G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Johnsonville Elementary School Facility ID: 43000631 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/19/2024 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 9/19/2024 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 12:00 PM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for this DPI operated facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued July 26, 2024 and is valid through January 26, 2025. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 20 children ages 3 to 5 years old. R. Gilmore, Principal/Administrator was not available when I arrived. However, she became available during the visit and assisted with the exit interview. One classroom is operating with 10 children enrolled and 9 children present today. This classroom is a blended NC Pre-K and Exceptional Children’s classroom. During today’s visit, the children were napping, conducting routines (toileting and hand washing) and transitioning into outdoor play. I monitored your classroom environment, outdoor play area, and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classroom has a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Activity plans and daily schedules were monitored. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Aerosol lysol, disinfectant wipes, windex, shave cream in an aerosol container, and white board cleaner were observed in an unlocked cabinet. Two cans of aerosol air freshener were observed on the counter next to the refrigerator, and three cans of bug spray were observed in a second unlocked cabinet. .2820(b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. Parent's authorization to administer bug spray was not on file for three cans and one bottle of bug spay and for bug repellant bracelets observed in the classroom. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Two staff members did not have valid CBC qualification. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1043 All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. Files for the three staff members were not available. G.S. 110-91( 9) 1328 Children's records were not made available for review. Children's records were not available. G.S. 110-91(9) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Qualification letters were not on file for the three staff members. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than October 3, 2024. The compliance letter should be sent to me via email. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. An extension from management will need to be requested. The information required in a compliance letter was reviewed. You should list the item number, specifically stating that the violation has been corrected, explaining when it was corrected, and how it was corrected. You should also explain that you understand the rule regarding the violation. You are also encouraged to state how you will prevent noncompliance in the future. Compliance is not considered finalized until all violations have been corrected. Therefore, if the compliance letter says an item will be corrected, it should be followed-up with another letter once it actually has been corrected. As an example, compliance verification such as “Mulch will be delivered on Tuesday” is not considered corrected until it is followed up with a letter stating something like “The mulch was delivered on Tuesday, September 5, 2024, and now measures nine inches in the full fall zone.” Please let me know if you have any questions regarding how to complete a compliance letter. If you will be unable to correct all violations within the allowed timeframe, you should request an extension. We discussed that Criminal Background qualification letters were not on file for two staff members. A check of the ABCMS system reflected that neither of the two had been qualified. It was determined that Venus Bailey and Amanda Wood have not been qualified. I notified the Principal that Ms. Bailey and Ms. Wood may not be on the premises until they have received qualification though a DCDEE background check. Therefore, she was notified these staff members must leave the premises immediately, and not return until they have received a qualification letter. I encouraged you to have them contact the Criminal Background Check Unit to determine the status of their qualification. Technical assistance was provided that you may use administrative or other school staff who have qualification letters on file or a substitute with a valid qualification to replace the staff members immediately. I also notified you that it is the Administrator’s responsibility to ensure that all staff and substitutes have a valid qualification letter in hand before they begin work in the preschool classrooms. Staff and children’s file requirements were also discussed today. I encouraged you to use the file checklists available on the DCDEE website to ensure all requirements are met. We noted on the checklist items that may be covered by the off-site records verification form. The use of this form was discussed, and it was stressed that by signing this form the signor is stating they have verified the information listed is available off-site for the staff members listed on the second page. All other items, as well as the off-site form, must be kept on-site, and must be available for review. We discussed the storage of hazardous products today. We discussed that staff stated the original lock on the cabinet had jammed and had not been replaced. The cabinet contained aerosol products as well as cleaning supplies. Locked storage consists of a lock and key, combination, or magnet lock. The plastic cabinet locks or “kiddie locks” do not meet the requirements for locked storage. They do, however, meet the requirements for inaccessibility. I observed shave cream in the cabinet as well. I notified you there is a memo from Sanitation stating that shaving cream should not be used with children in child care under any circumstances. I asked that you remove the shaving cream from the premises. We also discussed the requirements for medication administration. Anything put on or in a child that is not food, is medication. Therefore, the bug spray observed in the cabinet is considered medication, and permission forms must be available in order to administer the