Shining Stars
Hickory, NC 28601 · infants to school-age · Home daycare: the provider shares the address with families
The Sandbox
- licensed capacity
- 99
- open each week
- 5 days
- a week, county median
- $183
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About
About The Sandbox
The Sandbox is a licensed child care center in Hickory, North Carolina. It is licensed by the state, for up to 99 children, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
It is open Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education made 7 visits in the last 3 years and cited 9 rules across 5 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
- Closed today
- Licensed capacity
- 99 children
Hours
Hours
| Monday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Not listed |
| SundayToday | 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 | 99 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
Tuition and costs
The Sandbox has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Catawba County has a median price of $183 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$183
Home daycare$172
Toddler
Center$142
Home daycare$136
Preschool
Center$109
Home daycare$133
School age
Center$110
Home daycare$210
State record
Inspection reports for The Sandbox
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Three Star Center License
- Capacity
- 99 children
- Ages
- Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children
- License number
- #18000197
Summary
7 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jun 4, 2026: no rules cited
Rules cited on 5 of 7 visits · 9 rules in all · 9 corrected
- Health, medication and illness 4
- Discipline and child guidance 2
- Staff training and qualifications 2
- Safety and hazards 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
- Jun 4, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
- Jan 29, 2026InspectionNo rules cited
Jun 25, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
Corrected during the visit
Feb 13, 2025Inspection1 rule cited
Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule.
Corrected during the visit
Sep 30, 2024Inspection1 rule cited
Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs.
The state verified the correction on Nov 4, 2024
May 21, 2024Inspection1 rule cited
When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review.
Corrected during the visit
Jan 3, 2024Inspection5 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 Jan 23, 2024
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 Jan 23, 2024
Parent's medication authorization did not include required information.
The state verified the correction on Jan 5, 2024
Over-the-counter medicines were not in their original containers or administered as authorized in writing by parent, physician or authorized health professional.
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
Reviews
Parent reviews
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FAQ
Questions about The Sandbox
Is The Sandbox licensed?
Yes. The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists it as licensed and operating.
When was The Sandbox last inspected?
The North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education lists the most recent visit on June 4, 2026, with no rules cited. It lists 7 visits in the last 3 years.
Has The Sandbox had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 9 rules across 5 of 7 visits in the last 3 years; 9 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 The Sandbox care for?
99, the licensed capacity on the state record. It is licensed to serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Does The Sandbox accept child care subsidies?
Yes. The state record says it accepts child care subsidies.
What are The Sandbox's hours?
Monday to Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.
How much does The Sandbox cost?
It has not listed its tuition. Call (828) 326-0286 to ask.
What is The Sandbox's phone number?
(828) 326-0286.
Where is The Sandbox?
2566 3rd Avenue SE, Hickory, NC 28602. The nearest other daycare we list is Quest at St. Stephens Elementary, 0.7 miles away.