Children First
Kings Mountain, NC 28086 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Higher Learning Child Care Academy
- licensed capacity
- 90
- open each week
- 5 days
- a week, county median
- $159
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About
About Higher Learning Child Care Academy
Higher Learning Child Care Academy is a licensed child care center in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 90 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 19 visits in the last 3 years and cited 26 rules across 9 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
InfantsSchool-ageAccepts 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 and teacher qualifications.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- Hours today
- 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Licensed capacity
- 90 children
Hours
Hours
| MondayToday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| Sunday | Not listed |
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 |
| Licensed capacity | 90 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Higher Learning Child Care Academy has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Cleveland County has a median price of $159 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$159
Home daycare$128
Toddler
Center$136
Home daycare$137
Preschool
Center$131
Home daycare$109
School age
Center$71
Home daycare$62
State record
Inspection reports for Higher Learning Child Care Academy
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Five Star Center License
- Capacity
- 90 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #23000406
Summary
19 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Feb 11, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 10 of 19 visits · 26 rules in all · 26 corrected
- Safety and hazards 7
- Records and paperwork 4
- Supervision and ratios 4
- Staff training and qualifications 3
- Health, medication and illness 2
- Safe sleep 1
- Food and nutrition 1
- Background checks 1
- Transportation 1
- Building, equipment and play areas 1
- Other rules 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.
The state lists an adverse action on this permit.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
See all 19 visits
- Feb 11, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
- Jan 22, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
Jan 15, 2026Inspection4 rules cited
A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days.
The state verified the correction on Jan 29, 2026
Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met.
The state verified the correction on Jan 22, 2026
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 Jan 29, 2026
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.
The state verified the correction on Feb 13, 2026
Jul 29, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
Food required for any special diet was not provided by parent or center.
The state verified the correction on Aug 11, 2025
- Jul 21, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
Jul 2, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days.
The state verified the correction on Jul 16, 2025
Jul 2, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days.
The state verified the correction on Jul 16, 2025
- Jun 18, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Mar 11, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Mar 6, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
Show 9 earlier visits
Jan 29, 2025Inspection3 rules cited
A violation was found for which there is no item number.
Corrected during the visit
A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information.
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
Jan 16, 2025Inspection3 rules cited
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 Mar 13, 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 Mar 13, 2025
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 Jan 30, 2025
- Dec 19, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
- Sep 24, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Sep 10, 2024Inspection3 rules cited
A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children.
The state verified the correction on Nov 25, 2024
Children under one year of age were not kept separate from children two years and older.
The state verified the correction on Nov 25, 2024
Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.
The state verified the correction on Sep 17, 2024
Aug 22, 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.
Corrected during the visit
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 Sep 6, 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.
The state verified the correction on Sep 6, 2024
- May 21, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Apr 17, 2024Inspection2 rules cited
A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional.
The state verified the correction on May 22, 2024
Minimum staff/child ratios and group sizes for the number and ages of children in care were not met.
The state verified the correction on May 22, 2024
Feb 14, 2024Inspection6 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 Feb 20, 2024
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.
The state verified the correction on Feb 20, 2024
Each adult and child was not restrained by appropriate individual belt/device.
The state verified the correction on Feb 20, 2024
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 Feb 20, 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 Feb 20, 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 Feb 20, 2024
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Kings Mountain, NC 28086 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
FAQ
Questions about Higher Learning Child Care Academy
Is Higher Learning Child Care Academy licensed?
Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Higher Learning Child Care Academy last inspected?
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on February 11, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 19 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Higher Learning Child Care Academy had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 26 rules across 10 of 19 visits in the last 3 years; 26 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 Higher Learning Child Care Academy care for?
90, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Higher Learning Child Care Academy accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Higher Learning Child Care Academy's hours?
Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does Higher Learning Child Care Academy cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (704) 259-6044 to ask.
What is Higher Learning Child Care Academy's phone number?
(704) 259-6044.
Where is Higher Learning Child Care Academy?
104 S Carpenter Street, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. The nearest other daycare we list is St Matthew's Preschool, 0.3 miles away.