The Growing Years Discovery

Center · Charlotte · 8425 Discovery Ln

What kind of place is this?

Size 174 children licensed Larger than the middle half of Charlotte centers, where the middle half licenses 50–162. Measured across 598 Charlotte centers, 2026-08-17.

Who runs it

Ownership For-profit North Carolina DCDEE names a limited company as the licensee, and it is not in the IRS register of tax-exempt organisations. ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov

How this compares

North Carolina DCDEE cited something at 9 of the 15 visits below. Across Charlotte centers it cites something at about 57% of visits. Each state decides what gets written up, so this compares Charlotte with Charlotte and never with another state.

Will it fit our family?

Ages served 6 weeks to preschool
Schedule full-time
Accepts subsidy Yes

What will it cost us?

Sibling discount sibling discounts

What Shortlist has verified

State quality rating Five Star License
License status Active
Website tgykids.com

State record — North Carolina DCDEE

Last visit
July 20, 2026
On file
15 visits since September 2023 — 6 cited nothing, 5 of those unannounced
Fixed?
All 54 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 nothing cited
May 2026 Unannounced visit 2 findings

Unannounced visit · May 11, 2026

Equipment and furnishings not meeting the requirements outlined in child care .0601(b) and (c) were not removed or made inaccessible. Cardboard blocks in space 12 had several with holes and in poor condition.

Violation corrected during visit

Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. In space 1, staff used sleep bags where the arms were sewed or stapled together to restrict movement to keep infants from waking up before time.

Violation corrected during visit

DCDEE facility lookup

Jan 2026 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Dec 2025 Unannounced visit 20 findings

Unannounced visit · December 9, 2025

When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. Staff used screen time/tablet for music and movement, children watched an educational music video with dancing and did not document on a cumulative log.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. Menu posted stated that children will have graham crackers and pears for snack. Children were served ritz crackers, crasins or pears.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Space 109 and 107 had peeling/missing paint.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/15/2026

Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards. Couch in space 12 had peeling vinyl.

Violation corrected during visit

Openings in equipment, steps, decks, handrails, and fencing were not less than 3 1/2 inches or greater than 9 inches. The gate opening on the toddler age playground, measured about 5.5 inches.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/15/2026

Safe pick-up and delivery procedures were not communicated to parents and/or were not posted where they can be seen by the parents. Evidence of this rule could not be located in the premises or front lobby. This is a repeat violation.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. Two children's medication did not have the amount or was missing other required information.

Violation corrected during visit

Application for employment and date of birth was not on file for all staff. This was not present/completed for one staff.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

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. Several new staff did not meet this requirement with-in 90 days.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/15/2026

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. Several new staff did not meet this requirement with-in 90 days.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/15/2026

All vehicles used to transport children were not free of hazards. All four tires on the van need to be replaced as the thread is very low.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. This information was not present for children who ride the van.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. This information was not available or had an expired date for the children who ride the van.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. The list did not have the appropriate boarded and departed information documented.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

For routine transport of children to and from the center, a list of all children being transported was not available at the center. This was not available at the facility but was on the van.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. S.S. did not have any evidence in the file.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Several children were missing fears and other information from the application.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

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. Children's M.A.P. were not updated yearly. Many plans expired in November 2025.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/15/2026

Signage was not posted regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction at the entrance of the center and/or in vehicles used to transport children. This signage was not located on or in the vehicle.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/18/2025

The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment. Mulched measured under four inches on the older playground and the middle playground.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/15/2026

DCDEE facility lookup

May 2025 Unannounced visit 2 findings

Unannounced visit · May 30, 2025

Bed, cribs, playpens, cots or mats were not placed at least 18" apart or separated by partitions when in use. Two classrooms cots were place between 9 inches but under the required 18 inches apart.

Violation corrected during visit

Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance, Attendance was not posted or captured on the posted sheet, however it was stated that attendance is captured in ProCare and on paper.

Violation corrected during visit

DCDEE facility lookup

Feb 2025 Unannounced visit 1 finding

Unannounced visit · February 20, 2025

Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not updated after an incident report was written on November 25, 2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 3/6/2025

DCDEE facility lookup

Dec 2024 Announced visit nothing cited
Dec 2024 Unannounced visit 15 findings

Unannounced visit · December 10, 2024

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. Consultant did not receive a copy of the required information after the inspections.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/13/2024

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Space 2 b had The week of December 6th plan posted.

