10A NCAC 09 .0302 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/20/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 10/20/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 09:45 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the second temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed in a transition activity before going outdoors, outdoor play, routine care, and lunch. The lunch today was grilled cheese sandwich, carrots, potatoes, dried cranberries, and milk. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file at the child care facility, in the classroom, for transportation and staff records, including bus drivers. The entirety of children’s files are kept on-site in the classroom. There are thirteen (13) children enrolled. Nine (9) children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:10a.m. to 2:10p.m. You have applied for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 124 The center did not maintain records as required in rule, and/or were not made available to the Division for review. The off-site verification forms for transportation and staff files were not on-site to verify that transportation is maintained through Mitchell County Schools and certain records for staff, including bus drivers are kept off-site. G.S. 110-91(9); .0304(g); .2318 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. Immunizations could not be located in the file for one (1) child. The child began enrollment on 8/18/25. Refer to the child record worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1764 A health assessment was not on file at the NC Pre-K site within 30 days after a child entered the NC Pre-K program or the health assessment was more than 12 months old at the time of program entry. A health assessment for one (1) child could not be located in the file. The child entered the program on 8/18/25. .3005(a) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 11/3/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. The compliance history for the facility prior to today’s visit was eighty-seven percent (87%). Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations Children’s Records and NC Pre-K Health Assessment – Items #1323, and #1764 To achieve compliance the child’s medical record/NC Pre-K health assessment and immunization records that are less than 12 months old will need to be on file at the child care facility for the child. In addition, a plan will need to be created to state how the child care facility will have child medical and immunization records on file within thirty (30) days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit all child files to be sure each child has a health assessment and immunizations on file within their thirty (30) day enrollment period. Transportation and Staff Records – Item #124 To achieve compliance the off-site verification forms for transportation and staff files must be completed and located on-site in the classroom (the child care facility). The off-site verification form for the staff files must include all staff names associated with the child care facility, including the bus drivers. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you would be choosing the program assessment pathway and referred to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. The ERS three consecutive month self-study has been started. The self-study will be verified at the next temporary time period visit. You stated you were not sure if the continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan for the facility was started. The administrator is part of the process and will need to work with the teachers on the CQI plan. The CQI plan for the facility will be reviewed at the next temporary time period visit. The CQI plans for the administrator, lead teacher, and teacher will be reviewed at the next temporary time period visit. The evidence of family and community engagement foundational practices will be verified at the next temporary time period visit. We discussed that it is recommended to make a notebook with all family engagement foundational practices you are meeting through offering or implementing to easily show how you are meeting the choices selected. The ERS assessment will be ordered on or before 11/6/25. Be prepared to have five block out dates ready when the scheduler calls to schedule the four week window. The curriculum implemented has been verified as Creative Curriculum. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *A. Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. You have been working with MaryLee Yearick, with Blue Ridge Partnership, to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: There were two (2) children that had health assessments with notes regarding dental, vision, and hearing. The notes included that the children were uncooperative and had developmental delays that may have prevented them from cooperating during their visit. You stated there was a dental screening scheduled this month. It is recommended to also offer vision and hearing screenings to children in care. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .3002 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/20/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 10/20/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 09:45 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the second temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed in a transition activity before going outdoors, outdoor play, routine care, and lunch. The lunch today was grilled cheese sandwich, carrots, potatoes, dried cranberries, and milk. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file at the child care facility, in the classroom, for transportation and staff records, including bus drivers. The entirety of children’s files are kept on-site in the classroom. There are thirteen (13) children enrolled. Nine (9) children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:10a.m. to 2:10p.m. You have applied for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 124 The center did not maintain records as required in rule, and/or were not made available to the Division for review. The off-site verification forms for transportation and staff files were not on-site to verify that transportation is maintained through Mitchell County Schools and certain records for staff, including bus drivers are kept off-site. G.S. 110-91(9); .0304(g); .2318 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. Immunizations could not be located in the file for one (1) child. The child began enrollment on 8/18/25. Refer to the child record worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1764 A health assessment was not on file at the NC Pre-K site within 30 days after a child entered the NC Pre-K program or the health assessment was more than 12 months old at the time of program entry. A health assessment for one (1) child could not be located in the file. The child entered the program on 8/18/25. .3005(a) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 11/3/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. The compliance history for the facility prior to today’s visit was eighty-seven percent (87%). Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations Children’s Records and NC Pre-K Health Assessment – Items #1323, and #1764 To achieve compliance the child’s medical record/NC Pre-K health assessment and immunization records that are less than 12 months old will need to be on file at the child care facility for the child. In addition, a plan will need to be created to state how the child care facility will have child medical and immunization records on file within thirty (30) days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit all child files to be sure each child has a health assessment and immunizations on file within their thirty (30) day enrollment period. Transportation and Staff Records – Item #124 To achieve compliance the off-site verification forms for transportation and staff files must be completed and located on-site in the classroom (the child care facility). The off-site verification form for the staff files must include all staff names associated with the child care facility, including the bus drivers. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you would be choosing the program assessment pathway and referred to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. The ERS three consecutive month self-study has been started. The self-study will be verified at the next temporary time period visit. You stated you were not sure if the continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan for the facility was started. The administrator is part of the process and will need to work with the teachers on the CQI plan. The CQI plan for the facility will be reviewed at the next temporary time period visit. The CQI plans for the administrator, lead teacher, and teacher will be reviewed at the next temporary time period visit. The evidence of family and community engagement foundational practices will be verified at the next temporary time period visit. We discussed that it is recommended to make a notebook with all family engagement foundational practices you are meeting through offering or implementing to easily show how you are meeting the choices selected. The ERS assessment will be ordered on or before 11/6/25. Be prepared to have five block out dates ready when the scheduler calls to schedule the four week window. The curriculum implemented has been verified as Creative Curriculum. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *A. Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. You have been working with MaryLee Yearick, with Blue Ridge Partnership, to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: There were two (2) children that had health assessments with notes regarding dental, vision, and hearing. The notes included that the children were uncooperative and had developmental delays that may have prevented them from cooperating during their visit. You stated there was a dental screening scheduled this month. It is recommended to also offer vision and hearing screenings to children in care. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/20/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 10/20/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 09:45 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the second temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed in a transition activity before going outdoors, outdoor play, routine care, and lunch. The lunch today was grilled cheese sandwich, carrots, potatoes, dried cranberries, and milk. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file at the child care facility, in the classroom, for transportation and staff records, including bus drivers. The entirety of children’s files are kept on-site in the classroom. There are thirteen (13) children enrolled. Nine (9) children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:10a.m. to 2:10p.m. You have applied for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 124 The center did not maintain records as required in rule, and/or were not made available to the Division for review. The off-site verification forms for transportation and staff files were not on-site to verify that transportation is maintained through Mitchell County Schools and certain records for staff, including bus drivers are kept off-site. G.S. 110-91(9); .0304(g); .2318 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. Immunizations could not be located in the file for one (1) child. The child began enrollment on 8/18/25. Refer to the child record worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1764 A health assessment was not on file at the NC Pre-K site within 30 days after a child entered the NC Pre-K program or the health assessment was more than 12 months old at the time of program entry. A health assessment for one (1) child could not be located in the file. The child entered the program on 8/18/25. .3005(a) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 11/3/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. The compliance history for the facility prior to today’s visit was eighty-seven percent (87%). Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations Children’s Records and NC Pre-K Health Assessment – Items #1323, and #1764 To achieve compliance the child’s medical record/NC Pre-K health assessment and immunization records that are less than 12 months old will need to be on file at the child care facility for the child. In addition, a plan will need to be created to state how the child care facility will have child medical and immunization records on file within thirty (30) days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit all child files to be sure each child has a health assessment and immunizations on file within their thirty (30) day enrollment period. Transportation and Staff Records – Item #124 To achieve compliance the off-site verification forms for transportation and staff files must be completed and located on-site in the classroom (the child care facility). The off-site verification form for the staff files must include all staff names associated with the child care facility, including the bus drivers. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you would be choosing the program assessment pathway and referred to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. The ERS three consecutive month self-study has been started. The self-study will be verified at the next temporary time period visit. You stated you were not sure if the continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan for the facility was started. The administrator is part of the process and will need to work with the teachers on the CQI plan. The CQI plan for the facility will be reviewed at the next temporary time period visit. The CQI plans for the administrator, lead teacher, and teacher will be reviewed at the next temporary time period visit. The evidence of family and community engagement foundational practices will be verified at the next temporary time period visit. We discussed that it is recommended to make a notebook with all family engagement foundational practices you are meeting through offering or implementing to easily show how you are meeting the choices selected. The ERS assessment will be ordered on or before 11/6/25. Be prepared to have five block out dates ready when the scheduler calls to schedule the four week window. The curriculum implemented has been verified as Creative Curriculum. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *A. Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. You have been working with MaryLee Yearick, with Blue Ridge Partnership, to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: There were two (2) children that had health assessments with notes regarding dental, vision, and hearing. The notes included that the children were uncooperative and had developmental delays that may have prevented them from cooperating during their visit. You stated there was a dental screening scheduled this month. It is recommended to also offer vision and hearing screenings to children in care. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/20/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 10/20/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 09:45 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the second temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed in a transition activity before going outdoors, outdoor play, routine care, and lunch. The lunch today was grilled cheese sandwich, carrots, potatoes, dried cranberries, and milk. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file at the child care facility, in the classroom, for transportation and staff records, including bus drivers. The entirety of children’s files are kept on-site in the classroom. There are thirteen (13) children enrolled. Nine (9) children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:10a.m. to 2:10p.m. You have applied for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 124 The center did not maintain records as required in rule, and/or were not made available to the Division for review. The off-site verification forms for transportation and staff files were not on-site to verify that transportation is maintained through Mitchell County Schools and certain records for staff, including bus drivers are kept off-site. G.S. 110-91(9); .0304(g); .2318 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. Immunizations could not be located in the file for one (1) child. The child began enrollment on 8/18/25. Refer to the child record worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1764 A health assessment was not on file at the NC Pre-K site within 30 days after a child entered the NC Pre-K program or the health assessment was more than 12 months old at the time of program entry. A health assessment for one (1) child could not be located in the file. The child entered the program on 8/18/25. .3005(a) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 11/3/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. The compliance history for the facility prior to today’s visit was eighty-seven percent (87%). Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations Children’s Records and NC Pre-K Health Assessment – Items #1323, and #1764 To achieve compliance the child’s medical record/NC Pre-K health assessment and immunization records that are less than 12 months old will need to be on file at the child care facility for the child. In addition, a plan will need to be created to state how the child care facility will have child medical and immunization records on file within thirty (30) days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit all child files to be sure each child has a health assessment and immunizations on file within their thirty (30) day enrollment period. Transportation and Staff Records – Item #124 To achieve compliance the off-site verification forms for transportation and staff files must be completed and located on-site in the classroom (the child care facility). The off-site verification form for the staff files must include all staff names associated with the child care facility, including the bus drivers. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you would be choosing the program assessment pathway and referred to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. The ERS three consecutive month self-study has been started. The self-study will be verified at the next temporary time period visit. You stated you were not sure if the continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan for the facility was started. The administrator is part of the process and will need to work with the teachers on the CQI plan. The CQI plan for the facility will be reviewed at the next temporary time period visit. The CQI plans for the administrator, lead teacher, and teacher will be reviewed at the next temporary time period visit. The evidence of family and community engagement foundational practices will be verified at the next temporary time period visit. We discussed that it is recommended to make a notebook with all family engagement foundational practices you are meeting through offering or implementing to easily show how you are meeting the choices selected. The ERS assessment will be ordered on or before 11/6/25. Be prepared to have five block out dates ready when the scheduler calls to schedule the four week window. The curriculum implemented has been verified as Creative Curriculum. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *A. Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. You have been working with MaryLee Yearick, with Blue Ridge Partnership, to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: There were two (2) children that had health assessments with notes regarding dental, vision, and hearing. The notes included that the children were uncooperative and had developmental delays that may have prevented them from cooperating during their visit. You stated there was a dental screening scheduled this month. It is recommended to also offer vision and hearing screenings to children in care. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/10/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 9/10/2025 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the first temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. If any changes to the program need to be made or you decide to sell the child care business, then you must notify your consultant at least thirty (30) days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location or inherited. During this first Temporary Time Period visit, the classrooms was monitored as well as the playground, materials, equipment and required posted items for meeting all minimum licensing requirements. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed during outdoor play, transitioning indoors, lunch in the school cafeteria, a large group story time, and rest. Caregivers were engaged with children and provided nurturing, positive guidance. Lunch today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The menu stated lunch today was eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. You stated a nutrition opt-out form is on file for any child that brings their meals and snacks. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file for transportation, staff records, and children’s records. The transportation off-site verification form and off-site verification form for staff records must be on-site and available for review. These forms can be located on the Division's website under provider forms and documents and were also provided to you during the visit. There are eighteen (18) children enrolled. All children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:15a.m. to 2:30p.m. You may choose to apply for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu for lunch today was documented as eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. The lunch served today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The substitutions were not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. An incident report from 8/19/25 was not documented in the incident log. .0802(g)(1-6) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the EMC plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1033 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. A date that the three (3) bus drivers had a TB test or TB screening could not be located. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0701(a) 1230 Personnel policies were not discussed with each staff at employment and a copy was not available to all staff. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification that the personnel policies were discussed with them. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(e) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One (1) teaching staff that began employment on 8/10/23 did not have a documented date for the last completed staff development plans and annual evaluations. One (1) staff that began employment had a documented date for September 2023 as the last staff development plan and annual evaluation. The date listed on the staff and training worksheet for the last annual evaluation was 5/31/26. The staff development plan stated “ongoing” on the staff and training worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1805 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 child care operator has not notified the Division of the two (2) teaching staff, three (3) bus drivers, as well as the Administrator and Pre-K Coordinator, that are hired at the child care facility. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the School Risk Management plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0607(f) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 9/24/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations *Criminal Background Check Requirements – Item #1805 All seven (7) staff associated with the child care facility must be assigned to the child care facility in the ABCMS portal to achieve compliance. **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. *TB Tests/Screening – Item #1033 The three (3) bus drivers must have a TB test or TB screening on file to achieve compliance. We discussed the date the TB test or TB screening must be on the staff and training worksheet for verification if not located on-site at the child care facility. The TB test or TB screening may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *School Risk Management Plan Review – Item #1825 To achieve compliance, the date the School Risk Management plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for the School Risk Management plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. * Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan Review – Item #862 To achieve compliance, the date the EMC plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for EMC plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. *Personnel Policies – Item #1230 To achieve compliance, the date of review for each staff is required. Documentation of reviewing the personnel policies must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. The acknowledgement may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *Staff Development Plans and Annual Evaluations – Item #1232 Staff development plans and annual evaluations are required each year. It is recommended to use the Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for the staff development plan. The individual CQI is accessible on the rated license application emailed to you during the visit today. *Incident Log - Item #853 To achieve compliance, the incident report must be documented on the incident log. Anytime an incident form is completed, it must be documented on the incident log. This allows for easy reference when review the incidents that have occurred at the child care facility. *Menu Substitutions - Item #528 To achieve compliance, a plan will need to be put in place to document substitutions on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served to children. It is recommended to take the menu with you to the cafeteria for lunch and document the changes. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you have the option of choosing pathway 1 or pathway 2; refer to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway (pathway 1) based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. Four (4) handout resources and the self-study verification form from ncrlap.org were provided to you today during the visit: *Understanding self-study; *Key steps, the self-study process for NC child care programs; *The self-study, guidance for administrators; and *Getting started with a self-study for teachers. Once completed at the end of the three month self study, the verification form will be reviewed and collected by the child care consultant. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *Amber Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Program Standards: The Initial Application for a Two Component Star Rated License and the Rated License Request for Review form were provided via email to you today. Plan to review the forms and return on or before 9/24/25. Curriculum: The curriculum implemented is Creative Curriculum. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. Since you want to have the Environment Rating Scale completed, it is recommended that you visit www.ncrlap.org for supplemental materials for preparing for the Environment Rating Scale Assessments. Additional notes to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition can be obtained on this website. NCRLAP also offers Webinar trainings for staff. It is also recommended that you register staff now for the upcoming Webinar trainings listed on the ncrlap.org website. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral office for further technical assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. You stated you will contact MaryLee Yearick to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: We discussed there are children that do not have medical reports or immunizations on file. Reminder that medical reports and immunizations must be on file within 30 days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit the paper files for the staff to determine what you would like to keep on-site and what would be kept off-site. We discussed again school bus drivers that are counted in staff/child ratio are required to meet all applicable child care requirements, including but not limited to; the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualifying letter, staff medical report, TB Test/Screening, the prevention of shaken baby and abusive head trauma policy acknowledgement, CPR/First Aid training, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety trainings (bus training can count towards health and safety trainings). Reminder that any items not listed as being approved to be included in off-site records must be on-site at the child care facility and available for review by a child care consultant. We discussed there is a new child care rule rollout training on DCDEE Moodle regarding the rule changes as of 7/1/25. In addition, there is an upcoming provider meeting on 9/29/25. In addition to the NC Pre-K rule change in 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS, the NC Pre-K rules below also change. 10A NCAC 09 .3009 STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIO AND CLASS SIZE 10A NCAC 09 .3010 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/10/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 9/10/2025 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the first temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. If any changes to the program need to be made or you decide to sell the child care business, then you must notify your consultant at least thirty (30) days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location or inherited. During this first Temporary Time Period visit, the classrooms was monitored as well as the playground, materials, equipment and required posted items for meeting all minimum licensing requirements. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed during outdoor play, transitioning indoors, lunch in the school cafeteria, a large group story time, and rest. Caregivers were engaged with children and provided nurturing, positive guidance. Lunch today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The menu stated lunch today was eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. You stated a nutrition opt-out form is on file for any child that brings their meals and snacks. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file for transportation, staff records, and children’s records. The transportation off-site verification form and off-site verification form for staff records must be on-site and available for review. These forms can be located on the Division's website under provider forms and documents and were also provided to you during the visit. There are eighteen (18) children enrolled. All children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:15a.m. to 2:30p.m. You may choose to apply for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu for lunch today was documented as eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. The lunch served today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The substitutions were not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. An incident report from 8/19/25 was not documented in the incident log. .0802(g)(1-6) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the EMC plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1033 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. A date that the three (3) bus drivers had a TB test or TB screening could not be located. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0701(a) 1230 Personnel policies were not discussed with each staff at employment and a copy was not available to all staff. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification that the personnel policies were discussed with them. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(e) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One (1) teaching staff that began employment on 8/10/23 did not have a documented date for the last completed staff development plans and annual evaluations. One (1) staff that began employment had a documented date for September 2023 as the last staff development plan and annual evaluation. The date listed on the staff and training worksheet for the last annual evaluation was 5/31/26. The staff development plan stated “ongoing” on the staff and training worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1805 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 child care operator has not notified the Division of the two (2) teaching staff, three (3) bus drivers, as well as the Administrator and Pre-K Coordinator, that are hired at the child care facility. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the School Risk Management plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0607(f) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 9/24/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations *Criminal Background Check Requirements – Item #1805 All seven (7) staff associated with the child care facility must be assigned to the child care facility in the ABCMS portal to achieve compliance. **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. *TB Tests/Screening – Item #1033 The three (3) bus drivers must have a TB test or TB screening on file to achieve compliance. We discussed the date the TB test or TB screening must be on the staff and training worksheet for verification if not located on-site at the child care facility. The TB test or TB screening may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *School Risk Management Plan Review – Item #1825 To achieve compliance, the date the School Risk Management plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for the School Risk Management plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. * Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan Review – Item #862 To achieve compliance, the date the EMC plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for EMC plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. *Personnel Policies – Item #1230 To achieve compliance, the date of review for each staff is required. Documentation of reviewing the personnel policies must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. The acknowledgement may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *Staff Development Plans and Annual Evaluations – Item #1232 Staff development plans and annual evaluations are required each year. It is recommended to use the Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for the staff development plan. The individual CQI is accessible on the rated license application emailed to you during the visit today. *Incident Log - Item #853 To achieve compliance, the incident report must be documented on the incident log. Anytime an incident form is completed, it must be documented on the incident log. This allows for easy reference when review the incidents that have occurred at the child care facility. *Menu Substitutions - Item #528 To achieve compliance, a plan will need to be put in place to document substitutions on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served to children. It is recommended to take the menu with you to the cafeteria for lunch and document the changes. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you have the option of choosing pathway 1 or pathway 2; refer to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway (pathway 1) based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. Four (4) handout resources and the self-study verification form from ncrlap.org were provided to you today during the visit: *Understanding self-study; *Key steps, the self-study process for NC child care programs; *The self-study, guidance for administrators; and *Getting started with a self-study for teachers. Once completed at the end of the three month self study, the verification form will be reviewed and collected by the child care consultant. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *Amber Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Program Standards: The Initial Application for a Two Component Star Rated License and the Rated License Request for Review form were provided via email to you today. Plan to review the forms and return on or before 9/24/25. Curriculum: The curriculum implemented is Creative Curriculum. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. Since you want to have the Environment Rating Scale completed, it is recommended that you visit www.ncrlap.org for supplemental materials for preparing for the Environment Rating Scale Assessments. Additional notes to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition can be obtained on this website. NCRLAP also offers Webinar trainings for staff. It is also recommended that you register staff now for the upcoming Webinar trainings listed on the ncrlap.org website. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral office for further technical assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. You stated you will contact MaryLee Yearick to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: We discussed there are children that do not have medical reports or immunizations on file. Reminder that medical reports and immunizations must be on file within 30 days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit the paper files for the staff to determine what you would like to keep on-site and what would be kept off-site. We discussed again school bus drivers that are counted in staff/child ratio are required to meet all applicable child care requirements, including but not limited to; the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualifying letter, staff medical report, TB Test/Screening, the prevention of shaken baby and abusive head trauma policy acknowledgement, CPR/First Aid training, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety trainings (bus training can count towards health and safety trainings). Reminder that any items not listed as being approved to be included in off-site records must be on-site at the child care facility and available for review by a child care consultant. We discussed there is a new child care rule rollout training on DCDEE Moodle regarding the rule changes as of 7/1/25. In addition, there is an upcoming provider meeting on 9/29/25. In addition to the NC Pre-K rule change in 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS, the NC Pre-K rules below also change. 10A NCAC 09 .3009 STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIO AND CLASS SIZE 10A NCAC 09 .3010 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/10/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 9/10/2025 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the first temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. If any changes to the program need to be made or you decide to sell the child care business, then you must notify your consultant at least thirty (30) days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location or inherited. During this first Temporary Time Period visit, the classrooms was monitored as well as the playground, materials, equipment and required posted items for meeting all minimum licensing requirements. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed during outdoor play, transitioning indoors, lunch in the school cafeteria, a large group story time, and rest. Caregivers were engaged with children and provided nurturing, positive guidance. Lunch today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The menu stated lunch today was eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. You stated a nutrition opt-out form is on file for any child that brings their meals and snacks. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file for transportation, staff records, and children’s records. The transportation off-site verification form and off-site verification form for staff records must be on-site and available for review. These forms can be located on the Division's website under provider forms and documents and were also provided to you during the visit. There are eighteen (18) children enrolled. All children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:15a.m. to 2:30p.m. You may choose to apply for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu for lunch today was documented as eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. The lunch served today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The substitutions were not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. An incident report from 8/19/25 was not documented in the incident log. .0802(g)(1-6) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the EMC plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1033 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. A date that the three (3) bus drivers had a TB test or TB screening could not be located. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0701(a) 1230 Personnel policies were not discussed with each staff at employment and a copy was not available to all staff. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification that the personnel policies were discussed with them. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(e) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One (1) teaching staff that began employment on 8/10/23 did not have a documented date for the last completed staff development plans and annual evaluations. One (1) staff that began employment had a documented date for September 2023 as the last staff development plan and annual evaluation. The date listed on the staff and training worksheet for the last annual evaluation was 5/31/26. The staff development plan stated “ongoing” on the staff and training worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1805 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 child care operator has not notified the Division of the two (2) teaching staff, three (3) bus drivers, as well as the Administrator and Pre-K Coordinator, that are hired at the child care facility. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the School Risk Management plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0607(f) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 9/24/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations *Criminal Background Check Requirements – Item #1805 All seven (7) staff associated with the child care facility must be assigned to the child care facility in the ABCMS portal to achieve compliance. **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. *TB Tests/Screening – Item #1033 The three (3) bus drivers must have a TB test or TB screening on file to achieve compliance. We discussed the date the TB test or TB screening must be on the staff and training worksheet for verification if not located on-site at the child care facility. The TB test or TB screening may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *School Risk Management Plan Review – Item #1825 To achieve compliance, the date the School Risk Management plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for the School Risk Management plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. * Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan Review – Item #862 To achieve compliance, the date the EMC plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for EMC plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. *Personnel Policies – Item #1230 To achieve compliance, the date of review for each staff is required. Documentation of reviewing the personnel policies must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. The acknowledgement may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *Staff Development Plans and Annual Evaluations – Item #1232 Staff development plans and annual evaluations are required each year. It is recommended to use the Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for the staff development plan. The individual CQI is accessible on the rated license application emailed to you during the visit today. *Incident Log - Item #853 To achieve compliance, the incident report must be documented on the incident log. Anytime an incident form is completed, it must be documented on the incident log. This allows for easy reference when review the incidents that have occurred at the child care facility. *Menu Substitutions - Item #528 To achieve compliance, a plan will need to be put in place to document substitutions on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served to children. It is recommended to take the menu with you to the cafeteria for lunch and document the changes. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you have the option of choosing pathway 1 or pathway 2; refer to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway (pathway 1) based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. Four (4) handout resources and the self-study verification form from ncrlap.org were provided to you today during the visit: *Understanding self-study; *Key steps, the self-study process for NC child care programs; *The self-study, guidance for administrators; and *Getting started with a self-study for teachers. Once completed at the end of the three month self study, the verification form will be reviewed and collected by the child care consultant. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *Amber Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Program Standards: The Initial Application for a Two Component Star Rated License and the Rated License Request for Review form were provided via email to you today. Plan to review the forms and return on or before 9/24/25. Curriculum: The curriculum implemented is Creative Curriculum. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. Since you want to have the Environment Rating Scale completed, it is recommended that you visit www.ncrlap.org for supplemental materials for preparing for the Environment Rating Scale Assessments. Additional notes to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition can be obtained on this website. NCRLAP also offers Webinar trainings for staff. It is also recommended that you register staff now for the upcoming Webinar trainings listed on the ncrlap.org website. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral office for further technical assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. You stated you will contact MaryLee Yearick to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: We discussed there are children that do not have medical reports or immunizations on file. Reminder that medical reports and immunizations must be on file within 30 days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit the paper files for the staff to determine what you would like to keep on-site and what would be kept off-site. We discussed again school bus drivers that are counted in staff/child ratio are required to meet all applicable child care requirements, including but not limited to; the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualifying letter, staff medical report, TB Test/Screening, the prevention of shaken baby and abusive head trauma policy acknowledgement, CPR/First Aid training, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety trainings (bus training can count towards health and safety trainings). Reminder that any items not listed as being approved to be included in off-site records must be on-site at the child care facility and available for review by a child care consultant. We discussed there is a new child care rule rollout training on DCDEE Moodle regarding the rule changes as of 7/1/25. In addition, there is an upcoming provider meeting on 9/29/25. In addition to the NC Pre-K rule change in 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS, the NC Pre-K rules below also change. 10A NCAC 09 .3009 STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIO AND CLASS SIZE 10A NCAC 09 .3010 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .3002 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/10/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 9/10/2025 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the first temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. If any changes to the program need to be made or you decide to sell the child care business, then you must notify your consultant at least thirty (30) days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location or inherited. During this first Temporary Time Period visit, the classrooms was monitored as well as the playground, materials, equipment and required posted items for meeting all minimum licensing requirements. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed during outdoor play, transitioning indoors, lunch in the school cafeteria, a large group story time, and rest. Caregivers were engaged with children and provided nurturing, positive guidance. Lunch today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The menu stated lunch today was eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. You stated a nutrition opt-out form is on file for any child that brings their meals and snacks. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file for transportation, staff records, and children’s records. The transportation off-site verification form and off-site verification form for staff records must be on-site and available for review. These forms can be located on the Division's website under provider forms and documents and were also provided to you during the visit. There are eighteen (18) children enrolled. All children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:15a.m. to 2:30p.m. You may choose to apply for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu for lunch today was documented as eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. The lunch served today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The substitutions were not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. An incident report from 8/19/25 was not documented in the incident log. .0802(g)(1-6) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the EMC plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1033 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. A date that the three (3) bus drivers had a TB test or TB screening could not be located. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0701(a) 1230 Personnel policies were not discussed with each staff at employment and a copy was not available to all staff. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification that the personnel policies were discussed with them. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(e) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One (1) teaching staff that began employment on 8/10/23 did not have a documented date for the last completed staff development plans and annual evaluations. One (1) staff that began employment had a documented date for September 2023 as the last staff development plan and annual evaluation. The date listed on the staff and training worksheet for the last annual evaluation was 5/31/26. The staff development plan stated “ongoing” on the staff and training worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1805 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 child care operator has not notified the Division of the two (2) teaching staff, three (3) bus drivers, as well as the Administrator and Pre-K Coordinator, that are hired at the child care facility. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the School Risk Management plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0607(f) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 9/24/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations *Criminal Background Check Requirements – Item #1805 All seven (7) staff associated with the child care facility must be assigned to the child care facility in the ABCMS portal to achieve compliance. **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. *TB Tests/Screening – Item #1033 The three (3) bus drivers must have a TB test or TB screening on file to achieve compliance. We discussed the date the TB test or TB screening must be on the staff and training worksheet for verification if not located on-site at the child care facility. The TB test or TB screening may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *School Risk Management Plan Review – Item #1825 To achieve compliance, the date the School Risk Management plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for the School Risk Management plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. * Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan Review – Item #862 To achieve compliance, the date the EMC plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for EMC plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. *Personnel Policies – Item #1230 To achieve compliance, the date of review for each staff is required. Documentation of reviewing the personnel policies must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. The acknowledgement may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *Staff Development Plans and Annual Evaluations – Item #1232 Staff development plans and annual evaluations are required each year. It is recommended to use the Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for the staff development plan. The individual CQI is accessible on the rated license application emailed to you during the visit today. *Incident Log - Item #853 To achieve compliance, the incident report must be documented on the incident log. Anytime an incident form is completed, it must be documented on the incident log. This allows for easy reference when review the incidents that have occurred at the child care facility. *Menu Substitutions - Item #528 To achieve compliance, a plan will need to be put in place to document substitutions on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served to children. It is recommended to take the menu with you to the cafeteria for lunch and document the changes. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you have the option of choosing pathway 1 or pathway 2; refer to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway (pathway 1) based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. Four (4) handout resources and the self-study verification form from ncrlap.org were provided to you today during the visit: *Understanding self-study; *Key steps, the self-study process for NC child care programs; *The self-study, guidance for administrators; and *Getting started with a self-study for teachers. Once completed at the end of the three month self study, the verification form will be reviewed and collected by the child care consultant. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *Amber Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Program Standards: The Initial Application for a Two Component Star Rated License and the Rated License Request for Review form were provided via email to you today. Plan to review the forms and return on or before 9/24/25. Curriculum: The curriculum implemented is Creative Curriculum. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. Since you want to have the Environment Rating Scale completed, it is recommended that you visit www.ncrlap.org for supplemental materials for preparing for the Environment Rating Scale Assessments. Additional notes to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition can be obtained on this website. NCRLAP also offers Webinar trainings for staff. It is also recommended that you register staff now for the upcoming Webinar trainings listed on the ncrlap.org website. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral office for further technical assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. You stated you will contact MaryLee Yearick to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: We discussed there are children that do not have medical reports or immunizations on file. Reminder that medical reports and immunizations must be on file within 30 days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit the paper files for the staff to determine what you would like to keep on-site and what would be kept off-site. We discussed again school bus drivers that are counted in staff/child ratio are required to meet all applicable child care requirements, including but not limited to; the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualifying letter, staff medical report, TB Test/Screening, the prevention of shaken baby and abusive head trauma policy acknowledgement, CPR/First Aid training, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety trainings (bus training can count towards health and safety trainings). Reminder that any items not listed as being approved to be included in off-site records must be on-site at the child care facility and available for review by a child care consultant. We discussed there is a new child care rule rollout training on DCDEE Moodle regarding the rule changes as of 7/1/25. In addition, there is an upcoming provider meeting on 9/29/25. In addition to the NC Pre-K rule change in 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS, the NC Pre-K rules below also change. 