Supervision
Name of Operation: AVERY'S CREEK HEAD START Facility ID: 11000927 Consultant: KAORU EDDINS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/30/2026 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 3/30/2026 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 155 Time In: 09:55 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance during an annual compliance visit including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in space #1, where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. A computerized generated report of today’s visit was completed, reviewed with you, and signed by Kaoru Eddins, Child Care Consultant and also signed by Bridget Hambrook, Lead Teacher, during the visit. A signed copy of the visit summary was left on-site and electronically emailed to Shawn Wolff, Administrator. Today, Ms. Hambrook was available during the visit. The indoor and outdoor areas were monitored today, including supervision, staff/child ratios, permit restrictions, discipline, nutrition and routine caregiving activities An annual compliance monitoring checklist for child care centers was used to note the requirements monitored and is attached to the computerized generated visit summary for your records. The center’s compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-one (91) percent as of today prior to this visit. The North Carolina Secretary of State website was viewed prior to today’s visit and non-profit corporation, Community Action Opportunities, was current/active as of 3/20/26. Permit type – five-star center license issued on 5/23/25. Special Services/Restrictions – daytime care, meets enhanced space and reduced ratios. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 4/30/25. The last fire drill was practiced on 2/27/26. The last shelter-in-place drill was practiced on 3/4/26. The last playground inspection was documented on 3/24/26. The last fire inspection was approved on 2/13/26. The last sanitation inspection was conducted on 2/6/26 with five (5) demerits for a superior classification. The Emergency Medical Care plan was posted and current. The approved curriculum is Creative Curriculum. Approved formative assessment is Teaching Strategies Gold. Lead water testing was completed on 6/27/24 without hazards. Lead paint was completed without information on dates. Asbestos testing is waiting for on-site visit results. Four (4) staff members were listed on the Automated Criminal Background Check Management System (ABCMS) as of 3/29/26. Upon arrival, I announced my presence and the purpose of the visit. Fourteen (14) children, three-to-five years of age, were present with two (2) staff members. fifteenth child, who was five (5) years old arrived during the visit. Children transitioned from breakfast to group time. Today, cheerios, orange juice and milk were served for breakfast. During morning group, children danced to music and sang a phonics song. A positional words activity was conducted to support the transition from group time to free play. During free play, children played with housekeeping materials, blocks, toy vehicles, art equipment, sensory materials, puzzles and other materials. Staff members actively engaged in conversation asking open-ended questions. Supervision was adequate. Playground was observed and no safety hazards were found. The igloo structure was noted on the previous visit regarding its safety concerns as a climber. During the visit, one (1) child climbed on the structure but was quickly guided to the ground by the lead teacher. After playground, the children washed their hands and transitioned to lunch. Chicken nuggets with breading, corns, apple sauce and milk. Children used the bathroom and transitioned to cots after lunch. Supervision during rest time was adequate. Staff files: The following discrepancies were noted: N. Norris: Criminal background expiration date on the ABCMS system shows 10/25/29. The same expiration date is listed on the criminal background letter. CBC issue date: 10/25/24 Date of employment: 8/12/22 6-week orientation: 8/24/22 Shaken baby policy acknowledgement: 8/10/22 Health and Safety Training (HST) – incomplete – the date on the Staff and Training Worksheet for completion of HST is listed as 11/29/23. On staff file, the HST certificates are dated 4/2/24 – 4/3/24. Medication in Child Care training certificate was not on file. Mr. Wolff checked the staff member’s electronic files but was unable to locate the certificate. On-going training – 15.5 hours of training was verified for August 2024 – June 2025. B. Hambrook: On-going training hours – at least 18.25 hours of training was verified for 5/30/24 – 5/29/25 period. 4.5 hours of training was not included in the hours due to missing dates. Children’s files: A total of four (4) children’s files including two (2) NC Pre-K funded children’s files were monitored. During visit, Mr. Wolff briefly stopped by and help me with electronic files on Child Plus to review children’s physical and immunization records. Agency representative’s criminal background letter was sent to me via email by Mr. Wolff prior to this visit. I used the Child Care Center Item Number Listing (DCDEE-0357) as a basic monitoring tool to assess compliance with all applicable child care requirements pertinent to this facility. For specific rule references, refer to Chapter 110 General Statues Child Care Facilities, Chapter nine (9) Child Care Rule (10A NCAC 09) and Section 2800 Sanitation of Child Care Center (15A NCAC 18A) for additional information. Updated copies of these rules can be located on our website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ The program does not provide transportation. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. The NC Pre-K Program Site Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance The current NC Pre-K staff are lead teacher, Bridget Hambrook and teachers, Nikita Norris and Teresa Jones. Two (2) children files were monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. The first day of school was 8/25/25. The classroom operates from 8:30 am to 3 pm. The following violations were documented during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. A lesson plan posted was dated 3/23/26 - 3/27/26. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 812 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. An outlet next to the paper towel dispenser in the bathroom did not have a cover. