Kindercare Learning Center-Rock Barn

10A NCAC 09 .0510 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0608 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .1101 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .2203 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .2703 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 .3224 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 09.1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/19/2026 Number Present: 77 Completed Date: 5/19/2026 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 510 Time In: 09:00 AM 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 your compliance with all applicable child care requirements during an annual compliance visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Ashlynn Vaughn, Child Care Consultant, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 3, 2025. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of May 15, 2026 and was reviewed with you today. Kindercare Education LLC, the corporation that owns the facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on May 15, 2026 prior to today’s visit. We reviewed the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, email address, web address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. This program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on October 26, 2022, earning five points in staff education, five points in program standards, and one quality point. I verified that this facility uses Early Foundations, as the approved curriculum for a KinderCare facility operating under a four or five star license and serving children who are four and five years of age. The license, NC Summary of Child Care Law poster, safe arrival and departure procedures, emergency medical care plan, evacuation plan, and emergency phone numbers were posted in a prominent area in the lobby. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio charts, daily schedules, and activity plans were posted in the hallway and in the classrooms. The menu was posted on the wall outside the kitchen door. The most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2025 and was received in my office on September 24, 2025. The most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 4, 2025 with a Superior classification and seven demerits. The lead water test results dated September 8, 2025 indicated that this facility’s drinking water source was within the required limits. Records indicate that this facility has started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Please complete the survey section of the enrollment process so the testing process may be completed. Fire drills were up to date, completed monthly, and documented on the Fire Drill Log. The last fire drill was completed on April 30 2026. Emergency drills were up to date, completed quarterly, and documented on the Emergency Drill Log. The last emergency drill was a shelter-in-place drill completed on February 23, 2026. A current and posted menu documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals and snacks were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Milk and cold food items were stored in a commercial refrigerator at a temperature of thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles were stored in compact refrigerators in Space 1A and 1B. Today’s meals met meal pattern requirements. I completed a walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment. Children transitioned to outdoor play, played outside, attended to personal care needs, transitioned to indoor activities, ate lunch, napped, ate snack, played with materials in activity areas, and departed. Supervision, adequate approved space use, enhanced space capacity, enhanced staff/child ratios, enhanced group size, and permit restrictions were maintained during today’s visit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records. Ms. Vaughn monitored children’s records and staff records. A Staff and Training (S&T) Worksheet was available for review and was attached to this visit summary. Please keep the Staff and Training Worksheet current and available for review by DCDEE staff. This facility provides transportation for school-age students to and from two local public schools. During a technical assistance visit on November 5, 2025, we discussed the three QRIS Pathways to the Stars effective July 1, 2025. Today, you shared that the KinderCare corporation is moving toward accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and should be completing that accreditation process before December 2026. I requested that you keep you updated with this accreditation process and reminded you that DCDEE plans for all permits/licenses to be updated by December 2026. Upon verification of the requirements, the Division will issue recognition of the following quality initiatives: • Education • Professional Development • Longevity and Experience • Staff Supports and Benefits • Health and Wellness Opportunities • Language Concentration • Culinary Emphasis • Ratio, Group Size, Enrollment Practices • Supplemental Environment • NC Breastfeeding – Friendly Child Care Designation Program • Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood – PLUS Recognition Visit child care rule section 10A NCAC 09 .3224 Recognition Of Quality Initiatives for more information and details to earn quality initiative recognition. Please submit the QRIS Staff Information and Education Worksheet along with your application. The following violations were cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 475 Sand and water play activities were not available weekly to each group. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. .0510(c)(3) 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. .0510(e)(3) 601 Refrigerator(s) did not maintain a temperature of 45 degrees F. or below. The thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. 15A NCAC 18A .2806(j)(2) 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 4A, opened wipe refill bags were stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. .0604(q) 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. A staff member (DOH: 2/27/2026) did not receive at least 16 hours of orientation within the first 6 weeks. .1101(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. A staff member (DOH: 10/20/2021) did not have current certification in First Aid. Their First Aid certification expired in April 2025. .1102(c) 1124 Emergency and identifying information, including the child's name, photograph, emergency contact information and/or a copy of the emergency medical care information form was not in the vehicle for each child being transported. Emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d) 1125 Before children were transported, written permission from a parent was not obtained that included when and where the child was to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Four out of five children transported on a regular basis were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. .1003(i)(j) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Five staff members (DOH: 2/27/26, 4/20/26, 4/23/26, 4/29/26, and 4/29/26) did not have a signed and dated statement in their personnel files indicating that they received a job description and that they have reviewed personnel and operational policies. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 9/5/23 was last updated on 2/7/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 3/4/2025 was last updated on 2/4/2025. The emergency medical care information for a child enrolled on 1/27/2025 was last updated on 1/27/2025. .0802(c) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. Thirteen uncompensated providers did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 1805 A child care operator did not notify the Division of any new child care providers, as defined in G.S. 110-90.2(a)(2), who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. Three staff members (DOH: 11/22/2021, 10/20/2021, 4/29/2026) were not added to the ABCMS staff roster within five days of hire. G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not signed by an employee hired on 2/27/2026. .0608(d)(1-4) 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. A staff member (DOH: 5/16/2025) completed health and safety trainings in December 2022, which is more than 12 months old. .1102(a) 1907 A copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not given to or explained to parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. A child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed by a parent on 7/22/2025. .0608(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(d), for each child transported, emergency medical information should be included in a transportation folder, and a photograph of the child should be attached to the child’s emergency information form. During today’s visit, emergency medical information for four children transported on a regular basis was not included in the transportation notebook and two of those children did not have a photograph attached to their emergency information form. To correct this violation, a photograph of each child should be printed and stapled to the emergency information form and then placed in the transportation notebook. