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Home › NC › Buxton › Cape Hatteras Elementary Pre-K
47500 Middle Ridge Trail, Buxton NC 27920 · License #28000237 · Center · Child Care Center
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10A NCAC 09 .0302 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/10/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/10/2026 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 09:15 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 visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in Room 133 where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. We also reviewed the facility’s QRIS Plan for completing its rated license using the new QRIS rules in Section .3200. Room 131 is also approved primary space but is not currently being used for NCPre-K. R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPre-K staff assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), earning 7 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one) and 1 quality point for 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in ECE/CD. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum) as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/2/2025. The sanitation inspection was completed 10/22/2025 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/25/2025 with a Passed rating but was completed after the previous fire inspection expired on 10/31/2025. Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the end of the month of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-nine percent as of 3/6/2026. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. License and school contact information were current. I am working with M. Bridgers to update owner information. Contact me to request any changes to your license or contact information. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play areas for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 7/1/2025 and Item Numbers Listing, effective 4/2025. I monitored two staff records, two children’s records and all program records. Children enrolled in the NCPre-K classroom were participating in free play in the defined interest areas. They transitioned to the fenced playground outside the classroom door where they had access to swings, two climbers, balls, and typical indoor centers. They jumped rope with the two teachers swinging the rope and counting how many jumps each child made. A few of them were engrossed with catching bugs and caught moths and a mosquito hawk. One teacher removed a spider from the play area. When they returned indoors they washed hands. They ate lunch in the classroom. Lunch was observed and consisted of nacho chips with ground beef and cheese, black beans, peaches, and milk. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. The NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were not in compliance during lunch. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistants: R. Petkute (enrolled AAS-ECE, completing at least 6 semester hrs annually). A selection of files was monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. You stated you Dial-4 screenings were completed in June 2025 or as children enrolled during the school 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. Pre-K teachers are currently inputting data for Checkpoint 3 The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/2/25 – 5/29/26 from Monday – Friday, 7:20 am – 2:27 pm (7 hours 7 minutes). 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. I observed and documented the following six (6) violations during today’s visit. Four (4) of the violations were corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on November 25, 2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on October 31, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, a child's medical report was not available for one child until January 14, 2026 and for the second child until March 9, 2026. GS110-91(1) 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, documentation of immunizations was not available for one child until October 27, 2025 and for the second child until October 29, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1771 A screening assessing development was not conducted within 90 days after the first day of attendance in the program or within six months prior to the first day of attendance and/or the screening was not conducted by a health care, community or school professional trained in administering the screening tool. A Dial-4 screening was not completed for a child enrolled on September 2, 2026. .3006(a) 1775 NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. At lunchtime, a staff person counted in staff/child ratios left the classroom for approximately three minutes, leaving the other staff person alone with twelve (12) children and out of staff/child ratio. .3009 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. Documentation of a completed emergency drill was not available since a lock-down drill on October 8, 2025 until a tornado drill was completed on March 6, 2026. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) * 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 violations documented may impact the compliance history score. Four of the six violations documented were corrected during the visit. The two (2) remaining violations documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/24/2026, 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 that any information submitted by you is considered 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. Mail or email the information to: Marjorie White, Child Care Consultant PO Box 116 Aydlett, NC 27916 Email – marjorie.white@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE which serves as your signature, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org, and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 A violation was documented that requires a follow-up visit. An unannounced visit will be made soon to verify correction of the violation Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 11/25/2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on 10/31/2025. The administrator stated that the fire inspector was delayed due to inclement weather. This item has been corrected so no further action is required except to contact the fire inspector well in advance of your annual due date. Children’s Medical Report and Immunizations – Having knowledge of a child’s health history and immunizations provides you with the information needed to offer a safe, healthy environment for both the child and the other children in your care. In two of two children’s files reviewed, a child’s medical report for SJ was not available until 1/14/2026 and for WM until 3/9/2026. Both children had been enrolled since the first day of NCPre-K on 9/2/2025. In two of two children’s files reviewed (SJ, WM), documentation of immunizations was not received until 10/27/2025 (SJ) and 10/29/2025 (WM), more than thirty days past their enrollment date. You stated that you have been requesting these documents since enrollment. Inform the children’s parent/guardian that the medical reports are required. Use Children’s File Checklist to verify you have received all required enrollment documents. These violations have been corrected but continue to monitor required enrollment documentation to ensure it is received. Developmental Screenings are important for the initial assessment of children’s knowledge and skill base to plan their learning activities for the year to ensure readiness for Kindergarten. A Dial-4 was not completed for SJ who started pre-k on 9/2/2026. The teacher stated that she enrolled late in the summer and did not complete the Dial-4 in late May/early June when most of the NCPre-K children are screened, and it just got by her. You are using file checklist for each child. Review that frequently in the first few months to ensure required enrollment documentation and screenings are received and/or completed. For your compliance letter, state the date you have completed a Dial-4 for SJ. Staff/child ratios and group sizes based on the age of the children in care help to ensure the safety of children and allow staff to provide the care, attention, and learning opportunities for each child. The NCPre-K Teacher Assistant left the classroom for approximately three minutes during lunchtime leaving the NCPre-K Teacher alone with twelve (12) children, four and five years of age. Staff/child ratios for NCPre-K classrooms are 1:9 or 2:18. The NCPre-K Teacher stated that the Teacher Assistant needed to step out for personal reasons and forgot to call over to the ECPre-K room for assistance with staff/child ratios. Except at naptime when one teacher can leave the room but remain on site, staff/child ratios must be maintained throughout the day when children are awake and active. Even though all the children were older than three years of age, meal mealtimes are one of the riskiest times during the day when a choking incident can occur and staff are needed to assist with first aid and supervision of the rest of the class. This violation requires a follow-up visit to verify correction. Please be aware that repeated staff/child ratio violations will result in an administrative action. Emergency Drills - Practicing and lock-down or shelter-in-place drills quarterly is critical to teaching and reminding staff and children the procedures for evacuating the building safely or staying safe inside in the event of an intruder or tornado. More than three months later, between a documented lock-down drill practiced on October 8, 2025, and a documented tornado drill completed on 3/6/2026. This has been corrected, but work with your administration to ensure emergency drills are completed every three months. 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 and commotion of a school-wide drill. Resources: 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 following resources are available to you: 1. DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov – current laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina, “What’s New” tab, Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. 2. Raise NC Newsletter – weekly newsletter emailed to facility email including relevant information from the Division, training opportunities, grants, and more. You can sign up to receive Raise NC on the What’s New tab. 3. NC Health & Safety Resource Center publishes a quarterly newsletter which provides topical information on a variety of health and safety topics. If you are not receiving these emails and newsletters, then please go to https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/resources/nc-child-care-health-and-safety-e-news/ and click on ‘Newsletter Signup’ to join their mailing list. The Winter 2026 edition, “Ready, Set, Action!” includes articles on the emergency medical care plan and responding to infant/toddler emergencies. 4. Your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants. * Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org *The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has resources to help you and your staff prepare for the third editions of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3). Visit the website for more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, self-assessments and outreach assessment opportunities to help you become familiar with these tools. At this time the SACERS-U will continue to be the program assessment tool for school-age programs and classrooms. *Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training and CEUs. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. Reminders: 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 – 7/15/24; due again 7/15/27 Lead Paint Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Asbestos Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. Go to the Contact Us tab if you need assistance or have questions. ABCMS Portal – Connect R. Benton and G. Geddings to your license number and hire to your roster. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. *Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Completed for all staff *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 3/10/27 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). *CL needs to complete On-going Training Log and attach training certificates. Staff Education and Works – When R. Petkute completes her six (or more) hours in Early Childhood Education, she needs to register for Works and upload a completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant form along with an official copy of her transcripts. NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. Incident Reports – Incident Reports keep parents informed of injuries their child has at your facility and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to review your own safety and supervision practices to prevent similar injuries in the future. If a child is injured while attending child care and the injury requires minor on-site first aid (band-aid, ice pack, tweezers, etc.) or professional medical care (doctor, hospital, EMS, etc.), complete an Incident Report (updated 3/2021) with help from the staff members who witnessed the accident and provided first aid. Review with the parent and have her/him sign. The parent must be offered a copy but may choose to decline a copy by checking and initially the box at the bottom. The original copy is maintained in the child’s file and documented on the Incident Log. If the injury requires professional medical attention, mail a copy of the Incident Report to the child care consultant within seven days. QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All the newest information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Pathway 2: Classroom and Instructional Quality QRIS – Pathway 2 – Classroom and Instructional Quality I met with T. Nicewonger, Pre-K Coordinator for Dare County Schools, on 10/7/25 to provide an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules using the QRIS Conversation Template and resources available on the QRIS Modernization Page https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. Ms. Nicewonger opted for Dare County Schools NCPre-K programs to complete their next QRIS assessment using Pathway 2 - Classroom and Instructional Quality so we focused on that pathway. We reviewed current staff education (5 Stars), the list of approved curriculums and formative assessments (already met as NCPre-K program), and options for additional training or coaching. Because the facility is also an NCPre-K site, you will be required to have an ECERS-3 assessment and score a 5.0 or higher; however, the three-month self-assessment is not required. Action Items: 1. Prepare for the ECERS-3 assessment. Ensure that the staff have an ECERS-3 manual available at Teachers College Press https://www.tcpress.com/ for $28.99. Check out the resources available on the NC Rated License Assessment website, www.ncrlap.org. Staff can take advantage of videos, documents, live and recorded training, and outreach assessments using the ECERS-3. 2. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to complete (or show documentation) of having completed training on the curriculum and formative assessment. 3. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to annually complete one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: either 5 hours of coaching/mentoring OR 5 additional on-going training hours OR .5 additional CEUs. (CL has completed .5 CEUs and/or 5 hours of additional on-going training as documented on the staff worksheet.) 4. Each administrator and staff member will complete an individual Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQI Plan) annually that will be reviewed and updated annually. (Doubles as Annual Professional Development Plan.) The administrator will also complete a Facility Continuous Quality Improvement Plan. 5. Facility will complete Family and Community Engagement Plan and provide documentation that they are meeting the foundational practices and at least four of the optional practices – one from each of the three categories and an additional one from any of the three categories. You plan to submit your rated license application in August 2026 with the intent of completing the ECERS-3 in October 2026. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me, Marjorie White, by phone at (252) 373-9385 or by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov, or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
Data synced from North Carolina's child care licensing agency on Jul 9, 2026 · Report an error
Open Not marked corrected in the state record
Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.
10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/10/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/10/2026 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 09:15 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 visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in Room 133 where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. We also reviewed the facility’s QRIS Plan for completing its rated license using the new QRIS rules in Section .3200. Room 131 is also approved primary space but is not currently being used for NCPre-K. R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPre-K staff assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), earning 7 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one) and 1 quality point for 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in ECE/CD. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum) as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/2/2025. The sanitation inspection was completed 10/22/2025 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/25/2025 with a Passed rating but was completed after the previous fire inspection expired on 10/31/2025. Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the end of the month of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-nine percent as of 3/6/2026. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. License and school contact information were current. I am working with M. Bridgers to update owner information. Contact me to request any changes to your license or contact information. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play areas for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 7/1/2025 and Item Numbers Listing, effective 4/2025. I monitored two staff records, two children’s records and all program records. Children enrolled in the NCPre-K classroom were participating in free play in the defined interest areas. They transitioned to the fenced playground outside the classroom door where they had access to swings, two climbers, balls, and typical indoor centers. They jumped rope with the two teachers swinging the rope and counting how many jumps each child made. A few of them were engrossed with catching bugs and caught moths and a mosquito hawk. One teacher removed a spider from the play area. When they returned indoors they washed hands. They ate lunch in the classroom. Lunch was observed and consisted of nacho chips with ground beef and cheese, black beans, peaches, and milk. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. The NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were not in compliance during lunch. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistants: R. Petkute (enrolled AAS-ECE, completing at least 6 semester hrs annually). A selection of files was monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. You stated you Dial-4 screenings were completed in June 2025 or as children enrolled during the school 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. Pre-K teachers are currently inputting data for Checkpoint 3 The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/2/25 – 5/29/26 from Monday – Friday, 7:20 am – 2:27 pm (7 hours 7 minutes). 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. I observed and documented the following six (6) violations during today’s visit. Four (4) of the violations were corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on November 25, 2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on October 31, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, a child's medical report was not available for one child until January 14, 2026 and for the second child until March 9, 2026. GS110-91(1) 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, documentation of immunizations was not available for one child until October 27, 2025 and for the second child until October 29, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1771 A screening assessing development was not conducted within 90 days after the first day of attendance in the program or within six months prior to the first day of attendance and/or the screening was not conducted by a health care, community or school professional trained in administering the screening tool. A Dial-4 screening was not completed for a child enrolled on September 2, 2026. .3006(a) 1775 NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. At lunchtime, a staff person counted in staff/child ratios left the classroom for approximately three minutes, leaving the other staff person alone with twelve (12) children and out of staff/child ratio. .3009 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. Documentation of a completed emergency drill was not available since a lock-down drill on October 8, 2025 until a tornado drill was completed on March 6, 2026. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) * 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 violations documented may impact the compliance history score. Four of the six violations documented were corrected during the visit. The two (2) remaining violations documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/24/2026, 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 that any information submitted by you is considered 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. Mail or email the information to: Marjorie White, Child Care Consultant PO Box 116 Aydlett, NC 27916 Email – marjorie.white@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE which serves as your signature, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org, and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 A violation was documented that requires a follow-up visit. An unannounced visit will be made soon to verify correction of the violation Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 11/25/2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on 10/31/2025. The administrator stated that the fire inspector was delayed due to inclement weather. This item has been corrected so no further action is required except to contact the fire inspector well in advance of your annual due date. Children’s Medical Report and Immunizations – Having knowledge of a child’s health history and immunizations provides you with the information needed to offer a safe, healthy environment for both the child and the other children in your care. In two of two children’s files reviewed, a child’s medical report for SJ was not available until 1/14/2026 and for WM until 3/9/2026. Both children had been enrolled since the first day of NCPre-K on 9/2/2025. In two of two children’s files reviewed (SJ, WM), documentation of immunizations was not received until 10/27/2025 (SJ) and 10/29/2025 (WM), more than thirty days past their enrollment date. You stated that you have been requesting these documents since enrollment. Inform the children’s parent/guardian that the medical reports are required. Use Children’s File Checklist to verify you have received all required enrollment documents. These violations have been corrected but continue to monitor required enrollment documentation to ensure it is received. Developmental Screenings are important for the initial assessment of children’s knowledge and skill base to plan their learning activities for the year to ensure readiness for Kindergarten. A Dial-4 was not completed for SJ who started pre-k on 9/2/2026. The teacher stated that she enrolled late in the summer and did not complete the Dial-4 in late May/early June when most of the NCPre-K children are screened, and it just got by her. You are using file checklist for each child. Review that frequently in the first few months to ensure required enrollment documentation and screenings are received and/or completed. For your compliance letter, state the date you have completed a Dial-4 for SJ. Staff/child ratios and group sizes based on the age of the children in care help to ensure the safety of children and allow staff to provide the care, attention, and learning opportunities for each child. The NCPre-K Teacher Assistant left the classroom for approximately three minutes during lunchtime leaving the NCPre-K Teacher alone with twelve (12) children, four and five years of age. Staff/child ratios for NCPre-K classrooms are 1:9 or 2:18. The NCPre-K Teacher stated that the Teacher Assistant needed to step out for personal reasons and forgot to call over to the ECPre-K room for assistance with staff/child ratios. Except at naptime when one teacher can leave the room but remain on site, staff/child ratios must be maintained throughout the day when children are awake and active. Even though all the children were older than three years of age, meal mealtimes are one of the riskiest times during the day when a choking incident can occur and staff are needed to assist with first aid and supervision of the rest of the class. This violation requires a follow-up visit to verify correction. Please be aware that repeated staff/child ratio violations will result in an administrative action. Emergency Drills - Practicing and lock-down or shelter-in-place drills quarterly is critical to teaching and reminding staff and children the procedures for evacuating the building safely or staying safe inside in the event of an intruder or tornado. More than three months later, between a documented lock-down drill practiced on October 8, 2025, and a documented tornado drill completed on 3/6/2026. This has been corrected, but work with your administration to ensure emergency drills are completed every three months. 