First Steps Preschool
Whittier, NC 28789 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Grace Christian Academy
- capacity
- 75
- a week, county median
- $154
We are a directory, not the daycare. We cannot hold a spot, enroll a child or answer questions about care.
Own this daycare? Claim it
About
About Grace Christian Academy
Grace Christian Academy is a child care center in Bryson City, North Carolina. It is state-listed, for up to 75 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 8 visits in the last 3 years and cited 28 rules across 6 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsSchool-ageFaith-basedAccepts child care subsidy
Ages served: infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
6 wk
6 mo
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12 yr
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and hours.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- Not listed
- Capacity
- 75 children
Hours
Hours
Hours not listed. Call (828) 488-1042 to confirm.
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age childrenFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Capacity | 75 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Grace Christian Academy has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Swain County has a median price of $154 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.
Infant
Center$154
Home daycare$117
Toddler
Center$109
Home daycare$126
Preschool
Center$108
Home daycare$126
School age
Center$83
Home daycare$167
State record
Inspection reports for Grace Christian Academy
License
- Status
- Operating; not a child care license
- License type
- Religious-sponsored program, notice of compliance under G.S. 110-106 (GS 110-106; not a child care license)
- Capacity
- 75 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #87000041
Summary
8 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jun 11, 2026: 2 rules cited
Rules cited on 6 of 8 visits · 28 rules in all · 28 corrected
- Records and paperwork 8
- Safety and hazards 7
- Health, medication and illness 3
- Safe sleep 3
- Staff training and qualifications 3
- Building, equipment and play areas 1
- Food and nutrition 1
- Supervision and ratios 1
- Discipline and child guidance 1
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 8 visits
Jun 11, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
Corrected during the visit
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
Dec 11, 2025Inspection6 rules cited
The depth of the loose surfacing was not based on critical height of the equipment.
The state verified the correction on Dec 21, 2025
The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current.
The state verified the correction on Dec 21, 2025
Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually.
Corrected during the visit
All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement.
Corrected during the visit
Application for employment and date of birth was not on file for all staff.
Corrected during the visit
The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised.
The state verified the correction on Dec 21, 2025
- Oct 23, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Jun 12, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
May 22, 2025Inspection7 rules cited
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.
The state verified the correction on May 29, 2025
At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care.
The state verified the correction on May 29, 2025
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
Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month.
The state verified the correction on May 29, 2025
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.
The state verified the correction on May 29, 2025
Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below.
The state verified the correction on May 29, 2025
Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older.
The state verified the correction on Jun 12, 2025
Jan 9, 2025Inspection7 rules cited
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.
The state verified the correction on Jan 30, 2025
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.
The state verified the correction on Jan 30, 2025
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.
The state verified the correction on Jan 30, 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.
The state verified the correction on Feb 3, 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.
The state verified the correction on Feb 3, 2025
All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review.
The state verified the correction on Jan 30, 2025
Screen time was offered to children under three years of age.
The state verified the correction on Jan 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2024Inspection3 rules cited
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.
The state verified the correction on May 13, 2024
At least one child care provider, who has completed ITS-SIDS training was not present in the infant room, while children were in care.
The state verified the correction on May 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.
The state verified the correction on May 13, 2024
Jan 12, 2024Inspection3 rules cited
All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file.
The state verified the correction on Jan 17, 2024
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.
The state verified the correction on Jan 17, 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.
Corrected during the visit
Reviews
Parent reviews
No parent reviews yet
If your child goes or went here, your review helps other parents. We check every review against our review guidelines.
Daycares near Grace Christian Academy
Bright Adventures Pre-Kindergarten
249 School Dr, Bryson City, NC
5.0· 1 review
Lots-A-Tots
30 Morning Star Drive, Bryson City, NC
4.0· 2 reviews
Bryson City Head Start
60 Old Almond School Road, Bryson City, NC
Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K
884 US Highway 441 North, Whittier, NC
Kaleidoscope Dreams
10 Adams Creek Rd, Cherokee, NC
Cherokee Pre-K
1582 Big Cove Rd, Cherokee, NC
New Kituwah Academy
60 Water Dam Road, Cherokee, NC
Agelink Child Development Center
61 Children's Home Loop Road, Cherokee, NC
FAQ
Questions about Grace Christian Academy
Is Grace Christian Academy licensed?
No. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it, but its program type is not a child care license in North Carolina.
When was Grace Christian Academy last inspected?
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on June 11, 2026, with 2 rules cited. It lists 8 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Grace Christian Academy had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 28 rules across 6 of 8 visits in the last 3 years; 28 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 Grace Christian Academy care for?
75, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Grace Christian Academy accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Grace Christian Academy's hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (828) 488-1042 to confirm.
How much does Grace Christian Academy cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (828) 488-1042 to ask.
What is Grace Christian Academy's phone number?
(828) 488-1042.
Where is Grace Christian Academy?
498 Arlington Ave, Bryson City, NC 28713. The nearest other daycare we list is Bright Adventures Pre-Kindergarten, 0.2 miles away.