Date: February 28, 2024
In a significant move by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Midwood Learning Academy, a daycare center located in Charlotte, has been ordered to shut down following serious health and safety concerns. This decision impacts families and raises questions about oversight and regulation within the childcare industry.
The closure of Midwood Learning Academy at 2515 Central Ave. in Plaza Midwood came after the DHHS received concerning information about the welfare of children at the facility. On February 23, 2024, the Division of Child Development and Early Education determined that immediate action was necessary to safeguard the children’s health, safety, and welfare, leading to the daycare’s required closure by the end of the day on Monday, February 26.
This drastic step includes the cessation of subsidized childcare payments, significantly affecting many families relying on this support. The facility, operated by Shirley Torrence and Tillman Brewer LLC, has faced previous citations from the state. Notably, in May 2023, an infant was found in a crib with a blanket and stuffed animal, posing a suffocation risk, and bottles for three children were discovered not dated, labeled, or refrigerated, though these violations were corrected during the inspection.
- Midwood Learning Academy in Charlotte is shut down due to health and safety concerns.
- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services took emergency action to protect children.
- Previous violations include unsafe sleeping conditions for an infant and improper storage of children’s bottles.
- The daycare’s operator has the right to appeal the DHHS’s decision.
In the wake of the shutdown, the daycare has removed its website and social media presence, complicating communication efforts for concerned parents and guardians. The abrupt closure underscores the critical importance of adherence to health and safety standards in childcare settings and prompts a broader discussion on the need for rigorous regulatory oversight.
The closure of Midwood Learning Academy serves as a stark reminder of the paramount importance of health and safety standards in childcare facilities. It highlights the necessity for continual vigilance and strict compliance to ensure the well-being of the youngest members of our community. The future of this facility hangs in the balance as the legal process unfolds, and many hope this incident will lead to strengthened safety protocols within the industry.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to closely scrutinize the childcare facilities they choose, ensuring they meet all health and safety regulations. It is crucial to engage in open dialogue with childcare providers about the measures they take to protect children.