Karen Bradley Day Care Home
Shelby, NC 28152 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Little Gems Learning Academy
- licensed capacity
- 91
- open each week
- 5 days
- a week, county median
- $159
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About
About Little Gems Learning Academy
Little Gems Learning Academy is a licensed child care center in Shelby, North Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 91 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 10 visits in the last 3 years and cited 12 rules across 2 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
- 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Licensed capacity
- 91 children
Hours
Hours
| MondayToday | 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM to 5:00 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 | 91 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Little Gems Learning 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 Little Gems Learning Academy
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Five Star Center License
- Capacity
- 91 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #23000452
Summary
10 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jan 21, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 2 of 10 visits · 12 rules in all · 12 corrected
- Discipline and child guidance 2
- Staff training and qualifications 2
- Health, medication and illness 2
- Records and paperwork 2
- Safe sleep 2
- Supervision and ratios 1
- Transportation 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 11 visits
- Jan 21, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
- Nov 18, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Oct 7, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Sep 23, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Sep 15, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Aug 19, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
Jul 11, 2025Inspection2 rules cited
There was a substantiation of child maltreatment.
The state verified the correction on Nov 18, 2025
Children were not adequately supervised at all times.
The state verified the correction on Jul 17, 2025
- Feb 6, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Sep 12, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Feb 23, 2024Inspection10 rules cited
Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment.
The state verified the correction on Mar 4, 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 Mar 4, 2024
Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
The state verified the correction on Mar 4, 2024
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.
The state verified the correction on Mar 4, 2024
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.
Corrected during the visit
Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience.
The state verified the correction on Mar 4, 2024
Infants under the age of 12 months were not placed on their backs for sleeping unless the center had obtained the appropriate written waiver.
The state verified the correction on Mar 4, 2024
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 Mar 4, 2024
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 Mar 4, 2024
Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group.
The state verified the correction on Mar 4, 2024
Show 1 earlier visit
Oct 9, 2023Inspection2 rules cited
Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.
Corrected during the visit
The written feeding plan did not include the child's name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center.
The state verified the correction on Oct 10, 2023
Reviews
Parent reviews
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FAQ
Questions about Little Gems Learning Academy
Is Little Gems Learning Academy licensed?
Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Little Gems Learning Academy last inspected?
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on January 21, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 10 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Little Gems Learning Academy had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 12 rules across 2 of 10 visits in the last 3 years; 12 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 Little Gems Learning Academy care for?
91, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does Little Gems Learning Academy accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are Little Gems Learning Academy's hours?
Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does Little Gems Learning Academy cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (704) 313-7735 to ask.
What is Little Gems Learning Academy's phone number?
(704) 313-7735.
Where is Little Gems Learning Academy?
607 McBrayer Homestead Road, Shelby, NC 28152. The nearest other daycare we list is Boiling Springs Baptist Day Care, 2.1 miles away.