Estes Children'S Cottage

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: ESTES CHILDREN'S COTTAGE Facility ID: 68000393 Consultant: CAROLINE SYKES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/10/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 7/10/2025 Age: From 1 To 3 Total Minutes: 110 Time In: 09:40 AM Time Out: 11:30 AM 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 for applicable Child Care Requirements. The facility currently operates with a Five Star Child Care License that was issued on July 3, 2018. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on December 10, 2024. The provider was present and assisted me with the visit. Children were observed participating in indoor free play activities. During today’s visit, a partial assessment of applicable Child Care Requirements was conducted. I observed the following violations. Violation Number Comment Rule 1044 Prior to the expiration date of the qualification letter, the child care provider did not complete and submit required forms to complete a criminal background check (a qualification letter is valid for a maximum of five years for the date of issuance). The qualification letter for F. Carabana expired in June 2025. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & .2703(n)&(o) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. The qualification letter for F. Carabana expired in June of 2025. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) The above violations must be corrected immediately. A Corrective Action Letter must be drafted and sent to me by July 24, 2025. You can email the letter to me at caroline.sykes@dhhs.nc.gov The letter should include: -Facility name -Facility ID number -Each item number If a compliance letter is not received to my office by 5:00 PM July 24, 2025, a return visit may be conducted to ensure the violations cited have been corrected or addressed. Additional violation may be documented if each violation has not been properly corrected or otherwise addressed. Please be aware that any information received during this monitoring visit and any violations cited may be included in any future administrative actions. Violations of child care requirements, particularly repeated violations, could result in a civil penalty and/or administrative action that could jeopardize the status of the license for the child care facility. The staff were provided an opportunity to ask questions regarding interpretation and implementation of all child care requirements. Child care licensing rules and regulations are established to ensure a safe and healthy environment for children in care. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. Both are available on the DCDEE website https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/, on the home page under the ‘Services’ tab. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: A violation was cited regarding the background check of one of the employees being expired. We discussed the importance of ensuring that the background checks are completed prior to their expiration date. F. Carabana must complete her fingerprinted background check immediately. I must receive a copy of her qualification letter by July 25, 2025. If I do not receive the letter by that date, she may not return to work until the background check is complete. RESOURCES: Summer Safety Tips 1.Safety Check & Maintenance Inspect equipment: Check for loose bolts, rust, splinters, or cracks on play structures, swings, and slides. Surface check: Ensure mulch, rubber mats, or sand are evenly spread and thick enough to cushion falls. Fence & gate: Inspect for damage or sharp edges and make sure gates latch securely. Pest control: Check for bees/wasp nests, ant hills, or signs of other pests. 2. Sun Protection Shade structures: Install or check canopies, sails, or umbrellas over play areas and seating. Natural shade: Trim trees for safety but keep them healthy to provide extra sun coverage. Sunscreen policy: Have a plan for applying sunscreen (with parent permission) and ensure staff follows it. 3. Hydration Station Water access: Ensure water is available with disposable cups. Encourage water breaks: Schedule regular hydration times during play. 4. Outdoor Activities & Toys Summer-appropriate toys: Add water tables, sand toys, sports equipment, or ride-ons. Rotate toys: Keep the environment fresh and engaging by rotating outdoor toys. Nature-based play: Include items like gardening tools, pots, or sensory bins with natural materials. 5. Cleanliness Sanitize outdoor toys regularly—especially anything children put in their mouths. Tidy up landscaping: Remove any debris, broken branches, or trash. 6. Safety from Heat Playtime schedule: Shift outdoor play to cooler times (morning or late afternoon). Cooling activities: Plan for cooling breaks with misting bottles, or popsicle breaks. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion in children and staff (lethargy, excessive sweating, etc.). 7. Communication Notify parents about changes in outdoor routines, sunscreen application, and clothing suggestions (hats, water shoes, etc.). Staff training: Review summer safety protocols with your teachers. -The Health and Safety Trainings are offered on the DCDEE Moodle format. These trainings are free, and participants will receive training certificates when completed. -For other upcoming training opportunities please visit the Early Years website at: earlyyearsnc.org -Child care programs can order free posters from the NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/. -For information on recalls regarding children’s products, food, medicine, and other products please visit www.recalls.gov . You can also sign up for e-mail alerts for recalled products at this site. -All licensed childcare facilities are currently under the ‘Hold-Harmless’ state for their license from DCDEE. Once QRIS is implemented, you will receive information from DCDEE regarding the new pathways for licensure and your timeframe for completing your license renewal. The NCRLAP website, https://ncrlap.org, has trainings geared towards the new FCCERS3, ITERS3 and ECERS3 assessment scales. These will introduce you to the updated assessment scale and provide tips for completing the new scale. If you have questions, please contact me at caroline.sykes@dhhs.nc.gov or by phone at 336-266-4938. 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. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: ESTES CHILDREN'S COTTAGE Facility ID: 68000393 Consultant: CAROLINE SYKES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/20/2024 Number Present: 12 Completed Date: 8/20/2024 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 110 Time In: 09:25 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM 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 for applicable Child Care Requirements. The facility currently operates with a Five Star Child Care License that was issued on July 3, 2018. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on January 18, 2024. The provider was present and assisted me with the visit. Children were observed participating in indoor and outdoor play. During today’s visit, a partial assessment of applicable Child Care Requirements was conducted. The following violations were cited: Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. A criminal background check was not on file for one substitute employee. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1890 Each staff member did not have the required medical report, proof of tuberculosis test or screening and/or completed health questionnaire in a medical file, maintained separately from the staff member's individual personnel file. A proof of tuberculosis test or screening was not on file for one substitute employee. .0701(d) In order to comply with the NC Laws and Rules any violations cited today must be corrected immediately. A compliance letter must be sent to me by September 3, 2024. The letter must address each violation and explain how it has been corrected. Please send this to caroline.sykes@dhhs.nc.gov and include the following: -Facility name -Facility ID number -Each item number The staff were provided an opportunity to ask questions regarding interpretation and implementation of all child care requirements. Child care licensing rules and regulations are established to ensure a safe and healthy environment for children in care. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. Both are available on the DCDEE website https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/, on the home page under the ‘Services’ tab. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: We discussed the importance of ensuring all staff files, including substitutes contain the required documents. I pulled up the Substitute Staff File List from the DCDEE website so that the provider will know where it is located and how to access it. RESOURCES: -The Health and Safety Trainings are offered on the DCDEE Moodle format. On the Division’s website look under the “SERVICES” tab for “DCDEE Moodle”. These trainings are free, and participants will receive training certificates when completed. -For other upcoming training opportunities please visit CCSA’s website at: https://www.childcareservices.org/programs/ccrr/professional-development/ -Child care programs can order free posters from the NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/ -For information on recalls regarding children’s products, food, medicine, and other products please visit www.recalls.gov . You can also sign up for e-mail alerts for recalled products at this site. If you have questions, please contact me at caroline.sykes@dhhs.nc.gov or by phone at 336-266-4938. 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