Estes Hills School-Age Care Program

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: ESTES HILLS SCHOOL-AGE CARE PROGRAM Facility ID: 6855099 Consultant: CAROLINE SYKES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/10/2026 Number Present: 47 Completed Date: 3/10/2026 Age: From 6 To 11 Total Minutes: 105 Time In: 01:50 PM Time Out: 03:35 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 for applicable Child Care Requirements. The facility currently operates with a Five Star Child Care License that was issued on March 12, 2018. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on April 8, 2025. Upon arrival, I signed in at the school’s main office and then proceeded to the Site Director, Ms. Brown’s office. She assisted me during the visit. We completed a walk through of the program where attendance was documented and observations made. The children were observed arriving in the gym and separating into groups. Two groups transitioned to the cafeteria for snack and the other two groups participated in activities in the gym. The last fire inspection was completed on September 23, 2025. During today’s visit, a full assessment of applicable Child Care Requirements was conducted. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. Electrical outlets in two spaces used by children were not covered with safety plugs when not in use. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. Disinfecting wipes located in a space used by children were not kept out of reach of children in locked storage. .2820(b) The above violations must be corrected immediately. A Corrective Action Letter must be drafted and sent to me by March 24, 2026. 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 March 24, 2026, 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 staff to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to this program. 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 electrical outlets not in use located in spaces used by children not being covered with safety plugs. It is important that any outlet not in use that are located in spaces used by children be covered with safety plugs to ensure safety for children. A violation was cited regarding hazardous products not being kept in locked storage. We discussed reminding individuals in shared spaces used by the children that hazardous products, such as disinfecting wipes, must be kept in locked storage. RESOURCES: -The Health and Safety Trainings are offered on the DCDEE Moodle format as well. 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. If you have questions or concerns, 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

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: ESTES HILLS SCHOOL-AGE CARE PROGRAM Facility ID: 6855099 Consultant: CAROLINE SYKES Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/8/2025 Number Present: 57 Completed Date: 10/8/2025 Age: From 5 To 11 Total Minutes: 95 Time In: 01:45 PM 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 for applicable Child Care Requirements. The facility currently operates with a Three Star Child Care License that was issued on March 12, 2018. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on April 8, 2025. Upon arrival, I signed in at the school’s main office and then proceeded to the Site Director, Ms. Brown’s office. She assisted me during the visit. Children were observed arriving, separating into groups and transitioning to the cafeteria for snack. During today’s visit, a partial assessment of applicable Child Care Requirements was conducted. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. Safety outlets in the gym were not covered with safety plugs. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 1911 An incident report was not completed and mailed to a Division representative within seven days after the incident when medical treatment was required. There was an incident report for a child that took place in September. The child received medical treatment. The report was not submitted to DCDEE within 7 days. .0802(f) The above violations must be corrected immediately. A Corrective Action Letter must be drafted and sent to me by October 22, 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 October 22, 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 staff to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to this program. 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 incident reports. Anytime a child is injured, an incident report is written, and the child receives medical treatment, a copy of the incident report should be mailed to DCDEE within 7 days. A violation was cited regarding electrical outlets not being covered. All electrical outlets in spaces used by the afterschool program should have outlet safety covers. We briefly discussed the new QRIS. I shared with Ms. Brown how to access the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website to become familiar with the pathways. We also discussed the timeline for QRIS implementation. RESOURCES: -The Health and Safety Trainings are offered on the DCDEE Moodle format as well. 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. If you have questions or concerns, 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