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 and commotion of a school-wide drill. Resources: 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 following resources are available to you: 1. DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov – current laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina, “What’s New” tab, Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. 2. Raise NC Newsletter – weekly newsletter emailed to facility email including relevant information from the Division, training opportunities, grants, and more. You can sign up to receive Raise NC on the What’s New tab. 3. NC Health & Safety Resource Center publishes a quarterly newsletter which provides topical information on a variety of health and safety topics. If you are not receiving these emails and newsletters, then please go to https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/resources/nc-child-care-health-and-safety-e-news/ and click on ‘Newsletter Signup’ to join their mailing list. The Winter 2026 edition, “Ready, Set, Action!” includes articles on the emergency medical care plan and responding to infant/toddler emergencies. 4. Your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants. * Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org *The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has resources to help you and your staff prepare for the third editions of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3). Visit the website for more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, self-assessments and outreach assessment opportunities to help you become familiar with these tools. At this time the SACERS-U will continue to be the program assessment tool for school-age programs and classrooms. *Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training and CEUs. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. Reminders: 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 – 7/15/24; due again 7/15/27 Lead Paint Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Asbestos Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. Go to the Contact Us tab if you need assistance or have questions. ABCMS Portal – Connect R. Benton and G. Geddings to your license number and hire to your roster. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. *Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Completed for all staff *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 3/10/27 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). *CL needs to complete On-going Training Log and attach training certificates. Staff Education and Works – When R. Petkute completes her six (or more) hours in Early Childhood Education, she needs to register for Works and upload a completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant form along with an official copy of her transcripts. NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. Incident Reports – Incident Reports keep parents informed of injuries their child has at your facility and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to review your own safety and supervision practices to prevent similar injuries in the future. If a child is injured while attending child care and the injury requires minor on-site first aid (band-aid, ice pack, tweezers, etc.) or professional medical care (doctor, hospital, EMS, etc.), complete an Incident Report (updated 3/2021) with help from the staff members who witnessed the accident and provided first aid. Review with the parent and have her/him sign. The parent must be offered a copy but may choose to decline a copy by checking and initially the box at the bottom. The original copy is maintained in the child’s file and documented on the Incident Log. If the injury requires professional medical attention, mail a copy of the Incident Report to the child care consultant within seven days. QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All the newest information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Pathway 2: Classroom and Instructional Quality QRIS – Pathway 2 – Classroom and Instructional Quality I met with T. Nicewonger, Pre-K Coordinator for Dare County Schools, on 10/7/25 to provide an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules using the QRIS Conversation Template and resources available on the QRIS Modernization Page https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. Ms. Nicewonger opted for Dare County Schools NCPre-K programs to complete their next QRIS assessment using Pathway 2 - Classroom and Instructional Quality so we focused on that pathway. We reviewed current staff education (5 Stars), the list of approved curriculums and formative assessments (already met as NCPre-K program), and options for additional training or coaching. Because the facility is also an NCPre-K site, you will be required to have an ECERS-3 assessment and score a 5.0 or higher; however, the three-month self-assessment is not required. Action Items: 1. Prepare for the ECERS-3 assessment. Ensure that the staff have an ECERS-3 manual available at Teachers College Press https://www.tcpress.com/ for $28.99. Check out the resources available on the NC Rated License Assessment website, www.ncrlap.org. Staff can take advantage of videos, documents, live and recorded training, and outreach assessments using the ECERS-3. 2. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to complete (or show documentation) of having completed training on the curriculum and formative assessment. 3. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to annually complete one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: either 5 hours of coaching/mentoring OR 5 additional on-going training hours OR .5 additional CEUs. (CL has completed .5 CEUs and/or 5 hours of additional on-going training as documented on the staff worksheet.) 4. Each administrator and staff member will complete an individual Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQI Plan) annually that will be reviewed and updated annually. (Doubles as Annual Professional Development Plan.) The administrator will also complete a Facility Continuous Quality Improvement Plan. 5. Facility will complete Family and Community Engagement Plan and provide documentation that they are meeting the foundational practices and at least four of the optional practices – one from each of the three categories and an additional one from any of the three categories. You plan to submit your rated license application in August 2026 with the intent of completing the ECERS-3 in October 2026. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me, Marjorie White, by phone at (252) 373-9385 or by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov, or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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 .3009 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/10/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/10/2026 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 09:15 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 visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in Room 133 where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. We also reviewed the facility’s QRIS Plan for completing its rated license using the new QRIS rules in Section .3200. Room 131 is also approved primary space but is not currently being used for NCPre-K. R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPre-K staff assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), earning 7 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one) and 1 quality point for 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in ECE/CD. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum) as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/2/2025. The sanitation inspection was completed 10/22/2025 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/25/2025 with a Passed rating but was completed after the previous fire inspection expired on 10/31/2025. Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the end of the month of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-nine percent as of 3/6/2026. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. License and school contact information were current. I am working with M. Bridgers to update owner information. Contact me to request any changes to your license or contact information. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play areas for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 7/1/2025 and Item Numbers Listing, effective 4/2025. I monitored two staff records, two children’s records and all program records. Children enrolled in the NCPre-K classroom were participating in free play in the defined interest areas. They transitioned to the fenced playground outside the classroom door where they had access to swings, two climbers, balls, and typical indoor centers. They jumped rope with the two teachers swinging the rope and counting how many jumps each child made. A few of them were engrossed with catching bugs and caught moths and a mosquito hawk. One teacher removed a spider from the play area. When they returned indoors they washed hands. They ate lunch in the classroom. Lunch was observed and consisted of nacho chips with ground beef and cheese, black beans, peaches, and milk. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. The NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were not in compliance during lunch. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistants: R. Petkute (enrolled AAS-ECE, completing at least 6 semester hrs annually). A selection of files was monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. You stated you Dial-4 screenings were completed in June 2025 or as children enrolled during the school 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. Pre-K teachers are currently inputting data for Checkpoint 3 The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/2/25 – 5/29/26 from Monday – Friday, 7:20 am – 2:27 pm (7 hours 7 minutes). 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. I observed and documented the following six (6) violations during today’s visit. Four (4) of the violations were corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on November 25, 2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on October 31, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, a child's medical report was not available for one child until January 14, 2026 and for the second child until March 9, 2026. GS110-91(1) 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, documentation of immunizations was not available for one child until October 27, 2025 and for the second child until October 29, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1771 A screening assessing development was not conducted within 90 days after the first day of attendance in the program or within six months prior to the first day of attendance and/or the screening was not conducted by a health care, community or school professional trained in administering the screening tool. A Dial-4 screening was not completed for a child enrolled on September 2, 2026. .3006(a) 1775 NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. At lunchtime, a staff person counted in staff/child ratios left the classroom for approximately three minutes, leaving the other staff person alone with twelve (12) children and out of staff/child ratio. .3009 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. Documentation of a completed emergency drill was not available since a lock-down drill on October 8, 2025 until a tornado drill was completed on March 6, 2026. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) * 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 violations documented may impact the compliance history score. Four of the six violations documented were corrected during the visit. The two (2) remaining violations documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/24/2026, 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 that any information submitted by you is considered 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. Mail or email the information to: Marjorie White, Child Care Consultant PO Box 116 Aydlett, NC 27916 Email – marjorie.white@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE which serves as your signature, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org, and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 A violation was documented that requires a follow-up visit. An unannounced visit will be made soon to verify correction of the violation Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 11/25/2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on 10/31/2025. The administrator stated that the fire inspector was delayed due to inclement weather. This item has been corrected so no further action is required except to contact the fire inspector well in advance of your annual due date. Children’s Medical Report and Immunizations – Having knowledge of a child’s health history and immunizations provides you with the information needed to offer a safe, healthy environment for both the child and the other children in your care. In two of two children’s files reviewed, a child’s medical report for SJ was not available until 1/14/2026 and for WM until 3/9/2026. Both children had been enrolled since the first day of NCPre-K on 9/2/2025. In two of two children’s files reviewed (SJ, WM), documentation of immunizations was not received until 10/27/2025 (SJ) and 10/29/2025 (WM), more than thirty days past their enrollment date. You stated that you have been requesting these documents since enrollment. Inform the children’s parent/guardian that the medical reports are required. Use Children’s File Checklist to verify you have received all required enrollment documents. These violations have been corrected but continue to monitor required enrollment documentation to ensure it is received. Developmental Screenings are important for the initial assessment of children’s knowledge and skill base to plan their learning activities for the year to ensure readiness for Kindergarten. A Dial-4 was not completed for SJ who started pre-k on 9/2/2026. The teacher stated that she enrolled late in the summer and did not complete the Dial-4 in late May/early June when most of the NCPre-K children are screened, and it just got by her. You are using file checklist for each child. Review that frequently in the first few months to ensure required enrollment documentation and screenings are received and/or completed. For your compliance letter, state the date you have completed a Dial-4 for SJ. Staff/child ratios and group sizes based on the age of the children in care help to ensure the safety of children and allow staff to provide the care, attention, and learning opportunities for each child. The NCPre-K Teacher Assistant left the classroom for approximately three minutes during lunchtime leaving the NCPre-K Teacher alone with twelve (12) children, four and five years of age. Staff/child ratios for NCPre-K classrooms are 1:9 or 2:18. The NCPre-K Teacher stated that the Teacher Assistant needed to step out for personal reasons and forgot to call over to the ECPre-K room for assistance with staff/child ratios. Except at naptime when one teacher can leave the room but remain on site, staff/child ratios must be maintained throughout the day when children are awake and active. Even though all the children were older than three years of age, meal mealtimes are one of the riskiest times during the day when a choking incident can occur and staff are needed to assist with first aid and supervision of the rest of the class. This violation requires a follow-up visit to verify correction. Please be aware that repeated staff/child ratio violations will result in an administrative action. Emergency Drills - Practicing and lock-down or shelter-in-place drills quarterly is critical to teaching and reminding staff and children the procedures for evacuating the building safely or staying safe inside in the event of an intruder or tornado. More than three months later, between a documented lock-down drill practiced on October 8, 2025, and a documented tornado drill completed on 3/6/2026. This has been corrected, but work with your administration to ensure emergency drills are completed every three months. 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 and commotion of a school-wide drill. Resources: 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 following resources are available to you: 1. DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov – current laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina, “What’s New” tab, Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. 2. Raise NC Newsletter – weekly newsletter emailed to facility email including relevant information from the Division, training opportunities, grants, and more. You can sign up to receive Raise NC on the What’s New tab. 3. NC Health & Safety Resource Center publishes a quarterly newsletter which provides topical information on a variety of health and safety topics. If you are not receiving these emails and newsletters, then please go to https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/resources/nc-child-care-health-and-safety-e-news/ and click on ‘Newsletter Signup’ to join their mailing list. The Winter 2026 edition, “Ready, Set, Action!” includes articles on the emergency medical care plan and responding to infant/toddler emergencies. 4. Your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants. * Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org *The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has resources to help you and your staff prepare for the third editions of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3). Visit the website for more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, self-assessments and outreach assessment opportunities to help you become familiar with these tools. At this time the SACERS-U will continue to be the program assessment tool for school-age programs and classrooms. *Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training and CEUs. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. Reminders: 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 – 7/15/24; due again 7/15/27 Lead Paint Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Asbestos Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. Go to the Contact Us tab if you need assistance or have questions. ABCMS Portal – Connect R. Benton and G. Geddings to your license number and hire to your roster. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. *Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Completed for all staff *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 3/10/27 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). *CL needs to complete On-going Training Log and attach training certificates. Staff Education and Works – When R. Petkute completes her six (or more) hours in Early Childhood Education, she needs to register for Works and upload a completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant form along with an official copy of her transcripts. NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. Incident Reports – Incident Reports keep parents informed of injuries their child has at your facility and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to review your own safety and supervision practices to prevent similar injuries in the future. If a child is injured while attending child care and the injury requires minor on-site first aid (band-aid, ice pack, tweezers, etc.) or professional medical care (doctor, hospital, EMS, etc.), complete an Incident Report (updated 3/2021) with help from the staff members who witnessed the accident and provided first aid. Review with the parent and have her/him sign. The parent must be offered a copy but may choose to decline a copy by checking and initially the box at the bottom. The original copy is maintained in the child’s file and documented on the Incident Log. If the injury requires professional medical attention, mail a copy of the Incident Report to the child care consultant within seven days. QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All the newest information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Pathway 2: Classroom and Instructional Quality QRIS – Pathway 2 – Classroom and Instructional Quality I met with T. Nicewonger, Pre-K Coordinator for Dare County Schools, on 10/7/25 to provide an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules using the QRIS Conversation Template and resources available on the QRIS Modernization Page https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. Ms. Nicewonger opted for Dare County Schools NCPre-K programs to complete their next QRIS assessment using Pathway 2 - Classroom and Instructional Quality so we focused on that pathway. We reviewed current staff education (5 Stars), the list of approved curriculums and formative assessments (already met as NCPre-K program), and options for additional training or coaching. Because the facility is also an NCPre-K site, you will be required to have an ECERS-3 assessment and score a 5.0 or higher; however, the three-month self-assessment is not required. Action Items: 1. Prepare for the ECERS-3 assessment. Ensure that the staff have an ECERS-3 manual available at Teachers College Press https://www.tcpress.com/ for $28.99. Check out the resources available on the NC Rated License Assessment website, www.ncrlap.org. Staff can take advantage of videos, documents, live and recorded training, and outreach assessments using the ECERS-3. 2. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to complete (or show documentation) of having completed training on the curriculum and formative assessment. 3. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to annually complete one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: either 5 hours of coaching/mentoring OR 5 additional on-going training hours OR .5 additional CEUs. (CL has completed .5 CEUs and/or 5 hours of additional on-going training as documented on the staff worksheet.) 4. Each administrator and staff member will complete an individual Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQI Plan) annually that will be reviewed and updated annually. (Doubles as Annual Professional Development Plan.) The administrator will also complete a Facility Continuous Quality Improvement Plan. 5. Facility will complete Family and Community Engagement Plan and provide documentation that they are meeting the foundational practices and at least four of the optional practices – one from each of the three categories and an additional one from any of the three categories. You plan to submit your rated license application in August 2026 with the intent of completing the ECERS-3 in October 2026. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me, Marjorie White, by phone at (252) 373-9385 or by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov, or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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.