10A NCAC 09 .3009 STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIO AND CLASS SIZE 10A NCAC 09 .3010 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .3009 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/10/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 9/10/2025 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the first temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. If any changes to the program need to be made or you decide to sell the child care business, then you must notify your consultant at least thirty (30) days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location or inherited. During this first Temporary Time Period visit, the classrooms was monitored as well as the playground, materials, equipment and required posted items for meeting all minimum licensing requirements. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed during outdoor play, transitioning indoors, lunch in the school cafeteria, a large group story time, and rest. Caregivers were engaged with children and provided nurturing, positive guidance. Lunch today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The menu stated lunch today was eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. You stated a nutrition opt-out form is on file for any child that brings their meals and snacks. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file for transportation, staff records, and children’s records. The transportation off-site verification form and off-site verification form for staff records must be on-site and available for review. These forms can be located on the Division's website under provider forms and documents and were also provided to you during the visit. There are eighteen (18) children enrolled. All children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:15a.m. to 2:30p.m. You may choose to apply for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu for lunch today was documented as eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. The lunch served today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The substitutions were not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. An incident report from 8/19/25 was not documented in the incident log. .0802(g)(1-6) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the EMC plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1033 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. A date that the three (3) bus drivers had a TB test or TB screening could not be located. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0701(a) 1230 Personnel policies were not discussed with each staff at employment and a copy was not available to all staff. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification that the personnel policies were discussed with them. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(e) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One (1) teaching staff that began employment on 8/10/23 did not have a documented date for the last completed staff development plans and annual evaluations. One (1) staff that began employment had a documented date for September 2023 as the last staff development plan and annual evaluation. The date listed on the staff and training worksheet for the last annual evaluation was 5/31/26. The staff development plan stated “ongoing” on the staff and training worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1805 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 child care operator has not notified the Division of the two (2) teaching staff, three (3) bus drivers, as well as the Administrator and Pre-K Coordinator, that are hired at the child care facility. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the School Risk Management plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0607(f) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 9/24/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations *Criminal Background Check Requirements – Item #1805 All seven (7) staff associated with the child care facility must be assigned to the child care facility in the ABCMS portal to achieve compliance. **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. *TB Tests/Screening – Item #1033 The three (3) bus drivers must have a TB test or TB screening on file to achieve compliance. We discussed the date the TB test or TB screening must be on the staff and training worksheet for verification if not located on-site at the child care facility. The TB test or TB screening may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *School Risk Management Plan Review – Item #1825 To achieve compliance, the date the School Risk Management plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for the School Risk Management plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. * Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan Review – Item #862 To achieve compliance, the date the EMC plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for EMC plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. *Personnel Policies – Item #1230 To achieve compliance, the date of review for each staff is required. Documentation of reviewing the personnel policies must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. The acknowledgement may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *Staff Development Plans and Annual Evaluations – Item #1232 Staff development plans and annual evaluations are required each year. It is recommended to use the Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for the staff development plan. The individual CQI is accessible on the rated license application emailed to you during the visit today. *Incident Log - Item #853 To achieve compliance, the incident report must be documented on the incident log. Anytime an incident form is completed, it must be documented on the incident log. This allows for easy reference when review the incidents that have occurred at the child care facility. *Menu Substitutions - Item #528 To achieve compliance, a plan will need to be put in place to document substitutions on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served to children. It is recommended to take the menu with you to the cafeteria for lunch and document the changes. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you have the option of choosing pathway 1 or pathway 2; refer to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway (pathway 1) based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. Four (4) handout resources and the self-study verification form from ncrlap.org were provided to you today during the visit: *Understanding self-study; *Key steps, the self-study process for NC child care programs; *The self-study, guidance for administrators; and *Getting started with a self-study for teachers. Once completed at the end of the three month self study, the verification form will be reviewed and collected by the child care consultant. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *Amber Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Program Standards: The Initial Application for a Two Component Star Rated License and the Rated License Request for Review form were provided via email to you today. Plan to review the forms and return on or before 9/24/25. Curriculum: The curriculum implemented is Creative Curriculum. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. Since you want to have the Environment Rating Scale completed, it is recommended that you visit www.ncrlap.org for supplemental materials for preparing for the Environment Rating Scale Assessments. Additional notes to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition can be obtained on this website. NCRLAP also offers Webinar trainings for staff. It is also recommended that you register staff now for the upcoming Webinar trainings listed on the ncrlap.org website. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral office for further technical assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. You stated you will contact MaryLee Yearick to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: We discussed there are children that do not have medical reports or immunizations on file. Reminder that medical reports and immunizations must be on file within 30 days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit the paper files for the staff to determine what you would like to keep on-site and what would be kept off-site. We discussed again school bus drivers that are counted in staff/child ratio are required to meet all applicable child care requirements, including but not limited to; the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualifying letter, staff medical report, TB Test/Screening, the prevention of shaken baby and abusive head trauma policy acknowledgement, CPR/First Aid training, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety trainings (bus training can count towards health and safety trainings). Reminder that any items not listed as being approved to be included in off-site records must be on-site at the child care facility and available for review by a child care consultant. We discussed there is a new child care rule rollout training on DCDEE Moodle regarding the rule changes as of 7/1/25. In addition, there is an upcoming provider meeting on 9/29/25. In addition to the NC Pre-K rule change in 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS, the NC Pre-K rules below also change. 10A NCAC 09 .3009 STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIO AND CLASS SIZE 10A NCAC 09 .3010 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .3010 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/10/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 9/10/2025 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the first temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. If any changes to the program need to be made or you decide to sell the child care business, then you must notify your consultant at least thirty (30) days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location or inherited. During this first Temporary Time Period visit, the classrooms was monitored as well as the playground, materials, equipment and required posted items for meeting all minimum licensing requirements. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed during outdoor play, transitioning indoors, lunch in the school cafeteria, a large group story time, and rest. Caregivers were engaged with children and provided nurturing, positive guidance. Lunch today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The menu stated lunch today was eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. You stated a nutrition opt-out form is on file for any child that brings their meals and snacks. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file for transportation, staff records, and children’s records. The transportation off-site verification form and off-site verification form for staff records must be on-site and available for review. These forms can be located on the Division's website under provider forms and documents and were also provided to you during the visit. There are eighteen (18) children enrolled. All children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:15a.m. to 2:30p.m. You may choose to apply for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu for lunch today was documented as eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. The lunch served today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The substitutions were not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. An incident report from 8/19/25 was not documented in the incident log. .0802(g)(1-6) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the EMC plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1033 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. A date that the three (3) bus drivers had a TB test or TB screening could not be located. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0701(a) 1230 Personnel policies were not discussed with each staff at employment and a copy was not available to all staff. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification that the personnel policies were discussed with them. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(e) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One (1) teaching staff that began employment on 8/10/23 did not have a documented date for the last completed staff development plans and annual evaluations. One (1) staff that began employment had a documented date for September 2023 as the last staff development plan and annual evaluation. The date listed on the staff and training worksheet for the last annual evaluation was 5/31/26. The staff development plan stated “ongoing” on the staff and training worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1805 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 child care operator has not notified the Division of the two (2) teaching staff, three (3) bus drivers, as well as the Administrator and Pre-K Coordinator, that are hired at the child care facility. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the School Risk Management plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0607(f) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 9/24/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations *Criminal Background Check Requirements – Item #1805 All seven (7) staff associated with the child care facility must be assigned to the child care facility in the ABCMS portal to achieve compliance. **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. *TB Tests/Screening – Item #1033 The three (3) bus drivers must have a TB test or TB screening on file to achieve compliance. We discussed the date the TB test or TB screening must be on the staff and training worksheet for verification if not located on-site at the child care facility. The TB test or TB screening may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *School Risk Management Plan Review – Item #1825 To achieve compliance, the date the School Risk Management plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for the School Risk Management plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. * Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan Review – Item #862 To achieve compliance, the date the EMC plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for EMC plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. *Personnel Policies – Item #1230 To achieve compliance, the date of review for each staff is required. Documentation of reviewing the personnel policies must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. The acknowledgement may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *Staff Development Plans and Annual Evaluations – Item #1232 Staff development plans and annual evaluations are required each year. It is recommended to use the Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for the staff development plan. The individual CQI is accessible on the rated license application emailed to you during the visit today. *Incident Log - Item #853 To achieve compliance, the incident report must be documented on the incident log. Anytime an incident form is completed, it must be documented on the incident log. This allows for easy reference when review the incidents that have occurred at the child care facility. *Menu Substitutions - Item #528 To achieve compliance, a plan will need to be put in place to document substitutions on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served to children. It is recommended to take the menu with you to the cafeteria for lunch and document the changes. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you have the option of choosing pathway 1 or pathway 2; refer to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway (pathway 1) based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. Four (4) handout resources and the self-study verification form from ncrlap.org were provided to you today during the visit: *Understanding self-study; *Key steps, the self-study process for NC child care programs; *The self-study, guidance for administrators; and *Getting started with a self-study for teachers. Once completed at the end of the three month self study, the verification form will be reviewed and collected by the child care consultant. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *Amber Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Program Standards: The Initial Application for a Two Component Star Rated License and the Rated License Request for Review form were provided via email to you today. Plan to review the forms and return on or before 9/24/25. Curriculum: The curriculum implemented is Creative Curriculum. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. Since you want to have the Environment Rating Scale completed, it is recommended that you visit www.ncrlap.org for supplemental materials for preparing for the Environment Rating Scale Assessments. Additional notes to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition can be obtained on this website. NCRLAP also offers Webinar trainings for staff. It is also recommended that you register staff now for the upcoming Webinar trainings listed on the ncrlap.org website. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral office for further technical assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. You stated you will contact MaryLee Yearick to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: We discussed there are children that do not have medical reports or immunizations on file. Reminder that medical reports and immunizations must be on file within 30 days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit the paper files for the staff to determine what you would like to keep on-site and what would be kept off-site. We discussed again school bus drivers that are counted in staff/child ratio are required to meet all applicable child care requirements, including but not limited to; the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualifying letter, staff medical report, TB Test/Screening, the prevention of shaken baby and abusive head trauma policy acknowledgement, CPR/First Aid training, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety trainings (bus training can count towards health and safety trainings). Reminder that any items not listed as being approved to be included in off-site records must be on-site at the child care facility and available for review by a child care consultant. We discussed there is a new child care rule rollout training on DCDEE Moodle regarding the rule changes as of 7/1/25. In addition, there is an upcoming provider meeting on 9/29/25. In addition to the NC Pre-K rule change in 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS, the NC Pre-K rules below also change. 10A NCAC 09 .3009 STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIO AND CLASS SIZE 10A NCAC 09 .3010 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Gouge Primary Pre-K Facility ID: 61000069 Consultant: MONICA HOUCK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/10/2025 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 9/10/2025 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 12:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with all applicable child care requirements during the first temporary time period visit. Rebecca Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, was on-site and available to answer questions. A computerized visit summary was reviewed, signed, and a copy left with you. Currently this center operates with a Temporary License, issued for 8/6/25 and is effective through 2/6/26. The restrictions include daytime care only. Maximum capacity eighteen (18) children. The child care facility has been approved as a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten (NC Pre-K) site. The program began operation with children on 8/18/25. If any changes to the program need to be made or you decide to sell the child care business, then you must notify your consultant at least thirty (30) days prior to any changes occurring. The license cannot be bought, sold, subleased, transferred to another person or location or inherited. During this first Temporary Time Period visit, the classrooms was monitored as well as the playground, materials, equipment and required posted items for meeting all minimum licensing requirements. Approved Fire Inspection – 4/14/25, Daytime Care Only Superior Sanitation Inspection – 5/7/25 with zero (0) Demerits; contact Mitchell County Environmental Health Specialist to notify that the child care facility is in operation with children. The children were observed during outdoor play, transitioning indoors, lunch in the school cafeteria, a large group story time, and rest. Caregivers were engaged with children and provided nurturing, positive guidance. Lunch today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The menu stated lunch today was eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. You stated a nutrition opt-out form is on file for any child that brings their meals and snacks. The program provides transportation for children. The off-site verification form was not on file for transportation, staff records, and children’s records. The transportation off-site verification form and off-site verification form for staff records must be on-site and available for review. These forms can be located on the Division's website under provider forms and documents and were also provided to you during the visit. There are eighteen (18) children enrolled. All children enrolled are NC Pre-K. There are two (2) teaching staff. One (1) staff file was monitored. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. This facility uses the Brigance III screening tool. Three (3) children files were monitored today. The classroom operates from 7:15a.m. to 2:30p.m. You may choose to apply for a rated license and request an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment for the opportunity to transition to a rated license. The temporary license is effective through 2/6/26. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The menu for lunch today was documented as eggs, sausage patty, pancakes, potato tots, baby carrots, fruit, and milk. The lunch served today was a cheeseburger, potato tots, baby carrots, a pear, and milk. The substitutions were not recorded on the menu prior to the meal being served. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. An incident report from 8/19/25 was not documented in the incident log. .0802(g)(1-6) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the EMC plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1033 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. A date that the three (3) bus drivers had a TB test or TB screening could not be located. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0701(a) 1230 Personnel policies were not discussed with each staff at employment and a copy was not available to all staff. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification that the personnel policies were discussed with them. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(e) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One (1) teaching staff that began employment on 8/10/23 did not have a documented date for the last completed staff development plans and annual evaluations. One (1) staff that began employment had a documented date for September 2023 as the last staff development plan and annual evaluation. The date listed on the staff and training worksheet for the last annual evaluation was 5/31/26. The staff development plan stated “ongoing” on the staff and training worksheet. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1805 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 child care operator has not notified the Division of the two (2) teaching staff, three (3) bus drivers, as well as the Administrator and Pre-K Coordinator, that are hired at the child care facility. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. Two (2) teaching staff and three (3) bus drivers did not have verification of reviewing the School Risk Management plan. Refer to the staff and training worksheets. .0607(f) Technical assistance for correction plan: All violations are required to be corrected immediately. However, if at any time you are unable to correct all violations within the specified time frame, please send a written statement regarding those violations that were corrected and include a specific plan for correction of the remaining violations. Please be aware that any written information submitted by you regarding correction of violations documented during today’s visit would be considered as legal documentation. Therefore, it is important that all information submitted be accurate and truthful. Please be aware that if it is determined that information submitted was inaccurate or willfully falsified, an Administrative Action, including Revocation of the facility’s license could be issued. 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 on or before 9/24/25. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or on the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Attn: Monica Houck 151 Creekview Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 Please call me at 828-243-2154, or email monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov, if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive 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 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. Falsification of any information may result in a revocation of your license. You must maintain at least 75% Compliance History for each 18-month period as required by G.S. 110-90(4) (c). Please note any violations cited today and during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. Repeated violations or violations left unresolved may lead to an administrative action. Achieving Compliance – rule references are noted in the cited violations *Criminal Background Check Requirements – Item #1805 All seven (7) staff associated with the child care facility must be assigned to the child care facility in the ABCMS portal to achieve compliance. **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. *TB Tests/Screening – Item #1033 The three (3) bus drivers must have a TB test or TB screening on file to achieve compliance. We discussed the date the TB test or TB screening must be on the staff and training worksheet for verification if not located on-site at the child care facility. The TB test or TB screening may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *School Risk Management Plan Review – Item #1825 To achieve compliance, the date the School Risk Management plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for the School Risk Management plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. * Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan Review – Item #862 To achieve compliance, the date the EMC plan was reviewed is needed. Documentation of review for EMC plan must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. Plan to add this date to the staff and training worksheet. *Personnel Policies – Item #1230 To achieve compliance, the date of review for each staff is required. Documentation of reviewing the personnel policies must be on file for the two (2) teaching staff and the three (3) bus drivers. The acknowledgement may be kept off-site if the off-site verification form is completed and at the facility. A date is still required to be placed in the staff and training worksheet to verify compliance. *Staff Development Plans and Annual Evaluations – Item #1232 Staff development plans and annual evaluations are required each year. It is recommended to use the Individual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) for the staff development plan. The individual CQI is accessible on the rated license application emailed to you during the visit today. *Incident Log - Item #853 To achieve compliance, the incident report must be documented on the incident log. Anytime an incident form is completed, it must be documented on the incident log. This allows for easy reference when review the incidents that have occurred at the child care facility. *Menu Substitutions - Item #528 To achieve compliance, a plan will need to be put in place to document substitutions on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served to children. It is recommended to take the menu with you to the cafeteria for lunch and document the changes. Rated License Assessment: The program must maintain a 75% or higher compliance history score to be eligible for a 2-5 star rated license. We discussed you have the option of choosing pathway 1 or pathway 2; refer to the SECTION .3200 - STANDARDS FOR TWO THROUGH FIVE STAR RATED LICENSES. The following would be completed for the program assessment pathway (pathway 1) based on star level met. *Enhanced staff/child ratios and/or enhanced space options. *Staff education evaluation of fifty percent (50%) of lead teachers and fifty percent (50%) of other educators. *Evidence of implementing family and community engagement foundational practices. *Evidence of implementing continuous quality improvement plans for the facility and individual staff. *A structured self-study completed by the administrator and lead teacher(s) over three (3) consecutive months using the appropriate program assessment tool and additional resources located at https://ncrlap.org/Resources/, a written reflection of the self-assessment, including identification of goals for continuous quality improvement, and documentation of the structured self-study. *Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessment using Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, Third Edition (ECERS-3). *Evidence of implementing an approved curriculum with four-year old children. Four (4) handout resources and the self-study verification form from ncrlap.org were provided to you today during the visit: *Understanding self-study; *Key steps, the self-study process for NC child care programs; *The self-study, guidance for administrators; and *Getting started with a self-study for teachers. Once completed at the end of the three month self study, the verification form will be reviewed and collected by the child care consultant. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submitted an official transcript (if applicable) and applied 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. All staff must have education evaluated by WORKS on or before 12/12/25. *Amber Young, Principal/Administrator, will need to create a WORKS account, upload her valid Principal License into WORKS, and apply for the Early Childhood (EC) Administrator position to allow for an education evaluation as an Early Childhood Administrator. *R. Buchanan, NC Pre-K Teacher, has a valid education status letter. *J. Hughes, NC Pre-K Assistant Teacher, has a valid education status letter. Program Standards: The Initial Application for a Two Component Star Rated License and the Rated License Request for Review form were provided via email to you today. Plan to review the forms and return on or before 9/24/25. Curriculum: The curriculum implemented is Creative Curriculum. Because the child care facility has been approved as a NC Pre-K site, a four or five star rated license must be achieved and the classroom must score a minimum of 5.0 on the ERS assessment under the program assessment pathway. 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS (a) Programs serving NC Pre-K children shall maintain a four-or five-star rated license in accordance with G.S. 110-90(4) and Section .3200 of this Chapter. (b) NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the program assessment licensure pathway or the classroom instructional quality licensure pathway in Rules .3203 and .3205 of this Chapter shall have an assessment completed every three years using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Third Edition assessment tool. Classrooms that score below 5.0 shall be reassessed the following year and a minimum score of 5.0 must be achieved in order to continue to be approved as a NC Pre-K site. At least one NC Pre-K classroom shall be selected for an assessment during the reassessment process. NC Pre-K programs that have earned a four-or five-star rated license using the accreditation and Head Start licensure pathway in Rule .3207 of this Section are not required to have an assessment and shall instead comply with standards set forth by those organizations regarding program quality standards. Since you want to have the Environment Rating Scale completed, it is recommended that you visit www.ncrlap.org for supplemental materials for preparing for the Environment Rating Scale Assessments. Additional notes to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale Revised Edition can be obtained on this website. NCRLAP also offers Webinar trainings for staff. It is also recommended that you register staff now for the upcoming Webinar trainings listed on the ncrlap.org website. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral office for further technical assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. You stated you will contact MaryLee Yearick to assist with the ERS assessment preparation. Consultation: We discussed there are children that do not have medical reports or immunizations on file. Reminder that medical reports and immunizations must be on file within 30 days of enrollment. It is recommended to audit the paper files for the staff to determine what you would like to keep on-site and what would be kept off-site. We discussed again school bus drivers that are counted in staff/child ratio are required to meet all applicable child care requirements, including but not limited to; the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualifying letter, staff medical report, TB Test/Screening, the prevention of shaken baby and abusive head trauma policy acknowledgement, CPR/First Aid training, Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and health and safety trainings (bus training can count towards health and safety trainings). Reminder that any items not listed as being approved to be included in off-site records must be on-site at the child care facility and available for review by a child care consultant. We discussed there is a new child care rule rollout training on DCDEE Moodle regarding the rule changes as of 7/1/25. In addition, there is an upcoming provider meeting on 9/29/25. In addition to the NC Pre-K rule change in 10A NCAC 09 .3002 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS, the NC Pre-K rules below also change. 10A NCAC 09 .3009 STAFF-TO-CHILD RATIO AND CLASS SIZE 10A NCAC 09 .3010 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website to get the latest information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at monica.houck@dhhs.nc.gov or 828.243.2154, or my supervisor, Bonnie Mathis at bonnie.mathis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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