Guidepost Montessori AT Cary

10A NCAC 09 .0710 · Violation

Name of Operation: GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT CARY Facility ID: 92004065 Consultant: LEANNE SIMPKINS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/10/2026 Number Present: 48 Completed Date: 3/10/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 185 Time In: 09:35 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor applicable childcare requirements during the third of three monitoring visits during the first 6 months of operation. This facility operates with a temporary license issued 10/21/25 though 4/21/26. The facility was approved for 77 children aged 0-6 years old on first shift only. No cooking is allowed in the building and children 2.5 years old and younger are required to have direct exits from the classroom. Today’s visit was completed with the head of school, Kimberly McIntosh-Serio. The temporary license, emergency telephone numbers, safe arrival and departure procedures and the NC Summary of the Law were observed posted. I monitored five classrooms for staff/child ratios, group sizes, capacity, supervision, discipline, interactions, materials, postings and health and safety. Infants: One infant just started Monday and was having a difficult time adjusting. The teacher was observed trying to comfort the infant so they would go to sleep. The assistant head of school carried the infant outside for a walk. The infant fell asleep on a mat. Other children were observed exploring materials. The teacher read the children a book while one infant was asleep. Bottles were labeled and dated. Feeding schedules were current. Safe sleep checks were completed for one infant. A cabinet door on the cabinets was not secured to the hinges. The cabinet on the left side of the cabinets that are in front of the entrance to the room was coming off the hinges. The director removed the cabinet door during the visit until it can be repaired. Diaper creams had appropriate permission from parents. Be sure to go back through the permission slips, some of the forms will expire at the end of March 2026 and in April 2026. Toddlers: The children were observed playing outside, and exploring materials inside. Preschool: The children were observed playing outside, washing hands and preparing for circle time with the teacher. The children wear yellow vests with Guidepost Montessori on the vest. The children did a great job using the rope handles to stay in line. The teacher was observed walking backwards so she could see all of the children. I did not review any new staff files since no new staff were hired since the last visit. I did not review children’s records during today’s visit. Incident log: Current. Use the incident report on the DCDEE website to document incidents that occur at the center. Any incidents that require professional medical treatment must be submitted to your consultant within 7 days of the incident. EPR: Updated 1/13/2026 Lead water test: 3/29/2025-low risk Lead paint test: 7/21/2025-no hazards identified Asbestos test: 10/6/2025-no hazards identified ABCMS: Started under previous ID number. Contacted CBC unit during today's visit. Was asked to complete the Moodle training again even though it was under 92004065. The power form was under the previous ID number. I received a copy of the fire and sanitation inspections today. Reminder that the temporary license expires 4/21/26 and if all inspections are not completed before that time, action may be taken against the license. I contacted the sanitation inspector since it appears that the inspection was completed under the previous owner. The building inspection will need to be requested through the Town of Cary. You called the Town of Cary today and spoke with Allysa to determine next steps. You plan to create the portal and request the inspection today. QRIS: You do not plan to apply for higher stars. A one-star license will be issued. Staff education: Minimum education requirements must be met. I confirmed that the director is a level 3 administrator and meets requirements for a one-star license. Three other lead guides were confirmed to meet requirements for lead teachers. The other lead guides must enroll in EDU 119 within 6 months and complete within 18 months to meet minimum requirements for lead teachers. (GS-110 91 (8)) 10A NCAC 09 .0710 PRESERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR LEAD TEACHERS AND TEACHERS (a) If an individual already has a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent, none of the requirements of this Rule shall apply. If an individual does not have a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent, the requirements of this Rule shall be met. (b) A lead teacher or a teacher shall be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have one of the following: (1) One year of childcare experience working in a childcare center or two years of verifiable experience as a licensed family child care home operator; or (2) Completion of a two-year high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education; or (3) Twenty hours of training in child development, which shall include the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework, within the first six months of employment in addition to the number of on-going training hours required in Rule .1103 of this Chapter. (c) Individuals employed prior to July 1, 1998, are exempt from the requirements of this Rule, as long as they remain employed by the same operator. The one star license will be mailed to you once the building inspection is completed. Let me know when you receive the license. Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. A high cabinet door on the cabinet in space 2, was not on all three hinges. The top hinge was not secure. The second hinge was loose. The cabinet door could fall off the hinges and hit a child or a teacher. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) The violation cited during today’s visit must be corrected immediately. Email me a corrective action letter that documents when the violation was corrected, how the violation was corrected and how you plan to prevent repeat violations in the future. I should receive the letter within 2 weeks of today’s visit. (March 24, 2026) Feel free to contact me with questions or assistance. I may be reached at 919-819-9386 or email LeAnne.Simpkins@dhhs.nc.gov You may also 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

