G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Creative Ark Children's Center Facility ID: 71000272 Consultant: TAMMY ROSS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/16/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 12/16/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 70 Time In: 01:20 PM Time Out: 02:30 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. Limited child care requirements pertinent to this visit type were monitored. The program currently operates with a 4 Star License, issued January 2, 2025, earning 5 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards and 1 Quality Point in the Programmatic Option. Restrictions on the permit include: a capacity of 29 during first shift with an age range of 0-5 years old, daytime care only, children under 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only and meets enhanced ratios and space. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on June 25, 2025. As of today, the facility’s eighteen-month compliance history is 100%. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance 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 center is owned by Penderlea Holdings LLC. The corporation is current and active with the NC Secretary of State as of December 16, 2025. Fire Inspection – 10/06/2025 – Approved for day time care only - Satisfactory Sanitation – 12/02/2025 – 2 Demerits – Superior Administrator, Pearl Burch, was not present during today’s visit. I conducted observations and a walkthrough of each classroom, unaccompanied. All areas used by the children were observed; all three classrooms are being utilized. There are twenty-four children enrolled and eighteen children, ages 0– 5, were present. Daily schedules were available for each group of children. Activity plans were observed posted in each classroom. A variety of age-appropriate learning materials were observed in each classroom. At least five (5) activity areas including language, blocks, manipulatives, dramatic play, and art were available in your classrooms. Age-appropriate materials and activities were provided for all children. All children were observing nap/rest time. Infant feeding schedules were available and safe sleep charts are being maintained for infants. Infants were observed sleeping in their assigned cribs. Toddlers and preschool children were observed resting on covered cots with blankets, lights were off, and soft music played in the background making the space conducive to rest. After nap/rest time, children completed bathroom and handwashing routines and prepared for snack. Snack consisted of grapes, crackers, and water. All children were adequately supervised. Caregivers and children interacted in a positive and appropriate manner. Health & Safety Training – According to the staff/training worksheet submitted on December 5, 2025, all staff members, who have been employed for at least one year, have completed Health and Safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102. Ensure this information is maintained on file. New staff must complete these trainings within the first year of being hired and must be renewed every five years. Completing, refreshing, and updating the required Health and Safety Training increases your awareness and knowledge regarding child development and safety. Children and staff files were not monitored today. There have been two new staff hired since the last annual compliance visit. New staff files were not monitored due to them being inaccessible; the files were locked in a file cabinet, and the key was not able to be found. However, CBC and CPR/FA for new staff were verified and found to be in compliance. During today's visit child care requirements monitored for compliance included supervision, staff/child ratio, CPR and First Aid, Criminal Record Checks, storage of hazardous substances and medications, approved space, posting of the license, and other applicable requirements. There were two violations observed today. Violations must be corrected immediately. Continued compliance with applicable child care requirements is required. Violation Number Comment Rule 1043 All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. Staff records were not available for review; they were inaccessible by being locked in a file cabinet without access to the key. G.S. 110-91( 9) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last emergency drill was conducted in June 2025 per the emergency drill report. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) For your facility to remain in compliance with NC Child Care Requirements, violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received December 30, 2025, describing how the violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. A time frame is established to allow you time for submitting your compliance letter. This timeframe is not intended to be used as a guide for correcting violations, as they should be corrected immediately. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (910)824-1143 or you can email me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov. You may email me with your verification or mail it to me at: Tammy Ross, Child Care Licensing Consultant, P.O. Box 278, Jacksonville, NC 28541 Comments regarding violations cited today All staff records should be available for review during visits. It is also vital that staff members can access contact information in the event of an emergency. Emergency contact information for all staff should always be accessible. Lockdown or shelter-in-place drills should be practiced at least every three months as part of your facility's EPR plan. These drills should be documented on the Emergency Drill Record. An emergency drill was not recorded on the required form since June 2025. Frequent practice will allow children and staff members to be familiar with the steps to take to keep everyone safe in an emergency. Today I suggested you plan the dates and times of your drills in advance and use calendar reminders to ensure they are completed at least every three months. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to always maintain compliance with all the applicable laws and rules whether they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to make sure that you meet all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. Technical Assistance Nap/Rest Time - The staff/child ratios for children two years and older, during naptime must be maintained by having at least one person in each room, visually supervising all children, and the total number of required staff on the premises within calling distance of each room occupied by children. Calling distance refers to required staff to be in the building – not in the parking lot or off the premises. If so, this is a violation of staff/child ratios. Criminal Background Check Information – This is a requirement and if it is not completed, it will be documented as a violation. DCDEE launched the Provider Portal for ABCMS on February 1, 2024. This access will allow providers to see applicants that associate themselves with their facility and allow them to “hire” the applicant to their roster, see the real-time background check status of staff/household members, and run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. Provider Portal for ABCMS (the criminal records check database): As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired within five business days. Ms. Burch has completed the training and linked staff to her facility. CLEAN CLASSROOMS FOR CAROLINA KIDS Your facility’s status, according to the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website, shows the following: • Water Testing-Completed on October 25, 2023. Water testing must be completed every three (3) years. • Lead-Based Paint- Exempt N/A • Asbestos- Exempt N/A Ensure you keep all paperwork that you receive regarding this matter, as it may be requested to verify compliance. Please refer to the website if you have specific questions! https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/faq/ for further guidance and ensure all steps have been completed. Use this link to enroll your program or view test results/status: https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition will begin soon with the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform and •If you were unable to attend the recent webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars, the sessions were recorded and are be posted on the QRIS Modernization page. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. •Beginning In October, child care consultants will begin discussing the new rules in Section .3200; Standards for Two through Five Star Rated Licenses during licensing visits. Consultants will review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen. This facility was issued a Four Star License on January 2, 2025, and is not due a reassessment at this time. Therefore, a QRIS Conversation Form was not completed today. However, Ms. Burch advised she is interested in Pathway #1. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming informational settings and working with you on your pathway to the stars! Other Information: Annual License Fees were due December 3! Invoices for the Annual License Fee were emailed to facilities subject to license fees on November 3, 2025. Please note that annual license fees do not apply to state or public school-operated child care facilities, or to religious-sponsored facilities operating under a Notice of Compliance. Other Information: Sign up for the Raise NC Newsletter! Don’t miss out on timely, relevant information about early childhood issues in North Carolina, proposed rules, upcoming training opportunities, and other resources for you and your staff. The Raise NC Newsletter is typically sent out weekly to all facility contact email addresses, but if your email is not the facility contact email address, you can go to the DCDEE Website, https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ and click on the “What’s New” tab to enter your email address and name under “Sign Up for Updates”. Share with your staff so they can be in the know too! You can contact the NC Resource Center for information, resources, and referrals on topics related to child health and health and safety in child care. Anyone in the greater early care and education community is welcome to call 1(800) 367-2229 (choose 1 then 2). Stay up to date with the Division of Child Development and Early Education by visiting www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. This website enables you to view the entire Law and Child Care Requirements for North Carolina as well as download required forms. Click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting child care in North Carolina. For the latest information on childcare rules and regulations, please visit the Division of Child Development and Early Education's website at: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ At the completion of the visit, documentation was completed electronically. As we discussed, this computer-generated visit summary serves as completion of the routine unannounced visit. Please remember it is your responsibility to always comply with all child care rules and requirements. Contact me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov at (910)824-1143 with any questions or concerns. 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. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: Creative Ark Children's Center Facility ID: 71000272 Consultant: TAMMY ROSS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/16/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 12/16/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 70 Time In: 01:20 PM Time Out: 02:30 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. Limited child care requirements pertinent to this visit type were monitored. The program currently operates with a 4 Star License, issued January 2, 2025, earning 5 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards and 1 Quality Point in the Programmatic Option. Restrictions on the permit include: a capacity of 29 during first shift with an age range of 0-5 years old, daytime care only, children under 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only and meets enhanced ratios and space. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on June 25, 2025. As of today, the facility’s eighteen-month compliance history is 100%. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance 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 center is owned by Penderlea Holdings LLC. The corporation is current and active with the NC Secretary of State as of December 16, 2025. Fire Inspection – 10/06/2025 – Approved for day time care only - Satisfactory Sanitation – 12/02/2025 – 2 Demerits – Superior Administrator, Pearl Burch, was not present during today’s visit. I conducted observations and a walkthrough of each classroom, unaccompanied. All areas used by the children were observed; all three classrooms are being utilized. There are twenty-four children enrolled and eighteen children, ages 0– 5, were present. Daily schedules were available for each group of children. Activity plans were observed posted in each classroom. A variety of age-appropriate learning materials were observed in each classroom. At least five (5) activity areas including language, blocks, manipulatives, dramatic play, and art were available in your classrooms. Age-appropriate materials and activities were provided for all children. All children were observing nap/rest time. Infant feeding schedules were available and safe sleep charts are being maintained for infants. Infants were observed sleeping in their assigned cribs. Toddlers and preschool children were observed resting on covered cots with blankets, lights were off, and soft music played in the background making the space conducive to rest. After