GS110-91 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/10/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/10/2026 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 09:15 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 visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in Room 133 where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. We also reviewed the facility’s QRIS Plan for completing its rated license using the new QRIS rules in Section .3200. Room 131 is also approved primary space but is not currently being used for NCPre-K. R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPre-K staff assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), earning 7 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one) and 1 quality point for 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in ECE/CD. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum) as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/2/2025. The sanitation inspection was completed 10/22/2025 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/25/2025 with a Passed rating but was completed after the previous fire inspection expired on 10/31/2025. Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the end of the month of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-nine percent as of 3/6/2026. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. License and school contact information were current. I am working with M. Bridgers to update owner information. Contact me to request any changes to your license or contact information. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play areas for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 7/1/2025 and Item Numbers Listing, effective 4/2025. I monitored two staff records, two children’s records and all program records. Children enrolled in the NCPre-K classroom were participating in free play in the defined interest areas. They transitioned to the fenced playground outside the classroom door where they had access to swings, two climbers, balls, and typical indoor centers. They jumped rope with the two teachers swinging the rope and counting how many jumps each child made. A few of them were engrossed with catching bugs and caught moths and a mosquito hawk. One teacher removed a spider from the play area. When they returned indoors they washed hands. They ate lunch in the classroom. Lunch was observed and consisted of nacho chips with ground beef and cheese, black beans, peaches, and milk. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. The NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were not in compliance during lunch. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistants: R. Petkute (enrolled AAS-ECE, completing at least 6 semester hrs annually). A selection of files was monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. You stated you Dial-4 screenings were completed in June 2025 or as children enrolled during the school 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. Pre-K teachers are currently inputting data for Checkpoint 3 The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/2/25 – 5/29/26 from Monday – Friday, 7:20 am – 2:27 pm (7 hours 7 minutes). 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. I observed and documented the following six (6) violations during today’s visit. Four (4) of the violations were corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on November 25, 2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on October 31, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, a child's medical report was not available for one child until January 14, 2026 and for the second child until March 9, 2026. GS110-91(1) 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, documentation of immunizations was not available for one child until October 27, 2025 and for the second child until October 29, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1771 A screening assessing development was not conducted within 90 days after the first day of attendance in the program or within six months prior to the first day of attendance and/or the screening was not conducted by a health care, community or school professional trained in administering the screening tool. A Dial-4 screening was not completed for a child enrolled on September 2, 2026. .3006(a) 1775 NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. At lunchtime, a staff person counted in staff/child ratios left the classroom for approximately three minutes, leaving the other staff person alone with twelve (12) children and out of staff/child ratio. .3009 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. Documentation of a completed emergency drill was not available since a lock-down drill on October 8, 2025 until a tornado drill was completed on March 6, 2026. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) * 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 violations documented may impact the compliance history score. Four of the six violations documented were corrected during the visit. The two (2) remaining violations documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/24/2026, 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 that any information submitted by you is considered 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. Mail or email the information to: Marjorie White, Child Care Consultant PO Box 116 Aydlett, NC 27916 Email – marjorie.white@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE which serves as your signature, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org, and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 A violation was documented that requires a follow-up visit. An unannounced visit will be made soon to verify correction of the violation Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 11/25/2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on 10/31/2025. The administrator stated that the fire inspector was delayed due to inclement weather. This item has been corrected so no further action is required except to contact the fire inspector well in advance of your annual due date. Children’s Medical Report and Immunizations – Having knowledge of a child’s health history and immunizations provides you with the information needed to offer a safe, healthy environment for both the child and the other children in your care. In two of two children’s files reviewed, a child’s medical report for SJ was not available until 1/14/2026 and for WM until 3/9/2026. Both children had been enrolled since the first day of NCPre-K on 9/2/2025. In two of two children’s files reviewed (SJ, WM), documentation of immunizations was not received until 10/27/2025 (SJ) and 10/29/2025 (WM), more than thirty days past their enrollment date. You stated that you have been requesting these documents since enrollment. Inform the children’s parent/guardian that the medical reports are required. Use Children’s File Checklist to verify you have received all required enrollment documents. These violations have been corrected but continue to monitor required enrollment documentation to ensure it is received. Developmental Screenings are important for the initial assessment of children’s knowledge and skill base to plan their learning activities for the year to ensure readiness for Kindergarten. A Dial-4 was not completed for SJ who started pre-k on 9/2/2026. The teacher stated that she enrolled late in the summer and did not complete the Dial-4 in late May/early June when most of the NCPre-K children are screened, and it just got by her. You are using file checklist for each child. Review that frequently in the first few months to ensure required enrollment documentation and screenings are received and/or completed. For your compliance letter, state the date you have completed a Dial-4 for SJ. Staff/child ratios and group sizes based on the age of the children in care help to ensure the safety of children and allow staff to provide the care, attention, and learning opportunities for each child. The NCPre-K Teacher Assistant left the classroom for approximately three minutes during lunchtime leaving the NCPre-K Teacher alone with twelve (12) children, four and five years of age. Staff/child ratios for NCPre-K classrooms are 1:9 or 2:18. The NCPre-K Teacher stated that the Teacher Assistant needed to step out for personal reasons and forgot to call over to the ECPre-K room for assistance with staff/child ratios. Except at naptime when one teacher can leave the room but remain on site, staff/child ratios must be maintained throughout the day when children are awake and active. Even though all the children were older than three years of age, meal mealtimes are one of the riskiest times during the day when a choking incident can occur and staff are needed to assist with first aid and supervision of the rest of the class. This violation requires a follow-up visit to verify correction. Please be aware that repeated staff/child ratio violations will result in an administrative action. Emergency Drills - Practicing and lock-down or shelter-in-place drills quarterly is critical to teaching and reminding staff and children the procedures for evacuating the building safely or staying safe inside in the event of an intruder or tornado. More than three months later, between a documented lock-down drill practiced on October 8, 2025, and a documented tornado drill completed on 3/6/2026. This has been corrected, but work with your administration to ensure emergency drills are completed every three months. 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 and commotion of a school-wide drill. Resources: 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 following resources are available to you: 1. DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov – current laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina, “What’s New” tab, Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. 2. Raise NC Newsletter – weekly newsletter emailed to facility email including relevant information from the Division, training opportunities, grants, and more. You can sign up to receive Raise NC on the What’s New tab. 3. NC Health & Safety Resource Center publishes a quarterly newsletter which provides topical information on a variety of health and safety topics. If you are not receiving these emails and newsletters, then please go to https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/resources/nc-child-care-health-and-safety-e-news/ and click on ‘Newsletter Signup’ to join their mailing list. The Winter 2026 edition, “Ready, Set, Action!” includes articles on the emergency medical care plan and responding to infant/toddler emergencies. 4. Your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants. * Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org *The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has resources to help you and your staff prepare for the third editions of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3). Visit the website for more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, self-assessments and outreach assessment opportunities to help you become familiar with these tools. At this time the SACERS-U will continue to be the program assessment tool for school-age programs and classrooms. *Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training and CEUs. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. Reminders: 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 – 7/15/24; due again 7/15/27 Lead Paint Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Asbestos Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. Go to the Contact Us tab if you need assistance or have questions. ABCMS Portal – Connect R. Benton and G. Geddings to your license number and hire to your roster. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. *Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Completed for all staff *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 3/10/27 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). *CL needs to complete On-going Training Log and attach training certificates. Staff Education and Works – When R. Petkute completes her six (or more) hours in Early Childhood Education, she needs to register for Works and upload a completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant form along with an official copy of her transcripts. NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. Incident Reports – Incident Reports keep parents informed of injuries their child has at your facility and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to review your own safety and supervision practices to prevent similar injuries in the future. If a child is injured while attending child care and the injury requires minor on-site first aid (band-aid, ice pack, tweezers, etc.) or professional medical care (doctor, hospital, EMS, etc.), complete an Incident Report (updated 3/2021) with help from the staff members who witnessed the accident and provided first aid. Review with the parent and have her/him sign. The parent must be offered a copy but may choose to decline a copy by checking and initially the box at the bottom. The original copy is maintained in the child’s file and documented on the Incident Log. If the injury requires professional medical attention, mail a copy of the Incident Report to the child care consultant within seven days. QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All the newest information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Pathway 2: Classroom and Instructional Quality QRIS – Pathway 2 – Classroom and Instructional Quality I met with T. Nicewonger, Pre-K Coordinator for Dare County Schools, on 10/7/25 to provide an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules using the QRIS Conversation Template and resources available on the QRIS Modernization Page https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. Ms. Nicewonger opted for Dare County Schools NCPre-K programs to complete their next QRIS assessment using Pathway 2 - Classroom and Instructional Quality so we focused on that pathway. We reviewed current staff education (5 Stars), the list of approved curriculums and formative assessments (already met as NCPre-K program), and options for additional training or coaching. Because the facility is also an NCPre-K site, you will be required to have an ECERS-3 assessment and score a 5.0 or higher; however, the three-month self-assessment is not required. Action Items: 1. Prepare for the ECERS-3 assessment. Ensure that the staff have an ECERS-3 manual available at Teachers College Press https://www.tcpress.com/ for $28.99. Check out the resources available on the NC Rated License Assessment website, www.ncrlap.org. Staff can take advantage of videos, documents, live and recorded training, and outreach assessments using the ECERS-3. 2. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to complete (or show documentation) of having completed training on the curriculum and formative assessment. 3. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to annually complete one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: either 5 hours of coaching/mentoring OR 5 additional on-going training hours OR .5 additional CEUs. (CL has completed .5 CEUs and/or 5 hours of additional on-going training as documented on the staff worksheet.) 4. Each administrator and staff member will complete an individual Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQI Plan) annually that will be reviewed and updated annually. (Doubles as Annual Professional Development Plan.) The administrator will also complete a Facility Continuous Quality Improvement Plan. 5. Facility will complete Family and Community Engagement Plan and provide documentation that they are meeting the foundational practices and at least four of the optional practices – one from each of the three categories and an additional one from any of the three categories. You plan to submit your rated license application in August 2026 with the intent of completing the ECERS-3 in October 2026. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me, Marjorie White, by phone at (252) 373-9385 or by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov, or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/10/2026 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 3/10/2026 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 315 Time In: 09:15 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 visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in Room 133 where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. We also reviewed the facility’s QRIS Plan for completing its rated license using the new QRIS rules in Section .3200. Room 131 is also approved primary space but is not currently being used for NCPre-K. R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPre-K staff assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), earning 7 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one) and 1 quality point for 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in ECE/CD. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum) as required for all four- and five-star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 4/2/2025. The sanitation inspection was completed 10/22/2025 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 11/25/2025 with a Passed rating but was completed after the previous fire inspection expired on 10/31/2025. Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the end of the month of the previous inspection. Send fire inspections to me within seven (7) days of the inspection. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-nine percent as of 3/6/2026. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. License and school contact information were current. I am working with M. Bridgers to update owner information. Contact me to request any changes to your license or contact information. I monitored the classrooms and spaces used for child care and outdoor play areas for applicable child care center requirements using the Child Care Center Requirements, effective 7/1/2025 and Item Numbers Listing, effective 4/2025. I monitored two staff records, two children’s records and all program records. Children enrolled in the NCPre-K classroom were participating in free play in the defined interest areas. They transitioned to the fenced playground outside the classroom door where they had access to swings, two climbers, balls, and typical indoor centers. They jumped rope with the two teachers swinging the rope and counting how many jumps each child made. A few of them were engrossed with catching bugs and caught moths and a mosquito hawk. One teacher removed a spider from the play area. When they returned indoors they washed hands. They ate lunch in the classroom. Lunch was observed and consisted of nacho chips with ground beef and cheese, black beans, peaches, and milk. The NCPre-K requirements in Section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. The NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool was reviewed today. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were not in compliance during lunch. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teachers: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistants: R. Petkute (enrolled AAS-ECE, completing at least 6 semester hrs annually). A selection of files was monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. You stated you Dial-4 screenings were completed in June 2025 or as children enrolled during the school 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. Pre-K teachers are currently inputting data for Checkpoint 3 The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/2/25 – 5/29/26 from Monday – Friday, 7:20 am – 2:27 pm (7 hours 7 minutes). 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. I observed and documented the following six (6) violations during today’s visit. Four (4) of the violations were corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on November 25, 2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on October 31, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, a child's medical report was not available for one child until January 14, 2026 and for the second child until March 9, 2026. GS110-91(1) 1323 Each child was not immunized as per Article 6 of Chapter 130A and an immunization record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. The first day of Pre-K was September 2, 2025. In two of two children's files reviewed, documentation of immunizations was not available for one child until October 27, 2025 and for the second child until October 29, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(2) 1771 A screening assessing development was not conducted within 90 days after the first day of attendance in the program or within six months prior to the first day of attendance and/or the screening was not conducted by a health care, community or school professional trained in administering the screening tool. A Dial-4 screening was not completed for a child enrolled on September 2, 2026. .3006(a) 1775 NC Pre-K program staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. At lunchtime, a staff person counted in staff/child ratios left the classroom for approximately three minutes, leaving the other staff person alone with twelve (12) children and out of staff/child ratio. .3009 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. Documentation of a completed emergency drill was not available since a lock-down drill on October 8, 2025 until a tornado drill was completed on March 6, 2026. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) * 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 violations documented may impact the compliance history score. Four of the six violations documented were corrected during the visit. The two (2) remaining violations documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 3/24/2026, 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 that any information submitted by you is considered 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. Mail or email the information to: Marjorie White, Child Care Consultant PO Box 116 Aydlett, NC 27916 Email – marjorie.white@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE which serves as your signature, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org, and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 A violation was documented that requires a follow-up visit. An unannounced visit will be made soon to verify correction of the violation Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 11/25/2025, but it was not completed before the previous one expired on 10/31/2025. The administrator stated that the fire inspector was delayed due to inclement weather. This item has been corrected so no further action is required except to contact the fire inspector well in advance of your annual due date. Children’s Medical Report and Immunizations – Having knowledge of a child’s health history and immunizations provides you with the information needed to offer a safe, healthy environment for both the child and the other children in your care. In two of two children’s files reviewed, a child’s medical report for SJ was not available until 1/14/2026 and for WM until 3/9/2026. Both children had been enrolled since the first day of NCPre-K on 9/2/2025. In two of two children’s files reviewed (SJ, WM), documentation of immunizations was not received until 10/27/2025 (SJ) and 10/29/2025 (WM), more than thirty days past their enrollment date. You stated that you have been requesting these documents since enrollment. Inform the children’s parent/guardian that the medical reports are required. Use Children’s File Checklist to verify you have received all required enrollment documents. These violations have been corrected but continue to monitor required enrollment documentation to ensure it is received. Developmental Screenings are important for the initial assessment of children’s knowledge and skill base to plan their learning activities for the year to ensure readiness for Kindergarten. A Dial-4 was not completed for SJ who started pre-k on 9/2/2026. The teacher stated that she enrolled late in the summer and did not complete the Dial-4 in late May/early June when most of the NCPre-K children are screened, and it just got by her. You are using file checklist for each child. Review that frequently in the first few months to ensure required enrollment documentation and screenings are received and/or completed. For your compliance letter, state the date you have completed a Dial-4 for SJ. Staff/child ratios and group sizes based on the age of the children in care help to ensure the safety of children and allow staff to provide the care, attention, and learning opportunities for each child. The NCPre-K Teacher Assistant left the classroom for approximately three minutes during lunchtime leaving the NCPre-K Teacher alone with twelve (12) children, four and five years of age. Staff/child ratios for NCPre-K classrooms are 1:9 or 2:18. The NCPre-K Teacher stated that the Teacher Assistant needed to step out for personal reasons and forgot to call over to the ECPre-K room for assistance with staff/child ratios. Except at naptime when one teacher can leave the room but remain on site, staff/child ratios must be maintained throughout the day when children are awake and active. Even though all the children were older than three years of age, meal mealtimes are one of the riskiest times during the day when a choking incident can occur and staff are needed to assist with first aid and supervision of the rest of the class. This violation requires a follow-up visit to verify correction. Please be aware that repeated staff/child ratio violations will result in an administrative action. Emergency Drills - Practicing and lock-down or shelter-in-place drills quarterly is critical to teaching and reminding staff and children the procedures for evacuating the building safely or staying safe inside in the event of an intruder or tornado. More than three months later, between a documented lock-down drill practiced on October 8, 2025, and a documented tornado drill completed on 3/6/2026. This has been corrected, but work with your administration to ensure emergency drills are completed every three months. 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 and commotion of a school-wide drill. Resources: 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 following resources are available to you: 1. DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov – current laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina, “What’s New” tab, Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. 