10A NCAC 09 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: MY SECOND HOME Facility ID: 60001518 Consultant: RESHA WASHINGTON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/17/2024 Number Present: 10 Completed Date: 9/17/2024 Age: From 0 To 3 Total Minutes: 180 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 01:30 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 the facility for all applicable child care requirements during an Annual Compliance visit. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 09/26/23. The facility is currently operating with a Three Star Rated License issued on 09/11/19 and had an eighteen (18) month compliance history score of 98% prior to today’s visit. The March 2023 Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers and the Child Care Center Item Number Listing dated March 2024 was used to document compliance with child care rules. Upon arrival I was greeted by Ms. S. Blackwood, caregiver, where I explained the purpose of my visit. Ms. Blackwood allowed me entrance into the facility where I observed her present in Space #2 with five (5) preschool-aged children between the ages of two years old and three years old. There are currently a total of six (6) preschool children enrolled for first shift in this space. After placing my personal items on a classroom shelf and speaking with Ms. Blackwood I went to the gated area of the facility’s kitchen and acknowledged Ms. S. Boyd (owner/operator) in Space #1. Ms. Boyd was present with four (4) enrolled children. There are currently four (4) enrolled infant/toddler children enrolled in this space. Two (2) licensed child care spaces, the facility’s kitchen, the facility’s bathroom and outdoor learning area were monitored during today’s visit. Children were observed engaging in free play, transitional activities, and personal care routines. A walk-through of the facility was conducted. In Space #2 children under three years of age were present and it was observed that various items, including learning materials and personal belongings, were being stored in plastic bags on shelves and in cubbies accessible to children. It was also observed that puppets with hard eyes were being stored on a shelf in this space and accessible to children. I informed Ms. Blackwood that these items, the plastic bags and puppets with hard eyes, were each prohibited in classrooms with children present under three years of age per North Carolina Child Care Laws and the safety requirements for child care centers found in chapter nine Section .0604 (q) Plastic bags, toys, toy parts small enough to be swallowed, and materials that can be torn apart, such as foam rubber and styrofoam, shall not be accessible to children under three years of age., as they each pose a safety hazard. In the facility’s kitchen a posted feeding schedule was reviewed for an enrolled child under fifteen months of age. It was observed that the document contained the provider’s signature, but it had not been signed by the child’s parent. I informed Ms. Boyd that per North Carolina Child Care Laws and the requirements for infants found in chapter nine Section .0902 (a) The parent or health care provider of each child under 15 months of age shall provide the center an individual written feeding plan for the child. This plan shall be followed at the center. This plan shall include the child's name, be signed by the parent or health care provider, and be dated when received by the center. Each infant's plan shall be modified in consultation with the child's parent or health care provider to reflect changes in the child's needs as he or she develops. The feeding instructions for each infant shall include the type and amount of milk, formula and food, the frequency of feedings and be posted for reference by the caregivers. Ms. Boyd shared that the child had not yet arrived off for the day, but she would have the parent update this form during arrival procedures. This was observed taking place during the visit. Based on staff statements there are currently no medications being stored on site. Based on staff statements the facility does not provide transportation but a vehicle was observed onsite for emergency use. Program records were monitored. Fire drills and emergency drills were monitored and found to be compliant. The monthly outdoor inspections were monitored and found to be conducted as required. Two (2) staff files were reviewed, and each were found to be compliant. Two (2) children files were reviewed and it was observed that one child had an incomplete written statement from parents giving standing permission which may be valid for up to 12 months for the child’s participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis on file. It was shared with both providers that the written statement in the child’s file only included a signature but it did not contain the child’s name or any additional pertinent information as outlined in the most up to date off premise activity permission form located on the Division’s website. The last annual Sanitation Inspection was conducted on 07/17/24 with a rating of Superior and 0 demerits. The last annual Fire Inspection was conducted on 07/31/24 but it was not received by the facility’s child care licensing consultant until August 16, 2024 via email. The providers were reminded that per North Carolina Child Care Laws and the on-going requirements for a license in chapter nine Section .0304 (a) Each operator shall schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous fire inspection. The operator shall notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the center's annual fire inspection. The operator shall submit the original of the approved annual fire inspection report to the Division within one week of the inspection visit on the form provided by the Division. I informed Ms. Boyd that this should have been sent within one week of the inspection taking place and she shared that she thought the fire inspector would forward the completed form to me. I reminded Ms. Boyd that sometimes as a courtesy some fire inspectors will send over this information to myself, but it is ultimately the provider’s responsibility to do this. We then revisited the documentation from the facility’s prior Annual Compliance visit where this information had previously been shared. The facility’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan was reviewed. It was found to have been updated, as required. There were four (4) violations cited during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The last annual Fire Inspection was conducted on 07/31/24 but it was not received by the facility’s child care licensing consultant until August 16, 2024 via email. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 541 The written feeding plan did not include the child's name, parent signature, and/or was not dated when received by the center. In the facility’s kitchen a posted feeding schedule was reviewed for an enrolled child under fifteen months of age. It was observed that the document contained the provider’s signature, but it had not been signed by the child’s parent. .0902(a) 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. In Space #2 children under three years of age were present and it was observed that various items, including learning materials and personal belongings, were being stored in plastic bags on shelves and in cubbies accessible to children. It was also observed that puppets with hard eyes were being stored on a shelf in this space and accessible to children too. .0604(q) 1322 A written statement from each child's parent giving standing permission which may be valid for up to twelve months for participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis was not available. Two (2) children files were reviewed and it was observed that one child had an incomplete written statement from parents giving standing permission which may be valid for up to 12 months for the child’s participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis on file. .1005(b)(4) Corrective Action: All 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 October 01, 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. During today’s visit the following general points and items of technical assistance were discussed: -The importance of ensuring all required inspections are completed in the required timeframe and any related documentation is maintained, filed or forwarded as required. We spoke specifically about the requirement for forwarding the facility’s completed annual fire inspection within one week of this being conducted. -The importance of reviewing all required forms and paperwork that are completed by parents and staff to ensure there are no errors, missing information and all acknowledgments/signatures are present. We spoke specifically about the written statement from parents giving standing permission which may be valid for up to 12 months for the child’s participation in off premise activities that occur on a regular basis and the individual written feeding plan required for each child under 15 months of age. -We discussed routinely checking both the indoor and outdoor learning environment for any potential hazards, safety concerns or issues to ensure these things are either corrected immediately or made inaccessible to children. We spoke specifically about plastic bags and toys containing small parts. -I shared that when updating the facility’s Emergency Preparedness and Response plan to review all pages to ensure that all pictures, diagram and information is thoroughly completed and is display correctly. I also recommended the provider review the requirements for the facility’s Ready to Go file and information required when transporting children. We spoke specifically about information for individual children. -Please continue to visit the Division's website for the most up to date information on provider forms, program documentation expectations, to access the most current information about any rule changes, the addition of new rules and for any other pertinent information that may pertain to your program. As always, please check your email regularly for updates from the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) and from your assigned child care consultant. 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.