BIG Blue Marble Academy

10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/22/2026 Number Present: 78 Completed Date: 4/22/2026 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 375 Time In: 10:45 AM Time Out: 05:00 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 Big Blue Marble Academy for compliance with applicable childcare requirements for their annual compliance visit. A full assessment of childcare requirements was conducted today. Big Blue Marble Academy currently operates with a Five-star license. They received their five stars on December 25, 2023. Big Blue Marble Academy is licensed for 240 children on first shift and are approved to care for children 0-12 years of age. They meet enhanced ratios and enhanced space and the children must be cared for on the ground floor of the facility. Today’s visit was conducted with center director, Ms. Jessica Cissie. Ms. Cissie accompanied me throughout my walkthrough of the facility today. I, Kimberly Girouard, Child Care Licensing Consultant, monitored (12) twelve classrooms, the kitchen, three playgrounds, a basketball court and open field space, a splash pad, staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size, staff interaction and discipline, required trainings, criminal background checks, emergency medical care plan, administration of medications, storage of substances and medications, health and safety requirements, adequate and approved space, program records, and permit restrictions. At the time of my visit there were a total of 78 children present between the ages of 0yrs. – 11yrs. years of age. The children were observed engaged in indoor center activities, eating lunch, playing outside and going down for naps, participating in afternoon activities and evening pick-up. One infant room was monitored today. The infants were observed engaged in floor activities, napping, and going down for naps. While conducting my walkthrough of the facility today, I observed the staff engaged in the children’s activities while providing appropriate supervision. During my walk through of the classrooms, I observed a lack of various materials such as puzzles, all sizes of Lego's, blocks of various material, i.e. wooden, plastic, soft material as well as materials to promote art and creative play, manipulatives, and family living/dramatic play. Each of the three playgrounds, the basketball court and open field offer a pleasant age-appropriate outdoor environment. I also monitored one splash pad. All outdoor areas were observed to be in compliance today. Big Blue Marble Academy currently uses the Passport To Learning curriculum and assessment tools, neither of which are DCDEE approved at this time. I was informed today that Big Blue Marble, INC. has submitted their curriculum and assessment tool to DCDEE for approval. VERIFICATION OF RECORDS: *Last fire inspection – 2/25/2025 – Per fire department correspondence with Big Blue Marble on March 25, 2026, Big Blue Marble needs to have additional insulation installed throughout the building. *Sanitation inspection – 9/18/2025 (10 demerits and a superior rating) *I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed the owner of this facility, Big Blue Marble Academy, LLC. is currently listed as current and active. * EPR plan was revised on 5/15/2025 * Fire drill – 4/13/26 * Shelter In Place – 4/17/26 * Playground inspections were found to be in compliance. Transportation- Big Blue Marble has two buses; 1) License Plate KLD 9474 and 2) License Plate KLD9473. Both busses were monitored and found to be in compliance today. The following violations were observed and cited today. 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 last Fire Inspection was completed on 2/25/25. Per fire department correspondence with Big Blue Marble on March 25, 2026, Big Blue Marble needs to have additional insulation installed throughout the building. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 434 The materials and equipment indoors and outdoors were not sufficient to provide a variety of play experiences to promote the children's emotional and social development, health and physical development, approaches to play and learning, language and communication development, and cognitive development. The outdoor environment was found to be in compliance but all of the classrooms are in need of additional materials for art and creative play, blocks and block building, manipulatives, and family living/dramatic play. 10A NCAC 09 .0509(2) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. One child file was missing emergency contact information. Parent works in the building and updated the missing information. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) RATED LICENSE INFORMATION Ms. Cissie has reached out to Wake County Smart Start for assistance in preparing for their upcoming rated license. Ms. Cissie shared she will be following Pathway 2 – Classroom and Instructional Quality. Ms. Cissie and I reviewed all requirements for Pathway 2 and we discussed a realistic time frame to get everything completed in September 2026. The timeline we discussed is as follows: *IMMEDIATELY CONFIRM ALL STAFF ARE IN WORKS AND IF THEY ARE NOT HAVE THEM GET THEIR EDUCATION SUBMITTED ASAP. *May 15, 2026 – ALL Staff have submitted their education to DCDEE • WORKS – The WORKS tab can be found on the DCDEE website under the Provider tab. Everyone will follow the prompts, and it will walk them through the process. *As staff complete additional education it is very important that they upload their official transcripts into WORKS so the evaluation process can be completed. DCDEE can ONLY use the education documented in WORKS when evaluating and completing the education component. • Workforce Education Unit - Foreign Transcript Submission Process was emailed to Ms. Cissie today. *August 1, 2026, 2026 - Send Ms. Girouard the QRIS Application identifying Pathway 2 and include all required documents: • Family & Community Engagement Standards • Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (Facility) • Continuous Quality Improvement Plan / Professional Development Plan(Individual) • Information and Education Worksheet on downloadable Excel Worksheet – the link for this form is on the QRIS application. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Classroom Materials Early childhood classrooms with an appropriate amount of age-appropriate materials are crucial for fostering independence, cognitive growth, and social development. Providing sufficient, accessible materials allows children to engage in meaningful play, reduces conflict, and fosters a sense of belonging and safety, ensuring they can actively explore and learn at their own developmental pace. All equipment, inside and outside, needs to be able to be used as intended at all times. Keep an eye on classroom materials such as books and remove items that are weathered, no longer able to be used properly or are no longer working as intended. The books in all of the classrooms are in need of being replenished. Keep an eye on dramatic play materials such as kitchen appliances, i.e. stoves, refrigerators, etc. If handles or knobs break or come off and are missed placed, replacements need to be installed. Please submit a corrective action letter for the above violations. While the Division allows you time to explain how you have corrected violations when they are documented, it is expected that you correct all violations immediately. Your corrective action letter must include the following: Name of your program, Id number of your program, Date of Letter, Violation(s) number(s), and How and When each violation was corrected. Your letter is due no later than May 6, 2026, and should be emailed to: Kimberly Girouard at Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time during today’s visit. If you have any questions I can be reached at: Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov – 919-602-2582 and if needed you can contact my supervisor Michele Remington at Michele.Remington@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .0509 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/22/2026 Number Present: 78 Completed Date: 4/22/2026 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 375 Time In: 10:45 AM Time Out: 05:00 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 Big Blue Marble Academy for compliance with applicable childcare requirements for their annual compliance visit. A full assessment of childcare requirements was conducted today. Big Blue Marble Academy currently operates with a Five-star license. They received their five stars on December 25, 2023. Big Blue Marble Academy is licensed for 240 children on first shift and are approved to care for children 0-12 years of age. They meet enhanced ratios and enhanced space and the children must be cared for on the ground floor of the facility. Today’s visit was conducted with center director, Ms. Jessica Cissie. Ms. Cissie accompanied me throughout my walkthrough of the facility today. I, Kimberly Girouard, Child Care Licensing Consultant, monitored (12) twelve classrooms, the kitchen, three playgrounds, a basketball court and open field space, a splash pad, staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size, staff interaction and discipline, required trainings, criminal background checks, emergency medical care plan, administration of medications, storage of substances and medications, health and safety requirements, adequate and approved space, program records, and permit restrictions. At the time of my visit there were a total of 78 children present between the ages of 0yrs. – 11yrs. years of age. The children were observed engaged in indoor center activities, eating lunch, playing outside and going down for naps, participating in afternoon activities and evening pick-up. One infant room was monitored today. The infants were observed engaged in floor activities, napping, and going down for naps. While conducting my walkthrough of the facility today, I observed the staff engaged in the children’s activities while providing appropriate supervision. During my walk through of the classrooms, I observed a lack of various materials such as puzzles, all sizes of Lego's, blocks of various material, i.e. wooden, plastic, soft material as well as materials to promote art and creative play, manipulatives, and family living/dramatic play. Each of the three playgrounds, the basketball court and open field offer a pleasant age-appropriate outdoor environment. I also monitored one splash pad. All outdoor areas were observed to be in compliance today. Big Blue Marble Academy currently uses the Passport To Learning curriculum and assessment tools, neither of which are DCDEE approved at this time. I was informed today that Big Blue Marble, INC. has submitted their curriculum and assessment tool to DCDEE for approval. VERIFICATION OF RECORDS: *Last fire inspection – 2/25/2025 – Per fire department correspondence with Big Blue Marble on March 25, 2026, Big Blue Marble needs to have additional insulation installed throughout the building. *Sanitation inspection – 9/18/2025 (10 demerits and a superior rating) *I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed the owner of this facility, Big Blue Marble Academy, LLC. is currently listed as current and active. * EPR plan was revised on 5/15/2025 * Fire drill – 4/13/26 * Shelter In Place – 4/17/26 * Playground inspections were found to be in compliance. Transportation- Big Blue Marble has two buses; 1) License Plate KLD 9474 and 2) License Plate KLD9473. Both busses were monitored and found to be in compliance today. The following violations were observed and cited today. 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 last Fire Inspection was completed on 2/25/25. Per fire department correspondence with Big Blue Marble on March 25, 2026, Big Blue Marble needs to have additional insulation installed throughout the building. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 434 The materials and equipment indoors and outdoors were not sufficient to provide a variety of play experiences to promote the children's emotional and social development, health and physical development, approaches to play and learning, language and communication development, and cognitive development. The outdoor environment was found to be in compliance but all of the classrooms are in need of additional materials for art and creative play, blocks and block building, manipulatives, and family living/dramatic play. 10A NCAC 09 .0509(2) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. One child file was missing emergency contact information. Parent works in the building and updated the missing information. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) RATED LICENSE INFORMATION Ms. Cissie has reached out to Wake County Smart Start for assistance in preparing for their upcoming rated license. Ms. Cissie shared she will be following Pathway 2 – Classroom and Instructional Quality. Ms. Cissie and I reviewed all requirements for Pathway 2 and we discussed a realistic time frame to get everything completed in September 2026. The timeline we discussed is as follows: *IMMEDIATELY CONFIRM ALL STAFF ARE IN WORKS AND IF THEY ARE NOT HAVE THEM GET THEIR EDUCATION SUBMITTED ASAP. *May 15, 2026 – ALL Staff have submitted their education to DCDEE • WORKS – The WORKS tab can be found on the DCDEE website under the Provider tab. Everyone will follow the prompts, and it will walk them through the process. *As staff complete additional education it is very important that they upload their official transcripts into WORKS so the evaluation process can be completed. DCDEE can ONLY use the education documented in WORKS when evaluating and completing the education component. • Workforce Education Unit - Foreign Transcript Submission Process was emailed to Ms. Cissie today. *August 1, 2026, 2026 - Send Ms. Girouard the QRIS Application identifying Pathway 2 and include all required documents: • Family & Community Engagement Standards • Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (Facility) • Continuous Quality Improvement Plan / Professional Development Plan(Individual) • Information and Education Worksheet on downloadable Excel Worksheet – the link for this form is on the QRIS application. