Knowledge IS Power Early Learning Program

10A NCAC 09 .1719 · Violation

Name of Operation: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM Facility ID: 60002161 Consultant: LASHAWNDA BERRY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/19/2026 Number Present: 2 Completed Date: 3/19/2026 Age: From 4 To 7 Total Minutes: 90 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 12:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s routine unannounced visit was to monitor for compliance with child care requirements. The center currently has a Five-Star rated license, the 18 month compliance history score is 99%. The center license and Summary of the Law was prominently posted. I was greeted by C. Drakeford, Owner/ Director. I informed Ms. Drakeford the reason for my visit. Ms. Drakeford assisted me with the walkthrough of the center. The following items were monitored: Supervision, S/C Ratio, Storage of Hazardous Substances, Storage of Medication, Adequate Approved Space, Program Records, License Posted and Permit Restrictions. Permit information-the program operates with a Five- Star license, issued September, 2019. The center has seven (7) points for education, seven (7) points for program standards and one (1) quality point. License restrictions include: First and Second Shift; Meets enhanced ratios minus one in each group; Meets enhanced ratios; Meets enhanced space. The program is still located at: 2312 Orton Street Charlotte, NC 28208. The phone number is: (704) 394-8052. The center had two (2) children present during today’s visit and five (5) children enrolled. The center is currently only providing care for first shift. The center does not provide transportation. The center has not hired any new staff since their last visit. The center’s last fire drill was documented on 2/13/26. The center’s last lockdown/ shelter in place drill was on 1/19/26. The last sanitation inspection was completed on 7/9/25 with zero (0) demerits, receiving a superior rating. The center playground inspections were monitored and in compliance. There was one (1) violation cited during todays visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 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. I observed bleach cleaning spray inside the shower of the bathroom that children use. The spray was on the window ledge, accessible to children. .2820(b) The violation was corrected during the visit, therefore, no further action is required. Technical Assistance: 10A NCAC 09 .1719 REQUIREMENTS FOR A SAFE INDOOR/OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT (a) (7) keep all corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product that is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled shall be kept in its original container or in another labeled container, used according to the manufacturer's instructions, and stored in a locked area when not in use. Locked areas shall include those that are unlocked with a combination, electronic, or magnetic device, key, or equivalent locking device. These unlocking devices shall be kept out of the reach of a child and shall not be stored in the lock. Toxic substances shall be stored below or separate from medications and food. Any product not listed in this Paragraph that is labeled "keep out of reach of children" without any other warnings shall be kept inaccessible to children when not in use, but is not required to be kept in locked storage. The product shall be considered inaccessible to children when stored on a shelf or in an unlocked cabinet that is mounted a minimum vertical distance of five feet above the finished floor; Rated License: QRIS has been updated to the Pathway to the Stars. Today we discussed the Pathway to the Stars, the provider stated that the center would like to pursue: Pathway #2 Please make sure that all staff education is updated in WORKS! QRIS Modernization Implementation Timeline: September 2025- Administrator/Operator Meetings October - March 2026- Consultants will work with you to determine the desired pathway and plan for application April - September 2026- Submit rated license application and transition to a pathway The goal is to have everyone transitioned by the end of 2026. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by email at Lashawnda.berry@dhhs.nc.gov or by phone at 704-242-0960. Thank you for your assistance! Lashawnda Berry PO Box 550424 Gastonia, NC 28054 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 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM Facility ID: 60002161 Consultant: LASHAWNDA BERRY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/9/2023 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 8/9/2023 Age: From 3 To 3 Total Minutes: 140 Time In: 08:45 AM Time Out: 11:05 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s routine unannounced visit was to monitor for compliance with child care requirements. The center currently has a Five- Star rated license, the 18-month compliance history score is 100%. The center license and Summary of the Law was prominently posted. Today I was greeted by C. Drakeford, Owner/Director. Ms. Drakeford assisted me during today’s visit. The NC Secretary of State website was viewed before the visit and KNOWLEDGE IS POWER EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM INC was current and active. Staff/child ratio, supervision, capacity, group size and space were observed in compliance today. The center’s Fire Drill Log and Report was reviewed. Fire drills were documented monthly as required; the centers last fire drill was documented on 7/24/23. Shelter-in-place and Lock-down drills were reviewed, the centers last shelter-in-place drill was documented on 7/24/2023. The playground safety inspections were reviewed and in compliance. The center last had a sanitation inspection on 1/21/2023. The center received 2 demerits and received a superior classification. The inspection was completed by the Mecklenburg County Health Department. The center last had a fire inspection on 6/14/23. There was (1) child present. There are four (4) children enrolled in the center. The center does not provide transportation. Child was observed during indoor and outdoor free play and transitions. The playground was monitored. Staff files and children files were monitored today. There were four (4) violations cited today. Violation Number Comment Rule 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. In space #1, I observed a spray bottle with cleaning product in it on the shelf, accessible to children. .2820(b) 1052 Staff required to receive on-going training had not completed the required number of hours according to their education and experience. One out of three staff members did not complete the required amount of on-going training hours required. (PS) .1103(a) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. Two out of three staff members did not have an annual staff development plan or an annual staff evaluation. (CM and PS) 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1421 Hazardous items, materials, and equipment such as archery equipment, hand and power tools, nails, chemicals, or propane stoves were not used under adult supervision. On the playground, I observed a rusted hammer on the ground along with some other tools. .2506(c) Violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be emailed to me by 8/23/2023, stating how each violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future include the violation number, statement of compliance, license ID and your signature in the letter or e-mail. Failure to correct the violations 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 and Early Education 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. If you state in your letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. Please email me a signed copy of the letter to Lashawnda.Berry@dhhs.nc.gov Please note that any violations cited today or during future visits will negatively impact your compliance history. North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(d) requires all child care facilities to maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past 18 months or during the length of time the facility has operated, whichever is less. Failure to do so may result in the issuance of a provisional license or other administrative action against the facility's license. Technical Assistance: * Friendly Reminders* - After each sanitation and fire inspection you must send a copy of the report to you Child Care consultant within one week. -I encouraged the Administrator, to stay up to date with the Division of Child Development and Early Education by visiting www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. This website enables you to view the entire Law and Child Care Requirements for North Carolina as well as download required forms. I encourage you to click on the “What’s New” tab for important updates impacting childcare in North Carolina. Help with Challenging Behaviors: • Contact Heathy Social Behavioral specialists at https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/ and participate in their initiative. • Helpline: Speak to a Behavior Support Advisor for advice and resources specific to the challenging behaviors in your classroom. 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 Helpline: Submit your questions to a Behavior Support Advisor online- and receive a call or email in response to a Google Form that you complete at https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/challenging-behaviors-helpline Helpline: Chat on the “Talk to the Expert” online network, Social Emotional Connections, for early childhood educators at https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/challenging-behaviors-helpline. Having your staff become a part of this network will allow them to glean ideas and information that may assist them in providing a higher quality of care in their classroom….and its free! Rated License: The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on Monday June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE has developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. While the first reassessment year won’t begin until July 1, 2024, the preparation year for cohort one began July 1, 2023. Your facility is in cohort two. I will reach out to you prior to the beginning of the preparation year of your assigned cohort and will provide guidance to assist you as you begin the process. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by email or by phone at 704-242-0960. Thank you for your assistance! Lashawnda Berry PO Box 236 Paw Creek, NC 28130 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