spray. Many of the sprays were in aerosol cans. Any product in an aerosol can, including sunscreen and bug spray, must be kept in locked storage. I also observed a bag of “bug bands” or coil type bracelets used as a bug deterrent. I reminded you that you must have parent permission to use these types of bands. Depending on the warnings on the label, they may not be able to be used if they contain a hazardous substance. Technical Assistance and Consultation: When new staff are hired, they may bring in Health and Safety training they have completed within the last year only. Trainings that were completed more than a year before hire are not accepted. New staff have 90 days to complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicion of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid certifications. They must complete the remainder of the Health and Safety trainings within one year of employment. I encouraged you to use the Health and Safety training log to ensure all topics are covered. CPR and First Aid certification cards should be on file for all staff who have obtained these certifications. The training certificate only verifies the staff member attended the training, not that the certification was achieved. We disused that at least one person on staff must have obtained playground safety training. This person should be the staff member who conducts the playground inspections. Documentation of this training must be kept on file. One staff member must also complete Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care Training. The school’s critical incident training may be used as an equivalency to this training as long as documentation of completion is available. The school’s Risk Management Plan may be used instead of completing the EPR plan in the emergency management portal. However, it should be reviewed with staff and signed verification available upon hire and at least annually. We discussed that although only two shelter-in-place or lockdown drills are required to meet DPI requirements, they must be conducted once every three months to meet child care requirements. Therefore, additional drills may be needed for the preschool group. We discussed that a compliance history score of at least 75% must be maintained in order to qualify for a license at the end of the temporary time period. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the rated license process. You stated you planned to apply for a Two though Five Star Rated License at the end of the temporary time period. We also discussed that you would need to have an Environment Rating Scale Assessment conducted in order to meet NC Pre-K program requirements. I notified you that we would need to request the ERS assessment no later than the third month of the temporary time period in order to have the assessment conducted before the temporary expires. I encouraged you to ensure all staff have requested evaluations for their positions using the WORKS system. I asked that you submit the rated license application as soon as possible. It is available on the Division’s website under the provider documents tab. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: Johnsonville Elementary School Facility ID: 43000631 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/19/2024 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 9/19/2024 Age: From 3 To 4 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 12:00 PM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for this DPI operated facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued July 26, 2024 and is valid through January 26, 2025. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 20 children ages 3 to 5 years old. R. Gilmore, Principal/Administrator was not available when I arrived. However, she became available during the visit and assisted with the exit interview. One classroom is operating with 10 children enrolled and 9 children present today. This classroom is a blended NC Pre-K and Exceptional Children’s classroom. During today’s visit, the children were napping, conducting routines (toileting and hand washing) and transitioning into outdoor play. I monitored your classroom environment, outdoor play area, and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classroom has a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Activity plans and daily schedules were monitored. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Aerosol lysol, disinfectant wipes, windex, shave cream in an aerosol container, and white board cleaner were observed in an unlocked cabinet. Two cans of aerosol air freshener were observed on the counter next to the refrigerator, and three cans of bug spray were observed in a second unlocked cabinet. .2820(b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. Parent's authorization to administer bug spray was not on file for three cans and one bottle of bug spay and for bug repellant bracelets observed in the classroom. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Two staff members did not have valid CBC qualification. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1043 All staff records, except financial records, were not made available for review. Files for the three staff members were not available. G.S. 110-91( 9) 1328 Children's records were not made available for review. Children's records were not available. G.S. 110-91(9) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Qualification letters were not on file for the three staff members. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than October 3, 2024. The compliance letter should be sent to me via email. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. An extension from management will need to be requested. The information required in a compliance letter was reviewed. You should list the item number, specifically stating that the violation has been corrected, explaining when it was corrected, and how it was corrected. You should also explain that you understand the rule regarding the violation. You are also encouraged to state how you will prevent noncompliance in the future. Compliance is not considered finalized until all violations have been corrected. Therefore, if the compliance letter says an item will be corrected, it should be followed-up with another letter once it actually has been corrected. As an example, compliance verification such as “Mulch will be delivered on Tuesday” is not considered corrected until it is followed up with a letter stating something like “The mulch was delivered on Tuesday, September 5, 2024, and now measures nine inches in the full fall zone.” Please let me know if you have any questions regarding how to complete a compliance letter. If you will be unable to correct all violations within the allowed timeframe, you should request an extension. We discussed that Criminal Background qualification letters were not on file for two staff members. A check of the ABCMS system reflected that neither of the two had been qualified. It was determined that Venus Bailey and Amanda Wood have not been qualified. I notified the Principal that Ms. Bailey and Ms. Wood may not be on the premises until they have received qualification though a DCDEE background check. Therefore, she was notified these staff members must leave the premises immediately, and not return until they have received a qualification letter. I encouraged you to have them contact the Criminal Background Check Unit to determine the status of their qualification. Technical assistance was provided that you may use administrative or other school staff who have qualification letters on file or a substitute with a valid qualification to replace the staff members immediately. I also notified you that it is the Administrator’s responsibility to ensure that all staff and substitutes have a valid qualification letter in hand before they begin work in the preschool classrooms. Staff and children’s file requirements were also discussed today. I encouraged you to use the file checklists available on the DCDEE website to ensure all requirements are met. We noted on the checklist items that may be covered by the off-site records verification form. The use of this form was discussed, and it was stressed that by signing this form the signor is stating they have verified the information listed is available off-site for the staff members listed on the second page. All other items, as well as the off-site form, must be kept on-site, and must be available for review. We discussed the storage of hazardous products today. We discussed that staff stated the original lock on the cabinet had jammed and had not been replaced. The cabinet contained aerosol products as well as cleaning supplies. Locked storage consists of a lock and key, combination, or magnet lock. The plastic cabinet locks or “kiddie locks” do not meet the requirements for locked storage. They do, however, meet the requirements for inaccessibility. I observed shave cream in the cabinet as well. I notified you there is a memo from Sanitation stating that shaving cream should not be used with children in child care under any circumstances. I asked that you remove the shaving cream from the premises. We also discussed the requirements for medication administration. Anything put on or in a child that is not food, is medication. Therefore, the bug spray observed in the cabinet is considered medication, and permission forms must be available in order to administer the spray. Many of the sprays were in aerosol cans. Any product in an aerosol can, including sunscreen and bug spray, must be kept in locked storage. I also observed a bag of “bug bands” or coil type bracelets used as a bug deterrent. I reminded you that you must have parent permission to use these types of bands. Depending on the warnings on the label, they may not be able to be used if they contain a hazardous substance. Technical Assistance and Consultation: When new staff are hired, they may bring in Health and Safety training they have completed within the last year only. Trainings that were completed more than a year before hire are not accepted. New staff have 90 days to complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicion of Child Maltreatment and CPR/First Aid certifications. They must complete the remainder of the Health and Safety trainings within one year of employment. I encouraged you to use the Health and Safety training log to ensure all topics are covered. CPR and First Aid certification cards should be on file for all staff who have obtained these certifications. The training certificate only verifies the staff member attended the training, not that the certification was achieved. We disused that at least one person on staff must have obtained playground safety training. This person should be the staff member who conducts the playground inspections. Documentation of this training must be kept on file. One staff member must also complete Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care Training. The school’s critical incident training may be used as an equivalency to this training as long as documentation of completion is available. The school’s Risk Management Plan may be used instead of completing the EPR plan in the emergency management portal. However, it should be reviewed with staff and signed verification available upon hire and at least annually. We discussed that although only two shelter-in-place or lockdown drills are required to meet DPI requirements, they must be conducted once every three months to meet child care requirements. Therefore, additional drills may be needed for the preschool group. We discussed that a compliance history score of at least 75% must be maintained in order to qualify for a license at the end of the temporary time period. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the rated license process. You stated you planned to apply for a Two though Five Star Rated License at the end of the temporary time period. We also discussed that you would need to have an Environment Rating Scale Assessment conducted in order to meet NC Pre-K program requirements. I notified you that we would need to request the ERS assessment no later than the third month of the temporary time period in order to have the assessment conducted before the temporary expires. I encouraged you to ensure all staff have requested evaluations for their positions using the WORKS system. I asked that you submit the rated license application as soon as possible. It is available on the Division’s website under the provider documents tab. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.