THE Growing Years

GS 110-102 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE GROWING YEARS Facility ID: 51000935 Consultant: LEIGH MCKENZIE-LEE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/20/2026 Number Present: 95 Completed Date: 5/20/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 10:00 AM Time Out: 12:30 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 of applicable child care requirements during your annual compliance visit. I monitored the indoor and outdoor environments for compliance with 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, daily schedules, activity plans, summary of NC Child Care Law and staff/child ratios were posted at the time of the visit. The storage of medication and hazardous products was also monitored for compliance. Files for new staff and for a percentage of existing staff were reviewed and the information on the Staff and Training Worksheet was verified. A sample of children's records were reviewed and the worksheets were completed. The last outdoor inspection was documented as conducted on 5-12-26. A fire drill was documented as conducted on 4-20-26 at 10:10 am with an evacuation time of one minute and fifty-three seconds. A shelter in place drill was documented as conducted on 5-11-26 at 10:55 am. An approved fire inspection was completed on 1-6-26. A sanitation inspection was last completed on 12-22-25 with zero demerits and a superior classification. The children were observed in free play, playing outside, and in circle time activities. Lunch during the visit consisted of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, oranges, rolls and milk. The incorporation status of Premier NC Clayton LLC was verified as current and active prior to the visit using the Secretary of State's website. A four star child care center with five points in education, six points in program and one quality point was issued to you on 1-19-23. Violation Number Comment Rule 114 A summary of the NC Child Care Law was not given to a parent of every child enrolled in the center. Verification of receipt of the summary of NC Child Care Law was not on file in four of the children's files reviewed. GS 110-102 1324 Signed and dated statement by parent that discipline policy received and explained at enrollment was not in child's file. Verification of receipt of the policy was not on file in one of the children's files reviewed. .1804(c) 1908 A child's file did not have a statement with parent signature acknowledging receipt and explanation of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy and/or the acknowledgement did not have all the required information. Verification of receipt of the policy wa snot on file in one of the children's files reviewed. .0608(b)(1-6) During the 2-4-26 routine unannounced visit, you were not certain if you would select the Program Assessment pathway that includes Environment Rating Scales, or if you would choose the Classroom and Instruction Quality Pathway. During today's visit, you stated that you would be applying for a new rated license under the Program Assessment Pathway. As we discussed the program assessment pathway requires a three month self study during which the staff members in each classroom will need to complete an a self study using the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale 3rd Edition or the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale 3rd Edition. You can find more information about the self study process, along with the necessary forms, on the North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project website (NCRLAP.org). You will need to begin this process within the next week to assure that you can apply for a new rated license by the end of August, 2026. Upon receipt of your application, I will submit the request for your Environment Rating Scale assessments I recommended that you have all staff members review their information in the WORKS database to determine if the information is up to date. If not, they will need to submit new official transcripts to the Workforce Unit. Please have them contact this until directly for questions pertaining to the their WORKS account. All application documents, including the ERS Request form, can be found on the DCDEE website. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about the various pathways or the application process. If needed, I can contact a technical assistance visit to assist you with the transition process. 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 violations were corrected. The written statement must be received no later than 6-3-26. 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 note any items mailed to me should be mailed to my attention at the following address: 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2200. You may also contact Licensing Supervisor Teraesa Leak at 919-819-9301 or at teraesa.leak@dhhs.nc.gov for assistance. 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 .0606 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE GROWING YEARS Facility ID: 51000935 Consultant: LEIGH MCKENZIE-LEE Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0525-182L Visit Date: 5/28/2025 Number Present: 109 Completed Date: 5/28/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 110 Time In: 02:00 PM Time Out: 03:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of non-compliance related to staff/child ratio, discipline, general safety, safe sleep, diapering, nutrition and orientation. These allegations were received by DCDEE on 5-15-25. Paula Davis, Child Care Consultant, accompanied me on today's visit. Today's visit was done in conjunction with your annual compliance visit. The nature of the complaint was reviewed with you. We interviewed four staff members to obtain additional information. Based on our observations and on the information provided, the following was determined: Staff/child ratios were monitored and determined to be in compliance at the time of the visit. During the interviews, the staff members reported that they were not aware of instances when any of the classrooms operated with more children allowed based on the ratio for the age group. The staff members were aware of the staff/child ratio and maximum group size for the age group for which they are assigned. The staff members also reported that the administrative staff always send a floater into the classroom if they are approaching the maximum number allowed for their group. Based on the information provided and on observations made, the allegation pertaining to staff/child ratio was not confirmed. During the visit, we did not observe any staff members speaking to a child or group of children in an inappropriate manner. We did