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review your transportation notebook at least weekly to be sure all information is kept up to date. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.1003(i)(j), before children are transported, written permission from a parent should be obtained that includes when and where the child is to be transported, expected time of departure and arrival, and the transportation provider. Five school-age children were transported by the facility during the 2025 – 2026 school year. Four out of five of those children were transported without written parent permission to transport being secured prior to transport. To correct this violation, we asked you to secure written permission to transport these four children before they were transported after school today. Ms. James contacted these four families and requested that they send her a text message giving written permission for the center to transport their child after school today. Ms. James spoke with the four families but only two of those families requested transportation of their child today. Ms. James showed me the text message from the family giving written permission for their child to be transported after school to the center. We suggest you secure written permission from each of the four families in the form of a completed “Transportation Permission” form with all the required information completed on the form and a parent signature secured from the parent. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the child care requirements for transportation and off-premises activities in section .1000 of the child care rules, download the permission to transport form, and secure permission for each child to be transported prior to providing transportation. Today, I shared a document by email that I created entitled, “Technical Assistance for Summer Care Preparations”. 3. Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter issued from DCDEE on file in their staff records. This includes uncompensated providers such as therapists or counselors who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the uncompensated provider delivers services within the classroom with the teacher present, the uncompensated provider does not have to have a CBC qualification letter from DCDEE because the teacher who has a CBC qualification letter is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the uncompensated provider takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the uncompensated provider has to have CBC qualification letter from DCDEE on file because they are the person responsible for supervising the child. Today, after reviewing the CBC qualification letters on file for the uncompensated providers signed in on the visitor log, I observed thirteen uncompensated providers for which you did not have a CBC qualification letter on file. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, eight uncompensated providers had a CBC qualification determination date as follows but no print copy of the CBC qualification letter had been provided: B Andrade, 03/01/2024; M Crump, 08/20/2025; C Freitas, 09/13/2022; C Johnson, 08/29/2024; H Lafon, 01/10/2023; C Miller, 06/12/2025; K Phillips, 07/18/2024; J Steele, 03/01/2024. Of those thirteen uncompensated providers, five uncompensated providers had no CBC qualification determination date or a print copy of the CBC qualification letter on file: C Brown, K Creek, E Glass, R Teague, M Verner. Until they are able to complete the CBC qualification process and/or provide you with a print copy of their CBC qualification letter, those five uncompensated providers that did not have a CBC determination date must work with children in the classroom where they can be supervised by a staff member with a current and valid CBC qualification letter on file. To correct this violation, I suggested you secure a CBC qualification letter from the thirteen uncompensated providers that did not have a letter on file. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you establish a procedure for ensuring that each uncompensated provider working in your facility has a CBC qualification letter on file. I suggested you provide a three-ring binder divided into sections for each child that receives services. Each child’s section could have a visitor log for the uncompensated provider to sign in and out as they arrive to work to with each child and a sheet protector pocket for each uncompensated provider to add a copy of their CBC qualification letter in each child’s section of the notebook. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed approximately four paperback books accessible to the children. To correct this violation, Ms. James placed ten board books in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity of books for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per 10A NCAC 09 .0510(c) and (e)(1), the center should provide developmentally appropriate toys and activities to each group of children including music and rhythm, science and nature, and sand and water play at least weekly, indoors or outdoors. During today’s visit, water was being offered weekly in Space 5B, 5C, and Space 6A. Sand play was not being offered at least weekly in Space 5B, Space 5C, and Space 6A. Ms. Lewis was able to locate one small bag of play sand. The water tables were purchased to serve as both a water table and a sand table. To correct this violation, I suggest you provide a container and materials for children three years of age and older to have sand play either indoors or outdoors at least weekly. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you monitor the preschool age classrooms and activity plans weekly to ensure sand and water activities are being planned and materials are available for sand and water activities to be offered at least weekly. To make providing sand and water play weekly more convenient for the teachers, I suggest you consider providing one or two small containers for water play and use the large table for sand play. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by placing them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Ziploc bags, grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used and unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. In Space 4A, I observed opened wipe refill bags stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath the diaper changing table. The teacher locked the cabinet underneath the diaper changing table which corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 7. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2806(f)(h)(2), each refrigerator or cooler used to store food or beverage served to the children should be equipped with a working thermometer and should maintain a temperature of at least forty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Today, I observed the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1A was registering fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B was missing. The teacher in Space 1A turned up the thermostat in the compact refrigerator and it registered forty degrees Fahrenheit later in the visit. Ms. Lewis placed a working thermometer in the compact refrigerator in Space 1B. These actions corrected this violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you purchase and keep on hand extra refrigerator thermometers so that you always have a backup just in case a thermometer goes missing or stops working properly. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 was not completed and/or was not documented. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 2/27/2026 should complete and document the remaining orientation needed from the first six weeks. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be reviewed with all new staff members prior to their caring for children and an acknowledgement statement should be signed and dated by the staff that includes the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. Today, one staff member hired on 2/27/2026 did not have a signature included on their acknowledgement statement on file documenting that the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed with them prior to their caring for children. Ms. Lewis had the staff member sign the statement and she placed the signed acknowledgement statement in the staff member’s file which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employees should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment, unless the staff member has completed the training within the year prior to beginning employment. Health and safety training should be in addition to the new staff orientation requirements. Today, one staff member hired on 5/16/2025 completed their health and safety training requirements between 12/14/2022 through 12/22/2023, which is more than twelve months old. To correct this violation, the staff member hired on 5/16/2025 should complete all the required health and safety training. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you require the health and safety training to be completed within the first six weeks of employment in addition to the new staff orientation training. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c), emergency medical care information must be on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and must be updated as changes occur and at least annually. While reviewing child records, three children with dates of enrollment of 09/05/2023, 04/22/2025, and 01/27/2025 did not have emergency medical care information updated at least annually. To correct this violation, the family will need to update the emergency medical care information, which includes the name, address, and telephone number of the parent or other person to be contacted in case of an emergency; the responsible party's choice of health care professional; any chronic illness and any medication taken for that illness; and any other information that has a direct bearing on ensuring safe medical treatment for the child no later than June 2, 2026. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest implementing a system to ensure all children’s emergency medical care information is reviewed and updated at least annually. This may include setting reminder dates, conducting periodic file reviews, or updating forms at a designated time each year to help ensure current information is readily available. 12. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(b), a copy of the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy must be given and explained to the parents of newly enrolled children up to five years of age on or before the first day the child receives care at the center. The center must obtain the parent's signature on the statement acknowledging the receipt and explanation of the policy. While reviewing children’s files, a child enrolled on 6/15/2025 had the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy signed on 7/22/2025. Because the policy acknowledgement statement was signed prior to today's visit, this violation was considered corrected during today's visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the children’s file checklist during enrollment to monitor children’s files for all required documentation and signatures prior to their state date. 13. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. During today’s visit, the facility’s ABCMS roster was monitored. Three staff members with dates of employment of 10/20/2021, 11/22/2021, 04/29/2026 were not captured in ABCMS within five business days of being hired. To correct this violation, you need to add the three staff members to your ABCMS roster. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, be sure to update this information in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. Should you need assistance with any of this process, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g), all personnel files must include a signed and dated statement verifying that the employee received a copy of his or her job description and has reviewed the personnel and operational policies. Today, while reviewing staff files, five staff members hired on 02/27/2026, 04/20/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/29/2026, 04/29/2026 did not have a signed and dated statement verifying that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. Ms. Lewis had these five staff members sign and date the statement indicating that they received and reviewed their job description, personnel policies, and operational policies. The signed statements were placed in the staff files which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the staff file checklist to monitor staff files and ensure that all required signatures are present and documented. 15. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c), staff members who provide direct care must have successfully completed certification in First Aid appropriate to the ages of children in care. Verification of each required staff member's completion of this course from an approved training organization must be maintained in the staff member's file in the center. Today, while reviewing staff files, I observed that an employee hired 10/21/2026 did not have current First Aid certification. The staff member completed Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association on 12/2/2024, which only meets CPR requirements. To correct this violation, the staff member will need to obtain First Aid certification through an approved training agency. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested that you utilize the “Be a Smart Consumer of First Aid and CPR Training” document found on the DCDEE website. CPR and First Aid verification from any of the organizations listed on the document are to be recognized as an acceptable training agency for CPR and First Aid training. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, due to the number of violations cited during the visit, an unannounced follow-up visit will be conducted within the next two weeks. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2203 (2), the citation of sixteen or more violations of separate rules in a single visit may result in the issuance of an administrative action. 3. Per NC General Statute 110-102, the current version of Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law should be posted in a prominent place in the facility and included in the enrollment packet to be given to parents prior to the child’s first day of attendance. The most current Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was published in November 2025. Today, I observed the date of the posted Summary of North Carolina Child Care Law was September 2023 and February 2025. Please print the updated version, post it in your lobby, and add it to your new enrollment packets. I also suggest you regularly check the DCDEE website for updated versions and especially when you receive notification of child care or sanitation rule updates. 4. When and if you update your fire evacuation route, shelter-in-place, and/or lock-down drill plan, you need to have the fire department approve the your plan first BEFORE you put it in your EPR plan as an update. 5. We encourage you to visit the QRIS Modernization page on the DCDEE website at this link: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization to learn more now. 6. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 7. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 8. Here is the link to the training calendar from the Children’s Resource Center: https://childrensresourcecenter.org/training-calendar/. 9. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 488, 601, and 858 corrected during today’s visit. The actions taken to correct these violations were documented in the “Technical Assistance” section of this visit summary. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. I should receive your compliance letter no later than June 2, 2026. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at 828.493.6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov. or you may contact Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. We appreciate all you do to serve the children and families in your community. Thank you for your time today. 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 . 0102 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0725-144L Visit Date: 7/16/2025 Number Present: 67 Completed Date: 7/16/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 355 Time In: 09:50 AM Time Out: 03:45 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 gather information related to allegations of violations of child care requirements. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, was unavailable today. Prior to today's visit, the compliance history score for the facility was 82% and was reviewed with Ms. James today. You stated seventy-three children ages zero to five years were enrolled in the facility. I observed sixty-seven children ages zero to five years present during today’s visit. Infant age children were playing on the floor while the teacher bottle fed one child. Children one to five years of age were observed playing in activity areas, listening to books being read, and playing outside. According to the report, there are allegations of violations of child care requirements related to staff qualifications. I investigated the allegation of a violation of child care requirements related to staff qualifications. Ms. James joined me for the walk-through of the facility. I observed four infant age children present with one staff member in Space 1A, six one-year-old children present with one substituting staff member in Space 1B, six one and two-year-old children present with one staff member in Space 2A, ten three-year-old children with one staff member in Space 5B, eight two and three-year-old children with one staff member in Space 5C, nine two-year-old children present with one staff member in Space 4A, fourteen four- and five-year-old children with two staff members in Space 6A, and ten three and four-year-old children with one staff member in Space 6B. I observed Spaces 2B, 3A, 3B, 