2. Raise NC Newsletter – weekly newsletter emailed to facility email including relevant information from the Division, training opportunities, grants, and more. You can sign up to receive Raise NC on the What’s New tab. 3. NC Health & Safety Resource Center publishes a quarterly newsletter which provides topical information on a variety of health and safety topics. If you are not receiving these emails and newsletters, then please go to https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/resources/nc-child-care-health-and-safety-e-news/ and click on ‘Newsletter Signup’ to join their mailing list. The Winter 2026 edition, “Ready, Set, Action!” includes articles on the emergency medical care plan and responding to infant/toddler emergencies. 4. Your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants. * Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org *The North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP), www.ncrlap.org , has resources to help you and your staff prepare for the third editions of the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-3). Visit the website for more information about updated resources, credit hour trainings, self-assessments and outreach assessment opportunities to help you become familiar with these tools. At this time the SACERS-U will continue to be the program assessment tool for school-age programs and classrooms. *Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training and CEUs. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. Reminders: 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 – 7/15/24; due again 7/15/27 Lead Paint Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Asbestos Testing – Survey Review by RTI pending Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/. Go to the Contact Us tab if you need assistance or have questions. ABCMS Portal – Connect R. Benton and G. Geddings to your license number and hire to your roster. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. *Health and Safety Training and Five (5) Year Cycle Tracking Requirements – Completed for all staff *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 3/10/27 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). *CL needs to complete On-going Training Log and attach training certificates. Staff Education and Works – When R. Petkute completes her six (or more) hours in Early Childhood Education, she needs to register for Works and upload a completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant form along with an official copy of her transcripts. NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. Incident Reports – Incident Reports keep parents informed of injuries their child has at your facility and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to review your own safety and supervision practices to prevent similar injuries in the future. If a child is injured while attending child care and the injury requires minor on-site first aid (band-aid, ice pack, tweezers, etc.) or professional medical care (doctor, hospital, EMS, etc.), complete an Incident Report (updated 3/2021) with help from the staff members who witnessed the accident and provided first aid. Review with the parent and have her/him sign. The parent must be offered a copy but may choose to decline a copy by checking and initially the box at the bottom. The original copy is maintained in the child’s file and documented on the Incident Log. If the injury requires professional medical attention, mail a copy of the Incident Report to the child care consultant within seven days. QRIS (Quality Rating Improvement System) Technical Assistance: All the newest information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents will be posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Pathway 2: Classroom and Instructional Quality QRIS – Pathway 2 – Classroom and Instructional Quality I met with T. Nicewonger, Pre-K Coordinator for Dare County Schools, on 10/7/25 to provide an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules using the QRIS Conversation Template and resources available on the QRIS Modernization Page https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization. Ms. Nicewonger opted for Dare County Schools NCPre-K programs to complete their next QRIS assessment using Pathway 2 - Classroom and Instructional Quality so we focused on that pathway. We reviewed current staff education (5 Stars), the list of approved curriculums and formative assessments (already met as NCPre-K program), and options for additional training or coaching. Because the facility is also an NCPre-K site, you will be required to have an ECERS-3 assessment and score a 5.0 or higher; however, the three-month self-assessment is not required. Action Items: 1. Prepare for the ECERS-3 assessment. Ensure that the staff have an ECERS-3 manual available at Teachers College Press https://www.tcpress.com/ for $28.99. Check out the resources available on the NC Rated License Assessment website, www.ncrlap.org. Staff can take advantage of videos, documents, live and recorded training, and outreach assessments using the ECERS-3. 2. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to complete (or show documentation) of having completed training on the curriculum and formative assessment. 3. Each Lead Teacher and the Administrator need to annually complete one of the following activities regarding classroom and instructional quality practices: either 5 hours of coaching/mentoring OR 5 additional on-going training hours OR .5 additional CEUs. (CL has completed .5 CEUs and/or 5 hours of additional on-going training as documented on the staff worksheet.) 4. Each administrator and staff member will complete an individual Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQI Plan) annually that will be reviewed and updated annually. (Doubles as Annual Professional Development Plan.) The administrator will also complete a Facility Continuous Quality Improvement Plan. 5. Facility will complete Family and Community Engagement Plan and provide documentation that they are meeting the foundational practices and at least four of the optional practices – one from each of the three categories and an additional one from any of the three categories. You plan to submit your rated license application in August 2026 with the intent of completing the ECERS-3 in October 2026. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me, Marjorie White, by phone at (252) 373-9385 or by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov, or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199 or Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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 .0601 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/2/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 4/2/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 295 Time In: 09:05 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 Room 133. Room 131 is also approved primary space but is not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 5/6/24 18-month compliance history from 9/27/23 – 3/26/25 = 95% Last Sanitation Inspection – 3/28/25 - Superior Last Fire Inspection – 10/13/24 – Passed with Comments *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the end of the month 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 – 7/15/24; due again 7/15/27 Lead Paint Testing – survey review by RTI pending Asbestos Testing – survey review by RTI pending Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ The Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022, but 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. The proposed QRIS Modernization rules have been published and are open for public comments until 4/4/25. I encourage you to review these and share any feedback you may have with the Child Care Commission. See Additional Comments for links for the proposed rules and contact information for the Commission. Note that the current program assessment tool is changing from the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – 3 (ECERS-3). Information and training on the new program assessment tool is available on the NC Rating License Assessment Project website at https://ncrlap.org/. This facility is owned by Dare 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 two staff records, two 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 133. I reviewed the NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool. Staff-child ratios were 1:10 or 2:20 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistants: S. Fitch. I monitored two children’s files for health assessments (dental, hearing, and vision), developmental screenings. I had previously observed on-going instructional assessments in October. The facility uses the Dial-4 developmental screening which was 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. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/3/24 – 5/23/25 from Monday – Friday, 7:20am – 2:27pm. 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Eighteen children, four and five years of age, were present. One child left before lunch. The teacher documented the departure time on the attendance sheet. The activity plan reflected how they were learning about kites. While children participated in indoor free play, they were able to decorate pictures of kites and cut them out. They went outdoors for outdoor play. The playground is directly accessible from the classroom. Two stationary climbers, swings, and portable gross motor materials were available for active play along with dramatic play and block materials. They washed their hands when they came inside and ate lunch. Most children ate school lunches which were fiesta pizza with ground beef and cheese, carrots and ranch, peaches, and milk. I observed and documented the following violation during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On the corner of the building on the playground, a brick is missing exposing a sharp piece of metal that could create a laceration if touched or bumped by a child. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) * 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 reviewed it with C. Loerch, NCPre-K Teacher. Due to technical issues, I was not able to print any documents during the visit. I emailed the visit to Ms. Loerch, and she verified receipt by signing the One-Page Visit Summary. I will also email an electronic copy to R. Benton, Administrator, G. Geddings, Assistant Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Coordinator. We reviewed the visit summary and violation documented during today’s visit. Correct this immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 4/16/25. Your compliance verification letter needs to state your facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. Also include the following documents/pictures to verify compliance: a picture of how you made the corner inaccessible to children until the repairs could be completed and a second picture of the repaired corner. Send compliance verification letter in an email from your center’s official email address, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. 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. Technical Assistance with Documented Violation: #807: Safe Outdoor Environment - Keeping children and staff healthy and safe is a primary task of any early learning facility. On the playground, a brick on the corner of the building is missing exposing a piece of very sharp metal that could cut a child if the child were to accidentally move too close to the corner or fall on the corner. The NCPre-K teacher had documented it on the outdoor inspections. This corner is a high traffic zone. The corner of the building needs to be repaired by 4/16/2025. Until it can be repaired, make a barrier to prevent children from walking or running too closely to the corner. For your compliance letter send a picture of how you made the corner inaccessible to children until the repairs could be completed and a second picture of the repaired corner. *Also look at filling the open support posts on the fence with spray foam to prevent stinging insects from making nests and curious fingers from reaching in and disturbing the wasp nests. There are several spots along the fence line where the horizontal support posts need to be filled. *On the new stationary climber, check the bolt connecting the slide (closest to the rock climber) to the underside of the platform. Ensure the bolt is completely screwed into the platform to protect the integrity of the structure and to remove the potential “hook-like” protrusion. 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. The Raise NC Newsletter, which is sent to your facility email almost weekly, provides the most current information and updates from the Division and available training opportunities. Consider creating an email folder for it so that you can refer back to it after you read it. 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. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Child Care Health Consultant – S. Rosser - Office: (252) 557-4208 or stacy_rosser@unc.edu *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org Reminders: ABCMS Portal – Your facility roster was almost complete. Connect R. Benton, Administrator. Kudos to T. Nicewonger who completed the portal training and is using the portal and provider codes to connect NCPre-K staff to their schools. Staff Worksheets – Your staff worksheet tracks due dates for staff items that need to be updated. We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. *Both teachers have current H&S Training. Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for five-year H&S Training renewal dates. *Review Row 18 (# of hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 5/6/25 (anniversary of last Annual Compliance visit) or by 4/2/26, anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). Both teachers had an ample number of on-going training hours with extra carry-forward hours. Coursework towards an AAS-ECE counts towards required on-going training hours. (3-credit class = 48 hours!) Use the on-going training log to document training hours. Attach training certificates and/or unofficial transcripts to the log. Your next training cycle is 4/2/25 – 4/2/26. 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, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. *An EC instructional assistant (T. Nutter) works with children in the NCPre-K classroom and was counted in staff/child ratios when the NCPre-K teacher assistant left the classroom. She has a current qualifying letter that will expire on 10/14/25. Be sure to renew when school starts. *K. Huizing, EC Pre-K teacher, also works with children in the NCPre-K classroom. She was previously the NCPre-K teacher assistant and had a criminal background check. It expired on 6/14/24. Until it is renewed, ensure that she does not count in staff/child ratios or is left alone with a child or children. Staff Education and Works – S. Fitch needs to finish Works. Log into Works. Request to be approved as a DPI Teacher and DPI Teacher Assistant. Upload completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant Education form and copy of original, official transcripts. Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. If they are working towards their AAS degree, they are required to complete at least six hours annually. School Critical Incident Plan - 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. An emergency drill must be completed every three months. You opened in September and completed drills in November and March. Complete your last drill in April or May. 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 and commotion of a school-wide drill. Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. You can post them outside the door where other parent information is available or in the classroom. Incident Report and Incident Logs – Incident Reports keep parents informed of injuries their child has at your facility and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to review your own safety and supervision practices to prevent similar injuries in the future. If a child is injured while attending child care and the injury requires minor on-site first aid (band-aid, ice pack, tweezers, etc.) or professional medical care (doctor, hospital, EMS, etc.), complete an Incident Report (updated 3/2021) with help from the staff members who witnessed the accident and provided first aid. Review with the parent and have her/him sign. The parent must be offered a copy but may choose to decline a copy by checking and initially the box at the bottom. The original copy is maintained in the child’s file and documented on the Incident Log. If the injury requires professional medical attention, mail a copy of the Incident Report to the child care consultant within seven days. Water Bottles and Lunch Boxes – Water bottles must be labeled with child’s name and returned home daily to be cleaned and refilled. Lunch boxes must be labeled with child’s name and date. Additional Comments: I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Free Training – Healthy Social Behaviors Webinar: Helping Children Express Their Wants and Needs 2. Important! NCID Password Rule Changing and Tips to Keep NCID Updated 3. Update on QRIS Modernization – Proposed Rules Published; Open for Public Comments 4. Moodle Helpful Hints 5. Environment Rating Scales – Get Ready for the 3’s! 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: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/2/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 4/2/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 295 Time In: 09:05 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 Room 133. Room 131 is also approved primary space but is not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 5/6/24 18-month compliance history from 9/27/23 – 3/26/25 = 95% Last Sanitation Inspection – 3/28/25 - Superior Last Fire Inspection – 10/13/24 – Passed with Comments *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the end of the month 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 – 7/15/24; due again 7/15/27 Lead Paint Testing – survey review by RTI pending Asbestos Testing – survey review by RTI pending Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ The Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022, but 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. The proposed QRIS Modernization rules have been published and are open for public comments until 4/4/25. I encourage you to review these and share any feedback you may have with the Child Care Commission. See Additional Comments for links for the proposed rules and contact information for the Commission. Note that the current program assessment tool is changing from the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – 3 (ECERS-3). Information and training on the new program assessment tool is available on the NC Rating License Assessment Project website at https://ncrlap.org/. This facility is owned by Dare 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 two staff records, two 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 133. I reviewed the NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool. Staff-child ratios were 1:10 or 2:20 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistants: S. Fitch. I monitored two children’s files for health assessments (dental, hearing, and vision), developmental screenings. I had previously observed on-going instructional assessments in October. The facility uses the Dial-4 developmental screening which was 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. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/3/24 – 5/23/25 from Monday – Friday, 7:20am – 2:27pm. 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Eighteen children, four and five years of age, were present. One child left before lunch. The teacher documented the departure time on the attendance sheet. The activity plan reflected how they were learning about kites. While children participated in indoor free play, they were able to decorate pictures of kites and cut them out. They went outdoors for outdoor play. The playground is directly accessible from the classroom. Two stationary climbers, swings, and portable gross motor materials were available for active play along with dramatic play and block materials. They washed their hands when they came inside and ate lunch. Most children ate school lunches which were fiesta pizza with ground beef and cheese, carrots and ranch, peaches, and milk. I observed and documented the following violation during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On the corner of the building on the playground, a brick is missing exposing a sharp piece of metal that could create a laceration if touched or bumped by a child. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) * 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 reviewed it with C. Loerch, NCPre-K Teacher. Due to technical issues, I was not able to print any documents during the visit. I emailed the visit to Ms. Loerch, and she verified receipt by signing the One-Page Visit Summary. I will also email an electronic copy to R. Benton, Administrator, G. Geddings, Assistant Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Coordinator. We reviewed the visit summary and violation documented during today’s visit. Correct this immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 4/16/25. Your compliance verification letter needs to state your facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. Also include the following documents/pictures to verify compliance: a picture of how you made the corner inaccessible to children until the repairs could be completed and a second picture of the repaired corner. Send compliance verification letter in an email from your center’s official email address, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. 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. Technical Assistance with Documented Violation: #807: Safe Outdoor Environment - Keeping children and staff healthy and safe is a primary task of any early learning facility. On the playground, a brick on the corner of the building is missing exposing a piece of very sharp metal that could cut a child if the child were to accidentally move too close to the corner or fall on the corner. The NCPre-K teacher had documented it on the outdoor inspections. This corner is a high traffic zone. The corner of the building needs to be repaired by 4/16/2025. Until it can be repaired, make a barrier to prevent children from walking or running too closely to the corner. For your compliance letter send a picture of how you made the corner inaccessible to children until the repairs could be completed and a second picture of the repaired corner. *Also look at filling the open support posts on the fence with spray foam to prevent stinging insects from making nests and curious fingers from reaching in and disturbing the wasp nests. There are several spots along the fence line where the horizontal support posts need to be filled. *On the new stationary climber, check the bolt connecting the slide (closest to the rock climber) to the underside of the platform. Ensure the bolt is completely screwed into the platform to protect the integrity of the structure and to remove the potential “hook-like” protrusion. 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. The Raise NC Newsletter, which is sent to your facility email almost weekly, provides the most current information and updates from the Division and available training opportunities. Consider creating an email folder for it so that you can refer back to it after you read it. 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. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Child Care Health Consultant – S. Rosser - Office: (252) 557-4208 or stacy_rosser@unc.edu *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org Reminders: ABCMS Portal – Your facility roster was almost complete. Connect R. Benton, Administrator. Kudos to T. Nicewonger who completed the portal training and is using the portal and provider codes to connect NCPre-K staff to their schools. Staff Worksheets – Your staff worksheet tracks due dates for staff items that need to be updated. We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. *Both teachers have current H&S Training. Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for five-year H&S Training renewal dates. *Review Row 18 (# of hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 5/6/25 (anniversary of last Annual Compliance visit) or by 4/2/26, anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). Both teachers had an ample number of on-going training hours with extra carry-forward hours. Coursework towards an AAS-ECE counts towards required on-going training hours. (3-credit class = 48 hours!) Use the on-going training log to document training hours. Attach training certificates and/or unofficial transcripts to the log. Your next training cycle is 4/2/25 – 4/2/26. 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, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. *An EC instructional assistant (T. Nutter) works with children in the NCPre-K classroom and was counted in staff/child ratios when the NCPre-K teacher assistant left the classroom. She has a current qualifying letter that will expire on 10/14/25. Be sure to renew when school starts. *K. Huizing, EC Pre-K teacher, also works with children in the NCPre-K classroom. She was previously the NCPre-K teacher assistant and had a criminal background check. It expired on 6/14/24. Until it is renewed, ensure that she does not count in staff/child ratios or is left alone with a child or children. Staff Education and Works – S. Fitch needs to finish Works. Log into Works. Request to be approved as a DPI Teacher and DPI Teacher Assistant. Upload completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant Education form and copy of original, official transcripts. Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. If they are working towards their AAS degree, they are required to complete at least six hours annually. School Critical Incident Plan - 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. An emergency drill must be completed every three months. You opened in September and completed drills in November and March. Complete your last drill in April or May. 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 and commotion of a school-wide drill. Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. You can post them outside the door where other parent information is available or in the classroom. Incident Report and Incident Logs – Incident Reports keep parents informed of injuries their child has at your facility and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to review your own safety and supervision practices to prevent similar injuries in the future. If a child is injured while attending child care and the injury requires minor on-site first aid (band-aid, ice pack, tweezers, etc.) or professional medical care (doctor, hospital, EMS, etc.), complete an Incident Report (updated 3/2021) with help from the staff members who witnessed the accident and provided first aid. Review with the parent and have her/him sign. The parent must be offered a copy but may choose to decline a copy by checking and initially the box at the bottom. The original copy is maintained in the child’s file and documented on the Incident Log. If the injury requires professional medical attention, mail a copy of the Incident Report to the child care consultant within seven days. Water Bottles and Lunch Boxes – Water bottles must be labeled with child’s name and returned home daily to be cleaned and refilled. Lunch boxes must be labeled with child’s name and date. Additional Comments: I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Free Training – Healthy Social Behaviors Webinar: Helping Children Express Their Wants and Needs 2. Important! NCID Password Rule Changing and Tips to Keep NCID Updated 3. Update on QRIS Modernization – Proposed Rules Published; Open for Public Comments 4. Moodle Helpful Hints 5. Environment Rating Scales – Get Ready for the 3’s! 