10A NCAC 09 .2818 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE VILLAGE LEARNING ACADEMY Facility ID: 43000584 Consultant: JENNIFER H BYRD Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0124-099A Visit Date: 3/12/2024 Number Present: 83 Completed Date: 3/12/2024 Age: From 1 To 11 Total Minutes: 55 Time In: 03:45 PM Time Out: 04:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to follow-up regarding allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. I conducted a walk-through of the facility unaccompanied. During the visit, I spoke with Jennifer Taylor, Owner/Administrator, and one additional staff member. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. During today's visit, a five-year-old preschool aged child was being cared for in a group of nineteen children with only one staff member. In addition, it was confirmed that s/c ratios were not in compliance on more than one occasion. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 All violations documented above must be corrected immediately. A written, dated, and signed letter of compliance must be submitted to me within one week, by 3/19/24, describing how and when the violations were corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. The letter of compliance should be emailed or mailed to You may contact me at Jennifer Byrd, Investigations Consultant 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2200 Telephone-910-785-1486 Fax number- 919-715-1013 Email Jennifer.H.Byrd@dhhs.nc.gov or Melissa Loehr, Supervisor Melissa.Loehr@dhhs.nc.gov Thank you for your time. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE VILLAGE LEARNING ACADEMY Facility ID: 43000584 Consultant: JENNIFER H BYRD Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0124-099A Visit Date: 1/11/2024 Number Present: 60 Completed Date: 1/11/2024 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 95 Time In: 04:00 PM Time Out: 05:35 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. I conducted a walk-through of the facility unaccompanied. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Jennifer Taylor, Administrator, and two additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 904 Child was handled roughly. On January 11, 2024, a staff member handled a six-year-old child roughly when the staff member grabbed the child by the front of the child's hoodie and pulled forward and then grabbed the top and pulled backwards. .1803(a)(1) 1044 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). During today's visit, a staff member's qualification letter was expired. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one week January 18, 2024, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me at You may contact me at Jennifer Byrd, Investigations Consultant 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2200 Telephone-910-785-1486 Fax number- 919-715-1013 Email Jennifer.H.Byrd@dhhs.nc.gov or Melissa Loehr, Supervisor Melissa.Loehr@dhhs.nc.gov Thank you for your time. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE VILLAGE LEARNING ACADEMY Facility ID: 43000584 Consultant: MASHEKIA RAINES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/6/2023 Number Present: 71 Completed Date: 11/6/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 10:30 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements during your Routine Unannounced visit. Upon arrival I was greeted by the Administrator, Jennifer Taylor. Ratio, group size, supervision, capacity and approved space were in compliance. The license, restrictions and emergency care plan were posted. CPR, First-Aid and storage of hazardous materials were monitored and in compliance. The NC Child Care Law was posted. Safety requirements, indoor and outdoor learning environments, safe sleep practices, emergency preparedness and response and prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma requirements were reviewed and in compliance. The children were observed participating in outdoor free-play activities. Monthly fire drills and playground inspections were reviewed and current. Your facility information and e-mail address were reviewed, and no changes were made. The last fire inspection was dated 08-24-2022. Your last sanitation inspection was dated 10-27-2023. Please be reminded to contact Environmental Health and your local Fire Inspector, to request that an inspection be completed for your facility, before the previous inspections are a year old. You can place your due dates on a calendar or spreadsheet to help you maintain compliance in this area. The following violation was observed during today’s visit; Violation Number Comment Rule 106 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. The last fire inspection expired on 08/24/2023. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) In response to the violation that was cited during today’s visit, I provided technical assistance and clarification on the following item; I reviewed and explained that each operator must schedule a Sanitation and Fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous inspections. You must submit the original of the completed Sanitation and Fire inspection report to me within one week of the inspection, on the state form provided by the Division. Please be reminded your fire inspection expired on 08/24/2023. Your sanitation inspection will expire on 10/27/24. Please contact Environmental Health and your local fire inspector within 30 days of the due date to request an inspection be completed. Once your inspection has been received, you will need to email them to me or mail two copies to PO Box 2306 Lillington, NC 27546. During today’s visit, although violations were not observed or documented, clarification and technical assistance regarding the following items were reviewed; I reviewed the Criminal Background Check application and explained that it will be completed online at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov/general/dhhscrc.asp. The payment for a Criminal Background Check will be part of the online application process. Fingerprints must be completed through live scan at your local county Sheriff's Office. I recommended that you visit our website and stay familiar with the Criminal Background Check procedures. Please be reminded that all staff members need to complete the entire process initially and obtain an approved qualifying letter before they are hired or begin working. