10A NCAC 09 .2902 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/21/2025 Number Present: 25 Completed Date: 1/21/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Annual Compliance visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, and 10 are also approved primary spaces but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 2/28/24 18-month compliance history from 7/18/23 – 1/17/25 = 97% Last Sanitation Inspection – 9/23/24 - Superior Last Fire Inspection – 9/13/24 – Satisfactory; Daytime Care Only *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflects the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing and one-time lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Three-year Water Testing – 11/12/24 complete again by 11/12/27 Lead Paint Testing – Survey review pending; due 5/31/25 Asbestos Testing – Survey review pending; due 5/31/25 Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *Because program is part of a larger DPI school, water testing for the school may count as testing for the licensed Pre-K; however, the Pre-K program should enroll separately for the lead paint testing and asbestos testing to take advantage of the 100% reimbursement for mitigation if lead paint or asbestos is found. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was present but the Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025, but new legislation (Senate Bill 425) has extended the “hold harmless” period until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) is implemented. At this time, you may choose to complete a rated license assessment using the current rated license process or you may wait until the new QRIS is implemented. However, be aware that the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) is going to be replaced by the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – 3 (ECERS-3) starting February 1, 2025. Please contact me if you want to move forward with your three year rated license assessment this school year. See Additional Comments for updates on the modernized QRIS. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. License information was current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 11/1/2024 and Item Numbers Listing, effective 3/2024. I monitored three staff records, five children’s records and all program records. The facility meets DPI requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Rooms 6 and 9. I reviewed the NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: D. Pierro and E. Vidal and NCPK Teacher Assistants, K. Pace and J. Bolen. I reviewed two children’s files for NCPre-K requirements. The facility uses the Brigance developmental screening which were completed for children in June 2024 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold as the approved curriculum and on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress at three checkpoints throughout the school year. Teachers were working on Checkpoint 2. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/24 – 5/23/25 from Monday – Friday, 8am – 2:55pm. Every other Friday is a half day for Currituck County Schools, and the pre-k children do not attend those days. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Ready Rosie for family engagement and Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders, and information for families and from families. The NCPreK program completed a modified Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room (E. Vidal) has an NC B-K License; the administrator holds a Principals License and NCECAC III. The program operates 8am – 2:55pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Every other Friday is a half day for Currituck County Schools, and the pre-k children do not attend those days. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as the classroom is also an NCPreK class. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. (Room 6 was a DD classroom at that time.) Center Observations: The word of the day as snow as the county is expecting significant snowfall tonight. Twenty-five children were present in three classrooms. A therapist was working with one child in Room 9 while the teacher and teacher assistant played with the two other children, encouraging hand/eye coordination, speech, and movement. Seven children were present in Room 8, which is the new private pay classrooms. They were gathered at the circle time rug engaged in story time. The children in Room 6 were engaged in free play with developmentally appropriate toys, games and materials. Two therapists worked in the classroom with children. Lunch was choice of pizza, chicken and roll, or pbj and choice of 2 of sweet potato tots, vegetable juice, applesauce or apple and milk. The children from Rooms 6 and 9 eat in the cafeteria. The children from Room 8 eat in the room. The teacher assistant takes the children who eat school lunch down to the cafeteria to pick up their lunches and bring them back to the classroom. At noon, the children who are three years of age in Room 9 go home. Children rested on linen-covered mats that were at least eighteen inches apart from one another. I documented the following violation during today’s visit that had already been corrected prior to the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). A five-year criminal background check due for a staff member by August 30, 2024 was not completed until October 2, 2024. A five-year criminal background check due for a staff member by October 4, 2024 was not completed until October 7, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to you, R. Palumbo, Pre-K Coordinator. I will follow-up with an electronic copy to you and S. Harry-Clark, Administrator. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. It has been corrected so no further action is required at this time except to ensure that five-year criminal background checks are completed as required. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199. Technical Assistance With Documented Violation: Five-Year Criminal Background Check (CBC) – Criminal Background Checks ensure that staff have not committed any crimes which could potentially make them unsafe to be around children and other staff. Because Abuse and Neglect registries are also checked, it helps to ensure that children are protected from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Performing diligent background screenings also protects the child care facility against future legal challenges. Five-year Criminal Background Checks were not completed before the expiration date of the previous qualification for two staff: S. Harry-Clark – due 8/30/24; completed 10/2/24; D. Pierro – due 10/4/24; completed 10/7/24. You stated that the staff members forgot about the expiration date but immediately started the process when made aware of the due date. Track due dates for CBCs for all staff and have them start the process at least one month prior to the due date. This has been corrected so no further action is required. Multiple instances of failing to complete Criminal Background Checks may result in an Administrative Action. General Visit Information: As a licensed child care facility, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and to teach your staff the rules to ensure your center remains in compliance. The most recent versions of laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. You can also review the “What’s New” section and download a copy of the Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants provide general training to meet on-going training hours, health and safety training requirements, Environment Rating Scale training and training specific to your center’s needs. They can also work with you to provide on-site technical assistance. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant – C. Smith - (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org Reminders: ABCMS Portal - The process of notifying the Division when you have new staff (or household members for family child care homes and centers licensed in a residence) has changed and is now captured in ABCMS, the new Criminal Background Check portal. You have completed the ABCMS Provider Portal Training and have set up your roster. *Add S. Harry-Clark and R. Palumbo to the roster. R. Palumbo is the NCPre-K Coordinator for all four Currituck County Schools with Pre-K programs and can link herself to all program. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. Health and Safety (H&S) Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. • J. Bolen completed five-year H&S Training renewal. • Initial H&S Training due for J. McCotter and S. Winders by 8/28/25; both have completed or updated their CPR/First Aid and have completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment Print certificates and update your H&S Training Log as you complete trainings in case there are any glitches in Moodle will not make you lose your documentation. On-going Training Hours – Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 1/21/26 (anniversary to today’s Annual Compliance visit). *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. *Because some of the training provided to you by the school (Medication Administration and Blood Borne Pathogens from Nurse Jen or Emergency Response Training from Ms. Harry-Clark (and others), document these on your on-going training logs to count towards similar topic areas for H&S Training. Staff Education and Works – J. McCotter and S. Winders need to complete Works Fire Drills – current (required monthly) Emergency Drills – current (required every 3 months) Outdoor Inspections – current Nutrition – Water bottles must be labeled with child’s name. Lunch boxes must be labeled with child’s name and dated. Lunch boxes must be stored in a full-size refrigerator. Medication – Emergency medications are maintained in the classroom for emergency use by the teacher or school nurse. Narcotics or non-emergency medication are maintained in the nurse’s office. If a child has medication or a condition requiring a medical action plan, a copy of the medical action plan needs to be attached to the child’s application in their folder. Also maintain a copy with the medication and medication permission form. Medication permission forms for medications for chronic conditions (inhalers, Epi-pens) must be reauthorized by parents every six months. There were two inhalers in Room 6 and one Epi-pen in Space 8 that were authorized from the start of school through the end of February. By the middle of February, have the parent update the form through the end of the school year. They can write the new authorization period at the top and sign (example 2/1/25 – 5/23/25) or complete a new form. Storage – Personal items such as coats and backpacks must be stored on the hooks outside the door and may be stored on the floor. Once food is opened, leftovers must be stored in a sealed container or a sealed bag that are labeled with the date that the product was opened. Application – Add receipt of “Policy for the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma” to your documents receipt section on page 2 of your application so that you do not need to include an additional receipt page in the children’s files. Files – Staff did a great job having required items to be monitored such as staff and children’s files, playground inspections, and fire and emergency drills easily available during the visit. Additional Comments: I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Free Webinar – Expressing Warmth and Affection – 2/21/25 2. Free Training – Mental Health Begins By Birth – 1/28/24 and 2/7/25 3. Health & Safety Resource Center – E New- Winter, Water and Safety 4. Child Care Commission Meeting – 3/3/25 5. QRIS Modernization Update 6. QRIS Modernization Information Session for Parents – 1/28/25 7. Bilingual QRIS Modernization Information Session – 1/19/25 8. Environment Rating Scales – Get Ready for the 3’s! 9. Five-year Criminal Background Check 10. Moodle Support 11. NCID – Keep it active! Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/21/2025 Number Present: 25 Completed Date: 1/21/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Annual Compliance visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, and 10 are also approved primary spaces but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 2/28/24 18-month compliance history from 7/18/23 – 1/17/25 = 97% Last Sanitation Inspection – 9/23/24 - Superior Last Fire Inspection – 9/13/24 – Satisfactory; Daytime Care Only *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflects the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing and one-time lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Three-year Water Testing – 11/12/24 complete again by 11/12/27 Lead Paint Testing – Survey review pending; due 5/31/25 Asbestos Testing – Survey review pending; due 5/31/25 Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *Because program is part of a larger DPI school, water testing for the school may count as testing for the licensed Pre-K; however, the Pre-K program should enroll separately for the lead paint testing and asbestos testing to take advantage of the 100% reimbursement for mitigation if lead paint or asbestos is found. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was present but the Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025, but new legislation (Senate Bill 425) has extended the “hold harmless” period until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) is implemented. At this time, you may choose to complete a rated license assessment using the current rated license process or you may wait until the new QRIS is implemented. However, be aware that the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) is going to be replaced by the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – 3 (ECERS-3) starting February 1, 2025. Please contact me if you want to move forward with your three year rated license assessment this school year. See Additional Comments for updates on the modernized QRIS. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. License information was current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 11/1/2024 and Item Numbers Listing, effective 3/2024. I monitored three staff records, five children’s records and all program records. The facility meets DPI requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Rooms 6 and 9. I reviewed the NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: D. Pierro and E. Vidal and NCPK Teacher Assistants, K. Pace and J. Bolen. I reviewed two children’s files for NCPre-K requirements. The facility uses the Brigance developmental screening which were completed for children in June 2024 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold as the approved curriculum and on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress at three checkpoints throughout the school year. Teachers were working on Checkpoint 2. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/24 – 5/23/25 from Monday – Friday, 8am – 2:55pm. Every other Friday is a half day for Currituck County Schools, and the pre-k children do not attend those days. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Ready Rosie for family engagement and Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders, and information for families and from families. The NCPreK program completed a modified Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room (E. Vidal) has an NC B-K License; the administrator holds a Principals License and NCECAC III. The program operates 8am – 2:55pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Every other Friday is a half day for Currituck County Schools, and the pre-k children do not attend those days. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as the classroom is also an NCPreK class. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. (Room 6 was a DD classroom at that time.) Center Observations: The word of the day as snow as the county is expecting significant snowfall tonight. Twenty-five children were present in three classrooms. A therapist was working with one child in Room 9 while the teacher and teacher assistant played with the two other children, encouraging hand/eye coordination, speech, and movement. Seven children were present in Room 8, which is the new private pay classrooms. They were gathered at the circle time rug engaged in story time. The children in Room 6 were engaged in free play with developmentally appropriate toys, games and materials. Two therapists worked in the classroom with children. Lunch was choice of pizza, chicken and roll, or pbj and choice of 2 of sweet potato tots, vegetable juice, applesauce or apple and milk. The children from Rooms 6 and 9 eat in the cafeteria. The children from Room 8 eat in the room. The teacher assistant takes the children who eat school lunch down to the cafeteria to pick up their lunches and bring them back to the classroom. At noon, the children who are three years of age in Room 9 go home. Children rested on linen-covered mats that were at least eighteen inches apart from one another. I documented the following violation during today’s visit that had already been corrected prior to the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). A five-year criminal background check due for a staff member by August 30, 2024 was not completed until October 2, 2024. A five-year criminal background check due for a staff member by October 4, 2024 was not completed until October 7, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to you, R. Palumbo, Pre-K Coordinator. I will follow-up with an electronic copy to you and S. Harry-Clark, Administrator. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. It has been corrected so no further action is required at this time except to ensure that five-year criminal background checks are completed as required. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199. Technical Assistance With Documented Violation: Five-Year Criminal Background Check (CBC) – Criminal Background Checks ensure that staff have not committed any crimes which could potentially make them unsafe to be around children and other staff. Because Abuse and Neglect registries are also checked, it helps to ensure that children are protected from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Performing diligent background screenings also protects the child care facility against future legal challenges. Five-year Criminal Background Checks were not completed before the expiration date of the previous qualification for two staff: S. Harry-Clark – due 8/30/24; completed 10/2/24; D. Pierro – due 10/4/24; completed 10/7/24. You stated that the staff members forgot about the expiration date but immediately started the process when made aware of the due date. Track due dates for CBCs for all staff and have them start the process at least one month prior to the due date. This has been corrected so no further action is required. Multiple instances of failing to complete Criminal Background Checks may result in an Administrative Action. General Visit Information: As a licensed child care facility, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and to teach your staff the rules to ensure your center remains in compliance. The most recent versions of laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. You can also review the “What’s New” section and download a copy of the Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants provide general training to meet on-going training hours, health and safety training requirements, Environment Rating Scale training and training specific to your center’s needs. They can also work with you to provide on-site technical assistance. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant – C. Smith - (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org Reminders: ABCMS Portal - The process of notifying the Division when you have new staff (or household members for family child care homes and centers licensed in a residence) has changed and is now captured in ABCMS, the new Criminal Background Check portal. You have completed the ABCMS Provider Portal Training and have set up your roster. *Add S. Harry-Clark and R. Palumbo to the roster. R. Palumbo is the NCPre-K Coordinator for all four Currituck County Schools with Pre-K programs and can link herself to all program. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. Health and Safety (H&S) Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. • J. Bolen completed five-year H&S Training renewal. • Initial H&S Training due for J. McCotter and S. Winders by 8/28/25; both have completed or updated their CPR/First Aid and have completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment Print certificates and update your H&S Training Log as you complete trainings in case there are any glitches in Moodle will not make you lose your documentation. On-going Training Hours – Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 1/21/26 (anniversary to today’s Annual Compliance visit). *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. *Because some of the training provided to you by the school (Medication Administration and Blood Borne Pathogens from Nurse Jen or Emergency Response Training from Ms. Harry-Clark (and others), document these on your on-going training logs to count towards similar topic areas for H&S Training. Staff Education and Works – J. McCotter and S. Winders need to complete Works Fire Drills – current (required monthly) Emergency Drills – current (required every 3 months) Outdoor Inspections – current Nutrition – Water bottles must be labeled with child’s name. Lunch boxes must be labeled with child’s name and dated. Lunch boxes must be stored in a full-size refrigerator. Medication – Emergency medications are maintained in the classroom for emergency use by the teacher or school nurse. Narcotics or non-emergency medication are maintained in the nurse’s office. If a child has medication or a condition requiring a medical action plan, a copy of the medical action plan needs to be attached to the child’s application in their folder. Also maintain a copy with the medication and medication permission form. Medication permission forms for medications for chronic conditions (inhalers, Epi-pens) must be reauthorized by parents every six months. There were two inhalers in Room 6 and one Epi-pen in Space 8 that were authorized from the start of school through the end of February. By the middle of February, have the parent update the form through the end of the school year. They can write the new authorization period at the top and sign (example 2/1/25 – 5/23/25) or complete a new form. Storage – Personal items such as coats and backpacks must be stored on the hooks outside the door and may be stored on the floor. Once food is opened, leftovers must be stored in a sealed container or a sealed bag that are labeled with the date that the product was opened. Application – Add receipt of “Policy for the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma” to your documents receipt section on page 2 of your application so that you do not need to include an additional receipt page in the children’s files. Files – Staff did a great job having required items to be monitored such as staff and children’s files, playground inspections, and fire and emergency drills easily available during the visit. Additional Comments: I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Free Webinar – Expressing Warmth and Affection – 2/21/25 2. Free Training – Mental Health Begins By Birth – 1/28/24 and 2/7/25 3. Health & Safety Resource Center – E New- Winter, Water and Safety 4. Child Care Commission Meeting – 3/3/25 5. QRIS Modernization Update 6. QRIS Modernization Information Session for Parents – 1/28/25 7. Bilingual QRIS Modernization Information Session – 1/19/25 8. Environment Rating Scales – Get Ready for the 3’s! 9. Five-year Criminal Background Check 10. Moodle Support 11. NCID – Keep it active! Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/21/2025 Number Present: 25 Completed Date: 1/21/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 02:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Annual Compliance visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, and 10 are also approved primary spaces but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 2/28/24 18-month compliance history from 7/18/23 – 1/17/25 = 97% Last Sanitation Inspection – 9/23/24 - Superior Last Fire Inspection – 9/13/24 – Satisfactory; Daytime Care Only *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflects the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing and one-time lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Three-year Water Testing – 11/12/24 complete again by 11/12/27 Lead Paint Testing – Survey review pending; due 5/31/25 Asbestos Testing – Survey review pending; due 5/31/25 Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *Because program is part of a larger DPI school, water testing for the school may count as testing for the licensed Pre-K; however, the Pre-K program should enroll separately for the lead paint testing and asbestos testing to take advantage of the 100% reimbursement for mitigation if lead paint or asbestos is found. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was present but the Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025, but new legislation (Senate Bill 425) has extended the “hold harmless” period until the new Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) is implemented. At this time, you may choose to complete a rated license assessment using the current rated license process or you may wait until the new QRIS is implemented. However, be aware that the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) is going to be replaced by the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – 3 (ECERS-3) starting February 1, 2025. Please contact me if you want to move forward with your three year rated license assessment this school year. See Additional Comments for updates on the modernized QRIS. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. License information was current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 11/1/2024 and Item Numbers Listing, effective 3/2024. I monitored three staff records, five children’s records and all program records. The facility meets DPI requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Rooms 6 and 9. I reviewed the NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: D. Pierro and E. Vidal and NCPK Teacher Assistants, K. Pace and J. Bolen. I reviewed two children’s files for NCPre-K requirements. The facility uses the Brigance developmental screening which were completed for children in June 2024 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold as the approved curriculum and on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress at three checkpoints throughout the school year. Teachers were working on Checkpoint 2. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/24 – 5/23/25 from Monday – Friday, 8am – 2:55pm. Every other Friday is a half day for Currituck County Schools, and the pre-k children do not attend those days. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Ready Rosie for family engagement and Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders, and information for families and from families. The NCPreK program completed a modified Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room (E. Vidal) has an NC B-K License; the administrator holds a Principals License and NCECAC III. The program operates 8am – 2:55pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Every other Friday is a half day for Currituck County Schools, and the pre-k children do not attend those days. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as the classroom is also an NCPreK class. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. (Room 6 was a DD classroom at that time.) Center Observations: The word of the day as snow as the county is expecting significant snowfall tonight. Twenty-five children were present in three classrooms. A therapist was working with one child in Room 9 while the teacher and teacher assistant played with the two other children, encouraging hand/eye coordination, speech, and movement. Seven children were present in Room 8, which is the new private pay classrooms. They were gathered at the circle time rug engaged in story time. The children in Room 6 were engaged in free play with developmentally appropriate toys, games and materials. Two therapists worked in the classroom with children. Lunch was choice of pizza, chicken and roll, or pbj and choice of 2 of sweet potato tots, vegetable juice, applesauce or apple and milk. The children from Rooms 6 and 9 eat in the cafeteria. The children from Room 8 eat in the room. The teacher assistant takes the children who eat school lunch down to the cafeteria to pick up their lunches and bring them back to the classroom. At noon, the children who are three years of age in Room 9 go home. Children rested on linen-covered mats that were at least eighteen inches apart from one another. I documented the following violation during today’s visit that had already been corrected prior to the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). A five-year criminal background check due for a staff member by August 30, 2024 was not completed until October 2, 2024. A five-year criminal background check due for a staff member by October 4, 2024 was not completed until October 7, 2024. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to you, R. Palumbo, Pre-K Coordinator. I will follow-up with an electronic copy to you and S. Harry-Clark, Administrator. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. It has been corrected so no further action is required at this time except to ensure that five-year criminal background checks are completed as required. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199. Technical Assistance With Documented Violation: Five-Year Criminal Background Check (CBC) – Criminal Background Checks ensure that staff have not committed any crimes which could potentially make them unsafe to be around children and other staff. Because Abuse and Neglect registries are also checked, it helps to ensure that children are protected from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Performing diligent background screenings also protects the child care facility against future legal challenges. Five-year Criminal Background Checks were not completed before the expiration date of the previous qualification for two staff: S. Harry-Clark – due 8/30/24; completed 10/2/24; D. Pierro – due 10/4/24; completed 10/7/24. You stated that the staff members forgot about the expiration date but immediately started the process when made aware of the due date. Track due dates for CBCs for all staff and have them start the process at least one month prior to the due date. This has been corrected so no further action is required. Multiple instances of failing to complete Criminal Background Checks may result in an Administrative Action. General Visit Information: As a licensed child care facility, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and to teach your staff the rules to ensure your center remains in compliance. The most recent versions of laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. You can also review the “What’s New” section and download a copy of the Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants provide general training to meet on-going training hours, health and safety training requirements, Environment Rating Scale training and training specific to your center’s needs. They can also work with you to provide on-site technical assistance. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant – C. Smith - (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org Reminders: ABCMS Portal - The process of notifying the Division when you have new staff (or household members for family child care homes and centers licensed in a residence) has changed and is now captured in ABCMS, the new Criminal Background Check portal. You have completed the ABCMS Provider Portal Training and have set up your roster. *Add S. Harry-Clark and R. Palumbo to the roster. R. Palumbo is the NCPre-K Coordinator for all four Currituck County Schools with Pre-K programs and can link herself to all program. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. Health and Safety (H&S) Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. • J. Bolen completed five-year H&S Training renewal. • Initial H&S Training due for J. McCotter and S. Winders by 8/28/25; both have completed or updated their CPR/First Aid and have completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment Print certificates and update your H&S Training Log as you complete trainings in case there are any glitches in Moodle will not make you lose your documentation. On-going Training Hours – Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 1/21/26 (anniversary to today’s Annual Compliance visit). *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. *Because some of the training provided to you by the school (Medication Administration and Blood Borne Pathogens from Nurse Jen or Emergency Response Training from Ms. Harry-Clark (and others), document these on your on-going training logs to count towards similar topic areas for H&S Training. Staff Education and Works – J. McCotter and S. Winders need to complete Works Fire Drills – current (required monthly) Emergency Drills – current (required every 3 months) Outdoor Inspections – current Nutrition – Water bottles must be labeled with child’s name. Lunch boxes must be labeled with child’s name and dated. Lunch boxes must be stored in a full-size refrigerator. Medication – Emergency medications are maintained in the classroom for emergency use by the teacher or school nurse. Narcotics or non-emergency medication are maintained in the nurse’s office. If a child has medication or a condition requiring a medical action plan, a copy of the medical action plan needs to be attached to the child’s application in their folder. Also maintain a copy with the medication and medication permission form. Medication permission forms for medications for chronic conditions (inhalers, Epi-pens) must be reauthorized by parents every six months. There were two inhalers in Room 6 and one Epi-pen in Space 8 that were authorized from the start of school through the end of February. By the middle of February, have the parent update the form through the end of the school year. They can write the new authorization period at the top and sign (example 2/1/25 – 5/23/25) or complete a new form. Storage – Personal items such as coats and backpacks must be stored on the hooks outside the door and may be stored on the floor. Once food is opened, leftovers must be stored in a sealed container or a sealed bag that are labeled with the date that the product was opened. Application – Add receipt of “Policy for the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma” to your documents receipt section on page 2 of your application so that you do not need to include an additional receipt page in the children’s files. Files – Staff did a great job having required items to be monitored such as staff and children’s files, playground inspections, and fire and emergency drills easily available during the visit. Additional Comments: I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Free Webinar – Expressing Warmth and Affection – 2/21/25 2. Free Training – Mental Health Begins By Birth – 1/28/24 and 2/7/25 3. Health & Safety Resource Center – E New- Winter, Water and Safety 4. Child Care Commission Meeting – 3/3/25 5. QRIS Modernization Update 6. QRIS Modernization Information Session for Parents – 1/28/25 7. Bilingual QRIS Modernization Information Session – 1/19/25 8. Environment Rating Scales – Get Ready for the 3’s! 9. Five-year Criminal Background Check 10. Moodle Support 11. NCID – Keep it active! Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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 .2902 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 08:00 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Annual Compliance visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, 8 and 10 are approved primary space but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 4/4/23 Last Sanitation Inspection – 5/18/23 with Superior Rating Last Fire Inspection – 3/27/23 with Satisfactory rating; approved for daytime only *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. 18-month compliance history from 8/24/22 – 2/23/24= 96% S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was not present but Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025, but DCDEE has developed a two-year cohort system to return all facilities back to rated license reassessments. Your center has been assigned to Cohort 3. The Cohort 3 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. You may complete your ECERS-R during the Preparation Year and choose to use your scores and complete the rated license reassessment if education is where you want it to be. If you would like to complete the ECERS-R again to improve your scores, you may do this during your Assessment Year from 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027 at no cost to you which will also give you additional time to work on education, if needed. We will discuss more details at next year’s annual compliance visit. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. License information was current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 1/1/2024 and Item Number Listing, effective 8/2023. I monitored three children’s records, five staff records and all program records. The facility meets DPI requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 6 and 9. I reviewed the NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool. Staff-child ratios were 1:9 or 2:18 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: D. Pierro; E. Vidal and NCPK Teacher Assistants, K. Pace, J Bolen, and M. Gomez. I monitored two children’s files for completed health assessments (dental, hearing, and vision), developmental screenings, and on-going instructional assessments. The facility uses the Brigance developmental screening which were completed for children in June 2023 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold as the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring and had completed the second checkpoint. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/23 – 5/31/24 from 8am – 2:55pm. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders. All families are offered parent engagement activities through Ready Rosie. The NCPreK program completed a modified Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room (E. Vidal) has completed her NC B-K License. The administrator holds a Principals License but has not been approved for a NCECAC III. The program operates 8am – 2:55pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as both class rooms are also NCPreK classes. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. (Room 6 was a DD classroom at that time.) Center Observations: It was raining in the morning with expected high winds, and the two classes did not get an opportunity to go outdoors for the scheduled morning outdoor play; however, it dried up and both classes went outdoors after lunch. The children played on the complex climber and swings. Riding toys were available along with dramatic play and sand play materials. The mulch measured six inches and was sufficient based on the critical height of the equipment. Both groups had a morning group time followed by free play. Activity plans were posted. Teachers interacted with children, encouraging conversations and cognitive thinking. They washed hands at the hall bathrooms before lunch in the cafeteria. Lunch was choice of Asian Dumplings with rice, Chicken Chow Mein with rice; chicken sandwich on bun, corn dog nuggets, or peanut butter jelly; choice of two: steamed carrots, peas, pears, orange slices; and milk. Teachers sat with children and encouraged conversation. They went outdoors after lunch before returning indoors to rest on linen-covered mats. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A speech therapist provided services to three children in her office but does not have a completed criminal background check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A speech therapist who provided services to three children in her office did not have a qualifying letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. A staff person hired on August 28, 2024 completed child maltreatment training on January 29, 2024 but did not complete it within three months of hire. .1102(g) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to D. Pierro, NCPre-K Teacher (also listed as a legal designee to sign visit summaries). We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. One has been corrected. Correct the other two immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 3/13/2024. The compliance verification letter needs to state the facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. If referring to staff or children in your compliance letter, refer to them by initials or position. Also include the following documents/pictures to verify compliance: copy of qualifying letter for M. Brinkley-Young. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, rpalumbo@currituck.k12.nc.us to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. If sent from another email address, the center’s official address must be Cc’d in the compliance email. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. *I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. *Please be aware that any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the compliance letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov. Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Criminal Background Check (CBC) – Criminal Background Checks ensure that staff have not committed any crimes which could potentially make them unsafe to be around children and other staff. Because Abuse and Neglect registries are also checked, it helps to ensure that children are protected from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Performing diligent background screenings also protects the child care facility against future legal challenges. Today, I observed three students return from speech therapy with Melanie Brinkley-Young. Speech therapy took place in her office near the main office. The teachers gave her name; I checked the ABCMS system where I saw that she had started but not completed a Criminal Background Check. Federal requirements require all staff who work in licensed afterschool or pre-k programs operated by public schools complete a DCDEE Criminal Background Check (CBC) before hire and then every five years. This includes administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, program coordinators, group leaders, assistant group leaders, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. Until she completes her Criminal Background Checks and receives a qualifying letter that needs to be available for review, Ms. Brinkley-Young may continue to provide services to children enrolled in the licensed pre-k program in the pre-k classroom; however, she may not be alone with children in a separate classroom until the qualifying letter is received and on file. For your compliance letter, state the date when Ms. Brinkley-Young is qualified and has provided you with their qualification letters or describe how you will ensure that therapy takes place in the classroom until the letter is received. Attach a copy of the qualification letters in your compliance verification email. Remind other therapists in the school system to provide services in the classroom with the teachers present until they are able to complete their criminal background checks. Repeated criminal background check violations may result in an administrative action. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment – Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment teaches early learning professionals the signs and symptoms of child maltreatment, what to do when they suspect it is happening, NC’s reporting law, and what happens after a report is made. M. Gomez was required to complete the training by 11/28/2023 but did not complete it until 1/29/24. You stated that she forgot about the deadline. I will email a list of required trainings/tasks that need to be completed at hire and throughout a new employee’s NCPreK’ first year. General Visit Information: Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules (updated 1/1/24) and environmental health rules (updated 7/1/23) in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies are available to assist you with technical assistance and training on a multitude of topics including but not limited to: Environment Rating Scales, healthy behaviors and classroom management, developmentally appropriate practice, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant: C. Smith – Phone (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org Reminders: Children’s Records – Complete; all information provided Staff Worksheets – Your Staff Worksheets are a great tool to help you track when items such as Criminal Background Checks, required trainings and staff forms expire and need to be updated. I encourage you to update information on the staff worksheets throughout the year as items are updated and/or staff change. *Encourage staff to maintain copies of all initial hire documents, Qualifying Letters, training certificates, etc. in their own professional file maintained at home. *We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. *M. Gomez – initial H&S due 8/28/24 – just needs to complete 2024 Medication Administration *J. Bolen – 5-year H&S due 8/31/24 *Both need to complete all modules on H&S Training Log except for Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep module *Contact me if you need instructions for accessing the trainings on Moodle. On-going Training Hours – All staff had completed more than the required on-going training needed for 4/4/2023 – 4/4/20242. M. Gomez is in her first year and needs to complete H&S Training by 8/28/24. Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 2/28/24 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). Staff Education and Works – S. Harry-Clark has started the registration process but needs to complete the second and upload a completed DPI Administrator Education form and a copy of her current Principal License. School Critical Incident Plan and Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) - Licensed DPI programs are not required to complete a separate Emergency Preparedness Plan if they follow the school’s Critical Incident Plan (or similar type of plan for emergency responses). They are expected to have documentation of monthly fire drills and quarterly emergency drills – shelter-in-place or lock-down). Fire drills must be completed for any month or partial month the Pre-K operates. A quarterly emergency drill must be completed each quarter (July – September; October – December, January – March; April – June). If the school does not complete quarterly emergency drills, the Pre-K classrooms need to conduct their own drills. Consider having a “soft” emergency drill in September to discuss the fire and emergency drills and practice going to the safe spaces without the noise of a school-wide drill. Playground Inspections – Everyone has Playground Safety Training! Playground inspections were complete. Classroom Materials – Children in the classrooms were engaged with their toys and materials during free play but work with them to clean up their spaces before moving on to another center. This builds independence, helps them to organize, and makes one less task for you. Consider labeling shelves and bins with words and pictures of the materials to make clean-up easier and to help children identify where to return items. In the block center, blocks of different types were intermingled with accessories. They did a better job with cleaning up on the playground where they returned all materials to the shed when they were given the clean-up warning. Nutrition Opt-out Forms – Consider having all families complete a Nutrition Opt-out form. Specials – When children go to other spaces in the school for special activities such as gym, library, computers, art, music, etc., those spaces need to meet minimum safety requirements. Hazardous items must be locked. Outlets covered. Staff/child ratios and supervision maintained. Sanitizer vs. Disinfectant – I observed spray bottles labeled as disinfectant in both classrooms but did not observe spray bottles of sanitizer. Sanitizer is a lesser strength bleach solution and is used for sanitizing tables, toys, food surfaces. Disinfectant is a stronger bleach solution and is used to disinfect toilets and diaper changing tables or sinks when the same sink is used for handwashing after toileting/diaper changing and all other required handwashing. Attendance – Arrival and departure times need to be documented to verify when children arrive and depart. Even though the school has an 8am – 2:55pm operating schedule, children arrive late and leave early. (Three’s leave after outdoor time daily.) Having documentation that verifies children are present or not present, ensures accountability in the event of an emergency. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Love Them Through It: Understanding Trauma in Young Children – 6 month training opportunity 2. Rules Changes, effective 1/1/2024 – Review on Moodle! 3. Provider Access to the Background Check Management System 4. Free On-line Teacher Professional Development Memberships Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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 .3909 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 08:00 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Annual Compliance visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, 8 and 10 are approved primary space but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 4/4/23 Last Sanitation Inspection – 5/18/23 with Superior Rating Last Fire Inspection – 3/27/23 with Satisfactory rating; approved for daytime only *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. 18-month compliance history from 8/24/22 – 2/23/24= 96% S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was not present but Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025, but DCDEE has developed a two-year cohort system to return all facilities back to rated license reassessments. Your center has been assigned to Cohort 3. The Cohort 3 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. You may complete your ECERS-R during the Preparation Year and choose to use your scores and complete the rated license reassessment if education is where you want it to be. If you would like to complete the ECERS-R again to improve your scores, you may do this during your Assessment Year from 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027 at no cost to you which will also give you additional time to work on education, if needed. We will discuss more details at next year’s annual compliance visit. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. License information was current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 1/1/2024 and Item Number Listing, effective 8/2023. I monitored three children’s records, five staff records and all program records. The facility meets DPI requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 6 and 9. I reviewed the NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool. Staff-child ratios were 1:9 or 2:18 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: D. Pierro; E. Vidal and NCPK Teacher Assistants, K. Pace, J Bolen, and M. Gomez. I monitored two children’s files for completed health assessments (dental, hearing, and vision), developmental screenings, and on-going instructional assessments. The facility uses the Brigance developmental screening which were completed for children in June 2023 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold as the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring and had completed the second checkpoint. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/23 – 5/31/24 from 8am – 2:55pm. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders. All families are offered parent engagement activities through Ready Rosie. The NCPreK program completed a modified Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room (E. Vidal) has completed her NC B-K License. The administrator holds a Principals License but has not been approved for a NCECAC III. The program operates 8am – 2:55pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as both class rooms are also NCPreK classes. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. (Room 6 was a DD classroom at that time.) Center Observations: It was raining in the morning with expected high winds, and the two classes did not get an opportunity to go outdoors for the scheduled morning outdoor play; however, it dried up and both classes went outdoors after lunch. The children played on the complex climber and swings. Riding toys were available along with dramatic play and sand play materials. The mulch measured six inches and was sufficient based on the critical height of the equipment. Both groups had a morning group time followed by free play. Activity plans were posted. Teachers interacted with children, encouraging conversations and cognitive thinking. They washed hands at the hall bathrooms before lunch in the cafeteria. Lunch was choice of Asian Dumplings with rice, Chicken Chow Mein with rice; chicken sandwich on bun, corn dog nuggets, or peanut butter jelly; choice of two: steamed carrots, peas, pears, orange slices; and milk. Teachers sat with children and encouraged conversation. They went outdoors after lunch before returning indoors to rest on linen-covered mats. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A speech therapist provided services to three children in her office but does not have a completed criminal background check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A speech therapist who provided services to three children in her office did not have a qualifying letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. A staff person hired on August 28, 2024 completed child maltreatment training on January 29, 2024 but did not complete it within three months of hire. .1102(g) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to D. Pierro, NCPre-K Teacher (also listed as a legal designee to sign visit summaries). We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. One has been corrected. Correct the other two immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 3/13/2024. The compliance verification letter needs to state the facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. If referring to staff or children in your compliance letter, refer to them by initials or position. Also include the following documents/pictures to verify compliance: copy of qualifying letter for M. Brinkley-Young. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, rpalumbo@currituck.k12.nc.us to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. If sent from another email address, the center’s official address must be Cc’d in the compliance email. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. *I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. *Please be aware that any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the compliance letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov. Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Criminal Background Check (CBC) – Criminal Background Checks ensure that staff have not committed any crimes which could potentially make them unsafe to be around children and other staff. Because Abuse and Neglect registries are also checked, it helps to ensure that children are protected from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Performing diligent background screenings also protects the child care facility against future legal challenges. Today, I observed three students return from speech therapy with Melanie Brinkley-Young. Speech therapy took place in her office near the main office. The teachers gave her name; I checked the ABCMS system where I saw that she had started but not completed a Criminal Background Check. Federal requirements require all staff who work in licensed afterschool or pre-k programs operated by public schools complete a DCDEE Criminal Background Check (CBC) before hire and then every five years. This includes administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, program coordinators, group leaders, assistant group leaders, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. Until she completes her Criminal Background Checks and receives a qualifying letter that needs to be available for review, Ms. Brinkley-Young may continue to provide services to children enrolled in the licensed pre-k program in the pre-k classroom; however, she may not be alone with children in a separate classroom until the qualifying letter is received and on file. For your compliance letter, state the date when Ms. Brinkley-Young is qualified and has provided you with their qualification letters or describe how you will ensure that therapy takes place in the classroom until the letter is received. Attach a copy of the qualification letters in your compliance verification email. Remind other therapists in the school system to provide services in the classroom with the teachers present until they are able to complete their criminal background checks. Repeated criminal background check violations may result in an administrative action. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment – Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment teaches early learning professionals the signs and symptoms of child maltreatment, what to do when they suspect it is happening, NC’s reporting law, and what happens after a report is made. M. Gomez was required to complete the training by 11/28/2023 but did not complete it until 1/29/24. You stated that she forgot about the deadline. I will email a list of required trainings/tasks that need to be completed at hire and throughout a new employee’s NCPreK’ first year. General Visit Information: Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules (updated 1/1/24) and environmental health rules (updated 7/1/23) in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies are available to assist you with technical assistance and training on a multitude of topics including but not limited to: Environment Rating Scales, healthy behaviors and classroom management, developmentally appropriate practice, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant: C. Smith – Phone (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org Reminders: Children’s Records – Complete; all information provided Staff Worksheets – Your Staff Worksheets are a great tool to help you track when items such as Criminal Background Checks, required trainings and staff forms expire and need to be updated. I encourage you to update information on the staff worksheets throughout the year as items are updated and/or staff change. *Encourage staff to maintain copies of all initial hire documents, Qualifying Letters, training certificates, etc. in their own professional file maintained at home. *We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. *M. Gomez – initial H&S due 8/28/24 – just needs to complete 2024 Medication Administration *J. Bolen – 5-year H&S due 8/31/24 *Both need to complete all modules on H&S Training Log except for Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep module *Contact me if you need instructions for accessing the trainings on Moodle. On-going Training Hours – All staff had completed more than the required on-going training needed for 4/4/2023 – 4/4/20242. M. Gomez is in her first year and needs to complete H&S Training by 8/28/24. Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 2/28/24 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). Staff Education and Works – S. Harry-Clark has started the registration process but needs to complete the second and upload a completed DPI Administrator Education form and a copy of her current Principal License. School Critical Incident Plan and Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) - Licensed DPI programs are not required to complete a separate Emergency Preparedness Plan if they follow the school’s Critical Incident Plan (or similar type of plan for emergency responses). They are expected to have documentation of monthly fire drills and quarterly emergency drills – shelter-in-place or lock-down). Fire drills must be completed for any month or partial month the Pre-K operates. A quarterly emergency drill must be completed each quarter (July – September; October – December, January – March; April – June). If the school does not complete quarterly emergency drills, the Pre-K classrooms need to conduct their own drills. Consider having a “soft” emergency drill in September to discuss the fire and emergency drills and practice going to the safe spaces without the noise of a school-wide drill. Playground Inspections – Everyone has Playground Safety Training! Playground inspections were complete. Classroom Materials – Children in the classrooms were engaged with their toys and materials during free play but work with them to clean up their spaces before moving on to another center. This builds independence, helps them to organize, and makes one less task for you. Consider labeling shelves and bins with words and pictures of the materials to make clean-up easier and to help children identify where to return items. In the block center, blocks of different types were intermingled with accessories. They did a better job with cleaning up on the playground where they returned all materials to the shed when they were given the clean-up warning. Nutrition Opt-out Forms – Consider having all families complete a Nutrition Opt-out form. Specials – When children go to other spaces in the school for special activities such as gym, library, computers, art, music, etc., those spaces need to meet minimum safety requirements. Hazardous items must be locked. Outlets covered. Staff/child ratios and supervision maintained. Sanitizer vs. Disinfectant – I observed spray bottles labeled as disinfectant in both classrooms but did not observe spray bottles of sanitizer. Sanitizer is a lesser strength bleach solution and is used for sanitizing tables, toys, food surfaces. Disinfectant is a stronger bleach solution and is used to disinfect toilets and diaper changing tables or sinks when the same sink is used for handwashing after toileting/diaper changing and all other required handwashing. Attendance – Arrival and departure times need to be documented to verify when children arrive and depart. Even though the school has an 8am – 2:55pm operating schedule, children arrive late and leave early. (Three’s leave after outdoor time daily.) Having documentation that verifies children are present or not present, ensures accountability in the event of an emergency. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Love Them Through It: Understanding Trauma in Young Children – 6 month training opportunity 2. Rules Changes, effective 1/1/2024 – Review on Moodle! 3. Provider Access to the Background Check Management System 4. Free On-line Teacher Professional Development Memberships Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 08:00 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Annual Compliance visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, 8 and 10 are approved primary space but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 4/4/23 Last Sanitation Inspection – 5/18/23 with Superior Rating Last Fire Inspection – 3/27/23 with Satisfactory rating; approved for daytime only *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. 18-month compliance history from 8/24/22 – 2/23/24= 96% S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was not present but Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025, but DCDEE has developed a two-year cohort system to return all facilities back to rated license reassessments. Your center has been assigned to Cohort 3. The Cohort 3 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. You may complete your ECERS-R during the Preparation Year and choose to use your scores and complete the rated license reassessment if education is where you want it to be. If you would like to complete the ECERS-R again to improve your scores, you may do this during your Assessment Year from 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027 at no cost to you which will also give you additional time to work on education, if needed. We will discuss more details at next year’s annual compliance visit. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. License information was current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 1/1/2024 and Item Number Listing, effective 8/2023. I monitored three children’s records, five staff records and all program records. The facility meets DPI requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 6 and 9. I reviewed the NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool. Staff-child ratios were 1:9 or 2:18 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: D. Pierro; E. Vidal and NCPK Teacher Assistants, K. Pace, J Bolen, and M. Gomez. I monitored two children’s files for completed health assessments (dental, hearing, and vision), developmental screenings, and on-going instructional assessments. The facility uses the Brigance developmental screening which were completed for children in June 2023 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold as the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring and had completed the second checkpoint. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/23 – 5/31/24 from 8am – 2:55pm. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders. All families are offered parent engagement activities through Ready Rosie. The NCPreK program completed a modified Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room (E. Vidal) has completed her NC B-K License. The administrator holds a Principals License but has not been approved for a NCECAC III. The program operates 8am – 2:55pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as both class rooms are also NCPreK classes. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. (Room 6 was a DD classroom at that time.) Center Observations: It was raining in the morning with expected high winds, and the two classes did not get an opportunity to go outdoors for the scheduled morning outdoor play; however, it dried up and both classes went outdoors after lunch. The children played on the complex climber and swings. Riding toys were available along with dramatic play and sand play materials. The mulch measured six inches and was sufficient based on the critical height of the equipment. Both groups had a morning group time followed by free play. Activity plans were posted. Teachers interacted with children, encouraging conversations and cognitive thinking. They washed hands at the hall bathrooms before lunch in the cafeteria. Lunch was choice of Asian Dumplings with rice, Chicken Chow Mein with rice; chicken sandwich on bun, corn dog nuggets, or peanut butter jelly; choice of two: steamed carrots, peas, pears, orange slices; and milk. Teachers sat with children and encouraged conversation. They went outdoors after lunch before returning indoors to rest on linen-covered mats. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A speech therapist provided services to three children in her office but does not have a completed criminal background check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A speech therapist who provided services to three children in her office did not have a qualifying letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. A staff person hired on August 28, 2024 completed child maltreatment training on January 29, 2024 but did not complete it within three months of hire. .1102(g) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to D. Pierro, NCPre-K Teacher (also listed as a legal designee to sign visit summaries). We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. One has been corrected. Correct the other two immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 3/13/2024. The compliance verification letter needs to state the facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. If referring to staff or children in your compliance letter, refer to them by initials or position. Also include the following documents/pictures to verify compliance: copy of qualifying letter for M. Brinkley-Young. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, rpalumbo@currituck.k12.nc.us to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. If sent from another email address, the center’s official address must be Cc’d in the compliance email. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. *I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. *Please be aware that any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the compliance letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov. Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Criminal Background Check (CBC) – Criminal Background Checks ensure that staff have not committed any crimes which could potentially make them unsafe to be around children and other staff. Because Abuse and Neglect registries are also checked, it helps to ensure that children are protected from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Performing diligent background screenings also protects the child care facility against future legal challenges. Today, I observed three students return from speech therapy with Melanie Brinkley-Young. Speech therapy took place in her office near the main office. The teachers gave her name; I checked the ABCMS system where I saw that she had started but not completed a Criminal Background Check. Federal requirements require all staff who work in licensed afterschool or pre-k programs operated by public schools complete a DCDEE Criminal Background Check (CBC) before hire and then every five years. This includes administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, program coordinators, group leaders, assistant group leaders, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. Until she completes her Criminal Background Checks and receives a qualifying letter that needs to be available for review, Ms. Brinkley-Young may continue to provide services to children enrolled in the licensed pre-k program in the pre-k classroom; however, she may not be alone with children in a separate classroom until the qualifying letter is received and on file. For your compliance letter, state the date when Ms. Brinkley-Young is qualified and has provided you with their qualification letters or describe how you will ensure that therapy takes place in the classroom until the letter is received. Attach a copy of the qualification letters in your compliance verification email. Remind other therapists in the school system to provide services in the classroom with the teachers present until they are able to complete their criminal background checks. Repeated criminal background check violations may result in an administrative action. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment – Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment teaches early learning professionals the signs and symptoms of child maltreatment, what to do when they suspect it is happening, NC’s reporting law, and what happens after a report is made. M. Gomez was required to complete the training by 11/28/2023 but did not complete it until 1/29/24. You stated that she forgot about the deadline. I will email a list of required trainings/tasks that need to be completed at hire and throughout a new employee’s NCPreK’ first year. General Visit Information: Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules (updated 1/1/24) and environmental health rules (updated 7/1/23) in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies are available to assist you with technical assistance and training on a multitude of topics including but not limited to: Environment Rating Scales, healthy behaviors and classroom management, developmentally appropriate practice, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant: C. Smith – Phone (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org Reminders: Children’s Records – Complete; all information provided Staff Worksheets – Your Staff Worksheets are a great tool to help you track when items such as Criminal Background Checks, required trainings and staff forms expire and need to be updated. I encourage you to update information on the staff worksheets throughout the year as items are updated and/or staff change. *Encourage staff to maintain copies of all initial hire documents, Qualifying Letters, training certificates, etc. in their own professional file maintained at home. *We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. *M. Gomez – initial H&S due 8/28/24 – just needs to complete 2024 Medication Administration *J. Bolen – 5-year H&S due 8/31/24 *Both need to complete all modules on H&S Training Log except for Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep module *Contact me if you need instructions for accessing the trainings on Moodle. On-going Training Hours – All staff had completed more than the required on-going training needed for 4/4/2023 – 4/4/20242. M. Gomez is in her first year and needs to complete H&S Training by 8/28/24. Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 2/28/24 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). Staff Education and Works – S. Harry-Clark has started the registration process but needs to complete the second and upload a completed DPI Administrator Education form and a copy of her current Principal License. School Critical Incident Plan and Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) - Licensed DPI programs are not required to complete a separate Emergency Preparedness Plan if they follow the school’s Critical Incident Plan (or similar type of plan for emergency responses). They are expected to have documentation of monthly fire drills and quarterly emergency drills – shelter-in-place or lock-down). Fire drills must be completed for any month or partial month the Pre-K operates. A quarterly emergency drill must be completed each quarter (July – September; October – December, January – March; April – June). If the school does not complete quarterly emergency drills, the Pre-K classrooms need to conduct their own drills. Consider having a “soft” emergency drill in September to discuss the fire and emergency drills and practice going to the safe spaces without the noise of a school-wide drill. Playground Inspections – Everyone has Playground Safety Training! Playground inspections were complete. Classroom Materials – Children in the classrooms were engaged with their toys and materials during free play but work with them to clean up their spaces before moving on to another center. This builds independence, helps them to organize, and makes one less task for you. Consider labeling shelves and bins with words and pictures of the materials to make clean-up easier and to help children identify where to return items. In the block center, blocks of different types were intermingled with accessories. They did a better job with cleaning up on the playground where they returned all materials to the shed when they were given the clean-up warning. Nutrition Opt-out Forms – Consider having all families complete a Nutrition Opt-out form. Specials – When children go to other spaces in the school for special activities such as gym, library, computers, art, music, etc., those spaces need to meet minimum safety requirements. Hazardous items must be locked. Outlets covered. Staff/child ratios and supervision maintained. Sanitizer vs. Disinfectant – I observed spray bottles labeled as disinfectant in both classrooms but did not observe spray bottles of sanitizer. Sanitizer is a lesser strength bleach solution and is used for sanitizing tables, toys, food surfaces. Disinfectant is a stronger bleach solution and is used to disinfect toilets and diaper changing tables or sinks when the same sink is used for handwashing after toileting/diaper changing and all other required handwashing. Attendance – Arrival and departure times need to be documented to verify when children arrive and depart. Even though the school has an 8am – 2:55pm operating schedule, children arrive late and leave early. (Three’s leave after outdoor time daily.) Having documentation that verifies children are present or not present, ensures accountability in the event of an emergency. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Love Them Through It: Understanding Trauma in Young Children – 6 month training opportunity 2. Rules Changes, effective 1/1/2024 – Review on Moodle! 3. Provider Access to the Background Check Management System 4. Free On-line Teacher Professional Development Memberships Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 08:00 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Annual Compliance visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, 8 and 10 are approved primary space but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 4/4/23 Last Sanitation Inspection – 5/18/23 with Superior Rating Last Fire Inspection – 3/27/23 with Satisfactory rating; approved for daytime only *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. 18-month compliance history from 8/24/22 – 2/23/24= 96% S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was not present but Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025, but DCDEE has developed a two-year cohort system to return all facilities back to rated license reassessments. Your center has been assigned to Cohort 3. The Cohort 3 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. You may complete your ECERS-R during the Preparation Year and choose to use your scores and complete the rated license reassessment if education is where you want it to be. If you would like to complete the ECERS-R again to improve your scores, you may do this during your Assessment Year from 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027 at no cost to you which will also give you additional time to work on education, if needed. We will discuss more details at next year’s annual compliance visit. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. License information was current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 1/1/2024 and Item Number Listing, effective 8/2023. I monitored three children’s records, five staff records and all program records. The facility meets DPI requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 6 and 9. I reviewed the NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool. Staff-child ratios were 1:9 or 2:18 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: D. Pierro; E. Vidal and NCPK Teacher Assistants, K. Pace, J Bolen, and M. Gomez. I monitored two children’s files for completed health assessments (dental, hearing, and vision), developmental screenings, and on-going instructional assessments. The facility uses the Brigance developmental screening which were completed for children in June 2023 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold as the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring and had completed the second checkpoint. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/23 – 5/31/24 from 8am – 2:55pm. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders. All families are offered parent engagement activities through Ready Rosie. The NCPreK program completed a modified Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room (E. Vidal) has completed her NC B-K License. The administrator holds a Principals License but has not been approved for a NCECAC III. The program operates 8am – 2:55pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as both class rooms are also NCPreK classes. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. (Room 6 was a DD classroom at that time.) Center Observations: It was raining in the morning with expected high winds, and the two classes did not get an opportunity to go outdoors for the scheduled morning outdoor play; however, it dried up and both classes went outdoors after lunch. The children played on the complex climber and swings. Riding toys were available along with dramatic play and sand play materials. The mulch measured six inches and was sufficient based on the critical height of the equipment. Both groups had a morning group time followed by free play. Activity plans were posted. Teachers interacted with children, encouraging conversations and cognitive thinking. They washed hands at the hall bathrooms before lunch in the cafeteria. Lunch was choice of Asian Dumplings with rice, Chicken Chow Mein with rice; chicken sandwich on bun, corn dog nuggets, or peanut butter jelly; choice of two: steamed carrots, peas, pears, orange slices; and milk. Teachers sat with children and encouraged conversation. They went outdoors after lunch before returning indoors to rest on linen-covered mats. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A speech therapist provided services to three children in her office but does not have a completed criminal background check. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A speech therapist who provided services to three children in her office did not have a qualifying letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. A staff person hired on August 28, 2024 completed child maltreatment training on January 29, 2024 but did not complete it within three months of hire. .1102(g) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to D. Pierro, NCPre-K Teacher (also listed as a legal designee to sign visit summaries). We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. One has been corrected. Correct the other two immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 3/13/2024. The compliance verification letter needs to state the facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. If referring to staff or children in your compliance letter, refer to them by initials or position. Also include the following documents/pictures to verify compliance: copy of qualifying letter for M. Brinkley-Young. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, rpalumbo@currituck.k12.nc.us to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. If sent from another email address, the center’s official address must be Cc’d in the compliance email. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. *I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. *Please be aware that any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the compliance letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov. Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Criminal Background Check (CBC) – Criminal Background Checks ensure that staff have not committed any crimes which could potentially make them unsafe to be around children and other staff. Because Abuse and Neglect registries are also checked, it helps to ensure that children are protected from physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Performing diligent background screenings also protects the child care facility against future legal challenges. Today, I observed three students return from speech therapy with Melanie Brinkley-Young. Speech therapy took place in her office near the main office. The teachers gave her name; I checked the ABCMS system where I saw that she had started but not completed a Criminal Background Check. Federal requirements require all staff who work in licensed afterschool or pre-k programs operated by public schools complete a DCDEE Criminal Background Check (CBC) before hire and then every five years. This includes administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, program coordinators, group leaders, assistant group leaders, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. Until she completes her Criminal Background Checks and receives a qualifying letter that needs to be available for review, Ms. Brinkley-Young may continue to provide services to children enrolled in the licensed pre-k program in the pre-k classroom; however, she may not be alone with children in a separate classroom until the qualifying letter is received and on file. For your compliance letter, state the date when Ms. Brinkley-Young is qualified and has provided you with their qualification letters or describe how you will ensure that therapy takes place in the classroom until the letter is received. Attach a copy of the qualification letters in your compliance verification email. Remind other therapists in the school system to provide services in the classroom with the teachers present until they are able to complete their criminal background checks. Repeated criminal background check violations may result in an administrative action. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment – Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment teaches early learning professionals the signs and symptoms of child maltreatment, what to do when they suspect it is happening, NC’s reporting law, and what happens after a report is made. M. Gomez was required to complete the training by 11/28/2023 but did not complete it until 1/29/24. You stated that she forgot about the deadline. I will email a list of required trainings/tasks that need to be completed at hire and throughout a new employee’s NCPreK’ first year. General Visit Information: Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules (updated 1/1/24) and environmental health rules (updated 7/1/23) in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies are available to assist you with technical assistance and training on a multitude of topics including but not limited to: Environment Rating Scales, healthy behaviors and classroom management, developmentally appropriate practice, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant: C. Smith – Phone (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org Reminders: Children’s Records – Complete; all information provided Staff Worksheets – Your Staff Worksheets are a great tool to help you track when items such as Criminal Background Checks, required trainings and staff forms expire and need to be updated. I encourage you to update information on the staff worksheets throughout the year as items are updated and/or staff change. *Encourage staff to maintain copies of all initial hire documents, Qualifying Letters, training certificates, etc. in their own professional file maintained at home. *We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. *M. Gomez – initial H&S due 8/28/24 – just needs to complete 2024 Medication Administration *J. Bolen – 5-year H&S due 8/31/24 *Both need to complete all modules on H&S Training Log except for Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep module *Contact me if you need instructions for accessing the trainings on Moodle. On-going Training Hours – All staff had completed more than the required on-going training needed for 4/4/2023 – 4/4/20242. M. Gomez is in her first year and needs to complete H&S Training by 8/28/24. Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 2/28/24 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). Staff Education and Works – S. Harry-Clark has started the registration process but needs to complete the second and upload a completed DPI Administrator Education form and a copy of her current Principal License. School Critical Incident Plan and Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) - Licensed DPI programs are not required to complete a separate Emergency Preparedness Plan if they follow the school’s Critical Incident Plan (or similar type of plan for emergency responses). They are expected to have documentation of monthly fire drills and quarterly emergency drills – shelter-in-place or lock-down). Fire drills must be completed for any month or partial month the Pre-K operates. A quarterly emergency drill must be completed each quarter (July – September; October – December, January – March; April – June). If the school does not complete quarterly emergency drills, the Pre-K classrooms need to conduct their own drills. Consider having a “soft” emergency drill in September to discuss the fire and emergency drills and practice going to the safe spaces without the noise of a school-wide drill. Playground Inspections – Everyone has Playground Safety Training! Playground inspections were complete. Classroom Materials – Children in the classrooms were engaged with their toys and materials during free play but work with them to clean up their spaces before moving on to another center. This builds independence, helps them to organize, and makes one less task for you. Consider labeling shelves and bins with words and pictures of the materials to make clean-up easier and to help children identify where to return items. In the block center, blocks of different types were intermingled with accessories. They did a better job with cleaning up on the playground where they returned all materials to the shed when they were given the clean-up warning. Nutrition Opt-out Forms – Consider having all families complete a Nutrition Opt-out form. Specials – When children go to other spaces in the school for special activities such as gym, library, computers, art, music, etc., those spaces need to meet minimum safety requirements. Hazardous items must be locked. Outlets covered. Staff/child ratios and supervision maintained. Sanitizer vs. Disinfectant – I observed spray bottles labeled as disinfectant in both classrooms but did not observe spray bottles of sanitizer. Sanitizer is a lesser strength bleach solution and is used for sanitizing tables, toys, food surfaces. Disinfectant is a stronger bleach solution and is used to disinfect toilets and diaper changing tables or sinks when the same sink is used for handwashing after toileting/diaper changing and all other required handwashing. Attendance – Arrival and departure times need to be documented to verify when children arrive and depart. Even though the school has an 8am – 2:55pm operating schedule, children arrive late and leave early. (Three’s leave after outdoor time daily.) Having documentation that verifies children are present or not present, ensures accountability in the event of an emergency. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. Check out the FAQ in the updated Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids. Currently there is funding to pay for the testing and to mitigate lead paint or asbestos hazards. Depending on the age of your home or building and the information you provide in the enrollment process, testing for lead paint and asbestos may not be required. Water testing will be required every three years. For more information go to https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ or contact your Environmental Health Specialist. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Love Them Through It: Understanding Trauma in Young Children – 6 month training opportunity 2. Rules Changes, effective 1/1/2024 – Review on Moodle! 3. Provider Access to the Background Check Management System 4. Free On-line Teacher Professional Development Memberships Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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 .2902 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/12/2023 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 9/12/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Routine Unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, 8, and 10 are currently not being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 4/4/2023 Last Sanitation Inspection – 11/9/2022 with Superior Rating; expires 11/9/2023 Last Fire Inspection – 3/27/2023 with Satisfactory rating; approved for daytime only; expires 3/27/2024 *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. 18-month compliance history from 3/8/2022 – 9/7/2023 = 97% S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was present; Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025 See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. The Pre-K has a new administrator. I left her with an Administrator Preservice Form to complete and have signed by Superintendent and return to me. Facility contact information and license information were current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 7/1/2023 and Item Number Listing, effective 6/2022. I monitored two staff records and all program records. The DPI facility meets requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Spaces 6 and 9. The NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool is not due until November 1st. I will review at the next visit. Staff-child ratios were 1:9 or 2:18 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: E. Vidal and D. Pierro and NCPK Teacher Assistants: J. Bolen, M. Gomez, and K. Pace. I will monitor children’s files at the Annual Compliance visit. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum 5th Edition and High Scope and Teaching Strategies Gold as the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring and were in the process of initial assessments. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/2023 – 6/3/2023 from 7:30am – 2:30pm. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Ready Rosie, Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders, and information for families and from families. The NCPreK program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room 9 (E. Vidal) has completed her NC B-K License but has not registered for Works; the administrator holds a Principals License and needs to register for Works. The program operates 7:30am – 2:30pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as the class is also an NCPreK class. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. Center Observations: The license was posted in the office; other parent information was posted in each classroom. Room 6 and Room 9 listed as NCPreK; Room 6 is also Developmental Day. The teachers and seven children, three and four years of age, were engaged in free play in Space 9. Teachers worked with children in small groups and individually. A speech therapist was providing services to one child. The children from Room 6 were coming in off the playground. They used the hall bathroom to toilet and wash hands before returning to the class where they transitioned to indoor free play. The theme was apples; posted activity plans reflected activities related to apples for the week. Today they read stories about apples and discussed the difference between apples and apple sauce. The children in Room 9 ate in the classroom. The children in Room 6 ate in the cafeteria at the child-sized tables and chairs. Lunch was choice of lasagna or hot dog nuggets, green beans or broccoli, mixed fruit or sliced apples and milk. Teachers assisted children with their lunches and engaged them in mealtime conversation. After lunch, they played outside again before coming back inside for a short group time and story and more center free play. They rested on linen-covered mats. Interactions between staff and children in both classes were warm, nurturing and respectful. Teachers encouraged conversation and language and supported children in their emotional/social development. I observed and documented the following violation during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Documentation of monthly outdoor inspections were not available for April or May 2023. .0605(q) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to S. Harry-Clark, Administrator and followed up with electronic copies to R. Palumbo, Preschool Coordinator and the Pre-K staff. We reviewed the visit summary and violation documented during today’s visit. The violation has been corrected so further action is not required at this time except to maintain compliance with completing and documenting monthly outdoor inspections. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH DOCUMENTED VIOLATION: Outdoor Inspections - Regular outdoor inspections are critical to prevent deterioration of equipment and accumulation of hazardous materials within the play site, and to ensure that appropriate repairs are made as soon as possible. A monthly safety check of all the equipment within the facility as a focused task provides an opportunity to notice wear and tear that requires maintenance. Documentation of monthly outdoors inspections were not available for April and May 2023. The NCPre-Teacher who is now responsible for completing outdoor inspections said that it just probably got overlooked at the end of the year, and teachers check the playground daily. She has already completed and documented an outdoor inspection for August and September 2023 and plans to complete them during the first or second week of each month. List the full date of the inspection, “September 12, 23 not just September 2023”. GENERAL VISIT INFORMATION: Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules (updated 7/1/23) and environmental health rules (updated 7/1/23) in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies are available to assist you with technical assistance and training on a multitude of topics including but not limited to: Environment Rating Scales, healthy behaviors and classroom management, developmentally appropriate practice, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant: C. Smith – Phone (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org REMINDERS: Off-site Verification Records – I provided you with a copy of DPI Off-site Children’s Records, Off-site Staff Records, and Transportation forms and will email them to you also. Have the person who is designated to ensure that all records are received to complete and return these to me by October 15, 2023. Criminal Background Checks (CBC) – Federal requirements require all staff who work in licensed afterschool or pre-k programs operated by public schools complete a DCDEE Criminal Background Check (CBC) before hire and then every five years. This includes administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, program coordinators, group leaders, assistant group leaders, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. *If therapists take children out of the classroom for therapy, they are required to have a criminal background check. If therapy is completed in the classroom under the supervision of the teachers, a criminal background check is not required. Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. Staff Education and Works – S. Harry-Clark, E. Vidal, and M. Gomez need to register for Works and K. Pace needs to update her Works account since she has completed her AAS-ECE. I provided you with copies of the DPI Education forms and instructions for registering for Works. On-going Training Hours – Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 4/4/2024 (anniversary of last Annual Compliance visit). New staff complete Health & Safety Training their first year. Moodle Support - DCDEE has established a new email address and phone number for Moodle Support. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326. School Critical Incident Plan and Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) - • Licensed DPI programs are not required to complete a separate Emergency Preparedness Plan if they follow the school’s Critical Incident Plan (or similar type of plan for emergency responses). They are expected to have documentation of monthly fire drills and quarterly emergency drills – shelter-in-place or lock-down). Fire drills must be completed for any month or partial month the Pre-K or ASEP is operating. A quarterly emergency drill must be completed each quarter (July – September; October – December, January – March; April – June). • A current Emergency Medical Care Plan is required to be posted in a central location and updated to reflect current staff and assigned duties in a medical emergency. At least one person listed on EMCP must be on site. • Review the Emergency Medical Care Plan School Critical Incident Plan/Response Plan with staff at hire and annually. Sanitizer vs. Disinfectant – I observed spray bottles labeled as disinfectant in both classrooms but did not observe spray bottles of sanitizer. Sanitizer is a lesser strength bleach solution and is used for sanitizing tables, toys, food surfaces. Disinfectant is a stronger bleach solution and is used to disinfect toilets and diaper changing tables or sinks when the same sink is used for handwashing after toileting/diaper changing and all other required handwashing. Menu – A menu needs to be posted in a central location or in each classroom. I spoke with Ms. Jarvis in the front office, and she is going to check into posting the menu on a bulletin board in the hall. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I shared information on the following topics: 1. Environmental Health Rules Update 2. New Rules – July 2023 – enhanced outdoor space, cooperative arrangements, multi-age grouping 3. New Challenging Behaviors Helpline! 4. NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) Resources 5. NCID and contacts if you need assistance TRANSITION BACK TO RATED LICENSE ASSESSMENTS AND COHORTS To transition back to rated license assessments, the Division has created a two-year Cohort Model. All facilities are assigned to one of three cohorts based on their current rated license assessment due date. Each cohort will have a year for preparation and a year for assessment. (However, you are encouraged to begin preparations now so that you are ready when your cohort group is due!) Your early learning program is due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 3/22/2025 and has been assigned to Cohort 3. The Cohort 3 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. During your preparation year, if you are interested in having the Environment Rating Scales completed, review the ECERS-R by obtaining the manuals for each classroom and looking for assessment related resources at ncrlap.org. Request technical assistance and training for your staff from Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) You can request and complete an ECERS-R during your preparation year. If your scores help you meet or exceed your current star rating and you are ready to move forward with your rated license assessment, you may choose to do so during your preparation year. Your preparation year is also the time to continue to work on staff education and ensure that Works accounts are completed and up to date for staff members. The Cohort 3 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027. During your assessment year you may choose to complete the ECERS-R again at no cost even if you completed them during your preparation year. Use the feedback from your preparation year scores to create a plan to improve your scores. During this year, all education needs to be posted in Works. At some point during that year, you will have your rated license assessed. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO INCREASE ECERS-R SCORES: The website for the NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has a wealth of resources and training opportunities to help you intentionally prepare for your upcoming ECERS-R assessment. From the main webpage, you can access self-assessment tools to review each subscale in detail and determine how you can make improvements in each area. See “Thinking More About Space and Furnishing,” “Thinking More About Personal Care Routines,” “Thinking More About Language and Interactions,” “Thinking More About Activities,” and “Thinking More About Program Structure.” Taking the time to work through these activities with your staff and using that self-reflection to purchase materials, rearrange your classrooms, work on interactions, improve daily routines, etc. will help you improve your environment and your scores. Also check out the training options under the training tab. Trainings are both self-guided and live (virtual). You and your staff can earn training credit for participating in these trainings. In 2022, you scored the lowest on the modified ECERS-R: Subscale 4: Activities. Look at the following and consider ways to improve your scores: *Most of the lower scoring items were related to substantial portion of the day (SPOD). Substantial portion of the day refers to the amount of time children have access to the different activity and learning centers during free play. It needs to be 1/3 of the program’s operating day. More free play…less group time. Review your schedule to ensure that children have access to materials for a SPOD. Build in time for routines and transitions. Because Pre-K is an abbreviated day, offer indoor activity centers outdoors. Item #15: Books and pictures – Having ample time to peruse and read books during the day provides children with the opportunities to make choices about the books they look at and “read”. Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to books. Review your schedule and ensure that access to books is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #19: Fine motor - Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to fine motor materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to fine motor materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #21: Music/movement – Provide a way for children to listen to music independently, i.e., CD player with choice of CDS, tape player with tapes, old mobile phone that has appropriate music for children to play independently. Multicultural CDs, tapes, and music can also be used to meet Item #28: Promoting acceptance of diversity. Item #22: Blocks – Provide enough blocks for children to build substantial structures and have a variety of blocks: unit blocks, foam blocks, cardboard and homemade blocks. Items not related to blocks such as play houses, farm houses, Duplos, bead mazes should not be stored in the block area where they take up space needed for block play. *Block area could use more unit blocks and a variety of blocks and accessories. Item #24: Dramatic play – Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to dramatic play materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to dramatic play materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #25: Science/nature - Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to science materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to science materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #26: Math/number – Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to math and number materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to math and number materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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 .3909 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/12/2023 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 9/12/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Routine Unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, 8, and 10 are currently not being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 4/4/2023 Last Sanitation Inspection – 11/9/2022 with Superior Rating; expires 11/9/2023 Last Fire Inspection – 3/27/2023 with Satisfactory rating; approved for daytime only; expires 3/27/2024 *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. 18-month compliance history from 3/8/2022 – 9/7/2023 = 97% S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was present; Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025 See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. The Pre-K has a new administrator. I left her with an Administrator Preservice Form to complete and have signed by Superintendent and return to me. Facility contact information and license information were current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 7/1/2023 and Item Number Listing, effective 6/2022. I monitored two staff records and all program records. The DPI facility meets requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Spaces 6 and 9. The NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool is not due until November 1st. I will review at the next visit. Staff-child ratios were 1:9 or 2:18 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: E. Vidal and D. Pierro and NCPK Teacher Assistants: J. Bolen, M. Gomez, and K. Pace. I will monitor children’s files at the Annual Compliance visit. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum 5th Edition and High Scope and Teaching Strategies Gold as the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring and were in the process of initial assessments. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/2023 – 6/3/2023 from 7:30am – 2:30pm. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Ready Rosie, Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders, and information for families and from families. The NCPreK program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room 9 (E. Vidal) has completed her NC B-K License but has not registered for Works; the administrator holds a Principals License and needs to register for Works. The program operates 7:30am – 2:30pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as the class is also an NCPreK class. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. Center Observations: The license was posted in the office; other parent information was posted in each classroom. Room 6 and Room 9 listed as NCPreK; Room 6 is also Developmental Day. The teachers and seven children, three and four years of age, were engaged in free play in Space 9. Teachers worked with children in small groups and individually. A speech therapist was providing services to one child. The children from Room 6 were coming in off the playground. They used the hall bathroom to toilet and wash hands before returning to the class where they transitioned to indoor free play. The theme was apples; posted activity plans reflected activities related to apples for the week. Today they read stories about apples and discussed the difference between apples and apple sauce. The children in Room 9 ate in the classroom. The children in Room 6 ate in the cafeteria at the child-sized tables and chairs. Lunch was choice of lasagna or hot dog nuggets, green beans or broccoli, mixed fruit or sliced apples and milk. Teachers assisted children with their lunches and engaged them in mealtime conversation. After lunch, they played outside again before coming back inside for a short group time and story and more center free play. They rested on linen-covered mats. Interactions between staff and children in both classes were warm, nurturing and respectful. Teachers encouraged conversation and language and supported children in their emotional/social development. I observed and documented the following violation during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Documentation of monthly outdoor inspections were not available for April or May 2023. .0605(q) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to S. Harry-Clark, Administrator and followed up with electronic copies to R. Palumbo, Preschool Coordinator and the Pre-K staff. We reviewed the visit summary and violation documented during today’s visit. The violation has been corrected so further action is not required at this time except to maintain compliance with completing and documenting monthly outdoor inspections. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH DOCUMENTED VIOLATION: Outdoor Inspections - Regular outdoor inspections are critical to prevent deterioration of equipment and accumulation of hazardous materials within the play site, and to ensure that appropriate repairs are made as soon as possible. A monthly safety check of all the equipment within the facility as a focused task provides an opportunity to notice wear and tear that requires maintenance. Documentation of monthly outdoors inspections were not available for April and May 2023. The NCPre-Teacher who is now responsible for completing outdoor inspections said that it just probably got overlooked at the end of the year, and teachers check the playground daily. She has already completed and documented an outdoor inspection for August and September 2023 and plans to complete them during the first or second week of each month. List the full date of the inspection, “September 12, 23 not just September 2023”. GENERAL VISIT INFORMATION: Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules (updated 7/1/23) and environmental health rules (updated 7/1/23) in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies are available to assist you with technical assistance and training on a multitude of topics including but not limited to: Environment Rating Scales, healthy behaviors and classroom management, developmentally appropriate practice, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant: C. Smith – Phone (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org REMINDERS: Off-site Verification Records – I provided you with a copy of DPI Off-site Children’s Records, Off-site Staff Records, and Transportation forms and will email them to you also. Have the person who is designated to ensure that all records are received to complete and return these to me by October 15, 2023. Criminal Background Checks (CBC) – Federal requirements require all staff who work in licensed afterschool or pre-k programs operated by public schools complete a DCDEE Criminal Background Check (CBC) before hire and then every five years. This includes administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, program coordinators, group leaders, assistant group leaders, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. *If therapists take children out of the classroom for therapy, they are required to have a criminal background check. If therapy is completed in the classroom under the supervision of the teachers, a criminal background check is not required. Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. Staff Education and Works – S. Harry-Clark, E. Vidal, and M. Gomez need to register for Works and K. Pace needs to update her Works account since she has completed her AAS-ECE. I provided you with copies of the DPI Education forms and instructions for registering for Works. On-going Training Hours – Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 4/4/2024 (anniversary of last Annual Compliance visit). New staff complete Health & Safety Training their first year. Moodle Support - DCDEE has established a new email address and phone number for Moodle Support. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326. School Critical Incident Plan and Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) - • Licensed DPI programs are not required to complete a separate Emergency Preparedness Plan if they follow the school’s Critical Incident Plan (or similar type of plan for emergency responses). They are expected to have documentation of monthly fire drills and quarterly emergency drills – shelter-in-place or lock-down). Fire drills must be completed for any month or partial month the Pre-K or ASEP is operating. A quarterly emergency drill must be completed each quarter (July – September; October – December, January – March; April – June). • A current Emergency Medical Care Plan is required to be posted in a central location and updated to reflect current staff and assigned duties in a medical emergency. At least one person listed on EMCP must be on site. • Review the Emergency Medical Care Plan School Critical Incident Plan/Response Plan with staff at hire and annually. Sanitizer vs. Disinfectant – I observed spray bottles labeled as disinfectant in both classrooms but did not observe spray bottles of sanitizer. Sanitizer is a lesser strength bleach solution and is used for sanitizing tables, toys, food surfaces. Disinfectant is a stronger bleach solution and is used to disinfect toilets and diaper changing tables or sinks when the same sink is used for handwashing after toileting/diaper changing and all other required handwashing. Menu – A menu needs to be posted in a central location or in each classroom. I spoke with Ms. Jarvis in the front office, and she is going to check into posting the menu on a bulletin board in the hall. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I shared information on the following topics: 1. Environmental Health Rules Update 2. New Rules – July 2023 – enhanced outdoor space, cooperative arrangements, multi-age grouping 3. New Challenging Behaviors Helpline! 4. NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) Resources 5. NCID and contacts if you need assistance TRANSITION BACK TO RATED LICENSE ASSESSMENTS AND COHORTS To transition back to rated license assessments, the Division has created a two-year Cohort Model. All facilities are assigned to one of three cohorts based on their current rated license assessment due date. Each cohort will have a year for preparation and a year for assessment. (However, you are encouraged to begin preparations now so that you are ready when your cohort group is due!) Your early learning program is due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 3/22/2025 and has been assigned to Cohort 3. The Cohort 3 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. During your preparation year, if you are interested in having the Environment Rating Scales completed, review the ECERS-R by obtaining the manuals for each classroom and looking for assessment related resources at ncrlap.org. Request technical assistance and training for your staff from Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) You can request and complete an ECERS-R during your preparation year. If your scores help you meet or exceed your current star rating and you are ready to move forward with your rated license assessment, you may choose to do so during your preparation year. Your preparation year is also the time to continue to work on staff education and ensure that Works accounts are completed and up to date for staff members. The Cohort 3 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027. During your assessment year you may choose to complete the ECERS-R again at no cost even if you completed them during your preparation year. Use the feedback from your preparation year scores to create a plan to improve your scores. During this year, all education needs to be posted in Works. At some point during that year, you will have your rated license assessed. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO INCREASE ECERS-R SCORES: The website for the NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has a wealth of resources and training opportunities to help you intentionally prepare for your upcoming ECERS-R assessment. From the main webpage, you can access self-assessment tools to review each subscale in detail and determine how you can make improvements in each area. See “Thinking More About Space and Furnishing,” “Thinking More About Personal Care Routines,” “Thinking More About Language and Interactions,” “Thinking More About Activities,” and “Thinking More About Program Structure.” Taking the time to work through these activities with your staff and using that self-reflection to purchase materials, rearrange your classrooms, work on interactions, improve daily routines, etc. will help you improve your environment and your scores. Also check out the training options under the training tab. Trainings are both self-guided and live (virtual). You and your staff can earn training credit for participating in these trainings. In 2022, you scored the lowest on the modified ECERS-R: Subscale 4: Activities. Look at the following and consider ways to improve your scores: *Most of the lower scoring items were related to substantial portion of the day (SPOD). Substantial portion of the day refers to the amount of time children have access to the different activity and learning centers during free play. It needs to be 1/3 of the program’s operating day. More free play…less group time. Review your schedule to ensure that children have access to materials for a SPOD. Build in time for routines and transitions. Because Pre-K is an abbreviated day, offer indoor activity centers outdoors. Item #15: Books and pictures – Having ample time to peruse and read books during the day provides children with the opportunities to make choices about the books they look at and “read”. Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to books. Review your schedule and ensure that access to books is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #19: Fine motor - Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to fine motor materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to fine motor materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #21: Music/movement – Provide a way for children to listen to music independently, i.e., CD player with choice of CDS, tape player with tapes, old mobile phone that has appropriate music for children to play independently. Multicultural CDs, tapes, and music can also be used to meet Item #28: Promoting acceptance of diversity. Item #22: Blocks – Provide enough blocks for children to build substantial structures and have a variety of blocks: unit blocks, foam blocks, cardboard and homemade blocks. Items not related to blocks such as play houses, farm houses, Duplos, bead mazes should not be stored in the block area where they take up space needed for block play. *Block area could use more unit blocks and a variety of blocks and accessories. Item #24: Dramatic play – Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to dramatic play materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to dramatic play materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #25: Science/nature - Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to science materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to science materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #26: Math/number – Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to math and number materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to math and number materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: CENTRAL ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Facility ID: 27000048 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/12/2023 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 9/12/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 01:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Routine Unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Monitoring included NC Pre-K requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .3000 which are applicable to Rooms 6 and 9. Monitoring also included Developmental Day requirements in the NC Child Care Rules Section .2900 which are applicable to Room 9. Rooms 1, 2, 8, and 10 are currently not being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 4/4/2023 Last Sanitation Inspection – 11/9/2022 with Superior Rating; expires 11/9/2023 Last Fire Inspection – 3/27/2023 with Satisfactory rating; approved for daytime only; expires 3/27/2024 *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the date of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. 