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: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/2/2025 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 4/2/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 295 Time In: 09:05 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 Room 133. Room 131 is also approved primary space but is not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 5/6/24 18-month compliance history from 9/27/23 – 3/26/25 = 95% Last Sanitation Inspection – 3/28/25 - Superior Last Fire Inspection – 10/13/24 – Passed with Comments *Sanitation and fire inspections are required at least annually by the end of the month 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 – 7/15/24; due again 7/15/27 Lead Paint Testing – survey review by RTI pending Asbestos Testing – survey review by RTI pending Maintain any paperwork received by mail or email in your Program Records file. *For more information check out the FAQ page at https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/ The Pre-K staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022, but 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. The proposed QRIS Modernization rules have been published and are open for public comments until 4/4/25. I encourage you to review these and share any feedback you may have with the Child Care Commission. See Additional Comments for links for the proposed rules and contact information for the Commission. Note that the current program assessment tool is changing from the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – 3 (ECERS-3). Information and training on the new program assessment tool is available on the NC Rating License Assessment Project website at https://ncrlap.org/. This facility is owned by Dare 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 two staff records, two 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 133. I reviewed the NCPre-K Site Monitoring Tool. Staff-child ratios were 1:10 or 2:20 or better, as required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3909. The current NCPre-K staff are NCPK Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistants: S. Fitch. I monitored two children’s files for health assessments (dental, hearing, and vision), developmental screenings. I had previously observed on-going instructional assessments in October. The facility uses the Dial-4 developmental screening which was 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. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/3/24 – 5/23/25 from Monday – Friday, 7:20am – 2:27pm. 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Eighteen children, four and five years of age, were present. One child left before lunch. The teacher documented the departure time on the attendance sheet. The activity plan reflected how they were learning about kites. While children participated in indoor free play, they were able to decorate pictures of kites and cut them out. They went outdoors for outdoor play. The playground is directly accessible from the classroom. Two stationary climbers, swings, and portable gross motor materials were available for active play along with dramatic play and block materials. They washed their hands when they came inside and ate lunch. Most children ate school lunches which were fiesta pizza with ground beef and cheese, carrots and ranch, peaches, and milk. I observed and documented the following violation during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On the corner of the building on the playground, a brick is missing exposing a sharp piece of metal that could create a laceration if touched or bumped by a child. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) * 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 reviewed it with C. Loerch, NCPre-K Teacher. Due to technical issues, I was not able to print any documents during the visit. I emailed the visit to Ms. Loerch, and she verified receipt by signing the One-Page Visit Summary. I will also email an electronic copy to R. Benton, Administrator, G. Geddings, Assistant Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Coordinator. We reviewed the visit summary and violation documented during today’s visit. Correct this immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 4/16/25. Your compliance verification letter needs to state your facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. Also include the following documents/pictures to verify compliance: a picture of how you made the corner inaccessible to children until the repairs could be completed and a second picture of the repaired corner. Send compliance verification letter in an email from your center’s official email address, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. 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. Technical Assistance with Documented Violation: #807: Safe Outdoor Environment - Keeping children and staff healthy and safe is a primary task of any early learning facility. On the playground, a brick on the corner of the building is missing exposing a piece of very sharp metal that could cut a child if the child were to accidentally move too close to the corner or fall on the corner. The NCPre-K teacher had documented it on the outdoor inspections. This corner is a high traffic zone. The corner of the building needs to be repaired by 4/16/2025. Until it can be repaired, make a barrier to prevent children from walking or running too closely to the corner. For your compliance letter send a picture of how you made the corner inaccessible to children until the repairs could be completed and a second picture of the repaired corner. *Also look at filling the open support posts on the fence with spray foam to prevent stinging insects from making nests and curious fingers from reaching in and disturbing the wasp nests. There are several spots along the fence line where the horizontal support posts need to be filled. *On the new stationary climber, check the bolt connecting the slide (closest to the rock climber) to the underside of the platform. Ensure the bolt is completely screwed into the platform to protect the integrity of the structure and to remove the potential “hook-like” protrusion. 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. The Raise NC Newsletter, which is sent to your facility email almost weekly, provides the most current information and updates from the Division and available training opportunities. Consider creating an email folder for it so that you can refer back to it after you read it. 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. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Child Care Health Consultant – S. Rosser - Office: (252) 557-4208 or stacy_rosser@unc.edu *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Healthy Behaviors Specialist: P. White – Phone (252) 333-1233; pam@aacfnc.org Reminders: ABCMS Portal – Your facility roster was almost complete. Connect R. Benton, Administrator. Kudos to T. Nicewonger who completed the portal training and is using the portal and provider codes to connect NCPre-K staff to their schools. Staff Worksheets – Your staff worksheet tracks due dates for staff items that need to be updated. We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. *Both teachers have current H&S Training. Review Row 17 on Staff Worksheet for five-year H&S Training renewal dates. *Review Row 18 (# of hours to carry over) on the Staff Worksheets to determine how many on-going training hours returning staff will need by 5/6/25 (anniversary of last Annual Compliance visit) or by 4/2/26, anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). Both teachers had an ample number of on-going training hours with extra carry-forward hours. Coursework towards an AAS-ECE counts towards required on-going training hours. (3-credit class = 48 hours!) Use the on-going training log to document training hours. Attach training certificates and/or unofficial transcripts to the log. Your next training cycle is 4/2/25 – 4/2/26. 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, substitutes, one-on-one assistants, therapists if therapy does not take place in the classroom, and bus drivers. *An EC instructional assistant (T. Nutter) works with children in the NCPre-K classroom and was counted in staff/child ratios when the NCPre-K teacher assistant left the classroom. She has a current qualifying letter that will expire on 10/14/25. Be sure to renew when school starts. *K. Huizing, EC Pre-K teacher, also works with children in the NCPre-K classroom. She was previously the NCPre-K teacher assistant and had a criminal background check. It expired on 6/14/24. Until it is renewed, ensure that she does not count in staff/child ratios or is left alone with a child or children. Staff Education and Works – S. Fitch needs to finish Works. Log into Works. Request to be approved as a DPI Teacher and DPI Teacher Assistant. Upload completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant Education form and copy of original, official transcripts. Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. If they are working towards their AAS degree, they are required to complete at least six hours annually. School Critical Incident Plan - 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. An emergency drill must be completed every three months. You opened in September and completed drills in November and March. Complete your last drill in April or May. 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 and commotion of a school-wide drill. Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. You can post them outside the door where other parent information is available or in the classroom. Incident Report and Incident Logs – Incident Reports keep parents informed of injuries their child has at your facility and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to review your own safety and supervision practices to prevent similar injuries in the future. If a child is injured while attending child care and the injury requires minor on-site first aid (band-aid, ice pack, tweezers, etc.) or professional medical care (doctor, hospital, EMS, etc.), complete an Incident Report (updated 3/2021) with help from the staff members who witnessed the accident and provided first aid. Review with the parent and have her/him sign. The parent must be offered a copy but may choose to decline a copy by checking and initially the box at the bottom. The original copy is maintained in the child’s file and documented on the Incident Log. If the injury requires professional medical attention, mail a copy of the Incident Report to the child care consultant within seven days. Water Bottles and Lunch Boxes – Water bottles must be labeled with child’s name and returned home daily to be cleaned and refilled. Lunch boxes must be labeled with child’s name and date. Additional Comments: I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Free Training – Healthy Social Behaviors Webinar: Helping Children Express Their Wants and Needs 2. Important! NCID Password Rule Changing and Tips to Keep NCID Updated 3. Update on QRIS Modernization – Proposed Rules Published; Open for Public Comments 4. Moodle Helpful Hints 5. Environment Rating Scales – Get Ready for the 3’s! 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 .0304 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/6/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 5/6/2024 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 10:15 AM Time Out: 03:15 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 Room 133. Room 131 is approved primary spaces but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 9/13/23 Last Sanitation Inspection – 12/14/23 with a Superior Rating Last Fire Inspection – 5/2/23 with Passed with Comments rating but is expired *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 11/4/22 – 5/3/24 = 98% R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPreK staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022. See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. 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 classroom 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 3/2024. I monitored two children’s records, two 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 133. 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 Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistant, S. Fitch. 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 Dial-4 developmental screening which was completed for children in June 2023 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum. Teaching Strategies Gold is the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring. Teachers are working on the 3rd Checkpoint. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/5/2023 – 5/23/2024 from 7:30-2:15pm. 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Fifteen of the eighteen children, four and five years of age, were present today with the NCPre-K Teacher and Teacher Assistant. The NCPre-K Coordinator was present in the room working on the Pyramid Model with the teachers. They had just come in from the playground and were washing hands and preparing for lunch. Children who brought lunches had Nutrition Opt-Out forms available; school lunch was corn dogs, carrots with ranch dressing, choice of banana or apple, and milk. Teachers sat at the child-sized tables with the children encouraging good eating habits and conversation. As children finished, they cleaned their places, washed hands and transitioned to free play. Later they went outdoors for a second outdoor time. Snack was cereal and fruit juice. They rested on linen-covered cots. The teacher reported that there are no children with medication or allergies this year. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The previous fire inspection was completed on May 3, 2023. A new fire inspection has not been completed. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. The concrete footing was exposed on the blue Sensory Wave Climber, creating a potential tripping hazard. .0605(j) 1865 The operator did not maintain the manufacturer's instructions on file electronically or in paper format for any outdoor play structures purchased or installed on or after September 1, 2017. The manufacturer's instructions for a new stationary structure was not available for review. .0605(b) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member hired on January 3, 2023 did not complete all required Health & Safety Training modules and was missing Medication Administration. .1102(a) * 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 C. Loerch, NCPre-K Teacher. I will also email electronic copies to R. Benton, Administrator and C. Spruill, NC Pre-K Contract Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Contact. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 5/20/2024. 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 Fire Inspection, copy of manufacturer’s instructions for the Sensory Wave Climber, copy of Medication Administration certificate and completed H&S Training Log for SF. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org 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: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 5/2/23 that expired on 5/2/24; a new inspection has not been completed. You stated that the fire marshal has informed the maintenance person that he is running behind and is planning to complete the inspection this week. He typically emails the completed fire inspection but include a copy of the fire inspection with your compliance letter. Surfacing and Exposed Footing – The concrete footings used to anchor stationary playground equipment can be a tripping hazard if not adequately buried. A concrete footing was exposed on the new Sensory Wave Climber. It appeared that a child may have dug around it, removing the protective mulch surfacing. Maintenance covered it back up immediately. Find another place for children to dig that is not in the fall zone of stationary equipment. Check mulch in the fall zones to ensure adequate depth (6 inches of mulch required; I measured 6 – 9 inches in the fall zones for all stationary equipment.) and to ensure that footings are not exposed. Thank you for correcting this today. Playground Equipment – Maintaining the manufacturer’s instructions and information on playground equipment provides a reference if there are questions about the safety features of the structure, installation requirements, or specifications related to playground safety requirements. You installed a new climbing structure called the Sensory Wave on the pre-k playground. I have questions about the specifications for installation, but you do not have the manufacturer’s instructions for review. Your maintenance director has contacted the company which responded stating that they will send the information. The measured critical height (ground to the floor of the climber) at the tallest point along the back is approximately 44 inches. While there are sides that slope up and down along the horseshoe-shaped path, the tallest sides only measure 26 inches from the floor of the climber. There are no barriers for children to hold to steady themselves or to prevent them from falling over the side. The rule related to climbing equipment and barriers is: 10A NCAC 09 .0605 OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN CHILD CARE CENTERS (o) Elevated platforms shall have a guardrail or a protective barrier, depending upon the height of the platform and the age of children in accordance with this Paragraph that will have access to the piece of equipment. Guardrails shall prevent inadvertent or unintentional falls off the platform. The critical height for a platform with a guardrail is the top of the guardrail. Protective barriers shall prevent children from climbing over or through the barrier. The critical height for a platform with a protective barrier is the platform surface. All sides of platforms shall be protected except for the area which allows entry or exit. Measurements for the guardrails and protective barriers are as follows: (2) Equipment used exclusively by children two years of age up to school age: (B) Protective Barriers - an elevated surface that is more than 30 inches above the underlying surface shall have a protective barrier. The minimum height of the top surface of the protective barrier shall be 29 inches. Once I review the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how it is intended to be used, I will provide further guidance on the use of this structure. Until I can receive more information, prevent the preschool children enrolled in the NCPre-K program from playing on this piece of equipment Health & Safety Training – Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. These topic areas provide a foundation for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children and staff. SF was hired on 1/3/23 and required to complete H&S Trainings by 1/3/24 but did not complete all required modules. She was missing Medication Administration. She stated that she could not remember if she had completed it or not. She logged into Moodle and saw that she had not completed it. SF needs to complete 2024 Medication Administration by 5/20/24 and complete her H&S Training Log documenting all required modules. Send a copy of the certificate for Medication Administration and completed H&S Training Log with the compliance letter. 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. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Child Care Health Consultant – S. Rosser - Office: (252) 557-4208 or stacy_rosser@unc.edu Reminders: Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. 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. 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 5/6/25 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). New staff will complete Health & Safety in their first year and then will complete on-going training annually based upon their level of education posted in DCDEE Works. *ECE college coursework or coursework leading to an ECE degree counts towards on-going training hours. Each semester credit counts as 16 hours so a 3-credit classes also earns 48 hours of on-going training. *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. Staff Education and Works – S. Fitch needs to finish Works. Log into Works. Request to be approved as a DPI Teacher and DPI Teacher Assistant. Upload completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant Education form and copy of original, official transcripts. New Rules on Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. 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). Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. I shared an Activity Plan checklist that you can share with staff for creating activity plans that meet all requirements. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - Dare County Schools have started the process for testing water for lead and testing buildings for lead paint and asbestos. Results are required by 12/31/2024. Water testing will be repeated every three years. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Policies and Practices That Minimize Child Care and Preschool Exclusion – Thursday, 5/9/24; 6-8pm 2. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids – required testing for lead in water, lead paint, asbestos – Enrollment due 5/1/24 3. Moodle Back Up and Running! 4. Rules Changes, effective 1/1/2024 – Review on Moodle! 5. Provider Access to the Background Check Management System 6. Free On-line Teacher Professional Development Memberships 7. Resources from Health and Safety Resource Center! 8. Environmental Health Rules Update 9. NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) Resources 10. NCID – Keep it active! 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 pre-k program was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 5/23/2022 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. 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 Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. 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. Encourage staff with the NCECC to enroll in additional college coursework to increase points in Education. Dare Education Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. 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. UPDATE ON YOUR PROGRAM’S RATED LICENSE PROGRAM STANDARDS –Seven (7) Points – will be reassessed when ECERS-R completed *meets enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one EDUCATION STANDARDS – Seven (7) Points – currently eligible for Three (3) Points *Based in information available in DCDEE Works *Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. Administrator Education – 7 Points; Currently eligible for 7 Points R. Benton – NCECAC III w/ 9+y ec experience and 9y+ ad experience = 5 points NCPre-K Teacher Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 7 points Room 133 (NCPK): C. Loerch – BS-ECE + B-K Lic w/ 16+y exp = 7 points NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 3 Points Room 133 (NCPK): S. Fitch – HS w/ 2+y ec exp = 3 points *Complete Works and upload original, official transcripts with DPI Education Form – expected to be at least 4 points *Currently enrolled in AAS-ECE; meets requirements for NCPre-K Teacher Assistant QUALTY POINT - One (1) Point 75% of lead teachers have BS-ECE/CD or higher 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 .0605 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/6/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 5/6/2024 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 10:15 AM Time Out: 03:15 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 Room 133. Room 131 is approved primary spaces but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 9/13/23 Last Sanitation Inspection – 12/14/23 with a Superior Rating Last Fire Inspection – 5/2/23 with Passed with Comments rating but is expired *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 11/4/22 – 5/3/24 = 98% R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPreK staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022. See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. 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 classroom 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 3/2024. I monitored two children’s records, two 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 133. 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 Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistant, S. Fitch. 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 Dial-4 developmental screening which was completed for children in June 2023 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum. Teaching Strategies Gold is the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring. Teachers are working on the 3rd Checkpoint. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/5/2023 – 5/23/2024 from 7:30-2:15pm. 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Fifteen of the eighteen children, four and five years of age, were present today with the NCPre-K Teacher and Teacher Assistant. The NCPre-K Coordinator was present in the room working on the Pyramid Model with the teachers. They had just come in from the playground and were washing hands and preparing for lunch. Children who brought lunches had Nutrition Opt-Out forms available; school lunch was corn dogs, carrots with ranch dressing, choice of banana or apple, and milk. Teachers sat at the child-sized tables with the children encouraging good eating habits and conversation. As children finished, they cleaned their places, washed hands and transitioned to free play. Later they went outdoors for a second outdoor time. Snack was cereal and fruit juice. They rested on linen-covered cots. The teacher reported that there are no children with medication or allergies this year. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The previous fire inspection was completed on May 3, 2023. A new fire inspection has not been completed. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. The concrete footing was exposed on the blue Sensory Wave Climber, creating a potential tripping hazard. .0605(j) 1865 The operator did not maintain the manufacturer's instructions on file electronically or in paper format for any outdoor play structures purchased or installed on or after September 1, 2017. The manufacturer's instructions for a new stationary structure was not available for review. .0605(b) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member hired on January 3, 2023 did not complete all required Health & Safety Training modules and was missing Medication Administration. .1102(a) * 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 C. Loerch, NCPre-K Teacher. I will also email electronic copies to R. Benton, Administrator and C. Spruill, NC Pre-K Contract Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Contact. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 5/20/2024. 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 Fire Inspection, copy of manufacturer’s instructions for the Sensory Wave Climber, copy of Medication Administration certificate and completed H&S Training Log for SF. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org 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: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 5/2/23 that expired on 5/2/24; a new inspection has not been completed. You stated that the fire marshal has informed the maintenance person that he is running behind and is planning to complete the inspection this week. He typically emails the completed fire inspection but include a copy of the fire inspection with your compliance letter. Surfacing and Exposed Footing – The concrete footings used to anchor stationary playground equipment can be a tripping hazard if not adequately buried. A concrete footing was exposed on the new Sensory Wave Climber. It appeared that a child may have dug around it, removing the protective mulch surfacing. Maintenance covered it back up immediately. Find another place for children to dig that is not in the fall zone of stationary equipment. Check mulch in the fall zones to ensure adequate depth (6 inches of mulch required; I measured 6 – 9 inches in the fall zones for all stationary equipment.) and to ensure that footings are not exposed. Thank you for correcting this today. Playground Equipment – Maintaining the manufacturer’s instructions and information on playground equipment provides a reference if there are questions about the safety features of the structure, installation requirements, or specifications related to playground safety requirements. You installed a new climbing structure called the Sensory Wave on the pre-k playground. I have questions about the specifications for installation, but you do not have the manufacturer’s instructions for review. Your maintenance director has contacted the company which responded stating that they will send the information. The measured critical height (ground to the floor of the climber) at the tallest point along the back is approximately 44 inches. While there are sides that slope up and down along the horseshoe-shaped path, the tallest sides only measure 26 inches from the floor of the climber. There are no barriers for children to hold to steady themselves or to prevent them from falling over the side. The rule related to climbing equipment and barriers is: 10A NCAC 09 .0605 OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN CHILD CARE CENTERS (o) Elevated platforms shall have a guardrail or a protective barrier, depending upon the height of the platform and the age of children in accordance with this Paragraph that will have access to the piece of equipment. Guardrails shall prevent inadvertent or unintentional falls off the platform. The critical height for a platform with a guardrail is the top of the guardrail. Protective barriers shall prevent children from climbing over or through the barrier. The critical height for a platform with a protective barrier is the platform surface. All sides of platforms shall be protected except for the area which allows entry or exit. Measurements for the guardrails and protective barriers are as follows: (2) Equipment used exclusively by children two years of age up to school age: (B) Protective Barriers - an elevated surface that is more than 30 inches above the underlying surface shall have a protective barrier. The minimum height of the top surface of the protective barrier shall be 29 inches. Once I review the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how it is intended to be used, I will provide further guidance on the use of this structure. Until I can receive more information, prevent the preschool children enrolled in the NCPre-K program from playing on this piece of equipment Health & Safety Training – Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. These topic areas provide a foundation for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children and staff. SF was hired on 1/3/23 and required to complete H&S Trainings by 1/3/24 but did not complete all required modules. She was missing Medication Administration. She stated that she could not remember if she had completed it or not. She logged into Moodle and saw that she had not completed it. SF needs to complete 2024 Medication Administration by 5/20/24 and complete her H&S Training Log documenting all required modules. Send a copy of the certificate for Medication Administration and completed H&S Training Log with the compliance letter. 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. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Child Care Health Consultant – S. Rosser - Office: (252) 557-4208 or stacy_rosser@unc.edu Reminders: Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. 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. 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 5/6/25 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). New staff will complete Health & Safety in their first year and then will complete on-going training annually based upon their level of education posted in DCDEE Works. *ECE college coursework or coursework leading to an ECE degree counts towards on-going training hours. Each semester credit counts as 16 hours so a 3-credit classes also earns 48 hours of on-going training. *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. Staff Education and Works – S. Fitch needs to finish Works. Log into Works. Request to be approved as a DPI Teacher and DPI Teacher Assistant. Upload completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant Education form and copy of original, official transcripts. New Rules on Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. 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). Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. I shared an Activity Plan checklist that you can share with staff for creating activity plans that meet all requirements. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - Dare County Schools have started the process for testing water for lead and testing buildings for lead paint and asbestos. Results are required by 12/31/2024. Water testing will be repeated every three years. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Policies and Practices That Minimize Child Care and Preschool Exclusion – Thursday, 5/9/24; 6-8pm 2. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids – required testing for lead in water, lead paint, asbestos – Enrollment due 5/1/24 3. Moodle Back Up and Running! 4. Rules Changes, effective 1/1/2024 – Review on Moodle! 5. Provider Access to the Background Check Management System 6. Free On-line Teacher Professional Development Memberships 7. Resources from Health and Safety Resource Center! 8. Environmental Health Rules Update 9. NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) Resources 10. NCID – Keep it active! 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 pre-k program was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 5/23/2022 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. 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 Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. 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. Encourage staff with the NCECC to enroll in additional college coursework to increase points in Education. Dare Education Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. 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. UPDATE ON YOUR PROGRAM’S RATED LICENSE PROGRAM STANDARDS –Seven (7) Points – will be reassessed when ECERS-R completed *meets enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one EDUCATION STANDARDS – Seven (7) Points – currently eligible for Three (3) Points *Based in information available in DCDEE Works *Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. Administrator Education – 7 Points; Currently eligible for 7 Points R. Benton – NCECAC III w/ 9+y ec experience and 9y+ ad experience = 5 points NCPre-K Teacher Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 7 points Room 133 (NCPK): C. Loerch – BS-ECE + B-K Lic w/ 16+y exp = 7 points NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 3 Points Room 133 (NCPK): S. Fitch – HS w/ 2+y ec exp = 3 points *Complete Works and upload original, official transcripts with DPI Education Form – expected to be at least 4 points *Currently enrolled in AAS-ECE; meets requirements for NCPre-K Teacher Assistant QUALTY POINT - One (1) Point 75% of lead teachers have BS-ECE/CD or higher 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 .3909 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/6/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 5/6/2024 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 10:15 AM Time Out: 03:15 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 Room 133. Room 131 is approved primary spaces but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 9/13/23 Last Sanitation Inspection – 12/14/23 with a Superior Rating Last Fire Inspection – 5/2/23 with Passed with Comments rating but is expired *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 11/4/22 – 5/3/24 = 98% R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPreK staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022. See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. 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 classroom 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 3/2024. I monitored two children’s records, two 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 133. 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 Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistant, S. Fitch. 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 Dial-4 developmental screening which was completed for children in June 2023 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum. Teaching Strategies Gold is the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring. Teachers are working on the 3rd Checkpoint. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/5/2023 – 5/23/2024 from 7:30-2:15pm. 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Fifteen of the eighteen children, four and five years of age, were present today with the NCPre-K Teacher and Teacher Assistant. The NCPre-K Coordinator was present in the room working on the Pyramid Model with the teachers. They had just come in from the playground and were washing hands and preparing for lunch. Children who brought lunches had Nutrition Opt-Out forms available; school lunch was corn dogs, carrots with ranch dressing, choice of banana or apple, and milk. Teachers sat at the child-sized tables with the children encouraging good eating habits and conversation. As children finished, they cleaned their places, washed hands and transitioned to free play. Later they went outdoors for a second outdoor time. Snack was cereal and fruit juice. They rested on linen-covered cots. The teacher reported that there are no children with medication or allergies this year. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The previous fire inspection was completed on May 3, 2023. A new fire inspection has not been completed. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. The concrete footing was exposed on the blue Sensory Wave Climber, creating a potential tripping hazard. .0605(j) 1865 The operator did not maintain the manufacturer's instructions on file electronically or in paper format for any outdoor play structures purchased or installed on or after September 1, 2017. The manufacturer's instructions for a new stationary structure was not available for review. .0605(b) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member hired on January 3, 2023 did not complete all required Health & Safety Training modules and was missing Medication Administration. .1102(a) * 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 C. Loerch, NCPre-K Teacher. I will also email electronic copies to R. Benton, Administrator and C. Spruill, NC Pre-K Contract Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Contact. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 5/20/2024. 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 Fire Inspection, copy of manufacturer’s instructions for the Sensory Wave Climber, copy of Medication Administration certificate and completed H&S Training Log for SF. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org 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: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 5/2/23 that expired on 5/2/24; a new inspection has not been completed. You stated that the fire marshal has informed the maintenance person that he is running behind and is planning to complete the inspection this week. He typically emails the completed fire inspection but include a copy of the fire inspection with your compliance letter. Surfacing and Exposed Footing – The concrete footings used to anchor stationary playground equipment can be a tripping hazard if not adequately buried. A concrete footing was exposed on the new Sensory Wave Climber. It appeared that a child may have dug around it, removing the protective mulch surfacing. Maintenance covered it back up immediately. Find another place for children to dig that is not in the fall zone of stationary equipment. Check mulch in the fall zones to ensure adequate depth (6 inches of mulch required; I measured 6 – 9 inches in the fall zones for all stationary equipment.) and to ensure that footings are not exposed. Thank you for correcting this today. Playground Equipment – Maintaining the manufacturer’s instructions and information on playground equipment provides a reference if there are questions about the safety features of the structure, installation requirements, or specifications related to playground safety requirements. You installed a new climbing structure called the Sensory Wave on the pre-k playground. I have questions about the specifications for installation, but you do not have the manufacturer’s instructions for review. Your maintenance director has contacted the company which responded stating that they will send the information. The measured critical height (ground to the floor of the climber) at the tallest point along the back is approximately 44 inches. While there are sides that slope up and down along the horseshoe-shaped path, the tallest sides only measure 26 inches from the floor of the climber. There are no barriers for children to hold to steady themselves or to prevent them from falling over the side. The rule related to climbing equipment and barriers is: 10A NCAC 09 .0605 OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN CHILD CARE CENTERS (o) Elevated platforms shall have a guardrail or a protective barrier, depending upon the height of the platform and the age of children in accordance with this Paragraph that will have access to the piece of equipment. Guardrails shall prevent inadvertent or unintentional falls off the platform. The critical height for a platform with a guardrail is the top of the guardrail. Protective barriers shall prevent children from climbing over or through the barrier. The critical height for a platform with a protective barrier is the platform surface. All sides of platforms shall be protected except for the area which allows entry or exit. Measurements for the guardrails and protective barriers are as follows: (2) Equipment used exclusively by children two years of age up to school age: (B) Protective Barriers - an elevated surface that is more than 30 inches above the underlying surface shall have a protective barrier. The minimum height of the top surface of the protective barrier shall be 29 inches. Once I review the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how it is intended to be used, I will provide further guidance on the use of this structure. Until I can receive more information, prevent the preschool children enrolled in the NCPre-K program from playing on this piece of equipment Health & Safety Training – Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. These topic areas provide a foundation for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children and staff. SF was hired on 1/3/23 and required to complete H&S Trainings by 1/3/24 but did not complete all required modules. She was missing Medication Administration. She stated that she could not remember if she had completed it or not. She logged into Moodle and saw that she had not completed it. SF needs to complete 2024 Medication Administration by 5/20/24 and complete her H&S Training Log documenting all required modules. Send a copy of the certificate for Medication Administration and completed H&S Training Log with the compliance letter. 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. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Child Care Health Consultant – S. Rosser - Office: (252) 557-4208 or stacy_rosser@unc.edu Reminders: Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. 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. 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 5/6/25 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). New staff will complete Health & Safety in their first year and then will complete on-going training annually based upon their level of education posted in DCDEE Works. *ECE college coursework or coursework leading to an ECE degree counts towards on-going training hours. Each semester credit counts as 16 hours so a 3-credit classes also earns 48 hours of on-going training. *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. Staff Education and Works – S. Fitch needs to finish Works. Log into Works. Request to be approved as a DPI Teacher and DPI Teacher Assistant. Upload completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant Education form and copy of original, official transcripts. New Rules on Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. 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). Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. I shared an Activity Plan checklist that you can share with staff for creating activity plans that meet all requirements. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - Dare County Schools have started the process for testing water for lead and testing buildings for lead paint and asbestos. Results are required by 12/31/2024. Water testing will be repeated every three years. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Policies and Practices That Minimize Child Care and Preschool Exclusion – Thursday, 5/9/24; 6-8pm 2. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids – required testing for lead in water, lead paint, asbestos – Enrollment due 5/1/24 3. Moodle Back Up and Running! 4. Rules Changes, effective 1/1/2024 – Review on Moodle! 5. Provider Access to the Background Check Management System 6. Free On-line Teacher Professional Development Memberships 7. Resources from Health and Safety Resource Center! 8. Environmental Health Rules Update 9. NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) Resources 10. NCID – Keep it active! 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 pre-k program was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 5/23/2022 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. 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 Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. 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. Encourage staff with the NCECC to enroll in additional college coursework to increase points in Education. Dare Education Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. 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. UPDATE ON YOUR PROGRAM’S RATED LICENSE PROGRAM STANDARDS –Seven (7) Points – will be reassessed when ECERS-R completed *meets enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one EDUCATION STANDARDS – Seven (7) Points – currently eligible for Three (3) Points *Based in information available in DCDEE Works *Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. Administrator Education – 7 Points; Currently eligible for 7 Points R. Benton – NCECAC III w/ 9+y ec experience and 9y+ ad experience = 5 points NCPre-K Teacher Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 7 points Room 133 (NCPK): C. Loerch – BS-ECE + B-K Lic w/ 16+y exp = 7 points NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 3 Points Room 133 (NCPK): S. Fitch – HS w/ 2+y ec exp = 3 points *Complete Works and upload original, official transcripts with DPI Education Form – expected to be at least 4 points *Currently enrolled in AAS-ECE; meets requirements for NCPre-K Teacher Assistant QUALTY POINT - One (1) Point 75% of lead teachers have BS-ECE/CD or higher 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: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/6/2024 Number Present: 15 Completed Date: 5/6/2024 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 10:15 AM Time Out: 03:15 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 Room 133. Room 131 is approved primary spaces but are not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 9/13/23 Last Sanitation Inspection – 12/14/23 with a Superior Rating Last Fire Inspection – 5/2/23 with Passed with Comments rating but is expired *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 11/4/22 – 5/3/24 = 98% R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPreK staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75% of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022. See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. 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 classroom 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 3/2024. I monitored two children’s records, two 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 133. 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 Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistant, S. Fitch. 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 Dial-4 developmental screening which was completed for children in June 2023 or as they entered the program throughout the year. The NCPreK program uses Creative Curriculum as the approved curriculum. Teaching Strategies Gold is the on-going instructional assessment tool to document evidence of each child’s progress three times throughout the school year: Fall, Mid-Winter, Spring. Teachers are working on the 3rd Checkpoint. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/5/2023 – 5/23/2024 from 7:30-2:15pm. 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 an Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R) on 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Fifteen of the eighteen children, four and five years of age, were present today with the NCPre-K Teacher and Teacher Assistant. The NCPre-K Coordinator was present in the room working on the Pyramid Model with the teachers. They had just come in from the playground and were washing hands and preparing for lunch. Children who brought lunches had Nutrition Opt-Out forms available; school lunch was corn dogs, carrots with ranch dressing, choice of banana or apple, and milk. Teachers sat at the child-sized tables with the children encouraging good eating habits and conversation. As children finished, they cleaned their places, washed hands and transitioned to free play. Later they went outdoors for a second outdoor time. Snack was cereal and fruit juice. They rested on linen-covered cots. The teacher reported that there are no children with medication or allergies this year. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The previous fire inspection was completed on May 3, 2023. A new fire inspection has not been completed. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. The concrete footing was exposed on the blue Sensory Wave Climber, creating a potential tripping hazard. .0605(j) 1865 The operator did not maintain the manufacturer's instructions on file electronically or in paper format for any outdoor play structures purchased or installed on or after September 1, 2017. The manufacturer's instructions for a new stationary structure was not available for review. .0605(b) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member hired on January 3, 2023 did not complete all required Health & Safety Training modules and was missing Medication Administration. .1102(a) * 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 C. Loerch, NCPre-K Teacher. I will also email electronic copies to R. Benton, Administrator and C. Spruill, NC Pre-K Contract Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Contact. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 5/20/2024. 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 Fire Inspection, copy of manufacturer’s instructions for the Sensory Wave Climber, copy of Medication Administration certificate and completed H&S Training Log for SF. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, nicewongertr@daretolearn.org 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: Annual Fire Inspection – Annual fire inspections ensure that the building meets fire codes and that your fire detection and alarm systems are operating correctly in the event of a fire. The fire inspector completed a fire inspection on 5/2/23 that expired on 5/2/24; a new inspection has not been completed. You stated that the fire marshal has informed the maintenance person that he is running behind and is planning to complete the inspection this week. He typically emails the completed fire inspection but include a copy of the fire inspection with your compliance letter. Surfacing and Exposed Footing – The concrete footings used to anchor stationary playground equipment can be a tripping hazard if not adequately buried. A concrete footing was exposed on the new Sensory Wave Climber. It appeared that a child may have dug around it, removing the protective mulch surfacing. Maintenance covered it back up immediately. Find another place for children to dig that is not in the fall zone of stationary equipment. Check mulch in the fall zones to ensure adequate depth (6 inches of mulch required; I measured 6 – 9 inches in the fall zones for all stationary equipment.) and to ensure that footings are not exposed. Thank you for correcting this today. Playground Equipment – Maintaining the manufacturer’s instructions and information on playground equipment provides a reference if there are questions about the safety features of the structure, installation requirements, or specifications related to playground safety requirements. You installed a new climbing structure called the Sensory Wave on the pre-k playground. I have questions about the specifications for installation, but you do not have the manufacturer’s instructions for review. Your maintenance director has contacted the company which responded stating that they will send the information. The measured critical height (ground to the floor of the climber) at the tallest point along the back is approximately 44 inches. While there are sides that slope up and down along the horseshoe-shaped path, the tallest sides only measure 26 inches from the floor of the climber. There are no barriers for children to hold to steady themselves or to prevent them from falling over the side. The rule related to climbing equipment and barriers is: 10A NCAC 09 .0605 OUTDOOR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN CHILD CARE CENTERS (o) Elevated platforms shall have a guardrail or a protective barrier, depending upon the height of the platform and the age of children in accordance with this Paragraph that will have access to the piece of equipment. Guardrails shall prevent inadvertent or unintentional falls off the platform. The critical height for a platform with a guardrail is the top of the guardrail. Protective barriers shall prevent children from climbing over or through the barrier. The critical height for a platform with a protective barrier is the platform surface. All sides of platforms shall be protected except for the area which allows entry or exit. Measurements for the guardrails and protective barriers are as follows: (2) Equipment used exclusively by children two years of age up to school age: (B) Protective Barriers - an elevated surface that is more than 30 inches above the underlying surface shall have a protective barrier. The minimum height of the top surface of the protective barrier shall be 29 inches. Once I review the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how it is intended to be used, I will provide further guidance on the use of this structure. Until I can receive more information, prevent the preschool children enrolled in the NCPre-K program from playing on this piece of equipment Health & Safety Training – Health & Safety (H&S) Training includes training in 9 topic areas plus Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid. These topic areas provide a foundation for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for children and staff. SF was hired on 1/3/23 and required to complete H&S Trainings by 1/3/24 but did not complete all required modules. She was missing Medication Administration. She stated that she could not remember if she had completed it or not. She logged into Moodle and saw that she had not completed it. SF needs to complete 2024 Medication Administration by 5/20/24 and complete her H&S Training Log documenting all required modules. Send a copy of the certificate for Medication Administration and completed H&S Training Log with the compliance letter. 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. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. *Child Care Health Consultant – S. Rosser - Office: (252) 557-4208 or stacy_rosser@unc.edu Reminders: Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that were delinquent and items that are coming due in the next year. 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. 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 5/6/25 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). New staff will complete Health & Safety in their first year and then will complete on-going training annually based upon their level of education posted in DCDEE Works. *ECE college coursework or coursework leading to an ECE degree counts towards on-going training hours. Each semester credit counts as 16 hours so a 3-credit classes also earns 48 hours of on-going training. *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. Staff Education and Works – S. Fitch needs to finish Works. Log into Works. Request to be approved as a DPI Teacher and DPI Teacher Assistant. Upload completed DPI Teacher/Teacher Assistant Education form and copy of original, official transcripts. New Rules on Teacher Assistant Education - All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and a CDA or AAS-ECE. All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. 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). Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. I shared an Activity Plan checklist that you can share with staff for creating activity plans that meet all requirements. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - Dare County Schools have started the process for testing water for lead and testing buildings for lead paint and asbestos. Results are required by 12/31/2024. Water testing will be repeated every three years. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Policies and Practices That Minimize Child Care and Preschool Exclusion – Thursday, 5/9/24; 6-8pm 2. Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids – required testing for lead in water, lead paint, asbestos – Enrollment due 5/1/24 3. Moodle Back Up and Running! 4. Rules Changes, effective 1/1/2024 – Review on Moodle! 5. Provider Access to the Background Check Management System 6. Free On-line Teacher Professional Development Memberships 7. Resources from Health and Safety Resource Center! 8. Environmental Health Rules Update 9. NC Rated License Assessment Project (NCRLAP) Resources 10. NCID – Keep it active! 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 pre-k program was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 5/23/2022 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. 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 Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. 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. Encourage staff with the NCECC to enroll in additional college coursework to increase points in Education. Dare Education Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. 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. UPDATE ON YOUR PROGRAM’S RATED LICENSE PROGRAM STANDARDS –Seven (7) Points – will be reassessed when ECERS-R completed *meets enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one EDUCATION STANDARDS – Seven (7) Points – currently eligible for Three (3) Points *Based in information available in DCDEE Works *Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. Administrator Education – 7 Points; Currently eligible for 7 Points R. Benton – NCECAC III w/ 9+y ec experience and 9y+ ad experience = 5 points NCPre-K Teacher Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 7 points Room 133 (NCPK): C. Loerch – BS-ECE + B-K Lic w/ 16+y exp = 7 points NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 3 Points Room 133 (NCPK): S. Fitch – HS w/ 2+y ec exp = 3 points *Complete Works and upload original, official transcripts with DPI Education Form – expected to be at least 4 points *Currently enrolled in AAS-ECE; meets requirements for NCPre-K Teacher Assistant QUALTY POINT - One (1) Point 75% of lead teachers have BS-ECE/CD or higher 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 .3013 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/13/2023 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 9/13/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 08:15 AM Time Out: 02:45 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 Room 133. Room 131 is approved primary space but is not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 10/11/2022 Last Sanitation Inspection – 4/11/2023 with Superior Rating - expires 4/11/2024 Last Fire Inspection – 5/2/2023 with Passed with Comments rating - expires 5/2/2024 *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 = 100% R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPreK staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75%of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022. See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. 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 classroom 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 children’s records, two 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 133. The NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool is not due until November. 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 Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistant: S. Fitch. 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 Dial-4 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 were in the process of initial assessments. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/5/2022 – 5/24/2023 from 7:45am – 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 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Parent information was posted outside the classroom. Two NCPreK teachers and the ECPreK teacher were present with sixteen children, three through four years of age. The child, three years of age is not enrolled in NCPreK but joins them with the ECPreK teacher for socialization when a space is available. Children were transitioning to outdoor time. They played on the swings and two complex climbers, one of which was recently installed. Balls and hula hoops were available for other gross motor activities. Teachers supervised and interacted with children. When they returned indoors, they washed hands and prepared for lunch. Lunch was hot dog on bun, green beans, potatoes, fruit cup, and milk. Some children brought lunches from home. They participated in free choice indoor play. All centers were available. Children cooked and played dress-up in the dramatic play center. Children played with ramps and cars, built with large foam blocks and unit blocks. They played with manipulatives at a table and enjoyed some quiet time in the book center. Because it was the beginning of the year, some children were having a rough day. Teachers engaged with them one-on-one trying to help them acknowledge their feelings and move in a positive direction. They rested on linen-covered cots. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Less than one inch of mulch surfacing was in the fall zone under and around the new complex climber. Six inches of surfacing is required. .0605(j) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. The chains and upper connection brackets on the swings were rusted and flaking. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) * 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 R. Benton. I will also email electronic copies to C. Spruill, NC Pre-K Contract Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Contact. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 9/27/2023. 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. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, spruillca@daretolearn.org 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: Surfacing – Resilient surfacing is required in the fall zone under and around stationary equipment to provide cushioning to prevent or reduce injuries if falls occur. The school recently purchased and installed a new complex climber with a critical height of 4 feet. Six inches of mulch is required; however, less than one inch of mulch was in the fall zone. The teacher stated that the maintenance department had started replacing mulch under the swings and older complex climber but had not replaced it in the fall zone for the new complex climber. There are also weeds and grass in the fall zone so consider removing that before adding the mulch. For your compliance letter, describe when and how you corrected the violation by adding at least six inches of mulch surfacing in the fall zone of the new complex climber. *The height from the first step to the ground is almost 2 feet high. Children were having to hoist themselves up onto the first step to reach the top platform. The height from the bottom of the slides to the ground is between 1.5 and 2 feet high. The climber is rated for children 2 – 5 years of age. Review the manufacturer’s installation instructions to verify that the climber is installed deep enough. Provide the Pre-K classroom with a copy to have available for review. *Play with other toys and materials should not take place in the six-foot fall zone around stationary structures to prevent children from sliding or accidentally falling on sand toys, trucks, balls, etc. or children playing with these toys. Outdoor Play Equipment – Outdoor play equipment takes a beating from the sun and elements, especially with the salt air in a coastal environment. Inspecting play equipment and maintaining it keeps children safe. Rust corrodes metal and impacts the integrity of playground equipment. If a child is swinging on a swing set with rusty chains or connections at the top or playing on a climber with rust, these areas could break and cause children to injure themselves. The chains and connectors from the chains to the top of the swing set are rusted and need to be replaced. For your compliance letter, describe when and how the swing chains and top connection points have been replaced. *On the older climber, there is rust at the top of the support poles just under the caps. While these are out of reach of the children and not in a place to impact the climber, they need to be sanded and repainted. 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, EPR plans, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. REMINDERS: Children’s Records – Use a Children’s File Checklist to verify all required enrollment documents are received, and review documents to verify all required information is completed, and forms are signed and dated. Review Health Care Needs section on Child’s Application for Enrollment to verify that parent provides a response to all questions. *Encourage families who provide lunches for their children to complete the Nutrition Opt-out form. If they do not, you are required to supplement missing components: protein, grain, two fruits/vegetables, and milk. *Health assessments with vision, hearing, and dental screenings and documentation of immunizations were not available in the two children’s files reviewed, but parents have thirty days (10/5/2023) to provide them to you. *A Dial-4 was not available in one child’s file reviewed, but you have ninety days (by 12/5/2023) to complete it. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. 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. 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. *S. Fitch completed all H&S Training except for Medication Administration which is due 1/3/2024. Complete and document all modules on H&S Training Log. I will review at next visit. 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 9/13/2024 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). New staff will complete Health & Safety in their first year and then will complete on-going training annually based upon their level of education posted in DCDEE Works. *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. *C. Loerch had 28 on-going training hours. Document them on the On-going Training Log. I will review at next visit. 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. Outdoor Inspections – When completing monthly Playground Inspection Checklist, write full date of inspection – September 13, 2023, instead of September 2023. New Rules on Teacher Assistant Education - The Child Care Commission recently revised rules related to teacher assistant education and on-going training. The rules are effective 4/1/2022 and will be monitored starting August 2022. 10A NCAC 09 .3013 NC PRE-K TEACHER ASSISTANT EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS (a) All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and shall either: (1) hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or (2) hold or be working toward an associate degree or higher in birth-through- kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early childhood education related field. Teacher assistants working toward the associate degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year. (b) All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. (c) The site-level administrator shall document the progress of any teacher assistants who are working toward the required education. This documentation must be maintained in the individual's staff record available for review by the Division. *S. Fitch is enrolled in EDU 119. 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. Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Handwashing – It is the first full week of school, and your children know when to wash their hands! 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 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 pre-k program was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 5/23/2022 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. 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 Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. 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. Encourage staff with the NCECC to enroll in additional college coursework to increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ . The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. 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. UPDATE ON YOUR PROGRAM’S RATED LICENSE PROGRAM STANDARDS –Seven (7) Points – will be reassessed when ECERS-R completed *meets enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one EDUCATION STANDARDS – Seven (7) Points – currently eligible for Three (3) Points *Based in information available in DCDEE Works *Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. Administrator Education – 7 Points; Currently eligible for 7 Points R. Benton – NCECAC III w/ 8+y ec experience and 8y+ ad experience = 5 points NCPre-K Teacher Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 7 points Room 133 (NCPK): C. Loerch – BS-ECE + B-K Lic w/ 15+y exp = 7 points NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 3 Points Room 133 (NCPK): S. Fitch – HS w/ 2y ec exp = 3 points *Complete CDA or EDU 119 + 2 ECE courses (6 credits) to earn 7 points. Continue to complete AAS-ECE (6 credits per year) to remain qualified as NCPre-K TA. QUALTY POINT - One (1) Point 75% of lead teachers have BS-ECE/CD or higher Total the amount of points in Program Standards, Education Standards and Quality Point. 1 – 3 Points = One Star 4 – 6 Points = Two Stars 7 – 9 Points = Three Stars 10 – 12 Points = Four Stars 13 – 15 Points = Five Stars 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: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/13/2023 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 9/13/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 08:15 AM Time Out: 02:45 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 Room 133. Room 131 is approved primary space but is not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 10/11/2022 Last Sanitation Inspection – 4/11/2023 with Superior Rating - expires 4/11/2024 Last Fire Inspection – 5/2/2023 with Passed with Comments rating - expires 5/2/2024 *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 = 100% R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPreK staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75%of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022. See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. 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 classroom 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 children’s records, two 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 133. The NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool is not due until November. 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 Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistant: S. Fitch. 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 Dial-4 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 were in the process of initial assessments. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/5/2022 – 5/24/2023 from 7:45am – 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 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Parent information was posted outside the classroom. Two NCPreK teachers and the ECPreK teacher were present with sixteen children, three through four years of age. The child, three years of age is not enrolled in NCPreK but joins them with the ECPreK teacher for socialization when a space is available. Children were transitioning to outdoor time. They played on the swings and two complex climbers, one of which was recently installed. Balls and hula hoops were available for other gross motor activities. Teachers supervised and interacted with children. When they returned indoors, they washed hands and prepared for lunch. Lunch was hot dog on bun, green beans, potatoes, fruit cup, and milk. Some children brought lunches from home. They participated in free choice indoor play. All centers were available. Children cooked and played dress-up in the dramatic play center. Children played with ramps and cars, built with large foam blocks and unit blocks. They played with manipulatives at a table and enjoyed some quiet time in the book center. Because it was the beginning of the year, some children were having a rough day. Teachers engaged with them one-on-one trying to help them acknowledge their feelings and move in a positive direction. They rested on linen-covered cots. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Less than one inch of mulch surfacing was in the fall zone under and around the new complex climber. Six inches of surfacing is required. .0605(j) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. The chains and upper connection brackets on the swings were rusted and flaking. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) * 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 R. Benton. I will also email electronic copies to C. Spruill, NC Pre-K Contract Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Contact. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 9/27/2023. 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. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, spruillca@daretolearn.org 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: Surfacing – Resilient surfacing is required in the fall zone under and around stationary equipment to provide cushioning to prevent or reduce injuries if falls occur. The school recently purchased and installed a new complex climber with a critical height of 4 feet. Six inches of mulch is required; however, less than one inch of mulch was in the fall zone. The teacher stated that the maintenance department had started replacing mulch under the swings and older complex climber but had not replaced it in the fall zone for the new complex climber. There are also weeds and grass in the fall zone so consider removing that before adding the mulch. For your compliance letter, describe when and how you corrected the violation by adding at least six inches of mulch surfacing in the fall zone of the new complex climber. *The height from the first step to the ground is almost 2 feet high. Children were having to hoist themselves up onto the first step to reach the top platform. The height from the bottom of the slides to the ground is between 1.5 and 2 feet high. The climber is rated for children 2 – 5 years of age. Review the manufacturer’s installation instructions to verify that the climber is installed deep enough. Provide the Pre-K classroom with a copy to have available for review. *Play with other toys and materials should not take place in the six-foot fall zone around stationary structures to prevent children from sliding or accidentally falling on sand toys, trucks, balls, etc. or children playing with these toys. Outdoor Play Equipment – Outdoor play equipment takes a beating from the sun and elements, especially with the salt air in a coastal environment. Inspecting play equipment and maintaining it keeps children safe. Rust corrodes metal and impacts the integrity of playground equipment. If a child is swinging on a swing set with rusty chains or connections at the top or playing on a climber with rust, these areas could break and cause children to injure themselves. The chains and connectors from the chains to the top of the swing set are rusted and need to be replaced. For your compliance letter, describe when and how the swing chains and top connection points have been replaced. *On the older climber, there is rust at the top of the support poles just under the caps. While these are out of reach of the children and not in a place to impact the climber, they need to be sanded and repainted. 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, EPR plans, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. REMINDERS: Children’s Records – Use a Children’s File Checklist to verify all required enrollment documents are received, and review documents to verify all required information is completed, and forms are signed and dated. Review Health Care Needs section on Child’s Application for Enrollment to verify that parent provides a response to all questions. *Encourage families who provide lunches for their children to complete the Nutrition Opt-out form. If they do not, you are required to supplement missing components: protein, grain, two fruits/vegetables, and milk. *Health assessments with vision, hearing, and dental screenings and documentation of immunizations were not available in the two children’s files reviewed, but parents have thirty days (10/5/2023) to provide them to you. *A Dial-4 was not available in one child’s file reviewed, but you have ninety days (by 12/5/2023) to complete it. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. 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. 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. *S. Fitch completed all H&S Training except for Medication Administration which is due 1/3/2024. Complete and document all modules on H&S Training Log. I will review at next visit. 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 9/13/2024 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). New staff will complete Health & Safety in their first year and then will complete on-going training annually based upon their level of education posted in DCDEE Works. *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. *C. Loerch had 28 on-going training hours. Document them on the On-going Training Log. I will review at next visit. 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. Outdoor Inspections – When completing monthly Playground Inspection Checklist, write full date of inspection – September 13, 2023, instead of September 2023. New Rules on Teacher Assistant Education - The Child Care Commission recently revised rules related to teacher assistant education and on-going training. The rules are effective 4/1/2022 and will be monitored starting August 2022. 10A NCAC 09 .3013 NC PRE-K TEACHER ASSISTANT EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS (a) All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and shall either: (1) hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or (2) hold or be working toward an associate degree or higher in birth-through- kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early childhood education related field. Teacher assistants working toward the associate degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year. (b) All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. (c) The site-level administrator shall document the progress of any teacher assistants who are working toward the required education. This documentation must be maintained in the individual's staff record available for review by the Division. *S. Fitch is enrolled in EDU 119. 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. Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Handwashing – It is the first full week of school, and your children know when to wash their hands! 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 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 pre-k program was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 5/23/2022 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. 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 Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. 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. Encourage staff with the NCECC to enroll in additional college coursework to increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ . The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. 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. UPDATE ON YOUR PROGRAM’S RATED LICENSE PROGRAM STANDARDS –Seven (7) Points – will be reassessed when ECERS-R completed *meets enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one EDUCATION STANDARDS – Seven (7) Points – currently eligible for Three (3) Points *Based in information available in DCDEE Works *Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. Administrator Education – 7 Points; Currently eligible for 7 Points R. Benton – NCECAC III w/ 8+y ec experience and 8y+ ad experience = 5 points NCPre-K Teacher Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 7 points Room 133 (NCPK): C. Loerch – BS-ECE + B-K Lic w/ 15+y exp = 7 points NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 3 Points Room 133 (NCPK): S. Fitch – HS w/ 2y ec exp = 3 points *Complete CDA or EDU 119 + 2 ECE courses (6 credits) to earn 7 points. Continue to complete AAS-ECE (6 credits per year) to remain qualified as NCPre-K TA. QUALTY POINT - One (1) Point 75% of lead teachers have BS-ECE/CD or higher Total the amount of points in Program Standards, Education Standards and Quality Point. 1 – 3 Points = One Star 4 – 6 Points = Two Stars 7 – 9 Points = Three Stars 10 – 12 Points = Four Stars 13 – 15 Points = Five Stars 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. 110-91 · Violation
