G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: HIGHLAND MILL MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY ASEP Facility ID: 60002026 Consultant: MARA BRINTON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/22/2026 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 5/22/2026 Age: From 4 To 11 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 05:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements during an Annual Compliance Visit. The four-star licensed DPI licensed afterschool program continued to operate meeting the voluntary enhanced ratios and enhanced space requirements. Upon arrival I was greeted by the PC, Ms. Kamea Fleming. Ms. Fleming and staff were observed setting up centers in the cafeteria and the art room prior to children’s arrival. The following activity centers were monitored: manipulatives, science, games, math, writing, art, reading, global world, homework, tablets-i-ready math program application and cozy corner. The child care item listing dated May 2026 was used to identify and determine non-compliance. The licensed afterschool program operates from the school cafeteria and the school’s art room for the preschool children. Children arrive at the afterschool program, place their belongings into a laundry basket and line up to wash their hands. Children were observed washing hands, eating PM snacks, completing I-Ready math application work. After children completed their required math on the provided tablets, children were observed engaged in center play. Day school dismisses from the school cafeteria, so the school age children either go outside for daily outdoor play or to the gym. Today, was rainy and children went to the gym. Lesson plans with at least four different activities were monitored posted. A TDA activity was also monitored posted for each group in the cafeteria. Additional time was spent in the preschool room/art room. Essential oils were monitored stored in a bowl on a tall shelf. Two bottles of White Out were monitored maintained on the art teacher’s desk and shelf where the essential oils were stored. Two cans of disinfectant spray in aerosol cans were stored out of reach of the children but not under lock and key as required by child care rule. There were four glue guns monitored accessible to children throughout the art room. One of the glue guns had a glue stick maintained in it. It was recommended to review the hazardous items with the art teacher and come up with a plan to ensure items determined hazardous for preschool children are maintained according to child care rule. The DPI verification forms were monitored and completed for the school year. The ASEP bulletin board was monitored for compliance. Ms. Fleming was reminded either shelter in place or lock down drill should be completed before the end of May. CMS Risk Management tool was observed on line, shared with me by Ms. Fleming during the visit. Staff and training worksheets were completed and monitored with completed training logs. The same staff remained Staff files/binders were monitored for compliance. Staff training was organized with the appropriate training logs. The ABCMS report was run prior to the visit and was verified as accurate. A quarterly lock down drill or shelter in place drill was completed and documented at least once every three months. Monthly outdoor inspections, incident log, monthly fire drills and quarterly safety drills were monitored. The last sanitation inspection was completed January 20, 2026, with zero demerits cited and a superior classification issued. The last fire inspection on file was dated May 8, 2026. Due to the program having a preschool component. An annual fire inspection is required to be submitted. Ms. Fleming and I went to the school’s Assistant Principal, Ms. Danner. She reviewed the files she maintained and was not able to locate a current inspection report. Ms. Danner stated she would get the inspection report to Ms. Fleming next week. It was recommended to discuss the plan going forward to ensure Ms. Fleming is provided with the school’s fire inspection reports. The visit summary and cited violations were printed and reviewed with Ms. Fleming prior to my departure. 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. Three unused electrical outlets were monitored uncovered in the art room/space #3. 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. The art room was monitored with two aerosol cans of disinfectant spray that was maintained on a high shelf. There was a bowl of essential oils maintained on a storage shelf. There were two bottles of White Out. One maintained on the art teacher's desk and another maintained on the art teacher's shelf. .2820(b) 898 All electrical appliances were not used in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction. Appliances with heating elements, such as bottle warmers, crock pots, curling irons, irons, coffee pots, and/or their cords were accessible to preschool-age children. Four glue guns were monitored accessible to preschool children. One of the guns monitored had a glue stick in it. .0604(e) Technical Assistance Provided and General Discussion: We discussed the options for Pathway #1 and #2. A meeting will be held with ASEP administrators soon with the licensing supervisor to decide how to proceed with this specialized program of ASEP with a preschool component. DCDEE WORKS letters were monitored printed and on file for each staff. Ms. Fleming does meet the five-star educational requirements to be a lead teacher for preschool children. If enrollment for the preschool class exceeds 14 children in the fall a qualified teacher will be needed. None of the existing staff have any educational qualifications beyond BSAC. As of today, there is not an approved preschool curriculum implemented. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. 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 June 5,2026. 