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT CARY Facility ID: 92004065 Consultant: LEANNE SIMPKINS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/10/2026 Number Present: 48 Completed Date: 3/10/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 185 Time In: 09:35 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor applicable childcare requirements during the third of three monitoring visits during the first 6 months of operation. This facility operates with a temporary license issued 10/21/25 though 4/21/26. The facility was approved for 77 children aged 0-6 years old on first shift only. No cooking is allowed in the building and children 2.5 years old and younger are required to have direct exits from the classroom. Today’s visit was completed with the head of school, Kimberly McIntosh-Serio. The temporary license, emergency telephone numbers, safe arrival and departure procedures and the NC Summary of the Law were observed posted. I monitored five classrooms for staff/child ratios, group sizes, capacity, supervision, discipline, interactions, materials, postings and health and safety. Infants: One infant just started Monday and was having a difficult time adjusting. The teacher was observed trying to comfort the infant so they would go to sleep. The assistant head of school carried the infant outside for a walk. The infant fell asleep on a mat. Other children were observed exploring materials. The teacher read the children a book while one infant was asleep. Bottles were labeled and dated. Feeding schedules were current. Safe sleep checks were completed for one infant. A cabinet door on the cabinets was not secured to the hinges. The cabinet on the left side of the cabinets that are in front of the entrance to the room was coming off the hinges. The director removed the cabinet door during the visit until it can be repaired. Diaper creams had appropriate permission from parents. Be sure to go back through the permission slips, some of the forms will expire at the end of March 2026 and in April 2026. Toddlers: The children were observed playing outside, and exploring materials inside. Preschool: The children were observed playing outside, washing hands and preparing for circle time with the teacher. The children wear yellow vests with Guidepost Montessori on the vest. The children did a great job using the rope handles to stay in line. The teacher was observed walking backwards so she could see all of the children. I did not review any new staff files since no new staff were hired since the last visit. I did not review children’s records during today’s visit. Incident log: Current. Use the incident report on the DCDEE website to document incidents that occur at the center. Any incidents that require professional medical treatment must be submitted to your consultant within 7 days of the incident. EPR: Updated 1/13/2026 Lead water test: 3/29/2025-low risk Lead paint test: 7/21/2025-no hazards identified Asbestos test: 10/6/2025-no hazards identified ABCMS: Started under previous ID number. Contacted CBC unit during today's visit. Was asked to complete the Moodle training again even though it was under 92004065. The power form was under the previous ID number. I received a copy of the fire and sanitation inspections today. Reminder that the temporary license expires 4/21/26 and if all inspections are not completed before that time, action may be taken against the license. I contacted the sanitation inspector since it appears that the inspection was completed under the previous owner. The building inspection will need to be requested through the Town of Cary. You called the Town of Cary today and spoke with Allysa to determine next steps. You plan to create the portal and request the inspection today. QRIS: You do not plan to apply for higher stars. A one-star license will be issued. Staff education: Minimum education requirements must be met. I confirmed that the director is a level 3 administrator and meets requirements for a one-star license. Three other lead guides were confirmed to meet requirements for lead teachers. The other lead guides must enroll in EDU 119 within 6 months and complete within 18 months to meet minimum requirements for lead teachers. (GS-110 91 (8)) 10A NCAC 09 .0710 PRESERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR LEAD TEACHERS AND TEACHERS (a) If an individual already has a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent, none of the requirements of this Rule shall apply. If an individual does not have a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent, the requirements of this Rule shall be met. (b) A lead teacher or a teacher shall be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and have one of the following: (1) One year of childcare experience working in a childcare center or two years of verifiable experience as a licensed family child care home operator; or (2) Completion of a two-year high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education; or (3) Twenty hours of training in child development, which shall include the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework, within the first six months of employment in addition to the number of on-going training hours required in Rule .1103 of this Chapter. (c) Individuals employed prior to July 1, 1998, are exempt from the requirements of this Rule, as long as they remain employed by the same operator. The one star license will be mailed to you once the building inspection is completed. Let me know when you receive the license. Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. A high cabinet door on the cabinet in space 2, was not on all three hinges. The top hinge was not secure. The second hinge was loose. The cabinet door could fall off the hinges and hit a child or a teacher. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) The violation cited during today’s visit must be corrected immediately. Email me a corrective action letter that documents when the violation was corrected, how the violation was corrected and how you plan to prevent repeat violations in the future. I should receive the letter within 2 weeks of today’s visit. (March 24, 2026) Feel free to contact me with questions or assistance. I may be reached at 919-819-9386 or email LeAnne.Simpkins@dhhs.nc.gov You may also 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