Name of Operation: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/13/2023 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 9/13/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 08:15 AM Time Out: 02:45 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 Room 133. Room 131 is approved primary space but is not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 10/11/2022 Last Sanitation Inspection – 4/11/2023 with Superior Rating - expires 4/11/2024 Last Fire Inspection – 5/2/2023 with Passed with Comments rating - expires 5/2/2024 *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 = 100% R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPreK staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75%of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022. See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. 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 classroom 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 children’s records, two 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 133. The NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool is not due until November. 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 Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistant: S. Fitch. 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 Dial-4 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 were in the process of initial assessments. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/5/2022 – 5/24/2023 from 7:45am – 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 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Parent information was posted outside the classroom. Two NCPreK teachers and the ECPreK teacher were present with sixteen children, three through four years of age. The child, three years of age is not enrolled in NCPreK but joins them with the ECPreK teacher for socialization when a space is available. Children were transitioning to outdoor time. They played on the swings and two complex climbers, one of which was recently installed. Balls and hula hoops were available for other gross motor activities. Teachers supervised and interacted with children. When they returned indoors, they washed hands and prepared for lunch. Lunch was hot dog on bun, green beans, potatoes, fruit cup, and milk. Some children brought lunches from home. They participated in free choice indoor play. All centers were available. Children cooked and played dress-up in the dramatic play center. Children played with ramps and cars, built with large foam blocks and unit blocks. They played with manipulatives at a table and enjoyed some quiet time in the book center. Because it was the beginning of the year, some children were having a rough day. Teachers engaged with them one-on-one trying to help them acknowledge their feelings and move in a positive direction. They rested on linen-covered cots. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Less than one inch of mulch surfacing was in the fall zone under and around the new complex climber. Six inches of surfacing is required. .0605(j) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. The chains and upper connection brackets on the swings were rusted and flaking. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) * 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 R. Benton. I will also email electronic copies to C. Spruill, NC Pre-K Contract Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Contact. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 9/27/2023. 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. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, spruillca@daretolearn.org 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: Surfacing – Resilient surfacing is required in the fall zone under and around stationary equipment to provide cushioning to prevent or reduce injuries if falls occur. The school recently purchased and installed a new complex climber with a critical height of 4 feet. Six inches of mulch is required; however, less than one inch of mulch was in the fall zone. The teacher stated that the maintenance department had started replacing mulch under the swings and older complex climber but had not replaced it in the fall zone for the new complex climber. There are also weeds and grass in the fall zone so consider removing that before adding the mulch. For your compliance letter, describe when and how you corrected the violation by adding at least six inches of mulch surfacing in the fall zone of the new complex climber. *The height from the first step to the ground is almost 2 feet high. Children were having to hoist themselves up onto the first step to reach the top platform. The height from the bottom of the slides to the ground is between 1.5 and 2 feet high. The climber is rated for children 2 – 5 years of age. Review the manufacturer’s installation instructions to verify that the climber is installed deep enough. Provide the Pre-K classroom with a copy to have available for review. *Play with other toys and materials should not take place in the six-foot fall zone around stationary structures to prevent children from sliding or accidentally falling on sand toys, trucks, balls, etc. or children playing with these toys. Outdoor Play Equipment – Outdoor play equipment takes a beating from the sun and elements, especially with the salt air in a coastal environment. Inspecting play equipment and maintaining it keeps children safe. Rust corrodes metal and impacts the integrity of playground equipment. If a child is swinging on a swing set with rusty chains or connections at the top or playing on a climber with rust, these areas could break and cause children to injure themselves. The chains and connectors from the chains to the top of the swing set are rusted and need to be replaced. For your compliance letter, describe when and how the swing chains and top connection points have been replaced. *On the older climber, there is rust at the top of the support poles just under the caps. While these are out of reach of the children and not in a place to impact the climber, they need to be sanded and repainted. 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, EPR plans, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. REMINDERS: Children’s Records – Use a Children’s File Checklist to verify all required enrollment documents are received, and review documents to verify all required information is completed, and forms are signed and dated. Review Health Care Needs section on Child’s Application for Enrollment to verify that parent provides a response to all questions. *Encourage families who provide lunches for their children to complete the Nutrition Opt-out form. If they do not, you are required to supplement missing components: protein, grain, two fruits/vegetables, and milk. *Health assessments with vision, hearing, and dental screenings and documentation of immunizations were not available in the two children’s files reviewed, but parents have thirty days (10/5/2023) to provide them to you. *A Dial-4 was not available in one child’s file reviewed, but you have ninety days (by 12/5/2023) to complete it. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. 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. 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. *S. Fitch completed all H&S Training except for Medication Administration which is due 1/3/2024. Complete and document all modules on H&S Training Log. I will review at next visit. 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 9/13/2024 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). New staff will complete Health & Safety in their first year and then will complete on-going training annually based upon their level of education posted in DCDEE Works. *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. *C. Loerch had 28 on-going training hours. Document them on the On-going Training Log. I will review at next visit. 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. Outdoor Inspections – When completing monthly Playground Inspection Checklist, write full date of inspection – September 13, 2023, instead of September 2023. New Rules on Teacher Assistant Education - The Child Care Commission recently revised rules related to teacher assistant education and on-going training. The rules are effective 4/1/2022 and will be monitored starting August 2022. 10A NCAC 09 .3013 NC PRE-K TEACHER ASSISTANT EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS (a) All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and shall either: (1) hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or (2) hold or be working toward an associate degree or higher in birth-through- kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early childhood education related field. Teacher assistants working toward the associate degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year. (b) All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. (c) The site-level administrator shall document the progress of any teacher assistants who are working toward the required education. This documentation must be maintained in the individual's staff record available for review by the Division. *S. Fitch is enrolled in EDU 119. 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. Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Handwashing – It is the first full week of school, and your children know when to wash their hands! 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 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 pre-k program was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 5/23/2022 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. 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 Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. 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. Encourage staff with the NCECC to enroll in additional college coursework to increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ . The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. 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. UPDATE ON YOUR PROGRAM’S RATED LICENSE PROGRAM STANDARDS –Seven (7) Points – will be reassessed when ECERS-R completed *meets enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one EDUCATION STANDARDS – Seven (7) Points – currently eligible for Three (3) Points *Based in information available in DCDEE Works *Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. Administrator Education – 7 Points; Currently eligible for 7 Points R. Benton – NCECAC III w/ 8+y ec experience and 8y+ ad experience = 5 points NCPre-K Teacher Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 7 points Room 133 (NCPK): C. Loerch – BS-ECE + B-K Lic w/ 15+y exp = 7 points NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 3 Points Room 133 (NCPK): S. Fitch – HS w/ 2y ec exp = 3 points *Complete CDA or EDU 119 + 2 ECE courses (6 credits) to earn 7 points. Continue to complete AAS-ECE (6 credits per year) to remain qualified as NCPre-K TA. QUALTY POINT - One (1) Point 75% of lead teachers have BS-ECE/CD or higher Total the amount of points in Program Standards, Education Standards and Quality Point. 1 – 3 Points = One Star 4 – 6 Points = Two Stars 7 – 9 Points = Three Stars 10 – 12 Points = Four Stars 13 – 15 Points = Five Stars 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: CAPE HATTERAS ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 28000237 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/13/2023 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 9/13/2023 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 390 Time In: 08:15 AM Time Out: 02:45 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 Room 133. Room 131 is approved primary space but is not currently being used for Pre-K. Last Annual Compliance visit – 10/11/2022 Last Sanitation Inspection – 4/11/2023 with Superior Rating - expires 4/11/2024 Last Fire Inspection – 5/2/2023 with Passed with Comments rating - expires 5/2/2024 *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 = 100% R. Benton, Administrator, was present, but the NCPreK staff assisted me with the visit. The facility currently operates with a Five-Star Center License, issued 2/6/2020 (capacity change), 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: 75%of lead teachers have a BA/BS or higher in early childhood education or child development The program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum (Creative Curriculum 5th edition) as required for all four and five star facilities where four-year old children are enrolled. The next rated license assessment was due by 5/23/2022. See below for more information about the Division’s plan to return to rated license assessments. This facility is owned by Dare County Schools. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility. 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 classroom 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 children’s records, two 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 133. The NC Pre-K Site Monitoring Tool is not due until November. 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 Teacher: C. Loerch and NCPK Teacher Assistant: S. Fitch. 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 Dial-4 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 were in the process of initial assessments. The NCPre-K operates daily from 9/5/2022 – 5/24/2023 from 7:45am – 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 3/6/2019 and scored 6.05. Center Observations: Parent information was posted outside the classroom. Two NCPreK teachers and the ECPreK teacher were present with sixteen children, three through four years of age. The child, three years of age is not enrolled in NCPreK but joins them with the ECPreK teacher for socialization when a space is available. Children were transitioning to outdoor time. They played on the swings and two complex climbers, one of which was recently installed. Balls and hula hoops were available for other gross motor activities. Teachers supervised and interacted with children. When they returned indoors, they washed hands and prepared for lunch. Lunch was hot dog on bun, green beans, potatoes, fruit cup, and milk. Some children brought lunches from home. They participated in free choice indoor play. All centers were available. Children cooked and played dress-up in the dramatic play center. Children played with ramps and cars, built with large foam blocks and unit blocks. They played with manipulatives at a table and enjoyed some quiet time in the book center. Because it was the beginning of the year, some children were having a rough day. Teachers engaged with them one-on-one trying to help them acknowledge their feelings and move in a positive direction. They rested on linen-covered cots. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Less than one inch of mulch surfacing was in the fall zone under and around the new complex climber. Six inches of surfacing is required. .0605(j) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. The chains and upper connection brackets on the swings were rusted and flaking. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) * 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 R. Benton. I will also email electronic copies to C. Spruill, NC Pre-K Contract Administrator, and T. Nicewonger, NCPre-K Contact. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 9/27/2023. 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. Send compliance verification letter in an email from the center’s official email address, spruillca@daretolearn.org 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: Surfacing – Resilient surfacing is required in the fall zone under and around stationary equipment to provide cushioning to prevent or reduce injuries if falls occur. The school recently purchased and installed a new complex climber with a critical height of 4 feet. Six inches of mulch is required; however, less than one inch of mulch was in the fall zone. The teacher stated that the maintenance department had started replacing mulch under the swings and older complex climber but had not replaced it in the fall zone for the new complex climber. There are also weeds and grass in the fall zone so consider removing that before adding the mulch. For your compliance letter, describe when and how you corrected the violation by adding at least six inches of mulch surfacing in the fall zone of the new complex climber. *The height from the first step to the ground is almost 2 feet high. Children were having to hoist themselves up onto the first step to reach the top platform. The height from the bottom of the slides to the ground is between 1.5 and 2 feet high. The climber is rated for children 2 – 5 years of age. Review the manufacturer’s installation instructions to verify that the climber is installed deep enough. Provide the Pre-K classroom with a copy to have available for review. *Play with other toys and materials should not take place in the six-foot fall zone around stationary structures to prevent children from sliding or accidentally falling on sand toys, trucks, balls, etc. or children playing with these toys. Outdoor Play Equipment – Outdoor play equipment takes a beating from the sun and elements, especially with the salt air in a coastal environment. Inspecting play equipment and maintaining it keeps children safe. Rust corrodes metal and impacts the integrity of playground equipment. If a child is swinging on a swing set with rusty chains or connections at the top or playing on a climber with rust, these areas could break and cause children to injure themselves. The chains and connectors from the chains to the top of the swing set are rusted and need to be replaced. For your compliance letter, describe when and how the swing chains and top connection points have been replaced. *On the older climber, there is rust at the top of the support poles just under the caps. While these are out of reach of the children and not in a place to impact the climber, they need to be sanded and repainted. 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, EPR plans, activity plans, NC Foundations for Early Learning (developmental domains), etc. *Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County: Phone - (252) 441-0614; website - www.darekids.org. REMINDERS: Children’s Records – Use a Children’s File Checklist to verify all required enrollment documents are received, and review documents to verify all required information is completed, and forms are signed and dated. Review Health Care Needs section on Child’s Application for Enrollment to verify that parent provides a response to all questions. *Encourage families who provide lunches for their children to complete the Nutrition Opt-out form. If they do not, you are required to supplement missing components: protein, grain, two fruits/vegetables, and milk. *Health assessments with vision, hearing, and dental screenings and documentation of immunizations were not available in the two children’s files reviewed, but parents have thirty days (10/5/2023) to provide them to you. *A Dial-4 was not available in one child’s file reviewed, but you have ninety days (by 12/5/2023) to complete it. Staff Worksheets – We reviewed your staff worksheet. I highlighted items that are coming due in the next year. 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. 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. *S. Fitch completed all H&S Training except for Medication Administration which is due 1/3/2024. Complete and document all modules on H&S Training Log. I will review at next visit. 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 9/13/2024 (anniversary of today’s Annual Compliance visit). New staff will complete Health & Safety in their first year and then will complete on-going training annually based upon their level of education posted in DCDEE Works. *Use the On-going Training Log to document training annually. Attach copies of certificates. *C. Loerch had 28 on-going training hours. Document them on the On-going Training Log. I will review at next visit. 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. Outdoor Inspections – When completing monthly Playground Inspection Checklist, write full date of inspection – September 13, 2023, instead of September 2023. New Rules on Teacher Assistant Education - The Child Care Commission recently revised rules related to teacher assistant education and on-going training. The rules are effective 4/1/2022 and will be monitored starting August 2022. 10A NCAC 09 .3013 NC PRE-K TEACHER ASSISTANT EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS (a) All teacher assistants shall have a high school diploma or its equivalent and shall either: (1) hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential; or (2) hold or be working toward an associate degree or higher in birth-through- kindergarten, child development, early childhood education, or an early childhood education related field. Teacher assistants working toward the associate degree shall make progress by completing a minimum of six semester hours per year. (b) All teacher assistants shall complete a minimum of 15 hours of annual in-service professional development. A combination of college coursework, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or clock hours may be used to complete the requirements of this Rule. (c) The site-level administrator shall document the progress of any teacher assistants who are working toward the required education. This documentation must be maintained in the individual's staff record available for review by the Division. *S. Fitch is enrolled in EDU 119. 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. Activity Plans – Activity Plans must be current, dated and posted where they are easily visible and include daily activities that meet the five developmental goals in the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Handwashing – It is the first full week of school, and your children know when to wash their hands! 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 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 pre-k program was due for a three-year rated license reassessment by 5/23/2022 and has been assigned to Cohort 2. The Cohort 2 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025. 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 Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. 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. Encourage staff with the NCECC to enroll in additional college coursework to increase points in Education. TEACH Scholarships are available to help staff pay for educational expenses. Go to https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/teach-north-carolina/ . The Cohort 2 Rated License Assessment Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. 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. UPDATE ON YOUR PROGRAM’S RATED LICENSE PROGRAM STANDARDS –Seven (7) Points – will be reassessed when ECERS-R completed *meets enhanced space and enhanced ratios minus one EDUCATION STANDARDS – Seven (7) Points – currently eligible for Three (3) Points *Based in information available in DCDEE Works *Points are earned based on the lowest level of education for any one position. Administrator Education – 7 Points; Currently eligible for 7 Points R. Benton – NCECAC III w/ 8+y ec experience and 8y+ ad experience = 5 points NCPre-K Teacher Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 7 points Room 133 (NCPK): C. Loerch – BS-ECE + B-K Lic w/ 15+y exp = 7 points NCPre-K Teacher Assistant Education – 7 Points; currently eligible for 3 Points Room 133 (NCPK): S. Fitch – HS w/ 2y ec exp = 3 points *Complete CDA or EDU 119 + 2 ECE courses (6 credits) to earn 7 points. Continue to complete AAS-ECE (6 credits per year) to remain qualified as NCPre-K TA. QUALTY POINT - One (1) Point 75% of lead teachers have BS-ECE/CD or higher Total the amount of points in Program Standards, Education Standards and Quality Point. 1 – 3 Points = One Star 4 – 6 Points = Two Stars 7 – 9 Points = Three Stars 10 – 12 Points = Four Stars 13 – 15 Points = Five Stars 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
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