to follow-up for a violation cited on February 19, 2024, regarding a criminal background check/qualification letter for KH. In Ms. P. correction letter, she stated items completed regarding KH criminal background check. During the conversation, she indicated KH was not working in a classroom with children, but was in the facility doing paperwork. When I asked her to send a statement confirming that, she sent an email that stated she could not send a statement that KH had not been caring for children since February 21, 2024, because KH had in fact been caring for children.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/30/2024
Citation
“Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Two staff persons, K Haggins and C R. did not complete the Criminal Background Check and therefore have no qualifying letter on file.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
Citation
“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, A Watson, had an expired qualification letter. The letter was issued on 10/27/17 and expired on 10/27/2022.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
Citation
“A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Three staff persons, A Watson, K Haggins and C R. did not have a valid qualifying letter on file or available for review.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
- Jan 29, 2024Nothing cited
Dec 5, 20235 citations
Citation
“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On December 4, 2023, a staff member failed to ensure a safe environment for children when a bottle warmer was used in close proximity to a group of one-year-olds seated at a table. A child sustained burns to the face, hands and fingers when hot water dripped off of a warmed bottle and hit the child as she sat at the table. The staff member applied ice to the burns as noted on the incident report provided to the parents.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/12/2023
Citation
“A First Aid information sheet was not posted in a place for referral and/or the information sheet did not include all the required information. A First Aid information sheet was not observed in the classroom for young one-year-old children for staff reference. A staff member attempted to place ice on burns sustained by a one-year-old child which is not the correct manner to treat a burn.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/12/2023
Citation
“Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An employee (DM) started employment on August 28,2023 without a completed Criminal Background Check. (repeat from 8/9/2022; 3/2/2023; 10/25/2023)”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
Citation
“A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for one staff member (DM). (This is a repeat violation from 8/9/2022; 3/2/2023; 8/3/2023 and 10/25/2023.)”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
Citation
“There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/8/2024
Oct 25, 20234 citations
Citation
“Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. On multiple occasions, staff members spoke to children with a harsh, raised tone.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/2/2023
Citation
“Child was handled roughly. A staff member lifted children up by the arm and wrist, in a jerking motion, to move the children to other locations in the classroom.”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/2/2023
Citation
“Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member (KS) did not have a Criminal Background Check completed prior to beginning to provide care for children. (Repeat from 8/9/2022; 3/2/2023)”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/2/2023
Citation
“A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for one staff member (KS). (This is a repeat violation from 8/9/2022; 3/2/2023; 8/3/2023.)”
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/2/2023
- Sep 19, 2023Nothing cited
Sep 5, 20233 citations
Citation
“A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space #1 a child was placed in a rocker and was able to rock himself over. There would have to have substantial rocking occurring which was not addressed by the caregivers as well as the safety bar not put into place to prevent tipping.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 9/19/2023
Citation
“Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not updated to include the incident occurring on 8/16/23 for S.S.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 9/19/2023
Citation
“At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. D.F. and K.L. had not completed the ITS-SIDS training and were the only two caregivers present in Space #1.”
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 9/19/2023
The state cited rules at 9 of this center's 22 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
- July 14, 2026
- On file
- 22 visits since September 2023 — 13 cited nothing, 12 of those unannounced
- Fixed?
- All 23 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.
Jul 2026 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · July 14, 2026
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In space two (2) and space seven (7) the closet doors were unlocked where teacher's personal bags were located.
Violation corrected during visit
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Nov 2024 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · November 20, 2024
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 one (1) and two (2) there were expired diaper cream authorizations.
Violation corrected during visit
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Jul 2024 Unannounced visit 3 findings
Unannounced visit · July 31, 2024
A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In the rooms serving preschool age children there was not a current activity plan posted for reference.
Violation corrected during visit
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. Staff Member S.T., medical report was not completed within on or before her start date.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/2/2024
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. Staff members' MC, BA, CC, AH, CB, ST, ET, and EL files did not have a reviewed and signed acknowledgement of the Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy before beginning work with children under the age of five (5).
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 8/2/2024
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Mar 2024 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · March 12, 2024
The operator made an effort to falsify information. In March 2023, the administrator sent a correction letter to the child care consultant. The letter stated an employee would not return to work until she received a current qualifying letter. However, the employee was on-site providing care during subsequent visits in August 2023 and October 2023 without a current qualifying letter on file.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/19/2024
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Mar 2024 Unannounced visit 1 finding
Unannounced visit · March 5, 2024
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 the space that serves two (2) year old a child was observed to being playing with a plastic bag holding crayons during rest time.