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 that any information submitted by you is considered 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: Mara Brinton, Child Care Consultant 3687 Stallings Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 mara.brinton@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 If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Mara Brinton at 704-594-0140 or by email at mara.brinton@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also contact my supervisor, Amy Italiano at 704-936-6065 or by email at amy.italiano@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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: HIGHLAND MILL MONTESSORI ELEMENTARY ASEP Facility ID: 60002026 Consultant: MARA BRINTON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/22/2026 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 5/22/2026 Age: From 4 To 11 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 01:30 PM Time Out: 05:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements during an Annual Compliance Visit. The four-star licensed DPI licensed afterschool program continued to operate meeting the voluntary enhanced ratios and enhanced space requirements. Upon arrival I was greeted by the PC, Ms. Kamea Fleming. Ms. Fleming and staff were observed setting up centers in the cafeteria and the art room prior to children’s arrival. The following activity centers were monitored: manipulatives, science, games, math, writing, art, reading, global world, homework, tablets-i-ready math program application and cozy corner. The child care item listing dated May 2026 was used to identify and determine non-compliance. The licensed afterschool program operates from the school cafeteria and the school’s art room for the preschool children. Children arrive at the afterschool program, place their belongings into a laundry basket and line up to wash their hands. Children were observed washing hands, eating PM snacks, completing I-Ready math application work. After children completed their required math on the provided tablets, children were observed engaged in center play. Day school dismisses from the school cafeteria, so the school age children either go outside for daily outdoor play or to the gym. Today, was rainy and children went to the gym. Lesson plans with at least four different activities were monitored posted. A TDA activity was also monitored posted for each group in the cafeteria. Additional time was spent in the preschool room/art room. Essential oils were monitored stored in a bowl on a tall shelf. Two bottles of White Out were monitored maintained on the art teacher’s desk and shelf where the essential oils were stored. Two cans of disinfectant spray in aerosol cans were stored out of reach of the children but not under lock and key as required by child care rule. There were four glue guns monitored accessible to children throughout the art room. One of the glue guns had a glue stick maintained in it. It was recommended to review the hazardous items with the art teacher and come up with a plan to ensure items determined hazardous for preschool children are maintained according to child care rule. The DPI verification forms were monitored and completed for the school year. The ASEP bulletin board was monitored for compliance. Ms. Fleming was reminded either shelter in place or lock down drill should be completed before the end of May. CMS Risk Management tool was observed on line, shared with me by Ms. Fleming during the visit. Staff and training worksheets were completed and monitored with completed training logs. The same staff remained Staff files/binders were monitored for compliance. Staff training was organized with the appropriate training logs. The ABCMS report was run prior to the visit and was verified as accurate. A quarterly lock down drill or shelter in place drill was completed and documented at least once every three months. Monthly outdoor inspections, incident log, monthly fire drills and quarterly safety drills were monitored. The last sanitation inspection was completed January 20, 2026, with zero demerits cited and a superior classification issued. The last fire inspection on file was dated May 8, 2026. Due to the program having a preschool component. An annual fire inspection is required to be submitted. Ms. Fleming and I went to the school’s Assistant Principal, Ms. Danner. She reviewed the files she maintained and was not able to locate a current inspection report. Ms. Danner stated she would get the inspection report to Ms. Fleming next week. It was recommended to discuss the plan going forward to ensure Ms. Fleming is provided with the school’s fire inspection reports. The visit summary and cited violations were printed and reviewed with Ms. Fleming prior to my departure. 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. Three unused electrical outlets were monitored uncovered in the art room/space #3. 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. The art room was monitored with two aerosol cans of disinfectant spray that was maintained on a high shelf. There was a bowl of essential oils maintained on a storage shelf. There were two bottles of White Out. One maintained on the art teacher's desk and another maintained on the art teacher's shelf. .2820(b) 898 All electrical appliances were not used in accordance with the manufacturer's instruction. Appliances with heating elements, such as bottle warmers, crock pots, curling irons, irons, coffee pots, and/or their cords were accessible to preschool-age children. Four glue guns were monitored accessible to preschool children. One of the guns monitored had a glue stick in it. .0604(e) Technical Assistance Provided and General Discussion: We discussed the options for Pathway #1 and #2. A meeting will be held with ASEP administrators soon with the licensing supervisor to decide how to proceed with this specialized program of ASEP with a preschool component. DCDEE WORKS letters were monitored printed and on file for each staff. Ms. Fleming does meet the five-star educational requirements to be a lead teacher for preschool children. If enrollment for the preschool class exceeds 14 children in the fall a qualified teacher will be needed. None of the existing staff have any educational qualifications beyond BSAC. As of today, there is not an approved preschool curriculum implemented. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-8401 and someone will assist you. 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 June 5,2026. 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 that any information submitted by you is considered 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: Mara Brinton, Child Care Consultant 3687 Stallings Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 mara.brinton@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 If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Mara Brinton at 704-594-0140 or by email at mara.brinton@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also contact my supervisor, Amy Italiano at 704-936-6065 or by email at amy.italiano@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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.