not observed any staff members shaming children or handling children in a rough manner. Based on information provided by you, the assistant administrator and each staff member we interviewed, the use of time out is prohibited in the facility. Based on the information provided and on observations made, the allegation pertaining to discipline was not confirmed. During the visit, we conducted a walk through of the indoor and outdoor environment. We did not observed any broken toys either indoors or out. Small rocks were observed on the playground for children three to five years of age; however, no rocks were observed on the playground for children two and under. Based on the information provided, food is chopped up before it is served to the children under two if the food is considered a choking hazard. Based on the information provided and on observations made, the allegation pertaining to general safety was not confirmed. A safe sleep poster and a copy of your safe sleep policy was observed posted in the classroom for infants. We observed notices posted on each child's crib indicating if the child is or is not able to roll over. The staff members reported that all children twelve months of age and under are initially placed on their back for sleeping. While in the classroom for infants, one of the staff members stated that they were not completing and documenting sleep checks as outline in you safe sleep policy. The sleep checks she provided me with were completing in October, 2024. Therefore, the allegations pertaining to safe sleep was confirmed and a violation for not following your safe sleep policy was documented. The staff members reported that children's diapers are changed at least every two hours, unless a child has soiled their diaper, and that times of the changes are tracked on a white board. The staff members also reported that they are instructed to check all children's diapers at least once, approximately an hour after the last diaper change. Based on the information provided and on observations made, the allegation pertaining to diapering was not confirmed. During the visit, we also interviewed the individual that prepares all meals and snacks. Based on the information provided, the children are served morning snack at 8:45 to 9:00 am, lunch at 11:30 am to 12:00 pm and afternoon snack at 2:30 to 3:!5 pm. Thus children do not go more than four hours without a meal or snack. The other staff members reported that food is always the correct temperature when delivered to their classrooms and that for children under two years, the food is either chopped or cut up into bite sized pieces. The children in the classroom for infants were observed seated in small highchairs for lunch. Based on the information provided and on observations made, the allegation pertaining to nutrition was not confirmed. Files for six staff members were reviewed during the visit. Based on the documentation, orientation was completed with each staff member as required. The staff members interviewed reported that their orientation consisted of on line training and videos, hands on training in the classroom, completion of required trainings such as Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment and checklists to assist them with tasks in the classrooms. Based on the information provided and on observations made, the allegation pertaining to orientation was not confirmed. Violation Number Comment Rule 871 Center staff did not comply with the safe sleep policy. Sleep checks were not completed and documented as required. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(a) During the visit, we discussed the importance of completing sleep checks for each child twelve months of age and under. Young children are more vulnerable while sleeping and sleep checks are one way to reduce the occurrence of SIDS in your facility. All staff members that work with children twelve months of age and under must be trained on how to complete and document a sleep check. Sleep checks can be completed electronically or on paper; however, to maintain compliance with child care requirements, you must have at least thirty days of check available for review. A violation for failure to complete sleep checks was also documented on your annual compliance visit. The compliance letter submitted for that visit will address both violations. Please contact me at 919-819-9301 or leigh.mckenzie-lee@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE GROWING YEARS Facility ID: 51000935 Consultant: LEIGH MCKENZIE-LEE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/3/2024 Number Present: 107 Completed Date: 12/3/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 02:15 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance of applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. I monitored the indoor environments for compliance with 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 plans, daily schedules, staff/child ratios, emergency medical care plan, emergency telephone numbers and a summary of child care law were posted. Files for staff members were hired since the 6-27-24 annual compliance visit were reviewed. The storage of medication and hazardous products was also monitored for compliance. A fire drill was documented as conducted on 11-26-24 at 8:50 am with an evacuation time of one minute and forty seconds. An outdoor inspection was documented as conducted on 11-25-24. A shelter in place drill was documented as conducted on 9-27-24 at 11:02 am. An approved fire inspection was completed on 1-25-24. A sanitation inspection was completed on 12-2-24 with zero demerits and a superior classification. A four star child care center license with five points in education, six points in program standards and one quality point was issued to you on 1-19-23. Based on information provided and on observation made, you continue to meet the requirements previously met to obtain such a license. Violation Number Comment Rule 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. A completed medical form was not available for one staff member with a hire date of 9-4-24. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. Verification of completion of the training within ninety days of hire was not available for one staff member with a hire date of 8-26-24. .1102(g) ****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 of the licensing requirements that apply to your type of 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 child care law and rules.**** Please send me a written statement describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The written statement must be received no later than 12-17-24. 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