Violation corrected during visit

Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu showed cheese sandwiches, green beans, Mandarin oranges, and milk. Children were served mixed tropical fruit and apples in place of oranges.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/13/2024

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. There was an outlet uncovered by the dramatic play center.

Violation corrected during visit

Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. There were no instructions for a jar of Vaseline, and Destin. These items also did not have a child's name on it.

Violation corrected during visit

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. Space 6 twos, had Aquaphor that expired on 7/2024.

Violation corrected during visit

The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. Space 1a, older infants, did not have any evidence of this policy posted.

Violation corrected during visit

Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. two children did not have the updated EMC information.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/13/2024

Application for enrollment did not include all required information. several children did not have the information completed regarding fears ect.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/13/2024

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. In the van their was evidence of soda/sprite bottles. In Space 8, a teacher was eating a purple lollipop/sucker.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/13/2024

Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The lase documented shelter in place/ lockdown was conducted on 5/14/2024.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/13/2024

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. S.W.JV, KP, GS, SS, ect.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/13/2024

Signage was not posted regarding the smoking and tobacco restriction at the entrance of the center and/or in vehicles used to transport children. There was no evidence of any signage in the van.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 12/13/2024

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. Tb and health questionnaire was placed in the same file and not seperated.

Violation corrected during visit

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. Staff had training completed over a year prior of start date off hire, several staff did not have this completed with-in 90 days.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/20/2024

DCDEE facility lookup

Apr 2024 Unannounced visit 2 findings

Unannounced visit · April 16, 2024

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. Teachers had soda, Gatorade, hot onion rings and other chips.

Violation corrected during visit

Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A teacher was trying to comfort a crying toddler and the toddler was picked up by one arm.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 4/30/2024

DCDEE facility lookup

Jan 2024 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Dec 2023 Unannounced visit 10 findings

Unannounced visit · December 12, 2023

A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Space two did not have an activity plan posted.

Violation corrected during visit

Equipment and furnishings not meeting the requirements outlined in child care .0601(b) and (c) were not removed or made inaccessible. Carpets/rug in space 3 was unravelling and in poor repair, rug in space 8(dramatic play) was dirty with several set in stains.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/22/2023

Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. one child D., in space three was not stored with the medicine (was corrected onsite), and J.S. from space 6 did not have a form completed or the incorrect form was used.

Violation corrected during visit

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. There were several diaper creams and or sunscreens that were expired and still in the classrooms.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/22/2023

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. plastic bags were in reach of children in space 5, and space 1.

Violation corrected during visit

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. there were three staff who did not obtain the course within 90 days and several who were expired.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/22/2023

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. there were three staff who did not obtain the course within 90 days and several who were expired.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 1/17/2024

Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. Three staff did not complete the required trainings (DC, KG, AH,)

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/22/2023

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. Child J.S. did not have an MAP on file for his new health condition which required an inhaler.

Violation corrected during visit

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 did not successfully complete, there was a training obtained in 2022, but will not meet requirements because staff just started in August 2023.

Violation confirmed corrected by letter received from provider on 12/22/2023

DCDEE facility lookup

Dec 2023 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Nov 2023 Unannounced visit nothing cited
Sep 2023 Unannounced visit 1 finding

Unannounced visit · September 28, 2023

Bed, cribs, playpens, cots or mats were not placed at least 18" apart or separated by partitions when in use. In space 3(105a) and in space 10 cots were placed less than 18" or were touching.

Violation corrected during visit

DCDEE facility lookup

Sep 2023 Unannounced visit 1 finding

Unannounced visit · September 15, 2023

Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met. Staff stated that there were several days or afternoons were they were above the max group size. 2:22, 2:20 were several of the group sizes for 2-5 year olds.

Violation confirmed corrected by follow-up visit made by consultant on 9/28/2023

DCDEE facility lookup

Before you tour

The Growing Years Discovery hasn’t published

Sick and biting policies.

Ask which of these findings were serious.North Carolina DCDEE records the correction in its own words, but never says how serious it was.

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.

What kind of place is this

Not yet reported: established, teaching approach.

Who runs it

Will it fit our family

Not yet reported: hours, days / week, holiday closures.

Licensing and contact

State record

Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.

Do you run The Growing Years Discovery? Shortlist has no tuition, hours or ratios for it, because the state does not publish that. Add what is missing. It is free and takes about ten minutes.