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacted G.S. 110-90.2(b) which explains that CBC renewals are currently due for all employees every five years. I also explained that you must place the correct e-mail on the CBC application to ensure that your qualifying letter is received in a timely manner. I explained that you can renew criminal background checks up to six months ahead of time. I also recommended that you place renewal dates on a calendar, spreadsheet, or bulletin board to help keep you reminded of when it's time for renewals to be completed and this will help to maintain compliance in this area. During today’s visit I observed a sample of the children’s work and verified that it relates to the current theme of study. The current theme is Veterans Day. The activities revolve around soldiers, monuments, heroes, flags, and service. I reviewed the program, staff and children’s files checklist. I explained that these forms will assist you in maintaining compliance and providing quality care. I also reviewed that the Early Childhood Equivalency Exam is now on DCDEE Moodle. The equivalency exam is a new pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential. Applicants who achieve a score of 80% or higher on the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam earn the new North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and will qualify the individual to be a lead teacher in an early childhood classroom. To take the exam, go to DCDEE Moodle and select Early Childhood Professional Development/Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)/North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam. There is no fee to take the exam and you have two attempts within a 6-month time period to pass the exam. If you don’t pass the second attempt, you will be advised to enroll in EDU 119 or pursue one of the other equivalency options. Once you receive your North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate, go to the DCDEE Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS) to upload your certificate. Use your NCID to login. If you have any questions about the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Quiz, please contact: DCDEE.Equivalency.Exam@dhhs.nc.gov. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326 Health Guidance has been established through NCDHHS that provides childcare facilities with steps to take that will help minimize the risk of exposure to both staff and the children in their care and reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 and communicable disease transmission in the facility and community. Specific to childcare facilities, continue to follow sanitation policies as a means to try to stop the spread of illness. Due to the current state of things, childcare facilities are encouraged to be hyper-vigilant with these actions. This includes hand washing, sanitizing, removing mouthed toys from the classroom for sanitizing, cleaning toys, and teaching the children to sneeze and cough into their elbows. For more information, the following resources are available: NC COVID-19 website, CDC COVID-19 website, NC environmental cleaning guidance, and CDC guidance for schools and childcare facilities. All health and safety trainings have now been relocated from Pro-Solutions to Moodle on our website free of charge. To access training in the Moodle platform, you will need to login with your NCID - the same NCID that used for WORKS login, and/or the CBC Portal. I observed that all applicable staff have completed the 5-year renewal for the required health and safety trainings. Professional development training and education provides early childhood staff with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their duties and provide quality child care. Training is an on-going process which prepares educators to develop and expand upon their skills and knowledge. Pursuant to GS 110-90(1a) the Division establishes an annual fee for licensed child care facilities. The invoices for the fees are assessed based on your licensed capacity and mailed after the 1st of November every year. You will only receive one invoice and payment is due in FULL within 30 days. Please closely monitor your mail and be on the lookout for your invoice. If you have not received your invoice by November 15th you should contact the Division at 1-800-850-0829. Please don’t delay making your payment and be aware that Payment Plans are NOT available. In addition, please be aware that failure to pay a license fee within 30 days of receipt will result in late charges. If payments are made late and late charges are applied, the fee as well as the late charge must be resolved. Please be reminded that, failure to pay a license fee could also result in the facility's child care license being revoked. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in child care. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing in detail how and when the above violation was corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than 11/20/2023. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violation documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct the violation within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding the violation that was not corrected and a specific plan to correct the violation. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. E-mail or submit a written statement explaining how the violation was corrected along with two copies of each inspection by 11/20/2023. You can e-mail it to mashekia.raines@dhhs.nc.gov or mail it to P.O. Box 2306 Lillington, NC 27546. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 910-824-0137. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE VILLAGE LEARNING ACADEMY Facility ID: 43000584 Consultant: MASHEKIA RAINES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/6/2023 Number Present: 71 Completed Date: 11/6/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 10:30 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements during your Routine Unannounced visit. Upon arrival I was greeted by the Administrator, Jennifer Taylor. Ratio, group size, supervision, capacity and approved space were in compliance. The license, restrictions and emergency care plan were posted. CPR, First-Aid and storage of hazardous materials were monitored and in compliance. The NC Child Care Law was posted. Safety requirements, indoor and outdoor learning environments, safe sleep practices, emergency preparedness and response and prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma requirements were reviewed and in compliance. The children were observed participating in outdoor free-play activities. Monthly fire drills and playground inspections were reviewed and current. Your facility information and e-mail address were reviewed, and no changes were made. The last fire inspection was dated 08-24-2022. Your last sanitation inspection was dated 10-27-2023. Please be reminded to contact Environmental Health and your local Fire Inspector, to request that an inspection be completed for your facility, before the previous inspections are a year old. You can place your due dates on a calendar or spreadsheet to help you maintain compliance in this area. The following violation was observed during today’s visit; Violation Number Comment Rule 106 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. The last fire inspection expired on 08/24/2023. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) In response to the violation that was cited during today’s visit, I provided technical assistance and clarification on the following item; I reviewed and explained that each operator must schedule a Sanitation and Fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous inspections. You must submit the original of the completed Sanitation and Fire inspection report to me within one week of the inspection, on the state form provided by the Division. Please be reminded your fire inspection expired on 08/24/2023. Your sanitation inspection will expire on 10/27/24. Please contact Environmental Health and your local fire inspector within 30 days of the due date to request an inspection be completed. Once your inspection has been received, you will need to email them to me or mail two copies to PO Box 2306 Lillington, NC 27546. During today’s visit, although violations were not observed or documented, clarification and technical assistance regarding the following items were reviewed; I reviewed the Criminal Background Check application and explained that it will be completed online at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov/general/dhhscrc.asp. The payment for a Criminal Background Check will be part of the online application process. Fingerprints must be completed through live scan at your local county Sheriff's Office. I recommended that you visit our website and stay familiar with the Criminal Background Check procedures. Please be reminded that all staff members need to complete the entire process initially and obtain an approved qualifying letter before they are hired or begin working. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacted G.S. 110-90.2(b) which explains that CBC renewals are currently due for all employees every five years. I also explained that you must place the correct e-mail on the CBC application to ensure that your qualifying letter is received in a timely manner. I explained that you can renew criminal background checks up to six months ahead of time. I also recommended that you place renewal dates on a calendar, spreadsheet, or bulletin board to help keep you reminded of when it's time for renewals to be completed and this will help to maintain compliance in this area. During today’s visit I observed a sample of the children’s work and verified that it relates to the current theme of study. The current theme is Veterans Day. The activities revolve around soldiers, monuments, heroes, flags, and service. I reviewed the program, staff and children’s files checklist. I explained that these forms will assist you in maintaining compliance and providing quality care. I also reviewed that the Early Childhood Equivalency Exam is now on DCDEE Moodle. The equivalency exam is a new pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential. Applicants who achieve a score of 80% or higher on the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam earn the new North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and will qualify the individual to be a lead teacher in an early childhood classroom. To take the exam, go to DCDEE Moodle and select Early Childhood Professional Development/Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)/North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam. There is no fee to take the exam and you have two attempts within a 6-month time period to pass the exam. If you don’t pass the second attempt, you will be advised to enroll in EDU 119 or pursue one of the other equivalency options. Once you receive your North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate, go to the DCDEE Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS) to upload your certificate. Use your NCID to login. If you have any questions about the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Quiz, please contact: DCDEE.Equivalency.Exam@dhhs.nc.gov. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326 Health Guidance has been established through NCDHHS that provides childcare facilities with steps to take that will help minimize the risk of exposure to both staff and the children in their care and reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 and communicable disease transmission in the facility and community. Specific to childcare facilities, continue to follow sanitation policies as a means to try to stop the spread of illness. Due to the current state of things, childcare facilities are encouraged to be hyper-vigilant with these actions. This includes hand washing, sanitizing, removing mouthed toys from the classroom for sanitizing, cleaning toys, and teaching the children to sneeze and cough into their elbows. For more information, the following resources are available: NC COVID-19 website, CDC COVID-19 website, NC environmental cleaning guidance, and CDC guidance for schools and childcare facilities. All health and safety trainings have now been relocated from Pro-Solutions to Moodle on our website free of charge. To access training in the Moodle platform, you will need to login with your NCID - the same NCID that used for WORKS login, and/or the CBC Portal. I observed that all applicable staff have completed the 5-year renewal for the required health and safety trainings. Professional development training and education provides early childhood staff with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their duties and provide quality child care. Training is an on-going process which prepares educators to develop and expand upon their skills and knowledge. Pursuant to GS 110-90(1a) the Division establishes an annual fee for licensed child care facilities. The invoices for the fees are assessed based on your licensed capacity and mailed after the 1st of November every year. You will only receive one invoice and payment is due in FULL within 30 days. Please closely monitor your mail and be on the lookout for your invoice. If you have not received your invoice by November 15th you should contact the Division at 1-800-850-0829. Please don’t delay making your payment and be aware that Payment Plans are NOT available. In addition, please be aware that failure to pay a license fee within 30 days of receipt will result in late charges. If payments are made late and late charges are applied, the fee as well as the late charge must be resolved. Please be reminded that, failure to pay a license fee could also result in the facility's child care license being revoked. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in child care. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing in detail how and when the above violation was corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than 11/20/2023. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violation documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct the violation within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding the violation that was not corrected and a specific plan to correct the violation. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. E-mail or submit a written statement explaining how the violation was corrected along with two copies of each inspection by 11/20/2023. You can e-mail it to mashekia.raines@dhhs.nc.gov or mail it to P.O. Box 2306 Lillington, NC 27546. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 910-824-0137. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE VILLAGE LEARNING ACADEMY Facility ID: 43000584 Consultant: MASHEKIA RAINES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/6/2023 Number Present: 71 Completed Date: 11/6/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 10:30 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements during your Routine Unannounced visit. Upon arrival I was greeted by the Administrator, Jennifer Taylor. Ratio, group size, supervision, capacity and approved space were in compliance. The license, restrictions and emergency care plan were posted. CPR, First-Aid and storage of hazardous materials were monitored and in compliance. The NC Child Care Law was posted. Safety requirements, indoor and outdoor learning environments, safe sleep practices, emergency preparedness and response and prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma requirements were reviewed and in compliance. The children were observed participating in outdoor free-play activities. Monthly fire drills and playground inspections were reviewed and current. Your facility information and e-mail address were reviewed, and no changes were made. The last fire inspection was dated 08-24-2022. Your last sanitation inspection was dated 10-27-2023. Please be reminded to contact Environmental Health and your local Fire Inspector, to request that an inspection be completed for your facility, before the previous inspections are a year old. You can place your due dates on a calendar or spreadsheet to help you maintain compliance in this area. The following violation was observed during today’s visit; Violation Number Comment Rule 106 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. The last fire inspection expired on 08/24/2023. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) In response to the violation that was cited during today’s visit, I provided technical assistance and clarification on the following item; I reviewed and explained that each operator must schedule a Sanitation and Fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous inspections. You must submit the original of the completed Sanitation and Fire inspection report to me within one week of the inspection, on the state form provided by the Division. Please be reminded your fire inspection expired on 08/24/2023. Your sanitation inspection will expire on 10/27/24. Please contact Environmental Health and your local fire inspector within 30 days of the due date to request an inspection be completed. Once your inspection has been received, you will need to email them to me or mail two copies to PO Box 2306 Lillington, NC 27546. During today’s visit, although violations were not observed or documented, clarification and technical assistance regarding the following items were reviewed; I reviewed the Criminal Background Check application and explained that it will be completed online at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov/general/dhhscrc.asp. The payment for a Criminal Background Check will be part of the online application process. Fingerprints must be completed through live scan at your local county Sheriff's Office. I recommended that you visit our website and stay familiar with the Criminal Background Check procedures. Please be reminded that all staff members need to complete the entire process initially and obtain an approved qualifying letter before they are hired or begin working. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacted G.S. 110-90.2(b) which explains that CBC renewals are currently due for all employees every five years. I also explained that you must place the correct e-mail on the CBC application to ensure that your qualifying letter is received in a timely manner. I explained that you can renew criminal background checks up to six months ahead of time. I also recommended that you place renewal dates on a calendar, spreadsheet, or bulletin board to help keep you reminded of when it's time for renewals to be completed and this will help to maintain compliance in this area. During today’s visit I observed a sample of the children’s work and verified that it relates to the current theme of study. The current theme is Veterans Day. The activities revolve around soldiers, monuments, heroes, flags, and service. I reviewed the program, staff and children’s files checklist. I explained that these forms will assist you in maintaining compliance and providing quality care. I also reviewed that the Early Childhood Equivalency Exam is now on DCDEE Moodle. The equivalency exam is a new pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential. Applicants who achieve a score of 80% or higher on the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam earn the new North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and will qualify the individual to be a lead teacher in an early childhood classroom. To take the exam, go to DCDEE Moodle and select Early Childhood Professional Development/Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)/North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Exam. There is no fee to take the exam and you have two attempts within a 6-month time period to pass the exam. If you don’t pass the second attempt, you will be advised to enroll in EDU 119 or pursue one of the other equivalency options. Once you receive your North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate, go to the DCDEE Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS) to upload your certificate. Use your NCID to login. If you have any questions about the NC Early Childhood Equivalency Quiz, please contact: DCDEE.Equivalency.Exam@dhhs.nc.gov. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326 Health Guidance has been established through NCDHHS that provides childcare facilities with steps to take that will help minimize the risk of exposure to both staff and the children in their care and reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 and communicable disease transmission in the facility and community. Specific to childcare facilities, continue to follow sanitation policies as a means to try to stop the spread of illness. Due to the current state of things, childcare facilities are encouraged to be hyper-vigilant with these actions. This includes hand washing, sanitizing, removing mouthed toys from the classroom for sanitizing, cleaning toys, and teaching the children to sneeze and cough into their elbows. For more information, the following resources are available: NC COVID-19 website, CDC COVID-19 website, NC environmental cleaning guidance, and CDC guidance for schools and childcare facilities. All health and safety trainings have now been relocated from Pro-Solutions to Moodle on our website free of charge. To access training in the Moodle platform, you will need to login with your NCID - the same NCID that used for WORKS login, and/or the CBC Portal. I observed that all applicable staff have completed the 5-year renewal for the required health and safety trainings. Professional development training and education provides early childhood staff with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their duties and provide quality child care. Training is an on-going process which prepares educators to develop and expand upon their skills and knowledge. Pursuant to GS 110-90(1a) the Division establishes an annual fee for licensed child care facilities. The invoices for the fees are assessed based on your licensed capacity and mailed after the 1st of November every year. You will only receive one invoice and payment is due in FULL within 30 days. Please closely monitor your mail and be on the lookout for your invoice. If you have not received your invoice by November 15th you should contact the Division at 1-800-850-0829. Please don’t delay making your payment and be aware that Payment Plans are NOT available. In addition, please be aware that failure to pay a license fee within 30 days of receipt will result in late charges. If payments are made late and late charges are applied, the fee as well as the late charge must be resolved. Please be reminded that, failure to pay a license fee could also result in the facility's child care license being revoked. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in child care. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing in detail how and when the above violation was corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than 11/20/2023. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violation documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct the violation within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding the violation that was not corrected and a specific plan to correct the violation. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. E-mail or submit a written statement explaining how the violation was corrected along with two copies of each inspection by 11/20/2023. You can e-mail it to mashekia.raines@dhhs.nc.gov or mail it to P.O. Box 2306 Lillington, NC 27546. If you have any questions, you can contact me at 910-824-0137. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

10A NCAC 09 .2818 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE VILLAGE LEARNING ACADEMY Facility ID: 43000584 Consultant: JENNIFER H BYRD Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0723-060A Visit Date: 7/17/2023 Number Present: 93 Completed Date: 7/17/2023 Age: From 0 To 12 Total Minutes: 130 Time In: 01:50 PM Time Out: 04:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. I conducted a walk-through of the facility unaccompanied. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Jennifer Taylor, Administrator, and two additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. During today's visit, one staff member was present and providing care to children who did not have a completed criminal background check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. During today's visit, there was one staff member providing care to ten one-year-old children during naptime and one staff member providing care to twenty-one five- to seven-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. During today's visit, two staff files did not contain current qualification letters. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one week July 24, 2023, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me at You may contact me at Jennifer Byrd, Investigations Consultant 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2200 Telephone-910-785-1486 Fax number- 919-715-1013 Email Jennifer.H.Byrd@dhhs.nc.gov or Melissa Loehr, Supervisor Melissa.Loehr@dhhs.nc.gov Thank you for your time. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE VILLAGE LEARNING ACADEMY Facility ID: 43000584 Consultant: JENNIFER H BYRD Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0723-060A Visit Date: 7/17/2023 Number Present: 93 Completed Date: 7/17/2023 Age: From 0 To 12 Total Minutes: 130 Time In: 01:50 PM Time Out: 04:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. I conducted a walk-through of the facility unaccompanied. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Jennifer Taylor, Administrator, and two additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. During today's visit, one staff member was present and providing care to children who did not have a completed criminal background check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. During today's visit, there was one staff member providing care to ten one-year-old children during naptime and one staff member providing care to twenty-one five- to seven-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. During today's visit, two staff files did not contain current qualification letters. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one week July 24, 2023, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me at You may contact me at Jennifer Byrd, Investigations Consultant 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2200 Telephone-910-785-1486 Fax number- 919-715-1013 Email Jennifer.H.Byrd@dhhs.nc.gov or Melissa Loehr, Supervisor Melissa.Loehr@dhhs.nc.gov Thank you for your time. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.