5A, and 4B temporarily closed due to staffing and enrollment. I interviewed seven staff members. Staff members shared that they were aware of the education and child care experience preservice requirements for lead teachers and teachers. Staff members shared that they understand that new staff members with no early childhood education or child care experience should be with an experienced staff member until the new staff member has enrolled in early childhood credential coursework or has acquired one year of child care experience. Staff members shared that new staff members are asked to supervise children in classrooms by themselves for short periods of time including opening Preschool 2 classroom in the morning, relieving teachers for lunch and potty breaks, and when the work day had ended for the lead teacher in Space 4A and the closing staff member had not arrived. I reviewed preservice requirements for one teacher’s aide. I determined that while the teacher’s aide had enrolled in a local college and had been accepted to attend for the Fall 2025 semester, the teacher’s aide had not completed child development coursework. I determined that the teacher’s aide had less than one year of child care experience and had not completed a high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. I reviewed staff qualifications for one substitute staff member and four permanent staff members. I determined that the substitute staff member is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at a university, is a seasonal summer employee at the facility, and meets staff requirements for a substitute staff member. I determined that the four permanent staff members meet lead teacher requirements. Based on interviews with staff, review of preservice requirements for one teacher’s aide, and reviews of staff qualifications for one substitute staff member and four permanent staff members, the allegation of a violation of child care requirements related to staff qualifications was confirmed. Therefore, the allegation related to staff qualifications is substantiated. The following violation was cited today: Violation Number Comment Rule 1018 A teacher's aide or aide had responsibility for a group of children was not under the direct supervision of a credential staff person who was at least 21 years of age. One teacher's aide was assigned the responsibility of supervising children alone in classrooms for short periods of time including opening the Preschool 2 classroom in the morning, relieving teachers for lunch and potty breaks, and during staff transitions when the work day has ended for lead teacher in Space 4A and the closing staff member had not arrived in Space 4A. .0102(49); 0714(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: As discussed today, staff members who do not meet preservice requirements for a lead teacher or teacher are considered to be a “teacher’s aide” or an “aide” until they can meet preservice requirements. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0102(49), "Teacher's aide" or "Aide" means a person who assists the lead teacher or the teacher in planning and implementing the daily program. A teacher's aide should be at least sixteen years old, literate, and may count in staff/child ratio as long as there is also a credentialed staff person who is at least twenty-one years of age present in the classroom and available to respond to the needs of the teacher's aide and the children in care. Therefore, a teacher’s aide should not be left alone with a group of children until they meet the preservice requirements for a lead teacher or a teacher. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0714(d) and Session Law 2025-36, staff members who are not required to have North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent (teachers and teacher’s aides) should satisfy at one of the following preservice requirements: (a) one year of child care experience working in a child care center or two years of verifiable experience as a licensed family child care home operator; or (b) complete a two year high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education; or (c) complete twenty hours of training in child development within the first six months of employment in addition to the health and safety training required within the first year of employment. During today’s visit, I determined that one staff member who was assigned the position of “Teacher’s Aide” was believed to be enrolled in NC Early Childhood Credential coursework but in fact had been accepted to enroll at a college and was waiting to meet with an advisor to register (enroll) for early childhood credential coursework. Because the administrative team believed the staff member was already registered to complete child development training within the first six months of employment, the staff member had been assigned the responsibility of supervising children alone in classrooms for short periods of time including short periods of time including opening Preschool 2 classroom in the morning, relieving teachers for lunch and potty breaks, and when the work day had ended for the lead teacher in Space 4A and the closing staff member had not arrived. To maintain compliance with these child care requirements, I suggested you require the teacher’s aide to complete twenty hours of training in child development as soon as possible. I reminded you that child development training includes training that covers the typical development of children birth to five years of age and the expectations and practices for caregivers/staff members/teachers to meet the needs of, interact appropriately with, manage behaviors of, and provide age-appropriate materials and environments for children birth to five years of age. I also reminded you that the twenty hours of child development training should be in addition to the health and safety training required within the first year of employment. You stated that the KinderCare Learning corporation has child development training available that can be assigned to teacher’s aides, teachers, and lead teachers as needed. You stated you believed child development training was also available through DCDEE Moodle. CONSULTATION: 1. Although the allegation related to staff qualifications was substantiated and a violation was cited, no follow-up visit is required after this investigation is closed. 2. As discussed today, we have a Technical Assistance (TA) visit scheduled for July 23, 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to continue with that announced visit or reschedule the TA visit for another date. 3. As discussed today, when submitting your compliance letter documentation stating the actions you took to correct the violation, I suggest you include as many details as possible such as the names of trainings you may require the staff to complete, plans you may have to implement new staff training procedures, staff meetings you may hold, etc. COMPLIANCE PLAN: All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, acknowledgement statements, and revised policies for me to use to verify compliance. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 30, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it may be considered falsification of information. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, a visit summary was prepared, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0714 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0725-144L Visit Date: 7/16/2025 Number Present: 67 Completed Date: 7/16/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 355 Time In: 09:50 AM Time Out: 03:45 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 gather information related to allegations of violations of child care requirements. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Tamara Lewis, Administrator, was unavailable today. Prior to today's visit, the compliance history score for the facility was 82% and was reviewed with Ms. James today. You stated seventy-three children ages zero to five years were enrolled in the facility. I observed sixty-seven children ages zero to five years present during today’s visit. Infant age children were playing on the floor while the teacher bottle fed one child. Children one to five years of age were observed playing in activity areas, listening to books being read, and playing outside. According to the report, there are allegations of violations of child care requirements related to staff qualifications. I investigated the allegation of a violation of child care requirements related to staff qualifications. Ms. James joined me for the walk-through of the facility. I observed four infant age children present with one staff member in Space 1A, six one-year-old children present with one substituting staff member in Space 1B, six one and two-year-old children present with one staff member in Space 2A, ten three-year-old children with one staff member in Space 5B, eight two and three-year-old children with one staff member in Space 5C, nine two-year-old children present with one staff member in Space 4A, fourteen four- and five-year-old children with two staff members in Space 6A, and