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1324 Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. Signed/dated discipline policy was not maintained on child's file for one (1) child whose date of birth being 7/20/21. .1804(c) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. The records of Health and Safety Training did not include "Medication in Child Care" training certificate for a staff member who was employed on 8/12/22. .1102(a) 1908 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. Acknowledgement of receipt of program's Shaken Baby Policy was not on file for one (1) child whose date of birth being 7/20/21. .0608(b)(1-6) Technical assistance was provided as follows: 428: Activity plan A current activity plan must be posted. During visit, Ms. Hambrook printed the lesson plan for this week and posted it. Therefore, this item was corrected during visit. 812: Electrical Outlet Non-Tamper-resistant electrical outlets must be covered with safety covers. The top outlet next to the paper towel dispenser in the bathroom was covered by Mr. Norris with a safety cover. Therefore, this item was corrected during visit. 1324: discipline policy- parental signature Parental signature that acknowledges receipt of discipline policy must be on child’s file. The acknowledgement must include child’s name, date of enrollment and the date of parental signature. To comply, please ask parent to complete the discipline acknowledgement form and put in the child’s file. In your compliance letter, please verify the completion of task. 1898: Health and Safety Training Health and Safety training including “Medication in Child Care” must be completed within the first year of employment. To comply, Mr. Norris must log on to DCDEE Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/ and complete “Medication in Child Care” training. You can find the training by typing “medication” in the search box. In your compliance letter, please verify the completion of the training. 1908: Acknowledgement of Shaken Baby Policy Parental acknowledgement of program’s Shaken Baby policy must be on child’s file. To comply, please obtain signature for acknowledgement of Shaken Baby policy and file the document. In your compliance letter, please verify the completion of the task. Achieving Compliance: Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. The violations documented above must be corrected immediately. Send me a letter of compliance describing in detail specifically how each violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. Include the following: • Facility name • Facility ID# • Date of visit • Violation item number • Signed statement of compliance I must receive your compliance statement by 4/13/26. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or in the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: kaoru.eddins@ dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education Attn: Kaoru Eddins PO Box 795 Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 Please call me at 828-556-9013, or email [email protected], if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive it by the due date listed above. You will need to mail a compliance statement three to five days prior to the due date to ensure receipt is within the designated timeline. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Consultation is provided as follows: Lead Paint and Asbestos Testing: In April 2023, North Carolina enacted final rules 10A NCAC 41C .1001-1007 requiring all public schools and child care facilities to: Test for lead in drinking/cooking water (.1005 and .2816), Identify lead-based paint hazards (.1004), Identify asbestos hazards (.1003), Mitigate or restrict access to any identified hazards. Testing was required to be completed by May 31, 2025. New and terminated staff notification requirement: As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. If you elect to change and/or alter any previously approved spaces used by children as indicated on the approved indoor and outdoor floor plan, you will need to contact me within thirty (30) days prior to the change. Failure to notify a DCDEE representative may result in a violation of child care requirements. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states “Each operator shall schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous fire inspection. The operator shall notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the center's annual fire inspection. The operator shall submit the original of the approved annual fire inspection report to the Division within one week of the inspection visit on the form provided by the Division.” As child care providers, you are a vital part in the prevention and intervention of child maltreatment! You may see potential indicators of maltreatment in the children under your care. Some children may even be more likely to disclose maltreatment to a child care provider than to a family member. It is required that all providers are aware of maltreatment indicators and to report any suspicions of maltreatment. Follow child care rules related to child maltreatment training: 10A NCAC 09 .1102(g) and 10A NCAC 09 .1703(a)(5) states the child care administrator, operator, and all staff members shall complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submit an official transcript (if applicable) and apply for a position for evaluation. This should be completed immediately upon hiring or at the latest, by the end of the six-week orientation process. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2830 (c) If employment-related changes occur at a facility that result in the operator not complying with the standards in the Section for the star rating issued, the operator shall correct the noncompliance within 120 days. If the operator does not correct the noncompliance within 120 days, the operator shall notify the Division. It is your responsibility to understand the health and safety requirements in child care rule .1102. If the program is out of compliance in accordance with health and safety requirements, Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), it may affect subsidy funding. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/.It is your responsibility to understand the rules and laws that are applicable your program. All rules/laws cannot be verbally reviewed during any monitoring visit. Please ask questions if you are having difficulty and would like additional technical assistance. I welcome your questions and want to be a resource for you. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at [email protected] or 828.556.9013, or Bonnie Mathis, Licensing Supervisor, at [email protected]. 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