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Classroom Materials Early childhood classrooms with an appropriate amount of age-appropriate materials are crucial for fostering independence, cognitive growth, and social development. Providing sufficient, accessible materials allows children to engage in meaningful play, reduces conflict, and fosters a sense of belonging and safety, ensuring they can actively explore and learn at their own developmental pace. All equipment, inside and outside, needs to be able to be used as intended at all times. Keep an eye on classroom materials such as books and remove items that are weathered, no longer able to be used properly or are no longer working as intended. The books in all of the classrooms are in need of being replenished. Keep an eye on dramatic play materials such as kitchen appliances, i.e. stoves, refrigerators, etc. If handles or knobs break or come off and are missed placed, replacements need to be installed. Please submit a corrective action letter for the above violations. While the Division allows you time to explain how you have corrected violations when they are documented, it is expected that you correct all violations immediately. Your corrective action letter must include the following: Name of your program, Id number of your program, Date of Letter, Violation(s) number(s), and How and When each violation was corrected. Your letter is due no later than May 6, 2026, and should be emailed to: Kimberly Girouard at Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time during today’s visit. If you have any questions I can be reached at: Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov – 919-602-2582 and if needed you can contact my supervisor Michele Remington at Michele.Remington@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/22/2026 Number Present: 78 Completed Date: 4/22/2026 Age: From 0 To 11 Total Minutes: 375 Time In: 10:45 AM Time Out: 05:00 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 Big Blue Marble Academy for compliance with applicable childcare requirements for their annual compliance visit. A full assessment of childcare requirements was conducted today. Big Blue Marble Academy currently operates with a Five-star license. They received their five stars on December 25, 2023. Big Blue Marble Academy is licensed for 240 children on first shift and are approved to care for children 0-12 years of age. They meet enhanced ratios and enhanced space and the children must be cared for on the ground floor of the facility. Today’s visit was conducted with center director, Ms. Jessica Cissie. Ms. Cissie accompanied me throughout my walkthrough of the facility today. I, Kimberly Girouard, Child Care Licensing Consultant, monitored (12) twelve classrooms, the kitchen, three playgrounds, a basketball court and open field space, a splash pad, staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size, staff interaction and discipline, required trainings, criminal background checks, emergency medical care plan, administration of medications, storage of substances and medications, health and safety requirements, adequate and approved space, program records, and permit restrictions. At the time of my visit there were a total of 78 children present between the ages of 0yrs. – 11yrs. years of age. The children were observed engaged in indoor center activities, eating lunch, playing outside and going down for naps, participating in afternoon activities and evening pick-up. One infant room was monitored today. The infants were observed engaged in floor activities, napping, and going down for naps. While conducting my walkthrough of the facility today, I observed the staff engaged in the children’s activities while providing appropriate supervision. During my walk through of the classrooms, I observed a lack of various materials such as puzzles, all sizes of Lego's, blocks of various material, i.e. wooden, plastic, soft material as well as materials to promote art and creative play, manipulatives, and family living/dramatic play. Each of the three playgrounds, the basketball court and open field offer a pleasant age-appropriate outdoor environment. I also monitored one splash pad. All outdoor areas were observed to be in compliance today. Big Blue Marble Academy currently uses the Passport To Learning curriculum and assessment tools, neither of which are DCDEE approved at this time. I was informed today that Big Blue Marble, INC. has submitted their curriculum and assessment tool to DCDEE for approval. VERIFICATION OF RECORDS: *Last fire inspection – 2/25/2025 – Per fire department correspondence with Big Blue Marble on March 25, 2026, Big Blue Marble needs to have additional insulation installed throughout the building. *Sanitation inspection – 9/18/2025 (10 demerits and a superior rating) *I reviewed the NC Secretary of State’s website and observed the owner of this facility, Big Blue Marble Academy, LLC. is currently listed as current and active. * EPR plan was revised on 5/15/2025 * Fire drill – 4/13/26 * Shelter In Place – 4/17/26 * Playground inspections were found to be in compliance. Transportation- Big Blue Marble has two buses; 1) License Plate KLD 9474 and 2) License Plate KLD9473. Both busses were monitored and found to be in compliance today. The following violations were observed and cited today. 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 last Fire Inspection was completed on 2/25/25. Per fire department correspondence with Big Blue Marble on March 25, 2026, Big Blue Marble needs to have additional insulation installed throughout the building. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 434 The materials and equipment indoors and outdoors were not sufficient to provide a variety of play experiences to promote the children's emotional and social development, health and physical development, approaches to play and learning, language and communication development, and cognitive development. The outdoor environment was found to be in compliance but all of the classrooms are in need of additional materials for art and creative play, blocks and block building, manipulatives, and family living/dramatic play. 10A NCAC 09 .0509(2) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. One child file was missing emergency contact information. Parent works in the building and updated the missing information. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) RATED LICENSE INFORMATION Ms. Cissie has reached out to Wake County Smart Start for assistance in preparing for their upcoming rated license. Ms. Cissie shared she will be following Pathway 2 – Classroom and Instructional Quality. Ms. Cissie and I reviewed all requirements for Pathway 2 and we discussed a realistic time frame to get everything completed in September 2026. The timeline we discussed is as follows: *IMMEDIATELY CONFIRM ALL STAFF ARE IN WORKS AND IF THEY ARE NOT HAVE THEM GET THEIR EDUCATION SUBMITTED ASAP. *May 15, 2026 – ALL Staff have submitted their education to DCDEE • WORKS – The WORKS tab can be found on the DCDEE website under the Provider tab. Everyone will follow the prompts, and it will walk them through the process. *As staff complete additional education it is very important that they upload their official transcripts into WORKS so the evaluation process can be completed. DCDEE can ONLY use the education documented in WORKS when evaluating and completing the education component. • Workforce Education Unit - Foreign Transcript Submission Process was emailed to Ms. Cissie today. *August 1, 2026, 2026 - Send Ms. Girouard the QRIS Application identifying Pathway 2 and include all required documents: • Family & Community Engagement Standards • Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (Facility) • Continuous Quality Improvement Plan / Professional Development Plan(Individual) • Information and Education Worksheet on downloadable Excel Worksheet – the link for this form is on the QRIS application. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Classroom Materials Early childhood classrooms with an appropriate amount of age-appropriate materials are crucial for fostering independence, cognitive growth, and social development. Providing sufficient, accessible materials allows children to engage in meaningful play, reduces conflict, and fosters a sense of belonging and safety, ensuring they can actively explore and learn at their own developmental pace. All equipment, inside and outside, needs to be able to be used as intended at all times. Keep an eye on classroom materials such as books and remove items that are weathered, no longer able to be used properly or are no longer working as intended. The books in all of the classrooms are in need of being replenished. Keep an eye on dramatic play materials such as kitchen appliances, i.e. stoves, refrigerators, etc. If handles or knobs break or come off and are missed placed, replacements need to be installed. Please submit a corrective action letter for the above violations. While the Division allows you time to explain how you have corrected violations when they are documented, it is expected that you correct all violations immediately. Your corrective action letter must include the following: Name of your program, Id number of your program, Date of Letter, Violation(s) number(s), and How and When each violation was corrected. Your letter is due no later than May 6, 2026, and should be emailed to: Kimberly Girouard at Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time during today’s visit. If you have any questions I can be reached at: Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov – 919-602-2582 and if needed you can contact my supervisor Michele Remington at Michele.Remington@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .0606 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/13/2025 Number Present: 56 Completed Date: 11/13/2025 Age: From 0 To 9 Total Minutes: 260 Time In: 11:00 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance during a Routine Unannounced visit. Big Blue Marble Academy operates with a Five (5) Star Child Care License issued on December 25, 2023. Assistant Director, Ms. Melony Blackman, was present at the facility today and accompanied me throughout my visit. Director, Ms. Jessica Cisse, was out of the office during today’s visit. MONITORING During today’s visit, a partial assessment was conducted, monitoring all space occupied by the children. Staff qualifications were discussed and reviewed. Three new staff files were reviewed today. All spaces were monitored for supervision, staff/child ratios, staff/child interactions, materials, equipment and required postings. INSPECTIONS I reviewed required inspections including fire drills, emergency drills, fire and sanitation inspections and playground inspections. All reports were found to be in compliance today. Fire Drill – 10/6/2025 Lock Down Drill – 10/29/2025 Fire Inspection – 2/25/2025 Playground Inspection – 11/7/2025 Sanitation Inspection – 9/18/2025 Lead/ Asbestos Testing –9/26/2024 EPR Plan – 5/13/2025 OBSERVATIONS I, Kimberly Girouard, Child Care Licensing Consultant, completed a walk-through of the facility. At the time of the visit, there were a total of 56 children present between the ages of 0yrs-9yrs old. The children were observed engaged in indoor and outdoor activities today. I observed the children engaged in circle time, engaged in centers, involved in art projects, eating lunch and preparing for nap. I observed 1 infant room. While in the infant room I observed two infants napping. The initial safe sleep check was completed for each infant but the two checks, after the initial safe sleep check for each infant, were not documented as being completed in the Safe Sleep charts. I reviewed the proper way to complete the safe sleep checks with the infant teacher present today. During my walk-through of the facility today, I observed the staff engaged in the children’s activities and providing appropriate supervision. One violation was cited during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. The teacher in the classroom today did not document that the safe sleep checks were completed every 15 minutes as required. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) COMPLIANCE HISTORY According to NC General Statute all Child Care programs must maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past 18 months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Any violations documented during visits to your program may have an impact on the total compliance history score and cause your score to drop below the mandated level. (QRIS) Prior to today’s visit, the compliance history score for the center was 92%. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 11/26/2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Kimberly Girouard PO Box 1184 Wake Forest, NC 27588 Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 REMINDERS/SUGGESTIONS RATED LICENSE DCDEE has transitioned to a new Rated License process referred to as Pathways to the Stars. Wake County childcare consultants offered informational sessions on September 30, 2025, for all Wake County center and FCCH providers. Big Blue Marble Academy completed their last rated license assessment on December 25, 2023. Facility director, Ms. Cisse was out of the office today. I suggest Ms. Cisse complete the rule rollout training in Moodle to acquire a good understanding of the new rules and rated license process. Big Blue Marble Academy will need to have their next rated license conducted around September/October 2026. I would like for Ms. Cisse to contact me after she has had the opportunity to review the DCDEE Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) which can be found on the DCDEE website on the following link; https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization At that time we will schedule a call or visit to further discuss the Pathway they would like to follow and create a timeline to follow. RESOURCES *Today we discussed the importance of always documenting that infants are placed on their back when being placed in their crib for nap time, unless there is a Written Waiver on file, signed by the child’s parent/legal guardian. This includes if the infant rolls onto their tummy or side when being placed down for nap. By documenting tummy or side when the infant is being placed in the crib for the first time, the care giver is stating they purposefully placed the infant on their tummy or side when placing them in the crib for nap time. Sleep checks should tell a clear story of how the infant was initially placed in the crib when going down for nap and the time the infant went down for nap, each position the infant was observed in during each sleep check conducted by the infant room staff, and when the infant woke up. I suggested that if an infant does not nap on any given day, that the infant room staff document on their safe sleep chart, NO NAP, on that specific day or if an infant is absent on any given day that the staff record absent on the day. *The NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center is a valuable resource where you can find skills-based training and technical assistance from your Child Care Health Consultant on specific medications or health conditions, as well as the new poster on Stand-Up Changing Procedures. Sign up for their quarterly newsletter and find updated resources at www.healthychildcare.unc.edu or 800-367-2229, choose option 1, then 2. *The Healthy Social Behaviors (HSB) Project supports teachers to promote healthy social-emotional development and reduce the expulsion rate among young children in licensed childcare centers across North Carolina. Specialists are available with early childhood education backgrounds who are passionate about empowering teachers to develop learning environments and teaching practices that promote prosocial skills in young children. To speak to a Behavior Support Adviser for advice and resources specific to the challenging behaviors in your classroom you can call 1-888-600-1685 Option 1. *Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website for childcare updates at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Again, your corrective action letter is due not later than November 26, 2025. CONTACT INFORMATION Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by phone at 919-602-2582 or email at Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. 