G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: G'S LITTLE ONES DAY CARE,INC. Facility ID: 60003551 Consultant: RESHA WASHINGTON Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 4/30/2024 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 4/30/2024 Age: From 0 To 1 Total Minutes: 195 Time In: 10:45 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor the facility for all applicable child care requirements during the full Annual Compliance visit. The facility had a Three Star Rated License issued July 07, 2017 and an eighteen month compliance history of 100% prior to today’s visit. The March 2024 FCCH Item Number Listing and the May 2023 Annual Compliance Checklist were used to monitor today. A copy of the Annual Compliance Summary and the Checklist were left with the operator. The license and NC Summary of the Law were prominently posted. Upon arrival I observed that there were no vehicles onsite and when I attempted to enter the gate located at the entrance of the facility it was locked. So, I called the provider at the telephone number listed on the file and was greeted by Ms. G. Potts, owner/operator. I introduced myself and inquired if she was open today because I was present at the facility. She stated that she was but had stepped away. She shared that she would be back onsite in about ten minutes. I told her that I would await her return. Approximately fifteen (15) minutes later Ms. Potts arrived onsite and opened the gate to allow me to park my vehicle. We then entered the facility and I explained the purpose of my visit. There were no children present, but one infant arrived shortly after we entered the home. There are a total of two (2) children enrolled on first shift, one is an infant under one year of age and the other is preschool-aged child. There are no children currently enrolled on second shift. A walk through of the facility was conducted. Two (2) licensed childcare spaces, areas adjacent to the licensed childcare spaces, a bathroom, the kitchen and outdoor learning environment were monitored today. During the walk-through it was observed that three unused electrical outlets located on a power strip in the large childcare space, two unused electrical outlets located on a power strip in the hallway adjacent to the large childcare space, one unused electrical outlet located on the wall near the dramatic play area and one unused electrical outlet located on the wall in the kitchen were not covered with safety plugs when not in use. This was brought to Ms. Potts attention and corrected during the visit. It was also observed during the walk-through that the facility’s safe sleep policy was not visible. I reminded Ms. Potts that both the safe sleep posters and the facility’s customized safe sleep policy are required to be posted in a prominent place in the infant sleeping room or area. In the outdoor learning environment, it was observed that the grass has become overgrown and there are broken branches present. It was also observed that there are a variety of broken toys present on the playground including two (2) basketball goals and a few riding toys. I inquired about each of these as they present safety hazards and promote the presence of unwelcome wildlife. Ms. Potts stated that she would have her lawn care person come out to cut the grass and she would be removing the broken toys soon. Ms. Potts shared that her mother is an additional caregiver that comes into the program once a week for approximately two hours to assist with the children, as needed. Both Ms. Potts and her mother’s files were monitored. They were each observed to have current CPR and First Aid certifications on file, as well as current Criminal Background Checks (CBC) on file. Neither Ms. Potts nor her additional caregiver have current ITS- SIDS certifications on file. It was observed that each caregiver last completed ITS-SIDS training on September 12, 2020 and they were due to recertify either on or before September 12, 2023. This did not occur. Ms. Potts is required to receive eight (8) in-service training hours annually. She currently has received eight (8) and brought forward four (4). She will carry over four (4) hours into the following monitoring year. Ms. Potts had a file available for review for both enrolled children. I reviewed each child’s file and it was observed that the safe sleep policy present in the infant’s file had not been customized to reflect the facility’s specific policy and did not contain the required information. The facility provides transportation and it was observed that the capacity indicator on fire extinguisher present in the vehicle approved for use was currently registering as ‘empty’. I shared with Ms. Potts this would have to be replaced prior to using the vehicle to transport children. Program records were reviewed, and it was observed that quarterly emergency drills and monthly outdoor inspections were being completed as required. Monthly fire drills were reviewed and it was observed that a fire drill was not documented as taking place in December 2023. This was considered to be corrected during the visit because one had occurred in January 2024. Infant feeding schedules were monitored and found to be in compliance. Infant safe sleep checks were monitored and found not to have been completed in the past year, although there has been an infant under twelve (12) months enrolled in the program since September of 2023. The incident log was reviewed and found to be in compliance. The last sanitation inspection was conducted on September 05, 2023. The program received six (6) demerits. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPR) was reviewed and found to not have been updated, as required. It was observed that the information on file for the childcare consultant, program enrollment information, emergency information for enrolled children and emergency information for staff was not current. There were nine (9) violations cited during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 701 All indoor and outdoor areas used by the children were not kept clean, orderly, and free of items which are potentially hazardous to children including removal of items a child can swallow; the removal of loose nails or screws and splinters on inside; and use of outdoor equipment that is too hot to touch. In the outdoor learning environment, it was observed that the grass has become overgrown and there are broken branches present. It was also observed that there are a variety of broken toys present on the playground including two (2) basketball goals and a few riding toys. .1719(a)(1)&(17) 716 Electrical outlets not in use were not covered. During the walk-through it was observed that three unused electrical outlets located on a power strip in the large childcare space, two unused electrical outlets located on a power strip in the hallway adjacent to the large childcare space, one unused electrical outlet located on the wall near the dramatic play area and one unused electrical outlet located on the wall in the kitchen were not covered with safety plugs when not in use. 10A NCAC .1719(a)(27) 1306 Operator has not completed ITS-SIDS training every three years from the completion date of the previous ITS-SIDS training. Staff files were reviewed and it was observed that neither Ms. Potts nor her additional caregiver has current ITS- SIDS certifications on file. .1703(a)(4) 1803 Safe sleep policy did not contain the required information as indicated in rule .1724(a)(1-12). Children's files were reviewed and it was observed that the safe sleep policy present in the infant’s file had not been customized to reflect the facility’s specific policy and did not contain the required information. G.S. 110-91(15)(a)(b) & .1724(a)(1-12) 1804 Safe sleep policy and poster about safe sleep practices was not posted in a prominent place in the infant sleeping room or area where parents and caregivers are able to view daily. It was observed during the walk-through that the facility’s safe sleep policy was not visible or posted in a prominent place in the infant sleeping room or area . .1724(b) 1821 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of 30 days. Infant safe sleep checks were monitored and found not to have been completed in the past year, although there has been an infant under twelve (12) months enrolled in the program since September of 2023. .1724(a)(8)&(f) 1853 The operator did not conduct a monthly fire drill. Monthly fire drills were reviewed and it was observed that a fire drill was not documented as taking place in December 2023. .1719(a)(15) & .1721( e)(2) 1876 The operator did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information is current. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPR) was reviewed and found to not have been updated, as required. .1714(e ) 1997 Vehicle used for transportation did not have a fire extinguisher. The facility provides transportation and it was observed that the capacity indicator on fire extinguisher present in the vehicle approved for use was currently registering as ‘empty’. .1723(11) Corrective Action: Violations must be corrected immediately. The childcare provider is expected to maintain all applicable childcare requirements at all times. The provider will send me a compliance letter explaining how she corrected today’s violation and the steps she put in place to ensure on going compliance on or before Tuesday May 14, 2024 to the email listed below. Failure to correct the violation and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted or an administrative action may be recommended. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Technical Assistance Provided and General Discussion: -Ms. Potts and I discussed various components of the program’s Emergency Preparedness and Response plan as they relate to changes in enrollment, application updates and additions of emergency medications/emergency medical care plan, as required. -Ms. Potts and I discussed the importance of meeting all program expectations and guidelines required by DCDEE for licensed childcare facilities. We spoke specifically about paperwork completion and file retention. -I reminded Ms. Potts of the importance of ensuring that all required safety practices and program guidelines are being followed at all times. We spoke specifically about covering unused electrical outlets, meeting all requirements of safe sleep practices for infants, maintaining all required specialized training and have current emergency information on file, as required. -I reminded Ms. Potts of the importance of conducting regular checks of the outdoor learning environment and areas adjacent to that area, if utilized by children, to ensure there are no hazards or potential safety issues present. We spoke specifically about broken toys and debris. -Ms. Potts and I discussed the importance of ensuring any vehicle used to transport children has all necessary paperwork on file, inspections are current and required supplemental items are working, as well as in good repair. We spoke specifically about the fire extinguisher. -Ms. Potts and I discussed visiting the Division’s website for the most up to date information, provider forms and expectations. -Please make sure you check your email regularly for any updates or correspondence from either myself or DCDEE. Thank you for your time today and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Resha K. Washington by phone at 704-910-7947 or via email at resha.washington@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