ten three and four-year-old children with one staff member in Space 6B. I observed Spaces 2B, 3A, 3B, 5A, and 4B temporarily closed due to staffing and enrollment. I interviewed seven staff members. Staff members shared that they were aware of the education and child care experience preservice requirements for lead teachers and teachers. Staff members shared that they understand that new staff members with no early childhood education or child care experience should be with an experienced staff member until the new staff member has enrolled in early childhood credential coursework or has acquired one year of child care experience. Staff members shared that new staff members are asked to supervise children in classrooms by themselves for short periods of time including opening Preschool 2 classroom in the morning, relieving teachers for lunch and potty breaks, and when the work day had ended for the lead teacher in Space 4A and the closing staff member had not arrived. I reviewed preservice requirements for one teacher’s aide. I determined that while the teacher’s aide had enrolled in a local college and had been accepted to attend for the Fall 2025 semester, the teacher’s aide had not completed child development coursework. I determined that the teacher’s aide had less than one year of child care experience and had not completed a high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. I reviewed staff qualifications for one substitute staff member and four permanent staff members. I determined that the substitute staff member is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at a university, is a seasonal summer employee at the facility, and meets staff requirements for a substitute staff member. I determined that the four permanent staff members meet lead teacher requirements. Based on interviews with staff, review of preservice requirements for one teacher’s aide, and reviews of staff qualifications for one substitute staff member and four permanent staff members, the allegation of a violation of child care requirements related to staff qualifications was confirmed. Therefore, the allegation related to staff qualifications is substantiated. The following violation was cited today: Violation Number Comment Rule 1018 A teacher's aide or aide had responsibility for a group of children was not under the direct supervision of a credential staff person who was at least 21 years of age. One teacher's aide was assigned the responsibility of supervising children alone in classrooms for short periods of time including opening the Preschool 2 classroom in the morning, relieving teachers for lunch and potty breaks, and during staff transitions when the work day has ended for lead teacher in Space 4A and the closing staff member had not arrived in Space 4A. .0102(49); 0714(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: As discussed today, staff members who do not meet preservice requirements for a lead teacher or teacher are considered to be a “teacher’s aide” or an “aide” until they can meet preservice requirements. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0102(49), "Teacher's aide" or "Aide" means a person who assists the lead teacher or the teacher in planning and implementing the daily program. A teacher's aide should be at least sixteen years old, literate, and may count in staff/child ratio as long as there is also a credentialed staff person who is at least twenty-one years of age present in the classroom and available to respond to the needs of the teacher's aide and the children in care. Therefore, a teacher’s aide should not be left alone with a group of children until they meet the preservice requirements for a lead teacher or a teacher. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0714(d) and Session Law 2025-36, staff members who are not required to have North Carolina Early Childhood Credential or its equivalent (teachers and teacher’s aides) should satisfy at one of the following preservice requirements: (a) one year of child care experience working in a child care center or two years of verifiable experience as a licensed family child care home operator; or (b) complete a two year high school program of Early Childhood Education in Family and Consumer Sciences Education; or (c) complete twenty hours of training in child development within the first six months of employment in addition to the health and safety training required within the first year of employment. During today’s visit, I determined that one staff member who was assigned the position of “Teacher’s Aide” was believed to be enrolled in NC Early Childhood Credential coursework but in fact had been accepted to enroll at a college and was waiting to meet with an advisor to register (enroll) for early childhood credential coursework. Because the administrative team believed the staff member was already registered to complete child development training within the first six months of employment, the staff member had been assigned the responsibility of supervising children alone in classrooms for short periods of time including short periods of time including opening Preschool 2 classroom in the morning, relieving teachers for lunch and potty breaks, and when the work day had ended for the lead teacher in Space 4A and the closing staff member had not arrived. To maintain compliance with these child care requirements, I suggested you require the teacher’s aide to complete twenty hours of training in child development as soon as possible. I reminded you that child development training includes training that covers the typical development of children birth to five years of age and the expectations and practices for caregivers/staff members/teachers to meet the needs of, interact appropriately with, manage behaviors of, and provide age-appropriate materials and environments for children birth to five years of age. I also reminded you that the twenty hours of child development training should be in addition to the health and safety training required within the first year of employment. You stated that the KinderCare Learning corporation has child development training available that can be assigned to teacher’s aides, teachers, and lead teachers as needed. You stated you believed child development training was also available through DCDEE Moodle. CONSULTATION: 1. Although the allegation related to staff qualifications was substantiated and a violation was cited, no follow-up visit is required after this investigation is closed. 2. As discussed today, we have a Technical Assistance (TA) visit scheduled for July 23, 2025 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to continue with that announced visit or reschedule the TA visit for another date. 3. As discussed today, when submitting your compliance letter documentation stating the actions you took to correct the violation, I suggest you include as many details as possible such as the names of trainings you may require the staff to complete, plans you may have to implement new staff training procedures, staff meetings you may hold, etc. COMPLIANCE PLAN: All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, acknowledgement statements, and revised policies for me to use to verify compliance. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 30, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it may be considered falsification of information. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, a visit summary was prepared, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/3/2025 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 6/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 416 Time In: 09:01 AM Time Out: 11:30 AM Time In: 12:48 PM Time Out: 05:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on June 2, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 80% as of June 2, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated May 29, 2025 with a Provisional classification and ten demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024 but has not been completed to date. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete the enrollment process for these tests. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Students were playing outdoors, in activity areas, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, participating in teacher-lead whole group activities, eating lunch, napping, and eating snack. A current menu was posted in the kitchen, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included fish tacos (fish sticks, flour tortilla, coleslaw), pineapple, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at forty-four degrees Fahrenheit in Space 1A. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on February 11, 2025. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, there were three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. .0510(e)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 605 Toilet fixtures were not cleaned and disinfected at least daily and when visibly soiled. The toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. 