Supervision
Name of Operation: CANDLER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HEAD START Facility ID: 11000474 Consultant: KAORU EDDINS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/23/2026 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 4/23/2026 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 211 Time In: 09:14 AM Time Out: 12:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance during a routine unannounced visit including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in spaces #1, where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. A computerized generated report of today’s visit was completed, reviewed with you, and signed by Kaoru Eddins, Child Care Consultant and also signed by Monica McLeod, Administrator, during the visit. A signed copy of the visit summary was left on-site and electronically emailed to you. Today, Ms. McLeod was available during the visit. The indoor and outdoor areas were monitored today, including supervision, staff/child ratios, permit restrictions, discipline, nutrition and routine caregiving activities The center’s compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was one-hundred (100) percent as of today prior to this visit. Permit type – five-star center license issued on 10/9/25 with Head Start Accreditation. Special Services/Restrictions – daytime care and follows Head Start staff/child ratios of 1:9. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 10/7/25. The last fire drill was practiced on 4/1/26. The last shelter-in-place drill was practiced on 3/4/26. The last playground inspection was documented on 4/1/26. The last fire inspection was approved on 2/11/26. The last sanitation inspection was conducted on 3/5/26 with thirteen (13) demerits for a superior classification. The Emergency Medical Care plan was posted and current. The approved curriculum is Creative Curriculum. Approved formative assessment Teaching Strategies Gold. Lead water testing was completed on 5/24/24 without hazards. Lead paint and asbestos testing are waiting on on-site visits. Eight (8) staff members were listed on the Criminal Background Check Management System (ABCMS). The roster was reviewed during visit. Upon arrival, I notified Ms. McLeod that I was present on-site for monitoring visit. Fifteen (15) children, four-to-five years old, were on the playground with two (2) staff members. One (1) additional substitute staff member arrived approximately at 9:25 am and joined the other staff on the playground. Children engaged in outdoor play, riding tricycles and scooters, and playing with hula hoops, bowling pins and balls, a slide, and a sandbox. Playdough was also available on the picnic table for additional play opportunities. A concrete step was observed to be partially buried in the play area. Per staff report, this area is used as a space for children to calm down and/or express emotions. A rusted piece of rebar was also observed protruding from the ground near the concrete, presenting a tripping and potential injury hazard. Additionally, multiple sections of the fence located behind the concrete area were observed to have gaps between the bottom of the fence and the ground, measuring approximately 3½ to 6 inches. In these same sections, the bottom portions of the fence appeared cut and twisted, creating sharp edges. The exposed fence wire tips were also rusted. A total of three (3) sections of fencing were identified with exposed sharp and rusted wires. The rebar located near the concrete area was observed to be partially exposed, forming an arch above the ground surface, which may pose a tripping hazard. I discussed with a staff member the need to block off the affected areas until proper repairs can be completed to ensure the safety of children. Three (3) staff members positioned in different sections of the playground, supervised and interacted with children. Lunch was served during visit. Today, “Brasstown” beef nachos, chilled pears, hot buttered corn, and milk were served. No medications were maintained at this facility. Staff files: Two (2) new staff files were monitored in full and three (3) existing staff files were monitored partially. One (1) substitute staff member was present at other sites, and if the file was monitored in the past was unknown at the time of the visit. K. Rathburn: DOE – 3/25/26 EI – 3/25/26 OP/PP – 3/25/26 Shaken Baby policy – 3/25/26 EPR/EMC review – 3/25/26 CPR/FA – expires 1/19/28 Physical – 3/18/26 TB – 3/20/26 HQ – 3/25/26 Application – 3/9/26 Orientation 2wks – 3/26/26, 6wks – 3/27/26 CBC – expires 3/16/31 P. Graves: DOE – 8/8/24 Orientation – 2wks 8/27/24, 6wks 8/28/24 OP/PP- 8/8/24 CBC expires – 11/20/28 ASE – 1/29/26 SDP – 6/2/25 EI – 8/21/25 Shaken baby policy – 8/21/25 EPR/EMC review – 8/21/25 CPR/FA – expires 11/16/26 Health and Safety training – 9/4/24 Recognizing … Child Maltreatment – 8/27/26 EI – 8/21/25 Physical – 8/14/24 TB – 8/16/24 Three (3) existing staff members had valid criminal background letters and current CPR/First aid certificates on files. I used the Child Care Center Item Number Listing (DCDEE-0357) as a basic monitoring tool to assess compliance with all applicable child care requirements pertinent to this facility. For specific rule references, refer to Chapter 110 General Statues Child Care Facilities, Chapter nine (9) Child Care Rule (10A NCAC 09) and Section 2800 Sanitation of Child Care Center (15A NCAC 18A) for additional information. Updated copies of these rules can be located on our website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ The program does not provide transportation. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. The NC Pre-K Program Site Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. NC Pre-K monitorer conducted a on-site visit on 12/15/25. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance The current staff members are Ashlynn Weiss – long term substitute staff for lead teacher and Christina Wright for NC Pre-K assistant. No children files were monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings as they were monitored during Annual compliance visit. The first day of school was 8/27/25. The classroom operates from 8:15 am to 2:45 pm. The following violations were documented during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 705 Equipment and furnishings were not sturdy, stable and free of hazards. Part of the fence in three (3) different sections behind concrete step and playhouse were not in good repair. fence wires on the bottom of the fences in affected areas were cut and twisted and not buried in the ground. The tips of the fence wires were sharp and rusted. Additionally, rebar that was twenty-five (25) inches long, was exposed forming an arch above the ground. The rebar was also rusted. .0601(c) 714 Openings in equipment, steps, decks, handrails, and fencing were not less than 3 1/2 inches or greater than 9 inches. There were openings ranges from 3 1/2 inches to six (6) inches wide present in the sections of the fence where the bottom fence wire were above the ground. .0605(g) Technical assistance was provided as follows: 705: Safe environment Equipment must be sturdy and free of hazard. To comply, rust on the fence wire must be re-painted or covered. Additionally, arched rebar must be removed or buried in the ground. Ms. McLeod stated that she will install caution tape to block off the affected areas (includes rebar) and at least one (1) staff member to station by the tape to prevent children from accessing the area. 714: entrapment Any openings must be less than 3 ½ inches or greater than nine (9) inches. To comply, either you add additional materials, such as wooden board, or object to block the section, add additional fencing materials, etc. For short-term solution, per Ms. McLeod, plans to put section tape to block off affected area and at least one (1) staff member to station by the tape to prevent children from accessing the area. The program plans to re-install the entire fence after this school year is over. In your compliance letter, please verify the completion of this task. Achieving Compliance: Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. The violations documented above must be corrected immediately. Send me a letter of compliance describing in detail specifically how each violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. Include the following: • Facility name • Facility ID# • Date of visit • Violation item number • Signed statement of compliance I must receive your compliance statement by 5/7/26. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or in the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: kaoru.eddins@ dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education Attn: Kaoru Eddins PO Box 795 Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 Please call me at 828-556-9013, or email [email protected], if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive it by the due date listed above. You will need to mail a compliance statement three to five days prior to the due date to ensure receipt is within the designated timeline. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Consultation is provided as follows: Playground fence: Some sections of the fence, especially the corners, were measured less than forty-eight (48) inches. I was able to remove built-up debris from the ground and re-measured the expected height. Please pay attention to the build-up and occasionally remove them to ensure that fence height is consistently maintained at forty-eight (48) inches or higher. If you elect to change and/or alter any previously approved spaces used by children as indicated on the approved indoor and outdoor floor plan, you will need to contact me within thirty (30) days prior to the change. Failure to notify a DCDEE representative may result in a violation of child care requirements. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states “Each operator shall schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous fire inspection. The operator shall notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the center's annual fire inspection. The operator shall submit the original of the approved annual fire inspection report to the Division within one week of the inspection visit on the form provided by the Division.” As child care providers, you are a vital part in the prevention and intervention of child maltreatment! You may see potential indicators of maltreatment in the children under your care. Some children may even be more likely to disclose maltreatment to a child care provider than to a family member. It is required that all providers are aware of maltreatment indicators and to report any suspicions of maltreatment. Follow child care rules related to child maltreatment training: 10A NCAC 09 .1102(g) and 10A NCAC 09 .1703(a)(5) states the child care administrator, operator, and all staff members shall complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. 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