Powhatan Elementary School

10A NCAC 09 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: POWHATAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Facility ID: 51000858 Consultant: LEIGH MCKENZIE-LEE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/8/2024 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 5/8/2024 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 80 Time In: 11:20 AM Time Out: 12:40 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 of applicable child care requirements during your annual compliance visit. I monitored the indoor and outdoor environments for compliance with applicable child care requirements. Staff/child ratios, supervision, use of space and capacity were monitored for compliance. The permit, sanitation, evacuation, safe arrival and departure procedures, first aid chart, menus, activity plan, daily schedule, staff/child ratios and a summary of NC Child Care Law were all posted at the time of the visit. The storage of medication and hazardous products was also monitored for compliance. New staff files and a percentage of existing staff files were reviewed during the visit. The information on the Staff and Training worksheet was verified. A sample of children's records were reviewed during the visit and the worksheet was completed. A fire drill was documented as completed on 4-19-24 at 2:15 pm. A lock down drill was documented as completed on 3-11-24 at 9:30 am. An outdoor inspection was documented as completed on 4-9-24. An approved fire inspection was completed on 1-17-24. A sanitation inspection was last completed on 4-24-24 with two zero demerits and a superior classification. The children were observed during naptime. A meal or snack was not observed during the visit. A five star child care center with seven points in education, seven points in program and one quality point was issued to you on 5-8-23. Based on information provided and on observations made during the visit, you continue to meet the requirement previously met to obtain such a license. 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. A fire inspection was previously completed on 1-10-23. A new inspection was not completed until 1-17-24. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A black widow spider was observed in the children's sandbox during outdoor play on 5-6-24. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1743 A minimum of two staff members were not on site at all times while children were present at the facility. One staff member was present with twelve children in the classroom. .2902(g) 1755 Certified developmental day center staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Twelve children, ages three to five years of age, were present with one staff member in space 506. .2902 (f) While in space 506, one of the staff members walked out of the classroom and closed the door, leaving twelve children with one staff member. Based on your developmental day certification, a one to six ratio must be maintained at all times. In addition, two staff members must be present with the children at all times, even if only six children are present. These types of violations directly impact the safety of the children and must be maintained at all times. When staff/child ratios are not in compliance, there is a greater likelihood of injury to children. If there are tasks that need to be completed outside of the classroom and only two staff members are present, you must contact the office to request assistance. During the visit, one of the staff members explained that they were not currently using the playground as a black widow spider was observed in the children's sandbox during outdoor play on 5-6-24. She stated that as soon as she saw the spider, she prompted the children to get out of the sandbox and killed the spider. Another staff member stated that this was not the first time a black widow spider was observed outside at the school. Black widow spiders are considered to be the most venomous spider in North America and are common in our area. As we discussed during the visit, the playground cannot be used by the children until the area has been professionally treated by a pest control company. Verification of treatment must be submitted before the playground is used by the children in the preschool classrooms. Because these spiders are present at the school, I recommended that the staff create a response plan for possible black widow spider bites. Please include color pictures of the spiders as not all individuals are familiar with them. All black widow spider bites must be treated as an emergency and require contacting 911 for medical attention. I would also recommend that this plan be shared with parents of children enrolled in the classrooms next year so that they will be aware of the presence of these spiders and your plan for handling a bite should one occur. Lastly, during the required daily check of the playground, staff must be vigilant in checking the play equipment, including the underside, the sandbox, including all toys present, ride on toys and any other materials accessible to the children on the playground. Regular treatment of the outdoor environment, as well as the indoor environment if a black widow is observed in the building, must occur and will be monitored during future visits. A follow up visit may be conducted to monitor compliance with child care requirements. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the childcare law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in childcare. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. Please send me a written statement describing how and when the above violation was corrected. The written statement must be received no later than 5-22-24. Please note that if your letter is mailed, a hand written signature is required. As an alternative, compliance letters can now be submitted via email. I recommend emailing your letter to reduce the time needed to ensure my receipt of your information; however, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your letter is mailed in a timely fashion and that you allow for any possible delays in the mail service. Please contact me if you have questions pertaining to your compliance letter or if you will not be able to meet the two week timeframe for submission of your compliance letter. Please contact me at 919-819-9301 or at leigh.mckenzie-lee@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. Please use my local mailing address for submitting items directly to me: PO Box 1537, Smithfield, NC 27577. 