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: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/13/2025 Number Present: 56 Completed Date: 11/13/2025 Age: From 0 To 9 Total Minutes: 260 Time In: 11:00 AM Time Out: 03:20 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance during a Routine Unannounced visit. Big Blue Marble Academy operates with a Five (5) Star Child Care License issued on December 25, 2023. Assistant Director, Ms. Melony Blackman, was present at the facility today and accompanied me throughout my visit. Director, Ms. Jessica Cisse, was out of the office during today’s visit. MONITORING During today’s visit, a partial assessment was conducted, monitoring all space occupied by the children. Staff qualifications were discussed and reviewed. Three new staff files were reviewed today. All spaces were monitored for supervision, staff/child ratios, staff/child interactions, materials, equipment and required postings. INSPECTIONS I reviewed required inspections including fire drills, emergency drills, fire and sanitation inspections and playground inspections. All reports were found to be in compliance today. Fire Drill – 10/6/2025 Lock Down Drill – 10/29/2025 Fire Inspection – 2/25/2025 Playground Inspection – 11/7/2025 Sanitation Inspection – 9/18/2025 Lead/ Asbestos Testing –9/26/2024 EPR Plan – 5/13/2025 OBSERVATIONS I, Kimberly Girouard, Child Care Licensing Consultant, completed a walk-through of the facility. At the time of the visit, there were a total of 56 children present between the ages of 0yrs-9yrs old. The children were observed engaged in indoor and outdoor activities today. I observed the children engaged in circle time, engaged in centers, involved in art projects, eating lunch and preparing for nap. I observed 1 infant room. While in the infant room I observed two infants napping. The initial safe sleep check was completed for each infant but the two checks, after the initial safe sleep check for each infant, were not documented as being completed in the Safe Sleep charts. I reviewed the proper way to complete the safe sleep checks with the infant teacher present today. During my walk-through of the facility today, I observed the staff engaged in the children’s activities and providing appropriate supervision. One violation was cited during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. The teacher in the classroom today did not document that the safe sleep checks were completed every 15 minutes as required. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) COMPLIANCE HISTORY According to NC General Statute all Child Care programs must maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past 18 months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Any violations documented during visits to your program may have an impact on the total compliance history score and cause your score to drop below the mandated level. (QRIS) Prior to today’s visit, the compliance history score for the center was 92%. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 11/26/2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Kimberly Girouard PO Box 1184 Wake Forest, NC 27588 Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 REMINDERS/SUGGESTIONS RATED LICENSE DCDEE has transitioned to a new Rated License process referred to as Pathways to the Stars. Wake County childcare consultants offered informational sessions on September 30, 2025, for all Wake County center and FCCH providers. Big Blue Marble Academy completed their last rated license assessment on December 25, 2023. Facility director, Ms. Cisse was out of the office today. I suggest Ms. Cisse complete the rule rollout training in Moodle to acquire a good understanding of the new rules and rated license process. Big Blue Marble Academy will need to have their next rated license conducted around September/October 2026. I would like for Ms. Cisse to contact me after she has had the opportunity to review the DCDEE Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) which can be found on the DCDEE website on the following link; https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization At that time we will schedule a call or visit to further discuss the Pathway they would like to follow and create a timeline to follow. RESOURCES *Today we discussed the importance of always documenting that infants are placed on their back when being placed in their crib for nap time, unless there is a Written Waiver on file, signed by the child’s parent/legal guardian. This includes if the infant rolls onto their tummy or side when being placed down for nap. By documenting tummy or side when the infant is being placed in the crib for the first time, the care giver is stating they purposefully placed the infant on their tummy or side when placing them in the crib for nap time. Sleep checks should tell a clear story of how the infant was initially placed in the crib when going down for nap and the time the infant went down for nap, each position the infant was observed in during each sleep check conducted by the infant room staff, and when the infant woke up. I suggested that if an infant does not nap on any given day, that the infant room staff document on their safe sleep chart, NO NAP, on that specific day or if an infant is absent on any given day that the staff record absent on the day. *The NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center is a valuable resource where you can find skills-based training and technical assistance from your Child Care Health Consultant on specific medications or health conditions, as well as the new poster on Stand-Up Changing Procedures. Sign up for their quarterly newsletter and find updated resources at www.healthychildcare.unc.edu or 800-367-2229, choose option 1, then 2. *The Healthy Social Behaviors (HSB) Project supports teachers to promote healthy social-emotional development and reduce the expulsion rate among young children in licensed childcare centers across North Carolina. Specialists are available with early childhood education backgrounds who are passionate about empowering teachers to develop learning environments and teaching practices that promote prosocial skills in young children. To speak to a Behavior Support Adviser for advice and resources specific to the challenging behaviors in your classroom you can call 1-888-600-1685 Option 1. *Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website for childcare updates at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Again, your corrective action letter is due not later than November 26, 2025. CONTACT INFORMATION Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by phone at 919-602-2582 or email at Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. 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: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 80 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 8 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:30 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. A full assessment of child care requirements was conducted. Lead Licensing Consultant, Leanne Simpkins, assisted with the review of children, staff and program files today. Your program currently operates with a Five-star license. Today’s visit was conducted with you, Jessica Cisse, Center Director and Tiffany Marrow, Associate Director. Ms. Marrow accompanied me throughout my walkthrough of the facility today. I monitored classrooms in use for compliance with staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size and staff interaction/discipline. The facility was monitored for health and safety requirements both indoors and outdoors. Children throughout the facility were observed participating in circle time, engaged in center activities, playing outside, eating lunch, and going down for nap. Staff were observed assisting children with activities and meeting their developmental needs. Program requirements, along with materials/equipment and furnishings were monitored and three (3) violations were cited related to classroom materials and outdoor safety. All inspections and drills were current. A sampling of children’s and staff’s records was monitored and the information was documented on the children’s records form and staff and training worksheets. A sampling of existing staff files and all new staff files were monitored. A checklist was also used to monitor compliance. The facility was licensed on June 24, 2023. The owner/operator is listed as current/active with the NC Secretary of State. Two mini buses used to transport children were monitored today. Both buses displayed license plate registrations that will expire in December 2025. Vehicle registration for both buses was also up to date. All required documentation to transport children was found to be in compliance today. Three violations were cited today and must be corrected immediately. Violation Number Comment Rule 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. Additional books and dramatic play materials are needed in each classroom for children 3 years and older. .0510(d)(1) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Rust and peeling paint were visible on the Splash Pad located in the fenced in water play area. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 1868 When equipment on the outdoor learning environment met one of the exceptions outlined in .0605(m)(1-4), the protective surfacing did not meet the specifications in rule. The school age playground is in need of mulch. .0605(m)(1-4) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 6/12/2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Kimberly Girouard PO Box 1184 Wake Forest, NC 27588 Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Classroom materials – It is important to have enough materials for all children in the room to be to participate in centers. During today’s visit the books in the classrooms were observed to be weathered and in need of replacement. The classrooms could also use additional dramatic play materials to allow at least three children to be able to engage in the activity with ample materials for each child. Playground Safety – It is the responsibility of the facility to provide a safe inside and outside environment for the children at all times. During today’s visit I observed rust and peeling paint on a good portion of the Splash Pad. This needs to be addressed and corrected immediately. The school-age playground is in need of mulch around the entire structure. As playground inspections are completed and areas of concern are noted, when items are needing immediate attention, I recommend submitting the required work orders right away so a safe environment is maintained. Again, your corrective action letter is due no later than June 12, 2025. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact me at 919-602-2582 or Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/29/2025 Number Present: 80 Completed Date: 5/29/2025 Age: From 0 To 8 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:30 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. A full assessment of child care requirements was conducted. Lead Licensing Consultant, Leanne Simpkins, assisted with the review of children, staff and program files today. Your program currently operates with a Five-star license. Today’s visit was conducted with you, Jessica Cisse, Center Director and Tiffany Marrow, Associate Director. Ms. Marrow accompanied me throughout my walkthrough of the facility today. I monitored classrooms in use for compliance with staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size and staff interaction/discipline. The facility was monitored for health and safety requirements both indoors and outdoors. Children throughout the facility were observed participating in circle time, engaged in center activities, playing outside, eating lunch, and going down for nap. Staff were observed assisting children with activities and meeting their developmental needs. Program requirements, along with materials/equipment and furnishings were monitored and three (3) violations were cited related to classroom materials and outdoor safety. All inspections and drills were current. A sampling of children’s and staff’s records was monitored and the information was documented on the children’s records form and staff and training worksheets. A sampling of existing staff files and all new staff files were monitored. A checklist was also used to monitor compliance. The facility was licensed on June 24, 2023. The owner/operator is listed as current/active with the NC Secretary of State. Two mini buses used to transport children were monitored today. Both buses displayed license plate registrations that will expire in December 2025. Vehicle registration for both buses was also up to date. All required documentation to transport children was found to be in compliance today. Three violations were cited today and must be corrected immediately. Violation Number Comment Rule 468 When three year old children and older were in care, the materials and equipment in the activity area was not in sufficient quantity to allow at least three children to use the area regardless of whether the children choose the same or different activities. Additional books and dramatic play materials are needed in each classroom for children 3 years and older. .0510(d)(1) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Rust and peeling paint were visible on the Splash Pad located in the fenced in water play area. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 1868 When equipment on the outdoor learning environment met one of the exceptions outlined in .0605(m)(1-4), the protective surfacing did not meet the specifications in rule. The school age playground is in need of mulch. .0605(m)(1-4) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 6/12/2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Kimberly Girouard PO Box 1184 Wake Forest, NC 27588 Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Classroom materials – It is important to have enough materials for all children in the room to be to participate in centers. During today’s visit the books in the classrooms were observed to be weathered and in need of replacement. The classrooms could also use additional dramatic play materials to allow at least three children to be able to engage in the activity with ample materials for each child. Playground Safety – It is the responsibility of the facility to provide a safe inside and outside environment for the children at all times. During today’s visit I observed rust and peeling paint on a good portion of the Splash Pad. This needs to be addressed and corrected immediately. The school-age playground is in need of mulch around the entire structure. As playground inspections are completed and areas of concern are noted, when items are needing immediate attention, I recommend submitting the required work orders right away so a safe environment is maintained. Again, your corrective action letter is due no later than June 12, 2025. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact me at 919-602-2582 or Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

