NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: FOREVER GROWING Facility ID: 43000624 Consultant: TANYA HERRING Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 9/5/2024 Number Present: 2 Completed Date: 9/5/2024 Age: From 2 To 3 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 10:25 AM Time Out: 12:25 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor applicable child requirements during your routine unannounced visit to your family child care home (FCCH). Upon arrival, I was greeted by the owner/operator, J. Otani. During today’s visit, I observed two (2) children participating in a cool time period before the children transitioned to free choice play. Ms. Otani stated they were just returning from outdoor play. I observed the caregiver engaging in positive interactions with both children. I was accompanied by Ms. Otani as I completed a general walk-through of the indoor and outdoor environments and the kitchen. Mr. Otani joined us during the visit. He was observed preparing lunch. Today’s meal was in compliance with the Meal Pattern requirements. LICENSE STATUS: This FCCH currently operates with a three-star rated license issued on June 3, 2023. REQUIRED DRILLS/INSPECTIONS: The last annual compliance visit was completed on November 28, 2023. The last documented monthly fire drill was conducted on July 8, 2024. The last documented quarterly lockdown/shelter-in-place drill was conducted on May 15, 2024. The last documented monthly playground inspection was completed on August 2, 2024. During today’s visit a partial assessment of the child care requirements was conducted. I observed all required postings and attendance logs. There are no infants enrolled, so no safe sleep logs were reviewed. The operator and her spouse were in compliance with the required CPR, First Aid, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) training. I also monitored the Criminal Background Checks (CBC) and qualification letters for Ms. Otani and her spouse were in compliance. The operator stated they have two (2) dogs named Splash and Ducky. The operator stated she does not provide transportation. The following violations were documented during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 706 Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care. Two (2) aerosol cans of Banana Boat sunscreen spray were left on the counter. .1719 (a)(7) 1853 The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill. The last documented monthly fire drill was conducted on July 8, 2024 .1719(a)(15) & .1721( e)(2) 1854 The operator did not conduct a quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill and or the drill record was incomplete. The last documented quarterly lockdown or shelter-in-place drill was a lockdown drill conducted on May 15, 2024. .1719(a )(16) & .1721(e )(7) COMPLIANCE HISTORY: Prior to today’s visit, the 18-month compliance history for this facility was 97%. COMPLIANCE LETTER: All violations must be corrected immediately. A compliance letter is due to me within two (2) weeks of today’s visit. By September 19, 2024, please send me a letter addressing each violation, how the violations were corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. You must include your facility name, facility ID number, and each item number for the violations cited. You may submit the letter to me electronically at tanya.herring@dhhs.nc.gov or by mail. If you elect to mail me your letter, please ensure that you allow sufficient time so that the letter reaches me in a timely manner. My mailing address is: Tanya Herring 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2200 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/CONSULTATION: RATED LICENSE: During today’s visit, you stated that you were interested in obtaining a higher star level. According to the information provided, you were scheduled to have the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale (FCCERS) assessment conducted at your FCCH a couple of months ago, but shortly after the assessments were scheduled, an infant was due to enroll. You believed that you would need additional time to prepare and as a result, the assessments were cancelled. Shortly after the assessments were cancelled, you were notified that the infant would not begin at your FCCH as originally planned so you inquired again about having the FCCERS completed but were instead given information about the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECCERS) assessment. I explained that FCCH’s only participate in the FCCERS assessments and that you would need to submit a request to me to have the assessment rescheduled. Next, we completed a review of your current star rated license. You currently have seven (7) points in the education component, one (1) point in the program standards component, and one (1) quality point for a total of nine (9) points for a three star-rated license. In addition to having the FCCERS assessment conducted, you can obtain an additional point in program standards by completing a 3-month self-study. You stated you are currently working on the 3-month self-study. Upon completion of the self-study, you will be eligible for seven (7) points in staff education, two (2) points in program standards and one (1) quality point for a total of ten (10) points and a four-star license. 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 (75) percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. During today’s visit, I observed your monthly fire drill and quarterly lockdown, and shelter-in-place drill were not completed as required. Fire drills are required to be completed monthly to ensure everyone is familiar with a plan to evacuate in case of a fire. Lockdown and shelter-in-place drills are required to be completed quarterly. Most fatalities happen in the home as a result of not knowing how to respond to a fire or an emergency such as a hurricane, tornado, or intruder. It is important for children to recognize the sound of the fire alarm, be familiar with the different evacuation routes, and respond calmly and quickly in the event of a true emergency. SAFE INDOOR/OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS: I observed two (2) aerosol cans of Banana Boat sunscreen spray sitting on the counter. All products in an aerosol dispenser, and substances which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled must be stored in a locked area when not in use. Locked areas or storage are those unlocked with a combination, electronic, or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. You must ensure that the keys are not left in the lock and inaccessible to children. Any products labeled "keep out of reach of children" without any other warnings must be inaccessible to children when not in use but are not required to be kept in locked storage. The product is considered inaccessible to children when stored at a minimum vertical distance of five feet above the floor. Thank you for your time today. If you have any questions, please contact me at tanya.herring@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-624-4171. 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