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Child care center 

East Coast Early Learning Academy

2236 South Croaton Highway Unit #6, Nags Head, NC 279595.0· 1 review
licensed capacity
45
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$230

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About East Coast Early Learning Academy

East Coast Early Learning Academy is a licensed child care center in Nags Head, North Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 45 children, serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

It is open Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 11 visits in the last 3 years and cited 43 rules across 8 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

InfantsAccepts child care subsidy

Ages served: infants, toddlers and preschoolers

From the state license
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio and teacher qualifications.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
Hours today
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Licensed capacity
45 children

Hours

Hours

MondayToday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayNot listed

Programs

Programs and care

AgesInfants, toddlers and preschoolersFrom the state license
Child care subsidyAccepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license
Licensed capacity45 childrenFrom the state license

Cost

Tuition and costs

East Coast Early Learning Academy has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Dare County has a median price of $230 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).

Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Dare County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$230
Home daycare$192

Toddler

Center$204
Home daycare$162

Preschool

Center$177
Home daycare$163

School age

Center$102
Home daycare$117

County median full-time prices at centers and home daycares, U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (the latest year). Not this daycare's rates; prices have risen since.

State record

Inspection reports for East Coast Early Learning Academy

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Five Star Center License
Capacity
45 children
Ages
Infants, toddlers and preschoolers
License number
#28000275
See the state's record

Summary

11 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jun 2, 2026: 4 rules cited

Rules cited on 8 of 11 visits · 43 rules in all · 43 corrected

  • Health, medication and illness 16
  • Safety and hazards 5
  • Staff training and qualifications 5
  • Records and paperwork 5
  • Building, equipment and play areas 4
  • Background checks 2
  • Supervision and ratios 2
  • Food and nutrition 1
  • Discipline and child guidance 1
  • Other rules 2

For comparison: 92% of North Carolina daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 8.

A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record

See all 11 visits
  1. Jun 2, 2026Inspection4 rules cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements.

      The state verified the correction on Jun 15, 2026

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Health, medication and illness

      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 state verified the correction on Jun 15, 2026

    • Safety and hazards

      All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet.

      Corrected during the visit

  2. Jan 5, 2026Inspection7 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.

      The state verified the correction on Jan 19, 2026

    • Records and paperwork

      Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Health, medication and illness

      Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Background checks

      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).

      Corrected during the visit

    • Health, medication and illness

      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 state verified the correction on Jan 19, 2026

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

      The state verified the correction on Jan 19, 2026

    • Food and nutrition

      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).

      The state verified the correction on Jan 19, 2026

  3. Jul 28, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  4. Jul 14, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
    • Supervision and ratios

      Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.

      The state verified the correction on Jul 28, 2025

  5. Jul 7, 2025Inspection2 rules cited
    • Supervision and ratios

      Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.

      The state verified the correction on Jul 28, 2025

    • Discipline and child guidance

      A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking.

      The state verified the correction on Jul 14, 2025

  6. Jun 23, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  7. Feb 17, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  8. Feb 11, 2025Inspection8 rules cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.

      The state verified the correction on Feb 21, 2025

    • Health, medication and illness

      Emergency medical care information did not contain information needed for safe medical treatment.

      The state verified the correction on Feb 21, 2025

    • Staff training and qualifications

      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.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Staff training and qualifications

      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.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Health, medication and illness

      On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Records and paperwork

      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.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Safety and hazards

      All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Safety and hazards

      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.

      Corrected during the visit

  9. Nov 21, 2024Inspection6 rules cited
    • Other rules

      A violation was found for which there is no item number.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Other rules

      A violation was found for which there is no item number.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Health, medication and illness

      Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Safety and hazards

      All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Safety and hazards

      A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Building, equipment and play areas

      All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair.

      Corrected during the visit

  10. Aug 12, 2024Inspection6 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.

      The state verified the correction on Aug 26, 2024

    • Background checks

      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).

      The state verified the correction on Aug 26, 2024

    • Health, medication and illness

      When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information.

      The state verified the correction on Aug 26, 2024

    • Health, medication and illness

      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 state verified the correction on Aug 26, 2024

    • Health, medication and illness

      Questionable medication instructions from parents were followed without signed written dosage instructions received from physician or authorized health professional.

      The state verified the correction on Aug 26, 2024

    • Health, medication and illness

      Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.

      Corrected during the visit

Show 1 earlier visit
  1. Mar 25, 2024Inspection9 rules cited
    • Staff training and qualifications

      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.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Health, medication and illness

      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.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Records and paperwork

      Application for enrollment did not include all required information.

      The state verified the correction on Apr 5, 2024

    • Records and paperwork

      Children's records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child.

      The state verified the correction on Apr 5, 2024

    • Records and paperwork

      Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file.

      The state verified the correction on Apr 5, 2024

    • Health, medication and illness

      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.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Health, medication and illness

      Questionable medication instructions from parents were followed without signed written dosage instructions received from physician or authorized health professional.

      Corrected during the visit

    • Health, medication and illness

      Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.

      The state verified the correction on Apr 5, 2024

    • Health, medication and illness

      Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.

      Corrected during the visit

Copied from the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education on October 4, 2026; the state's records start around Oct 2023. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about East Coast Early Learning Academy

Is East Coast Early Learning Academy licensed?

Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.

When was East Coast Early Learning Academy last inspected?

The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on June 2, 2026, with 4 rules cited. It lists 11 visits in the last 3 years.

Has East Coast Early Learning Academy had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 43 rules across 8 of 11 visits in the last 3 years; 43 show a correction in the state record. For comparison: 92% of North Carolina daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 8. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.

How many children can East Coast Early Learning Academy care for?

45, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Does East Coast Early Learning Academy accept child care subsidies?

Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.

What are East Coast Early Learning Academy's hours?

Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does East Coast Early Learning Academy cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (252) 423-8086 to ask.

What is East Coast Early Learning Academy's phone number?

(252) 423-8086.

Where is East Coast Early Learning Academy?

2236 South Croaton Highway Unit #6, Nags Head, NC 27959. The nearest other daycare we list is The Studio, Outer Banks, 1 miles away.

Sources: The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (license and visits) · U.S. Department of Labor, 2022 (county prices).