18-month compliance history from 3/8/2022 – 9/7/2023 = 97% S. Harry-Clark, Administrator, was present; Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 3/22/2022, earning points in the following components: Program (7 PTS) + Education (7 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 15 Points = 5 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Staff Benefits and Enhanced Parent Involvement The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition and High Scope) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment is due by 3/22/2025 See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Currituck County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. The Pre-K has a new administrator. I left her with an Administrator Preservice Form to complete and have signed by Superintendent and return to me. Facility contact information and license information were current. Contact me to make any changes to address, phone, or email or to request changes to the license. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play area for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 7/1/2023 and Item Number Listing, effective 6/2022. I monitored two staff records and all program records. The DPI facility meets requirements for transportation. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Spaces 6 and 9. The NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool is not due until November 1st. I will review at the next visit. Staff-child ratios were 1:9 or 2:18 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: E. Vidal and D. Pierro and NCPK Teacher Assistants: J. Bolen, M. Gomez, and K. Pace. I will monitor children’s files at the Annual Compliance visit. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum 5th Edition and High Scope and Teaching Strategies Gold as the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring and were in the process of initial assessments. The NCPre-K operates daily from 8/28/2023 – 6/3/2023 from 7:30am – 2:30pm. Parent conferences are held twice a year. You stated that you use the Ready Rosie, Class DoJo app to communicate with families, along with daily notes that go back and forth with reminders, and information for families and from families. The NCPreK program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. The developmental day requirements in Section .2900 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance in Room 9. Staff-child ratios were 1:6, or 2:12 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .2902(f). The DDPK Teacher assigned to Room 9 (E. Vidal) has completed her NC B-K License but has not registered for Works; the administrator holds a Principals License and needs to register for Works. The program operates 7:30am – 2:30pm, Monday – Friday on a school-year schedule. Children’s individual plans for care and developmentally appropriate activities are followed and opportunities for inclusion with children who are typically developing are offered as the class is also an NCPreK class. The facility provides the following all six of the following family involvement: monthly newsletters, parent/teacher conferences/IEP meetings at least twice a year, communicating with parents individually through daily notes, progress reports, opportunities for parent volunteers, providing families with referral information on community programs and resources. The program completed an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) in the NCPreK/DD Room 6 on 2/17/2022 and scored 5.16. Center Observations: The license was posted in the office; other parent information was posted in each classroom. Room 6 and Room 9 listed as NCPreK; Room 6 is also Developmental Day. The teachers and seven children, three and four years of age, were engaged in free play in Space 9. Teachers worked with children in small groups and individually. A speech therapist was providing services to one child. The children from Room 6 were coming in off the playground. They used the hall bathroom to toilet and wash hands before returning to the class where they transitioned to indoor free play. The theme was apples; posted activity plans reflected activities related to apples for the week. Today they read stories about apples and discussed the difference between apples and apple sauce. The children in Room 9 ate in the classroom. The children in Room 6 ate in the cafeteria at the child-sized tables and chairs. Lunch was choice of lasagna or hot dog nuggets, green beans or broccoli, mixed fruit or sliced apples and milk. Teachers assisted children with their lunches and engaged them in mealtime conversation. After lunch, they played outside again before coming back inside for a short group time and story and more center free play. They rested on linen-covered mats. Interactions between staff and children in both classes were warm, nurturing and respectful. Teachers encouraged conversation and language and supported children in their emotional/social development. I observed and documented the following violation during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Documentation of monthly outdoor inspections were not available for April or May 2023. .0605(q) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4)(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to S. Harry-Clark, Administrator and followed up with electronic copies to R. Palumbo, Preschool Coordinator and the Pre-K staff. We reviewed the visit summary and violation documented during today’s visit. The violation has been corrected so further action is not required at this time except to maintain compliance with completing and documenting monthly outdoor inspections. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WITH DOCUMENTED VIOLATION: Outdoor Inspections - Regular outdoor inspections are critical to prevent deterioration of equipment and accumulation of hazardous materials within the play site, and to ensure that appropriate repairs are made as soon as possible. A monthly safety check of all the equipment within the facility as a focused task provides an opportunity to notice wear and tear that requires maintenance. Documentation of monthly outdoors inspections were not available for April and May 2023. The NCPre-Teacher who is now responsible for completing outdoor inspections said that it just probably got overlooked at the end of the year, and teachers check the playground daily. She has already completed and documented an outdoor inspection for August and September 2023 and plans to complete them during the first or second week of each month. List the full date of the inspection, “September 12, 23 not just September 2023”. GENERAL VISIT INFORMATION: Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules (updated 7/1/23) and environmental health rules (updated 7/1/23) in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies are available to assist you with technical assistance and training on a multitude of topics including but not limited to: Environment Rating Scales, healthy behaviors and classroom management, developmentally appropriate practice, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant: C. Smith – Phone (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org REMINDERS: Off-site Verification Records – I provided you with a copy of DPI Off-site Children’s Records, Off-site Staff Records, and Transportation forms and will email them to you also. Have the person who is designated to ensure that all records are received to complete and return these to me by October 15, 2023. Criminal Background Checks (CBC) – Federal requirements require all staff who work in licensed afterschool or pre-k programs operated by public schools complete a DCDEE Criminal Background Check (CBC) before hire and then every five years. This includes administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, program coordinators, group leaders, assistant group leaders, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. *If therapists take children out of the classroom for therapy, they are required to have a criminal background check. If therapy is completed in the classroom under the supervision of the teachers, a criminal background check is not required. Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for staff members needing initial H&S Training or five-year renewal. New staff are required to complete Health & Safety Training (H&S Training) within one year of hire (CPR/First Aid and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within 3 months of hire) and then complete training in all topic areas every five years. Staff Education and Works – S. Harry-Clark, E. Vidal, and M. Gomez need to register for Works and K. Pace needs to update her Works account since she has completed her AAS-ECE. I provided you with copies of the DPI Education forms and instructions for registering for Works. On-going Training Hours – Review Row 18 (# hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 4/4/2024 (anniversary of last Annual Compliance visit). New staff complete Health & Safety Training their first year. Moodle Support - DCDEE has established a new email address and phone number for Moodle Support. To get help with Moodle, email DCDEE_Moodle_Support@dhhs.nc.gov or call (919) 814-6326. School Critical Incident Plan and Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) - • Licensed DPI programs are not required to complete a separate Emergency Preparedness Plan if they follow the school’s Critical Incident Plan (or similar type of plan for emergency responses). They are expected to have documentation of monthly fire drills and quarterly emergency drills – shelter-in-place or lock-down). Fire drills must be completed for any month or partial month the Pre-K or ASEP is operating. A quarterly emergency drill must be completed each quarter (July – September; October – December, January – March; April – June). • A current Emergency Medical Care Plan is required to be posted in a central location and updated to reflect current staff and assigned duties in a medical emergency. At least one person listed on EMCP must be on site. • Review the Emergency Medical Care Plan School Critical Incident Plan/Response Plan with staff at hire and annually. Sanitizer vs. Disinfectant – I observed spray bottles labeled as disinfectant in both classrooms but did not observe spray bottles of sanitizer. Sanitizer is a lesser strength bleach solution and is used for sanitizing tables, toys, food surfaces. Disinfectant is a stronger bleach solution and is used to disinfect toilets and diaper changing tables or sinks when the same sink is used for handwashing after toileting/diaper changing and all other required handwashing. Menu – A menu needs to be posted in a central location or in each classroom. I spoke with Ms. Jarvis in the front office, and she is going to check into posting the menu on a bulletin board in the hall. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I shared information on the following topics: 1. Environmental Health Rules Update 2. New Rules – July 2023 – enhanced outdoor space, cooperative arrangements, multi-age grouping 3. New Challenging Behaviors Helpline! 4. NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) Resources 5. NCID and contacts if you need assistance TRANSITION BACK TO RATED LICENSE ASSESSMENTS AND COHORTS To transition back to rated license assessments, the Division has created a two-year Cohort Model. All facilities are assigned to one of three cohorts based on their current rated license assessment due date. Each cohort will have a year for preparation and a year for assessment. (However, you are encouraged to begin preparations now so that you are ready when your cohort group is due!) Your early learning program is due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 3/22/2025 and has been assigned to Cohort 3. The Cohort 3 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. During your preparation year, if you are interested in having the Environment Rating Scales completed, review the ECERS-R by obtaining the manuals for each classroom and looking for assessment related resources at ncrlap.org. Request technical assistance and training for your staff from Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) You can request and complete an ECERS-R during your preparation year. If your scores help you meet or exceed your current star rating and you are ready to move forward with your rated license assessment, you may choose to do so during your preparation year. Your preparation year is also the time to continue to work on staff education and ensure that Works accounts are completed and up to date for staff members. The Cohort 3 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027. During your assessment year you may choose to complete the ECERS-R again at no cost even if you completed them during your preparation year. Use the feedback from your preparation year scores to create a plan to improve your scores. During this year, all education needs to be posted in Works. At some point during that year, you will have your rated license assessed. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO INCREASE ECERS-R SCORES: The website for the NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has a wealth of resources and training opportunities to help you intentionally prepare for your upcoming ECERS-R assessment. From the main webpage, you can access self-assessment tools to review each subscale in detail and determine how you can make improvements in each area. See “Thinking More About Space and Furnishing,” “Thinking More About Personal Care Routines,” “Thinking More About Language and Interactions,” “Thinking More About Activities,” and “Thinking More About Program Structure.” Taking the time to work through these activities with your staff and using that self-reflection to purchase materials, rearrange your classrooms, work on interactions, improve daily routines, etc. will help you improve your environment and your scores. Also check out the training options under the training tab. Trainings are both self-guided and live (virtual). You and your staff can earn training credit for participating in these trainings. In 2022, you scored the lowest on the modified ECERS-R: Subscale 4: Activities. Look at the following and consider ways to improve your scores: *Most of the lower scoring items were related to substantial portion of the day (SPOD). Substantial portion of the day refers to the amount of time children have access to the different activity and learning centers during free play. It needs to be 1/3 of the program’s operating day. More free play…less group time. Review your schedule to ensure that children have access to materials for a SPOD. Build in time for routines and transitions. Because Pre-K is an abbreviated day, offer indoor activity centers outdoors. Item #15: Books and pictures – Having ample time to peruse and read books during the day provides children with the opportunities to make choices about the books they look at and “read”. Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to books. Review your schedule and ensure that access to books is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #19: Fine motor - Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to fine motor materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to fine motor materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #21: Music/movement – Provide a way for children to listen to music independently, i.e., CD player with choice of CDS, tape player with tapes, old mobile phone that has appropriate music for children to play independently. Multicultural CDs, tapes, and music can also be used to meet Item #28: Promoting acceptance of diversity. Item #22: Blocks – Provide enough blocks for children to build substantial structures and have a variety of blocks: unit blocks, foam blocks, cardboard and homemade blocks. Items not related to blocks such as play houses, farm houses, Duplos, bead mazes should not be stored in the block area where they take up space needed for block play. *Block area could use more unit blocks and a variety of blocks and accessories. Item #24: Dramatic play – Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to dramatic play materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to dramatic play materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #25: Science/nature - Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to science materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to science materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Item #26: Math/number – Children need to have a substantial portion of the day (1/3 of operating hours) to have access to math and number materials. Review your schedule and ensure that access to math and number materials is available for a substantial portion of the day (2 hours 20 minutes). Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today, and I encourage you to share with staff and use the information as a teaching tool. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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