GS 110-105 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: AMBER TELFAIR Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0425-344A Visit Date: 5/1/2025 Number Present: 94 Completed Date: 5/1/2025 Age: From 0 To 12 Total Minutes: 155 Time In: 10:15 AM Time Out: 12:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. Jessica Cisse, director, accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Cisse and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 904 A child was handled in a rough way, including shaking, pushing, shoving, pinching, slapping, biting, kicking, or spanking. On 4/23/25, a staff member hit a two-year-old child on the back resulting in red markings on the child's back. .1803(a)(1) 1810 There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. On 6/24/25, the Division substantiated child maltreatment regarding a staff member causing physical injury to a child. GS 110-105.6(a) Violations must be corrected immediately. Within one week, 5/8/25, you must submit documentation of the corrections you made and your plan to maintain compliance with the identified child care requirements to me, Amber Telfair, email: amber.telfair@dhhs.nc.gov. You may contact me Amber Telfair, Investigations Consultant, (919) 830-7551, amber.telfair@dhhs.nc.gov or Sheronda Harris, Central Investigations Supervisor, Sheronda.harris@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time. 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: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/24/2025 Number Present: 88 Completed Date: 2/24/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 275 Time In: 11:00 AM Time Out: 03:35 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance during a Routine Unannounced visit. Big Blue Marble Academy operates with a Five (5) Star Child Care License issued on December 25, 2023. Director, Ms. Jessica Cisse, was present at the facility today throughout my visit. INSPECTIONS I reviewed required inspections including fire drills, emergency drills, fire and sanitation inspections and playground inspections. All reports were found to be in compliance. EPR PLAN The EPR plan was updated on May 22, 2024. CORPORATION STATUS Your current corporation status is listed as “Current-Active” on the North Carolina Secretary of State Website. MONITORING During today’s visit, a partial assessment was conducted, monitoring all space occupied by the children. Staff qualifications were discussed and reviewed. Six new staff files were reviewed and a spot check of the remaining staff files was conducted. All spaces were monitored for supervision, staff/child ratios, staff/child interactions, materials, equipment and required postings. OBSERVATIONS I completed a walk-through of the facility. At the time of the visit, there were a total of 88 children present between the ages of 0yrs-5yrs. The children were observed engaged in outdoor and indoor activities, having lunch, and going down for nap. The staff were observed engaged in the children’s activities while providing appropriate supervision. The following violations were cited 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 last Fire Inspection was conducted on 12/12/2023 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. Two emergency medications were found without the required 6 month parent signature authorizing approval of the medication if required. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) COMPLIANCE HISTORY According to NC General Statute all Child Care programs must maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past 18 months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Any violations documented during visits to your program may have an impact on the total compliance history score and cause your score to drop below the mandated level. Prior to today’s visit, the compliance history score for the center was 88% During today's visit I had the opportunity to speak with the facility director about the struggles some facilities are facing in hiring educated child care professionals. We discussed the importance of focusing on finding qualified staff which might require pausing facility enrollment to get new staff in and trained before introducing new children into the program. CONSULTATION & REMINDERS *I suggested the administrative team remind all staff of the protocols they are asking them to follow on a daily basis when conducting the required attendance documentation. I also suggested the administrative team conduct their own random spot checks to confirm required protocols are being completed correctly. *Transportation reminders - Transporting children in childcare is a huge responsibility, high risk activity and must be taken seriously. Transporting children requires careful planning and proactive, protective measures to ensure the safety of children and staff. Any time children are transported there is the potential for problems to occur. Careful planning reduces the risk of harm or injury to children and reduces liability for childcare operators and their programs. When transporting, times when each child boards and departs the vehicle must be recorded on the attendance log. Staff are required to maintain accurate attendance and record the time of all children are picked up and dropped off. Specific attendance times should be recorded for each child that boards the vehicle and for each child that departs the vehicle. *Medical Action Plans - Growing up healthy is every child's right and every parent's dream for their children. Significant advances in improving the overall health and development of children with chronic illnesses have been made. Having a medical action plan in place when caring for children with health issues is vital in ensuring their health and safety. These health issues could include allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services. The maintenance of these plans and the ability to implement such plans for the treatment of reactions are essential. It is important to remember that a medical action plan must be attached to the child’s application for enrollment, completed by the child's parent or a health care professional and must be updated on an annual basis. Permission to administer emergency medications must be updated every 6 months by the parent. This facility does have children that require emergency medications. I suggested to the director that she review the names of all enrolled children who have emergency medications at every staff meeting to provide a constant reminder to everyone in the building. And suggested they have their Health Consultant, Daisey Clemmons, conduct an annual training course on the administration of emergency medication to confirm all staff are knowledgeable and comfortable with all required protocols to be followed. I highly recommend classroom staff conduct weekly checks of all emergency medications to confirm all required signatures are current. Parents must sign off on their child’s emergency medication forms every six months and update the entire form on an annual basis. *I suggested to the director that she use her work calendar to record reminders one month out from when required Fire and Sanitation inspections are required to be completed to so the required annual visits do not expire. RESOURCES *The NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center is a valuable resource where you can find skills-based training and technical assistance from your Child Care Health Consultant on specific medications or health conditions, as well as the new poster on Stand-Up Changing Procedures. Sign up for their quarterly newsletter and find updated resources at www.healthychildcare.unc.edu or 800-367-2229, choose option 1, then 2. *The Healthy Social Behaviors (HSB) Project supports teachers to promote healthy social-emotional development and reduce the expulsion rate among young children in licensed child care centers across North Carolina. Specialists are available with early childhood education backgrounds who are passionate about empowering teachers to develop learning environments and teaching practices that promote prosocial skills in young children. A flier with the challenging behaviors hotline information was provided today. *Background Checks - Center directors/owners can now access the Automated Background Check Management System (ABCMS), the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Please link you and your staff asap. This access will allow providers to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. Access to the ABCMS requires the successful completion of a Moodle course consisting of a short video followed by a test. The course is titled ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training - under the Early Childhood Professional Development Tab, then under the Criminal Background (CBC) tab. I emailed Ms. Cisse two instruction fliers; ABCMS Provider Codes and Connecting Applications and How to Connect and Hire in ABCMS for assistance. If you need additional information, please reach out the DCDEE Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401. *Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website for child care updates at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before March 10, 2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Kimberly Girouard PO Box 1184 Wake Forest, NC 27588 Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 CONTACT INFORMATION Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by phone at 919-602-2582 or email at Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. 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: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: KIMBERLY GIROUARD Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/24/2025 Number Present: 88 Completed Date: 2/24/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 275 Time In: 11:00 AM Time Out: 03:35 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance during a Routine Unannounced visit. Big Blue Marble Academy operates with a Five (5) Star Child Care License issued on December 25, 2023. Director, Ms. Jessica Cisse, was present at the facility today throughout my visit. INSPECTIONS I reviewed required inspections including fire drills, emergency drills, fire and sanitation inspections and playground inspections. All reports were found to be in compliance. EPR PLAN The EPR plan was updated on May 22, 2024. CORPORATION STATUS Your current corporation status is listed as “Current-Active” on the North Carolina Secretary of State Website. MONITORING During today’s visit, a partial assessment was conducted, monitoring all space occupied by the children. Staff qualifications were discussed and reviewed. Six new staff files were reviewed and a spot check of the remaining staff files was conducted. All spaces were monitored for supervision, staff/child ratios, staff/child interactions, materials, equipment and required postings. OBSERVATIONS I completed a walk-through of the facility. At the time of the visit, there were a total of 88 children present between the ages of 0yrs-5yrs. The children were observed engaged in outdoor and indoor activities, having lunch, and going down for nap. The staff were observed engaged in the children’s activities while providing appropriate supervision. The following violations were cited 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 last Fire Inspection was conducted on 12/12/2023 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1882 Medication authorization, giving the caregiver standing authorization did not meet the specifications in rule. Two emergency medications were found without the required 6 month parent signature authorizing approval of the medication if required. .0803(6)(a-i); .0803(7)(a-g); .0803(8)(a-d) COMPLIANCE HISTORY According to NC General Statute all Child Care programs must maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past 18 months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Any violations documented during visits to your program may have an impact on the total compliance history score and cause your score to drop below the mandated level. Prior to today’s visit, the compliance history score for the center was 88% During today's visit I had the opportunity to speak with the facility director about the struggles some facilities are facing in hiring educated child care professionals. We discussed the importance of focusing on finding qualified staff which might require pausing facility enrollment to get new staff in and trained before introducing new children into the program. CONSULTATION & REMINDERS *I suggested the administrative team remind all staff of the protocols they are asking them to follow on a daily basis when conducting the required attendance documentation. I also suggested the administrative team conduct their own random spot checks to confirm required protocols are being completed correctly. *Transportation reminders - Transporting children in childcare is a huge responsibility, high risk activity and must be taken seriously. Transporting children requires careful planning and proactive, protective measures to ensure the safety of children and staff. Any time children are transported there is the potential for problems to occur. Careful planning reduces the risk of harm or injury to children and reduces liability for childcare operators and their programs. When transporting, times when each child boards and departs the vehicle must be recorded on the attendance log. Staff are required to maintain accurate attendance and record the time of all children are picked up and dropped off. Specific attendance times should be recorded for each child that boards the vehicle and for each child that departs the vehicle. *Medical Action Plans - Growing up healthy is every child's right and every parent's dream for their children. Significant advances in improving the overall health and development of children with chronic illnesses have been made. Having a medical action plan in place when caring for children with health issues is vital in ensuring their health and safety. These health issues could include allergies, asthma, or other chronic conditions that require specialized health services. The maintenance of these plans and the ability to implement such plans for the treatment of reactions are essential. It is important to remember that a medical action plan must be attached to the child’s application for enrollment, completed by the child's parent or a health care professional and must be updated on an annual basis. Permission to administer emergency medications must be updated every 6 months by the parent. This facility does have children that require emergency medications. I suggested to the director that she review the names of all enrolled children who have emergency medications at every staff meeting to provide a constant reminder to everyone in the building. And suggested they have their Health Consultant, Daisey Clemmons, conduct an annual training course on the administration of emergency medication to confirm all staff are knowledgeable and comfortable with all required protocols to be followed. I highly recommend classroom staff conduct weekly checks of all emergency medications to confirm all required signatures are current. Parents must sign off on their child’s emergency medication forms every six months and update the entire form on an annual basis. *I suggested to the director that she use her work calendar to record reminders one month out from when required Fire and Sanitation inspections are required to be completed to so the required annual visits do not expire. RESOURCES *The NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center is a valuable resource where you can find skills-based training and technical assistance from your Child Care Health Consultant on specific medications or health conditions, as well as the new poster on Stand-Up Changing Procedures. Sign up for their quarterly newsletter and find updated resources at www.healthychildcare.unc.edu or 800-367-2229, choose option 1, then 2. *The Healthy Social Behaviors (HSB) Project supports teachers to promote healthy social-emotional development and reduce the expulsion rate among young children in licensed child care centers across North Carolina. Specialists are available with early childhood education backgrounds who are passionate about empowering teachers to develop learning environments and teaching practices that promote prosocial skills in young children. A flier with the challenging behaviors hotline information was provided today. *Background Checks - Center directors/owners can now access the Automated Background Check Management System (ABCMS), the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Please link you and your staff asap. This access will allow providers to: • See the real-time background check status of staff members. • Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. • See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. Access to the ABCMS requires the successful completion of a Moodle course consisting of a short video followed by a test. The course is titled ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training - under the Early Childhood Professional Development Tab, then under the Criminal Background (CBC) tab. I emailed Ms. Cisse two instruction fliers; ABCMS Provider Codes and Connecting Applications and How to Connect and Hire in ABCMS for assistance. If you need additional information, please reach out the DCDEE Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401. *Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website for child care updates at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before March 10, 2025, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Kimberly Girouard PO Box 1184 Wake Forest, NC 27588 Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 CONTACT INFORMATION Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by phone at 919-602-2582 or email at Kimberly.Girouard@dhhs.nc.gov. 