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 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: POWHATAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Facility ID: 51000858 Consultant: LEIGH MCKENZIE-LEE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/8/2024 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 5/8/2024 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 80 Time In: 11:20 AM Time Out: 12:40 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 of applicable child care requirements during your annual compliance visit. I monitored the indoor and outdoor environments for compliance with applicable child care requirements. Staff/child ratios, supervision, use of space and capacity were monitored for compliance. The permit, sanitation, evacuation, safe arrival and departure procedures, first aid chart, menus, activity plan, daily schedule, staff/child ratios and a summary of NC Child Care Law were all posted at the time of the visit. The storage of medication and hazardous products was also monitored for compliance. New staff files and a percentage of existing staff files were reviewed during the visit. The information on the Staff and Training worksheet was verified. A sample of children's records were reviewed during the visit and the worksheet was completed. A fire drill was documented as completed on 4-19-24 at 2:15 pm. A lock down drill was documented as completed on 3-11-24 at 9:30 am. An outdoor inspection was documented as completed on 4-9-24. An approved fire inspection was completed on 1-17-24. A sanitation inspection was last completed on 4-24-24 with two zero demerits and a superior classification. The children were observed during naptime. A meal or snack was not observed during the visit. A five star child care center with seven points in education, seven points in program and one quality point was issued to you on 5-8-23. Based on information provided and on observations made during the visit, you continue to meet the requirement previously met to obtain such a license. 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. A fire inspection was previously completed on 1-10-23. A new inspection was not completed until 1-17-24. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. A black widow spider was observed in the children's sandbox during outdoor play on 5-6-24. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1743 A minimum of two staff members were not on site at all times while children were present at the facility. One staff member was present with twelve children in the classroom. .2902(g) 1755 Certified developmental day center staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. Twelve children, ages three to five years of age, were present with one staff member in space 506. .2902 (f) While in space 506, one of the staff members walked out of the classroom and closed the door, leaving twelve children with one staff member. Based on your developmental day certification, a one to six ratio must be maintained at all times. In addition, two staff members must be present with the children at all times, even if only six children are present. These types of violations directly impact the safety of the children and must be maintained at all times. When staff/child ratios are not in compliance, there is a greater likelihood of injury to children. If there are tasks that need to be completed outside of the classroom and only two staff members are present, you must contact the office to request assistance. During the visit, one of the staff members explained that they were not currently using the playground as a black widow spider was observed in the children's sandbox during outdoor play on 5-6-24. She stated that as soon as she saw the spider, she prompted the children to get out of the sandbox and killed the spider. Another staff member stated that this was not the first time a black widow spider was observed outside at the school. Black widow spiders are considered to be the most venomous spider in North America and are common in our area. As we discussed during the visit, the playground cannot be used by the children until the area has been professionally treated by a pest control company. Verification of treatment must be submitted before the playground is used by the children in the preschool classrooms. Because these spiders are present at the school, I recommended that the staff create a response plan for possible black widow spider bites. Please include color pictures of the spiders as not all individuals are familiar with them. All black widow spider bites must be treated as an emergency and require contacting 911 for medical attention. I would also recommend that this plan be shared with parents of children enrolled in the classrooms next year so that they will be aware of the presence of these spiders and your plan for handling a bite should one occur. Lastly, during the required daily check of the playground, staff must be vigilant in checking the play equipment, including the underside, the sandbox, including all toys present, ride on toys and any other materials accessible to the children on the playground. Regular treatment of the outdoor environment, as well as the indoor environment if a black widow is observed in the building, must occur and will be monitored during future visits. A follow up visit may be conducted to monitor compliance with child care requirements. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the childcare law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in childcare. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. Please send me a written statement describing how and when the above violation was corrected. The written statement must be received no later than 5-22-24. Please note that if your letter is mailed, a hand written signature is required. As an alternative, compliance letters can now be submitted via email. I recommend emailing your letter to reduce the time needed to ensure my receipt of your information; however, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your letter is mailed in a timely fashion and that you allow for any possible delays in the mail service. Please contact me if you have questions pertaining to your compliance letter or if you will not be able to meet the two week timeframe for submission of your compliance letter. Please contact me at 919-819-9301 or at leigh.mckenzie-lee@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. Please use my local mailing address for submitting items directly to me: PO Box 1537, Smithfield, NC 27577. 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