Footsteps Childcare Center
5122 Fleetwood Drive, Hickory, NC
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Southwest Primary Preschool is a licensed child care center in Hickory, 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 7 visits in the last 3 years and cited 20 rules across 4 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
Programs
| Ages | PreschoolersFrom the state license |
|---|---|
| Child care subsidy | Accepts state child care subsidiesFrom the state license |
| Licensed capacity | 36 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Southwest Primary Preschool has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time preschool care at a child care center in Catawba County has a median price of $109 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
State record
7 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Sep 29, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 4 of 7 visits · 20 rules in all · 20 corrected
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
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
The state verified the correction on Oct 17, 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 Oct 20, 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 Oct 17, 2025
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.
Corrected during the visit
Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete.
The state verified the correction on Apr 16, 2025
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 Apr 16, 2025
Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container.
Corrected during the visit
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
Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas.
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.
The state verified the correction on Nov 28, 2023
The health assessment did not include a dental screening.
The state verified the correction on Nov 28, 2023
The health assessment did not include a vision screening.
The state verified the correction on Nov 28, 2023
Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement.
The state verified the correction on Nov 28, 2023
Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission.
The state verified the correction on Nov 28, 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 28, 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 28, 2023
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
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
Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review.
Corrected during the visit
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.
Corrected during the visit
Reviews
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FAQ
Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on September 29, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 7 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 20 rules across 4 of 7 visits in the last 3 years; 20 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.
36, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve preschoolers.
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
Its hours are not listed. Call (828) 324-8884 to confirm.
It has not listed its tuition. Call (828) 324-8884 to ask.
(828) 324-8884.
1580 32nd Street SW, Hickory, NC 28602. The nearest other daycare we list is Southwest Primary YMCA Childcare, under 0.1 miles away.