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 .0509 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: ANTIONETTE WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/7/2024 Number Present: 118 Completed Date: 6/7/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 245 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 02:35 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. A full assessment of child care requirements was conducted. Your program currently operates with a Five-star license. Today’s visit was conducted with you, Jessica Cisse, Center Director. You visited each child care area with me. I monitored classrooms in use for compliance with staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size and staff interaction/discipline. Children throughout the facility were eating lunch, playing outside, listening to a book being read, completing routines, resting, and transitioning between activities. Older children were practicing for graduation. A classroom was set up to host parents and staff were preparing the space for that evening. Staff assisted children with activities and met their developmental needs. The facility was monitored for health and safety requirements both indoors and outdoors. The doors to classrooms throughout the facility had a rotating turn lock engaged on the doors leading to and from the hallway. Additional clarification is required regarding these style locks. Program requirements, along with materials/equipment and furnishings were monitored and one violation was cited. All inspections and drills were current. A sampling of children’s and staff’s records was monitored and information documented on the children’s records form and staff and training worksheets. A sampling of existing staff files and all new staff files were monitored. Three violations related to staff and children files were cited. A checklist was also used to monitor compliance. The facility was licensed on June 24, 2023. The owner/operator is listed as current/active with the NC Secretary of State. Two mini buses used to transport children were monitored. Both buses displayed license plates registration that expired July 2023 and November 2023. During the visit, you found new license plates with current registrations for each bus. The new license plates were placed on the correct bus. One related to children’s records during transportation was cited. Another related to transportation vehicle was cited and corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 432 The center did not have developmentally appropriate equipment and materials accessible daily. All assessible books in space six and at least half the books in space nine had missing pages, missing book covers, books ripped apart, or torn pages. GS 110-91(12);10A NCAC 09 .0509(1) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. One infant did not have a signed statement from a parent/guardian that the safe sleep policy was given to and explained to them. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The license tags displayed on two buses used to transport children expired November 2023. .1002(b) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. A photograph of each child was not in the vehicle for at least four children being transported. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1320 Children's records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child. A medical record was not on file for two children. GS 110-91(1);.0302(d)(2); .0304(g) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training but completed the What is Prevention instead. .1102(g) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 6/21/2024, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Antionette Williams PO Box 312 Garner, NC 27529 Antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Transportation - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children two to fourteen years of age in the United States. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. Each child transported must have emergency contact information on file along with a photograph of each child. This is helpful in identifying children in the event of an emergency/accident. The notebook containing children’s information did not have the photograph for each child transported. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment - Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. All staff are required to complete the training within 90 days of hire. The training may be accessed via the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is also available on Prevent Child Abuse NC website, www.preventchildabusenc.org, free of charge, and counts toward Health and Safety Training. This training is part of the Health & Safety Training and should be completed again within 5 yrs. Medical Exams - A medical exam is required to be on file within 30 days of enrollment and must have been completed within one year of the date of enrollment. This ensures you have all of the information you need to provide appropriate care for each child and how to proceed with medical attention if the need arises. Two children did not have medical exams on file. You will get the parents to get the information completed. Safe Sleep Policy- Record keeping is one of the most time-consuming tasks associated with administering a child care program. It is an important part of licensure. Review required forms with parents and obtaining their signatures acknowledging the review occurred helps ensure the parent understands the facility’s policies and procedures specifically for safe sleep. Also, reviewing children’s files often to ensure the program is maintaining accurate licensing records. Organization and completeness of records is important to ensure easy access to information in emergency situations. A record keeping system for children’s records may help promote organization and efficiency. Door locks - The handwritten visit summary indicated a violation would be cited related to locked doors. Additional information will be obtained to make a final determination. UPDATES/RESOURCES: All facilities must be registered and complete pre-enrollment with cleanwaterforuskids.org/Carolina for lead-based paint and asbestos testing. The visit summary was not left with you today. Your facility was preparing for graduation that evening. It was emailed after the visit. Contact me at 919-819-9383 or antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if you have any 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

10A NCAC 09 .0606 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: ANTIONETTE WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/7/2024 Number Present: 118 Completed Date: 6/7/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 245 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 02:35 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. A full assessment of child care requirements was conducted. Your program currently operates with a Five-star license. Today’s visit was conducted with you, Jessica Cisse, Center Director. You visited each child care area with me. I monitored classrooms in use for compliance with staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size and staff interaction/discipline. Children throughout the facility were eating lunch, playing outside, listening to a book being read, completing routines, resting, and transitioning between activities. Older children were practicing for graduation. A classroom was set up to host parents and staff were preparing the space for that evening. Staff assisted children with activities and met their developmental needs. The facility was monitored for health and safety requirements both indoors and outdoors. The doors to classrooms throughout the facility had a rotating turn lock engaged on the doors leading to and from the hallway. Additional clarification is required regarding these style locks. Program requirements, along with materials/equipment and furnishings were monitored and one violation was cited. All inspections and drills were current. A sampling of children’s and staff’s records was monitored and information documented on the children’s records form and staff and training worksheets. A sampling of existing staff files and all new staff files were monitored. Three violations related to staff and children files were cited. A checklist was also used to monitor compliance. The facility was licensed on June 24, 2023. The owner/operator is listed as current/active with the NC Secretary of State. Two mini buses used to transport children were monitored. Both buses displayed license plates registration that expired July 2023 and November 2023. During the visit, you found new license plates with current registrations for each bus. The new license plates were placed on the correct bus. One related to children’s records during transportation was cited. Another related to transportation vehicle was cited and corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 432 The center did not have developmentally appropriate equipment and materials accessible daily. All assessible books in space six and at least half the books in space nine had missing pages, missing book covers, books ripped apart, or torn pages. GS 110-91(12);10A NCAC 09 .0509(1) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. One infant did not have a signed statement from a parent/guardian that the safe sleep policy was given to and explained to them. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The license tags displayed on two buses used to transport children expired November 2023. .1002(b) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. A photograph of each child was not in the vehicle for at least four children being transported. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1320 Children's records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child. A medical record was not on file for two children. GS 110-91(1);.0302(d)(2); .0304(g) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training but completed the What is Prevention instead. .1102(g) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 6/21/2024, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Antionette Williams PO Box 312 Garner, NC 27529 Antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Transportation - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children two to fourteen years of age in the United States. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. Each child transported must have emergency contact information on file along with a photograph of each child. This is helpful in identifying children in the event of an emergency/accident. The notebook containing children’s information did not have the photograph for each child transported. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment - Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. All staff are required to complete the training within 90 days of hire. The training may be accessed via the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is also available on Prevent Child Abuse NC website, www.preventchildabusenc.org, free of charge, and counts toward Health and Safety Training. This training is part of the Health & Safety Training and should be completed again within 5 yrs. Medical Exams - A medical exam is required to be on file within 30 days of enrollment and must have been completed within one year of the date of enrollment. This ensures you have all of the information you need to provide appropriate care for each child and how to proceed with medical attention if the need arises. Two children did not have medical exams on file. You will get the parents to get the information completed. Safe Sleep Policy- Record keeping is one of the most time-consuming tasks associated with administering a child care program. It is an important part of licensure. Review required forms with parents and obtaining their signatures acknowledging the review occurred helps ensure the parent understands the facility’s policies and procedures specifically for safe sleep. Also, reviewing children’s files often to ensure the program is maintaining accurate licensing records. Organization and completeness of records is important to ensure easy access to information in emergency situations. A record keeping system for children’s records may help promote organization and efficiency. Door locks - The handwritten visit summary indicated a violation would be cited related to locked doors. Additional information will be obtained to make a final determination. UPDATES/RESOURCES: All facilities must be registered and complete pre-enrollment with cleanwaterforuskids.org/Carolina for lead-based paint and asbestos testing. The visit summary was not left with you today. Your facility was preparing for graduation that evening. It was emailed after the visit. Contact me at 919-819-9383 or antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if you have any 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

