Q. How often is a day care inspected by the Health Department ?

State sanitation regulations require that licensed day care centers be inspected at least twice a year. The Health Department may also make inspections of day cares upon request of the operator, after receiving applicable complaints, in response to a communicable disease occurrence, upon an ownership change, when a Provisional Classification has occurred, or when renovations are proposed. Other agencies may also make day care inspections including child care nurses for immunization checks, the Fire Department, and the NC Division of Child Development which licenses day cares.

Q. How many licensed day care centers are there in Mecklenburg County ?

There are 503 (OCT 2003) licensed centers, according to Health Department records. Centers are classified as those providing fulltime care for 6 or more pre-school age children, be it in a residence or commercial setting. This number does not include family child care homes, normally found in a private residence, licensed for fulltime care of 5 or less pre-school age children.

Q. Who issues a license to the daycare ?

The N.C. Division of Child Development has the statutory authority to register and issue licenses to day care homes and centers. Before such licenses are issued, day care operators must normally meet all applicable health. fire, and building standard regulations.

Q. Who do I contact about opening a day care ?

The N.C. Division of Child Development at 800-859-0829.

The Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA) :

License for 6-12 children = Residential Technical Services 704-336-8984, License for 13+ = Patrick Granson 704-432-0081.

Health Department: 704-336-5101. 

Q. What does the sanitation card mean ?

The sanitation card that is posted by the Health Department represents the sanitation status of the daycare at the time of that inspection . The amount and type of demerits that a daycare receives on that date determines which of the current four categories the daycare is classified (or scored) as. A `Superior' or `Approved' status, for example, does not require a follow up inspection of the daycare until the next routine inspection. A `Provisional' status indicates significant sanitation violations which require immediate correction and mandate that a re-inspection be performed within a specified time period. A 'Disapproved' status indicates either a failure to correct a `Provisional' status within the specified time period or a considerable number of identified sanitation violations.

Q. How do day care sanitation scores make it on the evening news or in the newspaper ?

Inspection reports denoting are public record under N.C. State law. Anyone can obtain a copy of an inspection report by requesting such from the Health Department.

Q. When does the Health Department close a day care ?

The Health Department does not issue licenses to day cares and therefore does not have the statutory authority to suspend or revoke an operating license. A day care may operate, under Health regulations, with a Disapproved classification for an undetermined amount of time. The N.C. Division of Child Development (DCD) has the authority to initiate licensure suspension or revocation and works closely with this Department when conditions warrant such action.

Certain emergency or unanticipated events do trigger immediate Health Department response whereby day cares are strongly encouraged to close for the health and safety of children and/or avoid a potential Disapproved sanitation score. These include:

Q. What are the most common sanitation violations found?

Common Violations

Q. Are day cares required to get permission to remodel a center or replace/add new equipment ?

Yes, in many cases. Equipment replacement such as toys, cribs, or office equipment might not require Health Department prior approval, but might be regulated by the NC Division of Child Development . Adding or replacement of any plumbing, electrical, or mechanical fixture or system likely would require Health, Building Standards, and DCD prior approval. Replacement, addition, or deletion of any kitchen equipment or handwashing sinks in a center will always require prior Health Department approval.

Q. Who do I call about concerns, questions, or complaints related to abuse, nutrition, curriculum, or treatment of my child ?

The N. C. Division of Child Development at 800-859-0829. DCD has a number of licensing consultants who work with day cares in Mecklenburg County.

For questions or comments, contact salmeda@co.mecklenburg.nc.us