nap/rest time, children completed bathroom and handwashing routines and prepared for snack. Snack consisted of grapes, crackers, and water. All children were adequately supervised. Caregivers and children interacted in a positive and appropriate manner. Health & Safety Training – According to the staff/training worksheet submitted on December 5, 2025, all staff members, who have been employed for at least one year, have completed Health and Safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102. Ensure this information is maintained on file. New staff must complete these trainings within the first year of being hired and must be renewed every five years. Completing, refreshing, and updating the required Health and Safety Training increases your awareness and knowledge regarding child development and safety. Children and staff files were not monitored today. There have been two new staff hired since the last annual compliance visit. New staff files were not monitored due to them being inaccessible; the files were locked in a file cabinet, and the key was not able to be found. However, CBC and CPR/FA for new staff were verified and found to be in compliance. During today's visit child care requirements monitored for compliance included supervision, staff/child ratio, CPR and First Aid, Criminal Record Checks, storage of hazardous substances and medications, approved space, posting of the license, and other applicable requirements. There were two violations observed today. Violations must be corrected immediately. Continued compliance with applicable child care requirements is required. Violation Number Comment Rule 1043 All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. Staff records were not available for review; they were inaccessible by being locked in a file cabinet without access to the key. G.S. 110-91( 9) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last emergency drill was conducted in June 2025 per the emergency drill report. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) For your facility to remain in compliance with NC Child Care Requirements, violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received December 30, 2025, describing how the violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. A time frame is established to allow you time for submitting your compliance letter. This timeframe is not intended to be used as a guide for correcting violations, as they should be corrected immediately. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (910)824-1143 or you can email me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov. You may email me with your verification or mail it to me at: Tammy Ross, Child Care Licensing Consultant, P.O. Box 278, Jacksonville, NC 28541 Comments regarding violations cited today All staff records should be available for review during visits. It is also vital that staff members can access contact information in the event of an emergency. Emergency contact information for all staff should always be accessible. Lockdown or shelter-in-place drills should be practiced at least every three months as part of your facility's EPR plan. These drills should be documented on the Emergency Drill Record. An emergency drill was not recorded on the required form since June 2025. Frequent practice will allow children and staff members to be familiar with the steps to take to keep everyone safe in an emergency. Today I suggested you plan the dates and times of your drills in advance and use calendar reminders to ensure they are completed at least every three months. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to always maintain compliance with all the applicable laws and rules whether they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to make sure that you meet all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. Technical Assistance Nap/Rest Time - The staff/child ratios for children two years and older, during naptime must be maintained by having at least one person in each room, visually supervising all children, and the total number of required staff on the premises within calling distance of each room occupied by children. Calling distance refers to required staff to be in the building – not in the parking lot or off the premises. If so, this is a violation of staff/child ratios. Criminal Background Check Information – This is a requirement and if it is not completed, it will be documented as a violation. DCDEE launched the Provider Portal for ABCMS on February 1, 2024. This access will allow providers to see applicants that associate themselves with their facility and allow them to “hire” the applicant to their roster, see the real-time background check status of staff/household members, and run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. Provider Portal for ABCMS (the criminal records check database): As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired within five business days. Ms. Burch has completed the training and linked staff to her facility. CLEAN CLASSROOMS FOR CAROLINA KIDS Your facility’s status, according to the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website, shows the following: • Water Testing-Completed on October 25, 2023. Water testing must be completed every three (3) years. • Lead-Based Paint- Exempt N/A • Asbestos- Exempt N/A Ensure you keep all paperwork that you receive regarding this matter, as it may be requested to verify compliance. Please refer to the website if you have specific questions! https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/faq/ for further guidance and ensure all steps have been completed. Use this link to enroll your program or view test results/status: https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition will begin soon with the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform and •If you were unable to attend the recent webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars, the sessions were recorded and are be posted on the QRIS Modernization page. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. •Beginning In October, child care consultants will begin discussing the new rules in Section .3200; Standards for Two through Five Star Rated Licenses during licensing visits. Consultants will review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen. This facility was issued a Four Star License on January 2, 2025, and is not due a reassessment at this time. Therefore, a QRIS Conversation Form was not completed today. However, Ms. Burch advised she is interested in Pathway #1. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming informational settings and working with you on your pathway to the stars! Other Information: Annual License Fees were due December 3! Invoices for the Annual License Fee were emailed to facilities subject to license fees on November 3, 2025. Please note that annual license fees do not apply to state or public school-operated child care facilities, or to religious-sponsored facilities operating under a Notice of Compliance. Other Information: Sign up for the Raise NC Newsletter! Don’t miss out on timely, relevant information about early childhood issues in North Carolina, proposed rules, upcoming training opportunities, and other resources for you and your staff. The Raise NC Newsletter is typically sent out weekly to all facility contact email addresses, but if your email is not the facility contact email address, you can go to the DCDEE Website, https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ and click on the “What’s New” tab to enter your email address and name under “Sign Up for Updates”. Share with your staff so they can be in the know too! You can contact the NC Resource Center for information, resources, and referrals on topics related to child health and health and safety in child care. Anyone in the greater early care and education community is welcome to call 1(800) 367-2229 (choose 1 then 2). Stay up to date with the Division of Child Development and Early Education by visiting www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. This website enables you to view the entire Law and Child Care Requirements for North Carolina as well as download required forms. Click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting child care in North Carolina. For the latest information on childcare rules and regulations, please visit the Division of Child Development and Early Education's website at: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ At the completion of the visit, documentation was completed electronically. As we discussed, this computer-generated visit summary serves as completion of the routine unannounced visit. Please remember it is your responsibility to always comply with all child care rules and requirements. Contact me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov at (910)824-1143 with any questions or concerns. 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.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Creative Ark Children's Center Facility ID: 71000272 Consultant: TAMMY ROSS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/16/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 12/16/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 70 Time In: 01:20 PM Time Out: 02:30 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. Limited child care requirements pertinent to this visit type were monitored. The program currently operates with a 4 Star License, issued January 2, 2025, earning 5 points in Education, 6 points in Program Standards and 1 Quality Point in the Programmatic Option. Restrictions on the permit include: a capacity of 29 during first shift with an age range of 0-5 years old, daytime care only, children under 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only and meets enhanced ratios and space. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on June 25, 2025. As of today, the facility’s eighteen-month compliance history is 100%. Child Care programs are expected to always achieve and maintain compliance 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 center is owned by Penderlea Holdings LLC. The corporation is current and active with the NC Secretary of State as of December 16, 2025. Fire Inspection – 10/06/2025 – Approved for day time care only - Satisfactory Sanitation – 12/02/2025 – 2 Demerits – Superior Administrator, Pearl Burch, was not present during today’s visit. I conducted observations and a walkthrough of each classroom, unaccompanied. All areas used by the children were observed; all three classrooms are being utilized. There are twenty-four children enrolled and eighteen children, ages 0– 5, were present. Daily schedules were available for each group of children. Activity plans were observed posted in each classroom. A variety of age-appropriate learning materials were observed in each classroom. At least five (5) activity areas including language, blocks, manipulatives, dramatic play, and art were available in your classrooms. Age-appropriate materials and activities were provided for all children. All children were observing nap/rest time. Infant feeding schedules were available and safe sleep charts are being maintained for infants. Infants were observed sleeping in their assigned cribs. Toddlers and preschool children were observed resting on covered cots with blankets, lights were off, and soft music played in the background making the space conducive to rest. After nap/rest time, children completed bathroom and handwashing routines and prepared for snack. Snack consisted of grapes, crackers, and water. All children were adequately supervised. Caregivers and children interacted in a positive and appropriate manner. Health & Safety Training – According to the staff/training worksheet submitted on December 5, 2025, all staff members, who have been employed for at least one year, have completed Health and Safety trainings as outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102. Ensure this information is maintained on file. New staff must complete these trainings within the first year of being hired and must be renewed every five years. Completing, refreshing, and updating the required Health and Safety Training increases your awareness and knowledge regarding child development and safety. Children and staff files were not monitored today. There have been two new staff hired since the last annual compliance visit. New staff files were not monitored due to them being inaccessible; the files were locked in a file cabinet, and the key was not able to be found. However, CBC and CPR/FA for new staff were verified and found to be in compliance. During today's visit child care requirements monitored for compliance included supervision, staff/child ratio, CPR and First Aid, Criminal Record Checks, storage of hazardous substances and medications, approved space, posting of the license, and other applicable requirements. There were two violations observed today. Violations must be corrected immediately. Continued compliance with applicable child care requirements is required. Violation Number Comment Rule 1043 All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. Staff records were not available for review; they were inaccessible by being locked in a file cabinet without access to the key. G.S. 110-91( 9) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The last emergency drill was conducted in June 2025 per the emergency drill report. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) For your facility to remain in compliance with NC Child Care Requirements, violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received December 30, 2025, describing how the violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. A time frame is established to allow you time for submitting your compliance letter. This timeframe is not intended to be used as a guide for correcting violations, as they should be corrected immediately. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (910)824-1143 or you can email me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov. You may email me with your verification or mail it to me at: Tammy Ross, Child Care Licensing Consultant, P.O. Box 278, Jacksonville, NC 28541 Comments regarding violations cited today All staff records should be available for review during visits. It is also vital that staff members can access contact information in the event of an emergency. Emergency contact information for all staff should always be accessible. Lockdown or shelter-in-place drills should be practiced at least every three months as part of your facility's EPR plan. These drills should be documented on the Emergency Drill Record. An emergency drill was not recorded on the required form since June 2025. Frequent practice will allow children and staff members to be familiar with the steps to take to keep everyone safe in an emergency. Today I suggested you plan the dates and times of your drills in advance and use calendar reminders to ensure they are completed at least every three months. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to always maintain compliance with all the applicable laws and rules whether they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to make sure that you meet all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. Technical Assistance Nap/Rest Time - The staff/child ratios for children two years and older, during naptime must be maintained by having at least one person in each room, visually supervising all children, and the total number of required staff on the premises within calling distance of each room occupied by children. Calling distance refers to required staff to be in the building – not in the parking lot or off the premises. If so, this is a violation of staff/child ratios. Criminal Background Check Information – This is a requirement and if it is not completed, it will be documented as a violation. DCDEE launched the Provider Portal for ABCMS on February 1, 2024. This access will allow providers to see applicants that associate themselves with their facility and allow them to “hire” the applicant to their roster, see the real-time background check status of staff/household members, and run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. Provider Portal for ABCMS (the criminal records check database): As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired within five business days. Ms. Burch has completed the training and linked staff to her facility. CLEAN CLASSROOMS FOR CAROLINA KIDS Your facility’s status, according to the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website, shows the following: • Water Testing-Completed on October 25, 2023. Water testing must be completed every three (3) years. • Lead-Based Paint- Exempt N/A • Asbestos- Exempt N/A Ensure you keep all paperwork that you receive regarding this matter, as it may be requested to verify compliance. Please refer to the website if you have specific questions! https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/faq/ for further guidance and ensure all steps have been completed. Use this link to enroll your program or view test results/status: https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ Choosing a Pathway to the Stars: The new rules related to the star rated license system (QRIS) have been approved. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition will begin soon with the following informational opportunities: •You can review the rule roll out module in the DCDEE e-learning Moodle platform and •If you were unable to attend the recent webinars regarding Choosing a Pathway to the Stars, the sessions were recorded and are be posted on the QRIS Modernization page. •Follow this link for detailed information: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. •Beginning In October, child care consultants will begin discussing the new rules in Section .3200; Standards for Two through Five Star Rated Licenses during licensing visits. Consultants will review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen. This facility was issued a Four Star License on January 2, 2025, and is not due a reassessment at this time. Therefore, a QRIS Conversation Form was not completed today. However, Ms. Burch advised she is interested in Pathway #1. We understand this is a big change and are committed to ensuring all providers have a good understanding of the new opportunities to make informed decisions on which pathway best suits the needs of the facility. We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming informational settings and working with you on your pathway to the stars! Other Information: Annual License Fees were due December 3! Invoices for the Annual License Fee were emailed to facilities subject to license fees on November 3, 2025. Please note that annual license fees do not apply to state or public school-operated child care facilities, or to religious-sponsored facilities operating under a Notice of Compliance. Other Information: Sign up for the Raise NC Newsletter! Don’t miss out on timely, relevant information about early childhood issues in North Carolina, proposed rules, upcoming training opportunities, and other resources for you and your staff. The Raise NC Newsletter is typically sent out weekly to all facility contact email addresses, but if your email is not the facility contact email address, you can go to the DCDEE Website, https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ and click on the “What’s New” tab to enter your email address and name under “Sign Up for Updates”. Share with your staff so they can be in the know too! You can contact the NC Resource Center for information, resources, and referrals on topics related to child health and health and safety in child care. Anyone in the greater early care and education community is welcome to call 1(800) 367-2229 (choose 1 then 2). Stay up to date with the Division of Child Development and Early Education by visiting www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. This website enables you to view the entire Law and Child Care Requirements for North Carolina as well as download required forms. Click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting child care in North Carolina. For the latest information on childcare rules and regulations, please visit the Division of Child Development and Early Education's website at: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ At the completion of the visit, documentation was completed electronically. As we discussed, this computer-generated visit summary serves as completion of the routine unannounced visit. Please remember it is your responsibility to always comply with all child care rules and requirements. Contact me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov at (910)824-1143 with any questions or concerns. 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.