10A NCAC 09 .1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: ANTIONETTE WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/7/2024 Number Present: 118 Completed Date: 6/7/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 245 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 02:35 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. A full assessment of child care requirements was conducted. Your program currently operates with a Five-star license. Today’s visit was conducted with you, Jessica Cisse, Center Director. You visited each child care area with me. I monitored classrooms in use for compliance with staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size and staff interaction/discipline. Children throughout the facility were eating lunch, playing outside, listening to a book being read, completing routines, resting, and transitioning between activities. Older children were practicing for graduation. A classroom was set up to host parents and staff were preparing the space for that evening. Staff assisted children with activities and met their developmental needs. The facility was monitored for health and safety requirements both indoors and outdoors. The doors to classrooms throughout the facility had a rotating turn lock engaged on the doors leading to and from the hallway. Additional clarification is required regarding these style locks. Program requirements, along with materials/equipment and furnishings were monitored and one violation was cited. All inspections and drills were current. A sampling of children’s and staff’s records was monitored and information documented on the children’s records form and staff and training worksheets. A sampling of existing staff files and all new staff files were monitored. Three violations related to staff and children files were cited. A checklist was also used to monitor compliance. The facility was licensed on June 24, 2023. The owner/operator is listed as current/active with the NC Secretary of State. Two mini buses used to transport children were monitored. Both buses displayed license plates registration that expired July 2023 and November 2023. During the visit, you found new license plates with current registrations for each bus. The new license plates were placed on the correct bus. One related to children’s records during transportation was cited. Another related to transportation vehicle was cited and corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 432 The center did not have developmentally appropriate equipment and materials accessible daily. All assessible books in space six and at least half the books in space nine had missing pages, missing book covers, books ripped apart, or torn pages. GS 110-91(12);10A NCAC 09 .0509(1) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. One infant did not have a signed statement from a parent/guardian that the safe sleep policy was given to and explained to them. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The license tags displayed on two buses used to transport children expired November 2023. .1002(b) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. A photograph of each child was not in the vehicle for at least four children being transported. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1320 Children's records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child. A medical record was not on file for two children. GS 110-91(1);.0302(d)(2); .0304(g) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training but completed the What is Prevention instead. .1102(g) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 6/21/2024, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Antionette Williams PO Box 312 Garner, NC 27529 Antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Transportation - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children two to fourteen years of age in the United States. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. Each child transported must have emergency contact information on file along with a photograph of each child. This is helpful in identifying children in the event of an emergency/accident. The notebook containing children’s information did not have the photograph for each child transported. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment - Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. All staff are required to complete the training within 90 days of hire. The training may be accessed via the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is also available on Prevent Child Abuse NC website, www.preventchildabusenc.org, free of charge, and counts toward Health and Safety Training. This training is part of the Health & Safety Training and should be completed again within 5 yrs. Medical Exams - A medical exam is required to be on file within 30 days of enrollment and must have been completed within one year of the date of enrollment. This ensures you have all of the information you need to provide appropriate care for each child and how to proceed with medical attention if the need arises. Two children did not have medical exams on file. You will get the parents to get the information completed. Safe Sleep Policy- Record keeping is one of the most time-consuming tasks associated with administering a child care program. It is an important part of licensure. Review required forms with parents and obtaining their signatures acknowledging the review occurred helps ensure the parent understands the facility’s policies and procedures specifically for safe sleep. Also, reviewing children’s files often to ensure the program is maintaining accurate licensing records. Organization and completeness of records is important to ensure easy access to information in emergency situations. A record keeping system for children’s records may help promote organization and efficiency. Door locks - The handwritten visit summary indicated a violation would be cited related to locked doors. Additional information will be obtained to make a final determination. UPDATES/RESOURCES: All facilities must be registered and complete pre-enrollment with cleanwaterforuskids.org/Carolina for lead-based paint and asbestos testing. The visit summary was not left with you today. Your facility was preparing for graduation that evening. It was emailed after the visit. Contact me at 919-819-9383 or antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if you have any 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: ANTIONETTE WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/7/2024 Number Present: 118 Completed Date: 6/7/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 245 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 02:35 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. A full assessment of child care requirements was conducted. Your program currently operates with a Five-star license. Today’s visit was conducted with you, Jessica Cisse, Center Director. You visited each child care area with me. I monitored classrooms in use for compliance with staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size and staff interaction/discipline. Children throughout the facility were eating lunch, playing outside, listening to a book being read, completing routines, resting, and transitioning between activities. Older children were practicing for graduation. A classroom was set up to host parents and staff were preparing the space for that evening. Staff assisted children with activities and met their developmental needs. The facility was monitored for health and safety requirements both indoors and outdoors. The doors to classrooms throughout the facility had a rotating turn lock engaged on the doors leading to and from the hallway. Additional clarification is required regarding these style locks. Program requirements, along with materials/equipment and furnishings were monitored and one violation was cited. All inspections and drills were current. A sampling of children’s and staff’s records was monitored and information documented on the children’s records form and staff and training worksheets. A sampling of existing staff files and all new staff files were monitored. Three violations related to staff and children files were cited. A checklist was also used to monitor compliance. The facility was licensed on June 24, 2023. The owner/operator is listed as current/active with the NC Secretary of State. Two mini buses used to transport children were monitored. Both buses displayed license plates registration that expired July 2023 and November 2023. During the visit, you found new license plates with current registrations for each bus. The new license plates were placed on the correct bus. One related to children’s records during transportation was cited. Another related to transportation vehicle was cited and corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 432 The center did not have developmentally appropriate equipment and materials accessible daily. All assessible books in space six and at least half the books in space nine had missing pages, missing book covers, books ripped apart, or torn pages. GS 110-91(12);10A NCAC 09 .0509(1) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. One infant did not have a signed statement from a parent/guardian that the safe sleep policy was given to and explained to them. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The license tags displayed on two buses used to transport children expired November 2023. .1002(b) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. A photograph of each child was not in the vehicle for at least four children being transported. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1320 Children's records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child. A medical record was not on file for two children. GS 110-91(1);.0302(d)(2); .0304(g) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training but completed the What is Prevention instead. .1102(g) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 6/21/2024, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Antionette Williams PO Box 312 Garner, NC 27529 Antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Transportation - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children two to fourteen years of age in the United States. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. Each child transported must have emergency contact information on file along with a photograph of each child. This is helpful in identifying children in the event of an emergency/accident. The notebook containing children’s information did not have the photograph for each child transported. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment - Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. All staff are required to complete the training within 90 days of hire. The training may be accessed via the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is also available on Prevent Child Abuse NC website, www.preventchildabusenc.org, free of charge, and counts toward Health and Safety Training. This training is part of the Health & Safety Training and should be completed again within 5 yrs. Medical Exams - A medical exam is required to be on file within 30 days of enrollment and must have been completed within one year of the date of enrollment. This ensures you have all of the information you need to provide appropriate care for each child and how to proceed with medical attention if the need arises. Two children did not have medical exams on file. You will get the parents to get the information completed. Safe Sleep Policy- Record keeping is one of the most time-consuming tasks associated with administering a child care program. It is an important part of licensure. Review required forms with parents and obtaining their signatures acknowledging the review occurred helps ensure the parent understands the facility’s policies and procedures specifically for safe sleep. Also, reviewing children’s files often to ensure the program is maintaining accurate licensing records. Organization and completeness of records is important to ensure easy access to information in emergency situations. A record keeping system for children’s records may help promote organization and efficiency. Door locks - The handwritten visit summary indicated a violation would be cited related to locked doors. Additional information will be obtained to make a final determination. UPDATES/RESOURCES: All facilities must be registered and complete pre-enrollment with cleanwaterforuskids.org/Carolina for lead-based paint and asbestos testing. The visit summary was not left with you today. Your facility was preparing for graduation that evening. It was emailed after the visit. Contact me at 919-819-9383 or antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if you have any 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: ANTIONETTE WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/7/2024 Number Present: 118 Completed Date: 6/7/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 245 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 02:35 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. A full assessment of child care requirements was conducted. Your program currently operates with a Five-star license. Today’s visit was conducted with you, Jessica Cisse, Center Director. You visited each child care area with me. I monitored classrooms in use for compliance with staff/child ratios, supervision, capacity, group size and staff interaction/discipline. Children throughout the facility were eating lunch, playing outside, listening to a book being read, completing routines, resting, and transitioning between activities. Older children were practicing for graduation. A classroom was set up to host parents and staff were preparing the space for that evening. Staff assisted children with activities and met their developmental needs. The facility was monitored for health and safety requirements both indoors and outdoors. The doors to classrooms throughout the facility had a rotating turn lock engaged on the doors leading to and from the hallway. Additional clarification is required regarding these style locks. Program requirements, along with materials/equipment and furnishings were monitored and one violation was cited. All inspections and drills were current. A sampling of children’s and staff’s records was monitored and information documented on the children’s records form and staff and training worksheets. A sampling of existing staff files and all new staff files were monitored. Three violations related to staff and children files were cited. A checklist was also used to monitor compliance. The facility was licensed on June 24, 2023. The owner/operator is listed as current/active with the NC Secretary of State. Two mini buses used to transport children were monitored. Both buses displayed license plates registration that expired July 2023 and November 2023. During the visit, you found new license plates with current registrations for each bus. The new license plates were placed on the correct bus. One related to children’s records during transportation was cited. Another related to transportation vehicle was cited and corrected during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 432 The center did not have developmentally appropriate equipment and materials accessible daily. All assessible books in space six and at least half the books in space nine had missing pages, missing book covers, books ripped apart, or torn pages. GS 110-91(12);10A NCAC 09 .0509(1) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. One infant did not have a signed statement from a parent/guardian that the safe sleep policy was given to and explained to them. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The license tags displayed on two buses used to transport children expired November 2023. .1002(b) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. A photograph of each child was not in the vehicle for at least four children being transported. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1320 Children's records that include an application for enrollment, medical and immunization records, and permission to seek emergency medical care was not on file for each child. A medical record was not on file for two children. GS 110-91(1);.0302(d)(2); .0304(g) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training but completed the What is Prevention instead. .1102(g) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 6/21/2024, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: Antionette Williams PO Box 312 Garner, NC 27529 Antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) 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 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Transportation - Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children two to fourteen years of age in the United States. It is necessary for the safety of children to require that the caregiver/teacher comply with requirements governing the transportation of children in care, in the absence of the parent/guardian. Each child transported must have emergency contact information on file along with a photograph of each child. This is helpful in identifying children in the event of an emergency/accident. The notebook containing children’s information did not have the photograph for each child transported. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment - Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. All staff are required to complete the training within 90 days of hire. The training may be accessed via the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is also available on Prevent Child Abuse NC website, www.preventchildabusenc.org, free of charge, and counts toward Health and Safety Training. This training is part of the Health & Safety Training and should be completed again within 5 yrs. Medical Exams - A medical exam is required to be on file within 30 days of enrollment and must have been completed within one year of the date of enrollment. This ensures you have all of the information you need to provide appropriate care for each child and how to proceed with medical attention if the need arises. Two children did not have medical exams on file. You will get the parents to get the information completed. Safe Sleep Policy- Record keeping is one of the most time-consuming tasks associated with administering a child care program. It is an important part of licensure. Review required forms with parents and obtaining their signatures acknowledging the review occurred helps ensure the parent understands the facility’s policies and procedures specifically for safe sleep. Also, reviewing children’s files often to ensure the program is maintaining accurate licensing records. Organization and completeness of records is important to ensure easy access to information in emergency situations. A record keeping system for children’s records may help promote organization and efficiency. Door locks - The handwritten visit summary indicated a violation would be cited related to locked doors. Additional information will be obtained to make a final determination. UPDATES/RESOURCES: All facilities must be registered and complete pre-enrollment with cleanwaterforuskids.org/Carolina for lead-based paint and asbestos testing. The visit summary was not left with you today. Your facility was preparing for graduation that evening. It was emailed after the visit. Contact me at 919-819-9383 or antionette.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if you have any 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

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: NICOLE MILLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0224-158A Visit Date: 2/21/2024 Number Present: 116 Completed Date: 2/21/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 205 Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. Tiffany Marrow, assistant director, accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Marrow and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. A staff member's tone would escalate when speaking with children. The staff was observed physically moving children from one area to another under the elbow. G.S. 110-91(10) You may contact me, Nicole Miller, Investigations Consultant, at 919-397-8451 or Nicole.p.miller@dhhs.nc.gov. Ms. Sheronda Harris, Supervisor, may be contacted at sheronda.harris@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time. 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 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: ANGELA ALGER-WALKER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/26/2023 Number Present: 102 Completed Date: 9/26/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's announced visit has been to conduct the second temporary time period visit. The temporary time period license was issued on 6/24/23 and expires on 12/24/23. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the center director, Jessica Cisse. She toured me through the center. We discussed the monitoring items for today's visit. We observed the center playground and conducted observation of the eleven classrooms open for children during today's visit. We concluded the visit by reviewing this report and resource materials. Preschool-aged children were observed participating in free choice activities, group times, playing outside, listening to story, eating lunch, and resting. Infants and toddlers were observed freely playing with the available materials, playing outside, washing their hands, eating lunch, and resting. The Children’s Records forms was completed during this visit. The Staff Training Worksheets were completed during this visit. The director attests that all children’s file and facility/program records are current and contain all the required information. One hundred two children were present during this visit. The center had the following items posted/located in a prominent place in the center for parents and available for me to review: --the center's license --a current and nutritious menu --a Safe Arrival and Departure Procedure --Summary of the NC Child Care Law posted The recent fire drill was completed on 9/19/23. The recent outdoor inspection was completed on 9/11/23. The emergency drill was conducted on 8/28/23. The director completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response training previously and has revised the Emergency Plan. She reviewed the Plan with the staff on 8/25/23. The center does not provide aquatic activities; thus, those requirements were not monitored during this visit. CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP PROCESS The building and fire inspections for the new owner must be completed, approved, and sent to me before 11/24/23. The director stated that all of the inspections have been applied for and are awaiting scheduled visits the center. Please keep me updated on their findings. The sanitation inspection was completed on 8/10/23. The facility received a superior rating with 4 demerits. Technicians were on site today getting the fire alarm system prepared for the fire inspection that is scheduled in a couple of weeks. The following violations were observed during this visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. The commode in space #6 was missing a seat and the bathroom door does not close properly. The chain link fence between outdoor spaces #3 and #4 has a bar that is not connected to the pole, exposing protrusions at the tops of the fence. The bottom of the gate has a section of chain link that has come undone exposing a protrusion hazard to the children at level with their feet. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A bottle of Dye Free WalDryl (generic Benadryl) was observed in space #8 but the permission slip expired on 9/16/23. .0803(12) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. One staff member hired on 8/14/23 did not have a completed medical exam on file during today's visit. (Please refer to the Staff Training Worksheet for more details.) 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members, hired on 6/26/23 and 6/29/23, did not have documentation on file of completing a current First Aid certification course. (Please refer to the Staff Training Worksheet for details.) .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members, hired on 6/26/23 and 6/29/23, did not have documentation on file of completing a current CPR certification course. (Please refer to the Staff Training Worksheet for details.) .1102(d) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. One employee hired on 6/26/23 did not have documentation on file verifying that the new hire orientation training had been completed within their first six weeks of employment. (Please refer to the Staff Training Worksheet for more details.) .1101(a)(b) The violations documented during today's assessment were reviewed with the operator and must be corrected IMMEDIATELY. Evidence of correction must be received no later than 10/3/23. Compliance verification may be sent via email to angela.algerwalker@dhhs.nc.gov. Please include statements addressing how and when the violations were corrected. The compliance letter must also include a plan that ensures that the center will maintain compliance with documented violations. Please include the facility's ID number and the operator's signature on the letter of compliance. COMPLIANCE HISTORY When you receive your Child Care License from the State of NC, you are agreeing to comply at all times with the Law, Rules and Requirements pertaining to and governing Child Care in NC. It is your responsibility to read, learn, and maintain all Child Care Requirements that apply to your licensed facility. It is also your responsibility to ask Division staff questions for clarification of requirements you do not understand and to monitor your staff to ensure that all requirements are maintained at all times. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION The following items were discussed prior to today' visit. 1) Please refer to the Staff and Training Worksheets to continue to keep all staff members current with their upcoming due dates for CPR/First Aid training, ITS-SIDS training, child maltreatment training, and health and safety training requirements. 2) Please refer to the What’s New Section of the DCDEE website for the new rules and other updates. 3) The NC Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate Exam is now available on Moodle (directions: Moodle – CCDF – NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam). This exam is a pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential or EDU 119. This equivalency exam introduces the foundations of culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive early childhood education, planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences, learning activities, and teaching strategies for indoor and outdoor environments for all young children, guidance techniques, and professionalism. Exam Outline: What is the criteria to take the equivalency exam option? • at least 18 years of age or older • a high school diploma or equivalent Types of questions (format)and how many questions? • 100 questions. • true/false and multiple choice What would the passing criteria be? • achieve an 80% or higher. • If the person does not pass the first time, there will only be 2 attempts allowed within a 6-month period. • If they haven’t passed after 2 attempts/6 months, the individual will be advised to enroll in EDU 119 or pursue one of the other equivalencies. Once the certificate is generated in Moodle, the early childhood educator will upload the certificate in their WORKS account to be verified. If an early childhood educator have any questions or concerns about the exam , please have them contact dcdee.equivalency.exam@dhhs.nc.gov. 4) Staff Records – Maintaining accurate documentation in your center is critical in demonstrating compliance with the child care rules and to ensuring that your staff meet the requirements to provide a healthy and safe environment for the children in their care. Prior to employment a medical report must be provided to you. On day one a completed medical assessment must be on file. One (1) staff person hired on 8/14/23 did not have documentation of a completed medical on file today. Utilizing the staff file checklist attached to your files will help you to meet and maintain compliance when hiring staff. 5) Medication: Prescription or non-prescription medication (over-the-counter [OTC]) ordered by the prescribing health professional for a specific child with written permission of the parent/guardian. Written orders from the prescribing health professional should specify medical need, medication, dosage, and length of time to give medication. Labeled medications brought to the child care facility by the parent/guardian in the original container (with a label that includes the child’s name, date filled, prescribing clinician’s name, pharmacy name and phone number, dosage/instructions, and relevant warnings). All medication must include an authorization form signed and dated by the parent giving permission to administer the medication. Periodically, conduct a review of all medications and medication authorization forms to ensure that they are current and contain the required information for compliance. 6) Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Maltreatment: Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. All staff are required to complete the training within 90 days of hire. The training may be accessed via the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is also available on Prevent Child Abuse NC website, www.preventchildabusenc.org, free of charge, and counts toward Health and Safety Training. 7) ORIENTATION TRAINING FOR STAFF: Staff qualifications and training requirements are essential for adults who interact with and teach children. These requirements protect children in child care facilities by ensuring these facilities provide a physically safe and healthy environment where the developmental needs of children are being met and where children are cared for by qualified staff. Each staff person must complete the required 16 hours of orientation training within the first 6 weeks of employment. Six of the hours are required to be completed within the first two weeks of employment. You can conduct orientation training as a group with new staff instead of one on one. Ensure you and applicable staff members reflect the date, hours, and signature on the orientation training form. We referenced adding any addition information to the bottom of the orientation form that is reviewed with the employees. 