Violation corrected during visit
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Feb 2024 Unannounced visit 4 findings
Unannounced visit · February 19, 2024
The operator made an effort to falsify information. The operator made an effort to falsify information. On March 19, 2024, I spoke with Ms. P., Administrator, to follow-up for a violation cited on February 19, 2024, regarding a criminal background check/qualification letter for KH. In Ms. P. correction letter, she stated items completed regarding KH criminal background check. During the conversation, she indicated KH was not working in a classroom with children, but was in the facility doing paperwork. When I asked her to send a statement confirming that, she sent an email that stated she could not send a statement that KH had not been caring for children since February 21, 2024, because KH had in fact been caring for children.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/30/2024
Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Two staff persons, K Haggins and C R. did not complete the Criminal Background Check and therefore have no qualifying letter on file.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
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, A Watson, had an expired qualification letter. The letter was issued on 10/27/17 and expired on 10/27/2022.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Three staff persons, A Watson, K Haggins and C R. did not have a valid qualifying letter on file or available for review.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Dec 2023 Unannounced visit 5 findings
Unannounced visit · December 5, 2023
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On December 4, 2023, a staff member failed to ensure a safe environment for children when a bottle warmer was used in close proximity to a group of one-year-olds seated at a table. A child sustained burns to the face, hands and fingers when hot water dripped off of a warmed bottle and hit the child as she sat at the table. The staff member applied ice to the burns as noted on the incident report provided to the parents.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/12/2023
A First Aid information sheet was not posted in a place for referral and/or the information sheet did not include all the required information. A First Aid information sheet was not observed in the classroom for young one-year-old children for staff reference. A staff member attempted to place ice on burns sustained by a one-year-old child which is not the correct manner to treat a burn.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/12/2023
Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. An employee (DM) started employment on August 28,2023 without a completed Criminal Background Check. (repeat from 8/9/2022; 3/2/2023; 10/25/2023)
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for one staff member (DM). (This is a repeat violation from 8/9/2022; 3/2/2023; 8/3/2023 and 10/25/2023.)
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 2/19/2024
There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 11/8/2024
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Oct 2023 Unannounced visit 4 findings
Unannounced visit · October 25, 2023
No longer on the state’s site as of October 25, 2026
Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. On multiple occasions, staff members spoke to children with a harsh, raised tone.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/2/2023
No longer on the state’s site as of October 25, 2026
Child was handled roughly. A staff member lifted children up by the arm and wrist, in a jerking motion, to move the children to other locations in the classroom.
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/2/2023
No longer on the state’s site as of October 25, 2026
Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A staff member (KS) did not have a Criminal Background Check completed prior to beginning to provide care for children. (Repeat from 8/9/2022; 3/2/2023)
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/2/2023
No longer on the state’s site as of October 25, 2026
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for one staff member (KS). (This is a repeat violation from 8/9/2022; 3/2/2023; 8/3/2023.)
Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 11/2/2023
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
Sep 2023 Unannounced visit 3 findings
Unannounced visit · September 5, 2023
No longer on the state’s site as of September 25, 2026
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space #1 a child was placed in a rocker and was able to rock himself over. There would have to have substantial rocking occurring which was not addressed by the caregivers as well as the safety bar not put into place to prevent tipping.
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 9/19/2023
No longer on the state’s site as of September 25, 2026
Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not updated to include the incident occurring on 8/16/23 for S.S.
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 9/19/2023
No longer on the state’s site as of September 25, 2026
At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care. D.F. and K.L. had not completed the ITS-SIDS training and were the only two caregivers present in Space #1.
Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 9/19/2023
DCDEE facility lookup On that page, enter license number 90000396 in the License Number box, choose Search and open the result; the record is listed under Visits.
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
- (704) 243-0120
- Address
- 1528 Providence Road South, Waxhaw, 28173
- License
- 90000396
- Quality program
- Five 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.
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 90000396 under License Number, and open the result.
- Website, Who runs it — Checked October 2026 goddardschool.com
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. To check it, open ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/childcaresearch, enter licence 90000396 under License Number, open the result and expand Owner Information: the licensee is listed as Primary Owner.
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 sycamorepartners.com
- Who runs it — Checked September 2026 goddardschool.com
The private-equity firm Sycamore Partners lists Goddard Systems as a current investment. sycamorepartners.com
Goddard’s own site says “All Goddard Schools are independently owned and operated.” goddardschool.com
Medium means the middle half of Charlotte-area’s 605 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 51 to 162 children. Small is 11 to 50; large is 163 to 528.