First Steps Preschool
Whittier, NC 28789 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K
- licensed capacity
- 36
- a week, county median
- $84
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About
About Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K
Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K is a licensed child care center in Whittier, North Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 36 children, serving preschoolers.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 6 visits in the last 3 years and cited 15 rules across 4 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Ages served: preschoolers
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
- Preschoolers
- Hours today
- Not listed
- Licensed capacity
- 36 children
Hours
Hours
Hours not listed. Call (828) 497-5535 to confirm.
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | PreschoolersFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Licensed capacity | 36 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time preschool care at a child care center in Jackson County has a median price of $84 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$181
Home daycare$166
Toddler
Center$176
Home daycare$146
Preschool
Center$84
Home daycare$130
School age
Center$48
Home daycare$117
State record
Inspection reports for Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Five Star Center License
- Capacity
- 36 children
- Ages
- Preschoolers
- License number
- #50000124
Summary
6 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Sep 16, 2026: 2 rules cited
Rules cited on 4 of 6 visits · 15 rules in all · 15 corrected
- Records and paperwork 6
- Discipline and child guidance 3
- Safety and hazards 2
- Health, medication and illness 1
- Staff training and qualifications 1
- Building, equipment and play areas 1
- Background checks 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.
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See all 7 visits
Sep 16, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
Prescribed medicines, that are pharmaceutical samples, was not stored in the manufacturers original packaging, was not labeled with the child's name, and/or written instructions did not include the required information.
The state verified the correction on Sep 28, 2026
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 Sep 28, 2026
May 6, 2026Inspection1 rule cited
A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not posted in a prominent place in the center.
Corrected during the visit
Oct 21, 2025Inspection11 rules cited
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
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 Nov 5, 2025
A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
Activities did not allow children to participate in whole group, as part of the group or independently.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
All 5 of the following activity areas were not available daily to each group art/creative play, children's books, blocks/block building, manipulatives, family living/dramatic play.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
The activity plan did not include a daily gross motor activity which may occur indoors and outdoors.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
The center did not maintain records as required in rule, and/or were not made available to the Division for review.
The state verified the correction on Nov 3, 2025
- Aug 5, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- Dec 16, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
Feb 21, 2024Inspection1 rule cited
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
Oct 26, 2023Inspection4 rules cited
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
The state verified the correction on Nov 14, 2023
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 Nov 14, 2023
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 Nov 14, 2023
Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. D.
Corrected during the visit
Reviews
Parent reviews
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FAQ
Questions about Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K
Is Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K licensed?
Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K last inspected?
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on September 16, 2026, with 2 rules cited. It lists 6 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 15 rules across 4 of 6 visits in the last 3 years; 15 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 Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K care for?
36, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve preschoolers.
Does Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K accept child care subsidies?
The state record does not list it as accepting subsidies. Ask the provider directly.
What are Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K's hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (828) 497-5535 to confirm.
How much does Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (828) 497-5535 to ask.
What is Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K's phone number?
(828) 497-5535.
Where is Smokey Mountain Elementary Pre-K?
884 US Highway 441 North, Whittier, NC 28789. The nearest other daycare we list is First Steps Preschool, 1.7 miles away.