8) CPR/First Aid - Knowing what to do in an emergency medical situation can mean the difference between life or death. Being trained in CPR and first aid can be invaluable when someone is in serious medical distress. Therefore, it is so important that all staff working directly with children have current CPR and First Aid Certification. Staff have 90 days from the day of hire to complete the required trainings. Log onto the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov and click on “Provider,” Training and Professional Development,” and then in a blue box on the screen will be a link to “ Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR.” This link will provide a list of approved CPR/First Aid agencies in NC. RATED LICENSE APPLICATION INFORMATION Once you have achieved a full six (6) months of operation, your program will be eligible for a Voluntary Enhanced Rated License. The award of this Rated License will occur at the end of the 6-month Temporary License Time Period. Once the approved inspections are submitted, the facility can be issued a Five Star Rated License effective 12/25/23 based on previously earning 7 points in staff education, 6 points in program standards, and one quality point. You can be issued a Rated License based on a previous assessment due to being in “Hold Harmless” status. A full Rated License Assessment will occur based on the program’s Cohort assignment; your program is in COHORT #1, therefore the assessment period would begin on or around July 1, 2024. You should begin preparing for your assessment this year as the cohort system includes a planning/preparation period prior to the assessment period. Please ensure that all new staff member’s education information is current in the W.O.R.K.S. database. Each staff member must register in the WORKS system as soon as they are hired at this location. Education evaluations can take some time to process so beginning the process early will help to ensure we have the accurate information needed when it is time to complete the rated license assessment before the end of the temporary time period. You may also want to consider having staff members complete the Early Educator Certification process (www.ncicdp.org) to assist in getting higher education evaluations completed if their degree is not in early childhood education. CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have any questions or need further assistance, I can be reached via email at angela.algerwalker@dhhs.nc.gov. 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: BIG BLUE MARBLE ACADEMY Facility ID: 92003939 Consultant: ANGELA ALGER-WALKER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/26/2023 Number Present: 102 Completed Date: 9/26/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's announced visit has been to conduct the second temporary time period visit. The temporary time period license was issued on 6/24/23 and expires on 12/24/23. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the center director, Jessica Cisse. She toured me through the center. We discussed the monitoring items for today's visit. We observed the center playground and conducted observation of the eleven classrooms open for children during today's visit. We concluded the visit by reviewing this report and resource materials. Preschool-aged children were observed participating in free choice activities, group times, playing outside, listening to story, eating lunch, and resting. Infants and toddlers were observed freely playing with the available materials, playing outside, washing their hands, eating lunch, and resting. The Children’s Records forms was completed during this visit. The Staff Training Worksheets were completed during this visit. The director attests that all children’s file and facility/program records are current and contain all the required information. One hundred two children were present during this visit. The center had the following items posted/located in a prominent place in the center for parents and available for me to review: --the center's license --a current and nutritious menu --a Safe Arrival and Departure Procedure --Summary of the NC Child Care Law posted The recent fire drill was completed on 9/19/23. The recent outdoor inspection was completed on 9/11/23. The emergency drill was conducted on 8/28/23. The director completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response training previously and has revised the Emergency Plan. She reviewed the Plan with the staff on 8/25/23. The center does not provide aquatic activities; thus, those requirements were not monitored during this visit. CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP PROCESS The building and fire inspections for the new owner must be completed, approved, and sent to me before 11/24/23. The director stated that all of the inspections have been applied for and are awaiting scheduled visits the center. Please keep me updated on their findings. The sanitation inspection was completed on 8/10/23. The facility received a superior rating with 4 demerits. Technicians were on site today getting the fire alarm system prepared for the fire inspection that is scheduled in a couple of weeks. The following violations were observed during this visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. The commode in space #6 was missing a seat and the bathroom door does not close properly. The chain link fence between outdoor spaces #3 and #4 has a bar that is not connected to the pole, exposing protrusions at the tops of the fence. The bottom of the gate has a section of chain link that has come undone exposing a protrusion hazard to the children at level with their feet. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 849 Leftover medicines were not returned to the parent after the course of treatment was completed, after authorization was withdrawn or after authorization had expired and/or medication was not discarded within 72 hours of completion of treatment or withdrawal of authorization. A bottle of Dye Free WalDryl (generic Benadryl) was observed in space #8 but the permission slip expired on 9/16/23. .0803(12) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. One staff member hired on 8/14/23 did not have a completed medical exam on file during today's visit. (Please refer to the Staff Training Worksheet for more details.) 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members, hired on 6/26/23 and 6/29/23, did not have documentation on file of completing a current First Aid certification course. (Please refer to the Staff Training Worksheet for details.) .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. Two staff members, hired on 6/26/23 and 6/29/23, did not have documentation on file of completing a current CPR certification course. (Please refer to the Staff Training Worksheet for details.) .1102(d) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. One employee hired on 6/26/23 did not have documentation on file verifying that the new hire orientation training had been completed within their first six weeks of employment. (Please refer to the Staff Training Worksheet for more details.) .1101(a)(b) The violations documented during today's assessment were reviewed with the operator and must be corrected IMMEDIATELY. Evidence of correction must be received no later than 10/3/23. Compliance verification may be sent via email to angela.algerwalker@dhhs.nc.gov. Please include statements addressing how and when the violations were corrected. The compliance letter must also include a plan that ensures that the center will maintain compliance with documented violations. Please include the facility's ID number and the operator's signature on the letter of compliance. COMPLIANCE HISTORY When you receive your Child Care License from the State of NC, you are agreeing to comply at all times with the Law, Rules and Requirements pertaining to and governing Child Care in NC. It is your responsibility to read, learn, and maintain all Child Care Requirements that apply to your licensed facility. It is also your responsibility to ask Division staff questions for clarification of requirements you do not understand and to monitor your staff to ensure that all requirements are maintained at all times. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION The following items were discussed prior to today' visit. 1) Please refer to the Staff and Training Worksheets to continue to keep all staff members current with their upcoming due dates for CPR/First Aid training, ITS-SIDS training, child maltreatment training, and health and safety training requirements. 2) Please refer to the What’s New Section of the DCDEE website for the new rules and other updates. 3) The NC Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate Exam is now available on Moodle (directions: Moodle – CCDF – NC Early Childhood Equivalency Exam). This exam is a pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential or EDU 119. This equivalency exam introduces the foundations of culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive early childhood education, planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences, learning activities, and teaching strategies for indoor and outdoor environments for all young children, guidance techniques, and professionalism. Exam Outline: What is the criteria to take the equivalency exam option? • at least 18 years of age or older • a high school diploma or equivalent Types of questions (format)and how many questions? • 100 questions. • true/false and multiple choice What would the passing criteria be? • achieve an 80% or higher. • If the person does not pass the first time, there will only be 2 attempts allowed within a 6-month period. • If they haven’t passed after 2 attempts/6 months, the individual will be advised to enroll in EDU 119 or pursue one of the other equivalencies. Once the certificate is generated in Moodle, the early childhood educator will upload the certificate in their WORKS account to be verified. If an early childhood educator have any questions or concerns about the exam , please have them contact dcdee.equivalency.exam@dhhs.nc.gov. 4) Staff Records – Maintaining accurate documentation in your center is critical in demonstrating compliance with the child care rules and to ensuring that your staff meet the requirements to provide a healthy and safe environment for the children in their care. Prior to employment a medical report must be provided to you. On day one a completed medical assessment must be on file. One (1) staff person hired on 8/14/23 did not have documentation of a completed medical on file today. Utilizing the staff file checklist attached to your files will help you to meet and maintain compliance when hiring staff. 5) Medication: Prescription or non-prescription medication (over-the-counter [OTC]) ordered by the prescribing health professional for a specific child with written permission of the parent/guardian. Written orders from the prescribing health professional should specify medical need, medication, dosage, and length of time to give medication. Labeled medications brought to the child care facility by the parent/guardian in the original container (with a label that includes the child’s name, date filled, prescribing clinician’s name, pharmacy name and phone number, dosage/instructions, and relevant warnings). All medication must include an authorization form signed and dated by the parent giving permission to administer the medication. Periodically, conduct a review of all medications and medication authorization forms to ensure that they are current and contain the required information for compliance. 6) Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Maltreatment: Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. All staff are required to complete the training within 90 days of hire. The training may be accessed via the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.nc.gov. Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment is also available on Prevent Child Abuse NC website, www.preventchildabusenc.org, free of charge, and counts toward Health and Safety Training. 7) ORIENTATION TRAINING FOR STAFF: Staff qualifications and training requirements are essential for adults who interact with and teach children. These requirements protect children in child care facilities by ensuring these facilities provide a physically safe and healthy environment where the developmental needs of children are being met and where children are cared for by qualified staff. Each staff person must complete the required 16 hours of orientation training within the first 6 weeks of employment. Six of the hours are required to be completed within the first two weeks of employment. You can conduct orientation training as a group with new staff instead of one on one. Ensure you and applicable staff members reflect the date, hours, and signature on the orientation training form. We referenced adding any addition information to the bottom of the orientation form that is reviewed with the employees. 8) CPR/First Aid - Knowing what to do in an emergency medical situation can mean the difference between life or death. Being trained in CPR and first aid can be invaluable when someone is in serious medical distress. Therefore, it is so important that all staff working directly with children have current CPR and First Aid Certification. Staff have 90 days from the day of hire to complete the required trainings. Log onto the DCDEE website at www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov and click on “Provider,” Training and Professional Development,” and then in a blue box on the screen will be a link to “ Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR.” This link will provide a list of approved CPR/First Aid agencies in NC. RATED LICENSE APPLICATION INFORMATION Once you have achieved a full six (6) months of operation, your program will be eligible for a Voluntary Enhanced Rated License. The award of this Rated License will occur at the end of the 6-month Temporary License Time Period. Once the approved inspections are submitted, the facility can be issued a Five Star Rated License effective 12/25/23 based on previously earning 7 points in staff education, 6 points in program standards, and one quality point. You can be issued a Rated License based on a previous assessment due to being in “Hold Harmless” status. A full Rated License Assessment will occur based on the program’s Cohort assignment; your program is in COHORT #1, therefore the assessment period would begin on or around July 1, 2024. You should begin preparing for your assessment this year as the cohort system includes a planning/preparation period prior to the assessment period. Please ensure that all new staff member’s education information is current in the W.O.R.K.S. database. Each staff member must register in the WORKS system as soon as they are hired at this location. Education evaluations can take some time to process so beginning the process early will help to ensure we have the accurate information needed when it is time to complete the rated license assessment before the end of the temporary time period. You may also want to consider having staff members complete the Early Educator Certification process (www.ncicdp.org) to assist in getting higher education evaluations completed if their degree is not in early childhood education. CONTACT INFORMATION: If you have any questions or need further assistance, I can be reached via email at angela.algerwalker@dhhs.nc.gov. 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