15A NCAC 18A.2817(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The paint was chipping and peeling on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. The rubber baseboard was pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. .1101(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. Today, I observed chipping and peeling paint on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. I also observed the rubber baseboard pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms as needed throughout the facility. I also suggested you reattach the baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. Today, I observed the toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. Ms. James scrubbed the toilet rim and base which corrected this violation during the visit. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you deep clean the toilet bases throughout the facility weekly and then wipe them clean and disinfect them daily. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b), menus for meals and snacks should be current and posted where they are easily seen by parents. Today, I observed the menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. Ms. James made a copy of the current menu dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025 and posted it on the parent information board which corrected the violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the menus for the month and place them in the sheet protector you posted on the parent information board. This will keep the next week’s menu readily available for posting at the close of business on Fridays or at the opening of business on Mondays. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. Ms. Lewis placed six additional board books, two additional dolls, sensory toys, musical toys and dinosaurs in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity and variety of toys for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. New staff orientation training should be completed within six weeks even if a holiday or school break falls within that period of time. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and barbs should not be protruding on the top or the bottom of the fence. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, the no smoking/tobacco free signage needs to be replaced because it has faded. 2. As discussed today, the center’s safe sleep policy should be completed by checking the appropriate boxes so that parents know the facility’s procedures for providing a safe sleep environment. 3. As discussed today, the activity plan should be dated. 4. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. The February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster was posted in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 17, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0510 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/3/2025 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 6/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 416 Time In: 09:01 AM Time Out: 11:30 AM Time In: 12:48 PM Time Out: 05:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on June 2, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 80% as of June 2, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated May 29, 2025 with a Provisional classification and ten demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024 but has not been completed to date. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete the enrollment process for these tests. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Students were playing outdoors, in activity areas, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, participating in teacher-lead whole group activities, eating lunch, napping, and eating snack. A current menu was posted in the kitchen, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included fish tacos (fish sticks, flour tortilla, coleslaw), pineapple, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at forty-four degrees Fahrenheit in Space 1A. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on February 11, 2025. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, there were three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. .0510(e)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 605 Toilet fixtures were not cleaned and disinfected at least daily and when visibly soiled. The toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. 15A NCAC 18A.2817(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The paint was chipping and peeling on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. The rubber baseboard was pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. .1101(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. Today, I observed chipping and peeling paint on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. I also observed the rubber baseboard pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms as needed throughout the facility. I also suggested you reattach the baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. Today, I observed the toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. Ms. James scrubbed the toilet rim and base which corrected this violation during the visit. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you deep clean the toilet bases throughout the facility weekly and then wipe them clean and disinfect them daily. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b), menus for meals and snacks should be current and posted where they are easily seen by parents. Today, I observed the menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. Ms. James made a copy of the current menu dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025 and posted it on the parent information board which corrected the violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the menus for the month and place them in the sheet protector you posted on the parent information board. This will keep the next week’s menu readily available for posting at the close of business on Fridays or at the opening of business on Mondays. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. Ms. Lewis placed six additional board books, two additional dolls, sensory toys, musical toys and dinosaurs in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity and variety of toys for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. New staff orientation training should be completed within six weeks even if a holiday or school break falls within that period of time. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and barbs should not be protruding on the top or the bottom of the fence. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, the no smoking/tobacco free signage needs to be replaced because it has faded. 2. As discussed today, the center’s safe sleep policy should be completed by checking the appropriate boxes so that parents know the facility’s procedures for providing a safe sleep environment. 3. As discussed today, the activity plan should be dated. 4. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. The February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster was posted in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 17, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/3/2025 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 6/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 416 Time In: 09:01 AM Time Out: 11:30 AM Time In: 12:48 PM Time Out: 05:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on June 2, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 80% as of June 2, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated May 29, 2025 with a Provisional classification and ten demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024 but has not been completed to date. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete the enrollment process for these tests. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Students were playing outdoors, in activity areas, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, participating in teacher-lead whole group activities, eating lunch, napping, and eating snack. A current menu was posted in the kitchen, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included fish tacos (fish sticks, flour tortilla, coleslaw), pineapple, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at forty-four degrees Fahrenheit in Space 1A. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on February 11, 2025. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, there were three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. .0510(e)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 605 Toilet fixtures were not cleaned and disinfected at least daily and when visibly soiled. The toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. 15A NCAC 18A.2817(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The paint was chipping and peeling on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. The rubber baseboard was pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. .1101(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. Today, I observed chipping and peeling paint on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. I also observed the rubber baseboard pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms as needed throughout the facility. I also suggested you reattach the baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. Today, I observed the toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. Ms. James scrubbed the toilet rim and base which corrected this violation during the visit. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you deep clean the toilet bases throughout the facility weekly and then wipe them clean and disinfect them daily. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b), menus for meals and snacks should be current and posted where they are easily seen by parents. Today, I observed the menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. Ms. James made a copy of the current menu dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025 and posted it on the parent information board which corrected the violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the menus for the month and place them in the sheet protector you posted on the parent information board. This will keep the next week’s menu readily available for posting at the close of business on Fridays or at the opening of business on Mondays. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. Ms. Lewis placed six additional board books, two additional dolls, sensory toys, musical toys and dinosaurs in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity and variety of toys for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. New staff orientation training should be completed within six weeks even if a holiday or school break falls within that period of time. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and barbs should not be protruding on the top or the bottom of the fence. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, the no smoking/tobacco free signage needs to be replaced because it has faded. 2. As discussed today, the center’s safe sleep policy should be completed by checking the appropriate boxes so that parents know the facility’s procedures for providing a safe sleep environment. 3. As discussed today, the activity plan should be dated. 4. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. The February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster was posted in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 17, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/3/2025 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 6/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 416 Time In: 09:01 AM Time Out: 11:30 AM Time In: 12:48 PM Time Out: 05:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on June 2, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 80% as of June 2, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated May 29, 2025 with a Provisional classification and ten demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024 but has not been completed to date. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete the enrollment process for these tests. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Students were playing outdoors, in activity areas, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, participating in teacher-lead whole group activities, eating lunch, napping, and eating snack. A current menu was posted in the kitchen, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included fish tacos (fish sticks, flour tortilla, coleslaw), pineapple, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at forty-four degrees Fahrenheit in Space 1A. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on February 11, 2025. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, there were three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. .0510(e)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 605 Toilet fixtures were not cleaned and disinfected at least daily and when visibly soiled. The toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. 15A NCAC 18A.2817(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The paint was chipping and peeling on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. The rubber baseboard was pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. .1101(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. Today, I observed chipping and peeling paint on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. I also observed the rubber baseboard pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms as needed throughout the facility. I also suggested you reattach the baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. Today, I observed the toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. Ms. James scrubbed the toilet rim and base which corrected this violation during the visit. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you deep clean the toilet bases throughout the facility weekly and then wipe them clean and disinfect them daily. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b), menus for meals and snacks should be current and posted where they are easily seen by parents. Today, I observed the menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. Ms. James made a copy of the current menu dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025 and posted it on the parent information board which corrected the violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the menus for the month and place them in the sheet protector you posted on the parent information board. This will keep the next week’s menu readily available for posting at the close of business on Fridays or at the opening of business on Mondays. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. Ms. Lewis placed six additional board books, two additional dolls, sensory toys, musical toys and dinosaurs in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity and variety of toys for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. New staff orientation training should be completed within six weeks even if a holiday or school break falls within that period of time. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and barbs should not be protruding on the top or the bottom of the fence. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, the no smoking/tobacco free signage needs to be replaced because it has faded. 2. As discussed today, the center’s safe sleep policy should be completed by checking the appropriate boxes so that parents know the facility’s procedures for providing a safe sleep environment. 3. As discussed today, the activity plan should be dated. 4. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. The February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster was posted in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 17, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .1101 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/3/2025 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 6/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 416 Time In: 09:01 AM Time Out: 11:30 AM Time In: 12:48 PM Time Out: 05:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on June 2, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 80% as of June 2, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated May 29, 2025 with a Provisional classification and ten demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024 but has not been completed to date. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete the enrollment process for these tests. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Students were playing outdoors, in activity areas, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, participating in teacher-lead whole group activities, eating lunch, napping, and eating snack. A current menu was posted in the kitchen, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included fish tacos (fish sticks, flour tortilla, coleslaw), pineapple, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at forty-four degrees Fahrenheit in Space 1A. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on February 11, 2025. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, there were three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. .0510(e)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 605 Toilet fixtures were not cleaned and disinfected at least daily and when visibly soiled. The toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. 15A NCAC 18A.2817(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The paint was chipping and peeling on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. The rubber baseboard was pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. .1101(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. Today, I observed chipping and peeling paint on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. I also observed the rubber baseboard pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms as needed throughout the facility. I also suggested you reattach the baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. Today, I observed the toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. Ms. James scrubbed the toilet rim and base which corrected this violation during the visit. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you deep clean the toilet bases throughout the facility weekly and then wipe them clean and disinfect them daily. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b), menus for meals and snacks should be current and posted where they are easily seen by parents. Today, I observed the menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. Ms. James made a copy of the current menu dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025 and posted it on the parent information board which corrected the violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the menus for the month and place them in the sheet protector you posted on the parent information board. This will keep the next week’s menu readily available for posting at the close of business on Fridays or at the opening of business on Mondays. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. Ms. Lewis placed six additional board books, two additional dolls, sensory toys, musical toys and dinosaurs in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity and variety of toys for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. New staff orientation training should be completed within six weeks even if a holiday or school break falls within that period of time. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and barbs should not be protruding on the top or the bottom of the fence. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, the no smoking/tobacco free signage needs to be replaced because it has faded. 2. As discussed today, the center’s safe sleep policy should be completed by checking the appropriate boxes so that parents know the facility’s procedures for providing a safe sleep environment. 3. As discussed today, the activity plan should be dated. 4. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. The February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster was posted in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 17, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/3/2025 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 6/3/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 416 Time In: 09:01 AM Time Out: 11:30 AM Time In: 12:48 PM Time Out: 05:15 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. You, Tamara Lewis, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Erin Pickard, Licensing Supervisor, accompanied and assisted me today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on June 2, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 80% as of June 2, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated May 29, 2025 with a Provisional classification and ten demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024 but has not been completed to date. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you started the enrollment process for the lead-based paint testing and asbestos testing. Please complete the enrollment process for these tests. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space with you today. Students were playing outdoors, in activity areas, transitioning from indoors to outdoors and from outdoors to indoors, participating in teacher-lead whole group activities, eating lunch, napping, and eating snack. A current menu was posted in the kitchen, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Meals were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included fish tacos (fish sticks, flour tortilla, coleslaw), pineapple, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of thirty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a compact refrigerator at forty-four degrees Fahrenheit in Space 1A. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records, child record files, staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan were reviewed during a routine unannounced visit on February 11, 2025. Today, you stated that your written policies had not changed. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. I completed the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” during today’s visit. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 488 For children under three years of age, materials were not offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. In Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, there were three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. .0510(e)(3) 526 Menus for all meals and snacks were not current or posted where easily seen by parents and cook. The menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 605 Toilet fixtures were not cleaned and disinfected at least daily and when visibly soiled. The toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. 15A NCAC 18A.2817(b) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. The paint was chipping and peeling on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. The rubber baseboard was pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Fence barbs were exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter was at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. .1101(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. Today, I observed chipping and peeling paint on the cinderblock walls in Spaces 4A, 6A, and 6B. I also observed the rubber baseboard pulling away from the wall behind the classroom toilet in Space 6A. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms as needed throughout the facility. I also suggested you reattach the baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 2. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. Today, I observed the toilet rim and base in Space 5C was visibly soiled. Ms. James scrubbed the toilet rim and base which corrected this violation during the visit. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you deep clean the toilet bases throughout the facility weekly and then wipe them clean and disinfect them daily. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b), menus for meals and snacks should be current and posted where they are easily seen by parents. Today, I observed the menu posted on the parent information board outside the kitchen was dated May 26, 2025 through May 30, 2025. The menu posted in the kitchen was dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025. Ms. James made a copy of the current menu dated June 2, 2025 through June 6, 2025 and posted it on the parent information board which corrected the violation today. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the menus for the month and place them in the sheet protector you posted on the parent information board. This will keep the next week’s menu readily available for posting at the close of business on Fridays or at the opening of business on Mondays. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(e)(3), for children under three years of age, materials should be offered in sufficient quantity to allow all children to use them at some time during the day and to allow for a range of choices. Today, in Space 4A where nine two-year-old children were enrolled and present, I observed three books, two dolls, not enough variety of pretend play toys, no sensory toys, and no musical toys. Ms. Lewis placed six additional board books, two additional dolls, sensory toys, musical toys and dinosaurs in the classroom to provide a sufficient quantity and variety of toys for the nine children attending the classroom. These actions corrected the violation during today’s visit. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print the suggested materials list found on the DCDEE website under “Provider Documents” and ask each classroom teacher to provide a monthly inventory of the materials in their classroom. I suggest you use these monthly inventory lists to determine the materials that need to be purchased on a monthly or quarterly basis as needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1101(a), new staff who have contact with children must receive at least sixteen hours of orientation within the first six weeks. This training should be documented accurately, be specific to the facilities policies and procedures, and be signed by the employee after the training is completed. New staff orientation training should be completed within six weeks even if a holiday or school break falls within that period of time. Today, while reviewing staff records, we observed that documentation of new staff orientation for one staff member hired on 01/28/2025 was not completed and/or was not documented. One staff member hired on 04/21/2025 had completed and used health and safety training for five of the required new staff orientation training topics. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you use the “Documentation Of Staff Orientation Child Care Centers” document provided by DCDEE to document all orientation with new staff members while the orientation is taking place rather than complete the form from memory after the orientation is complete. Completing the orientation documentation as an on-going process will allow you to document accurate dates and amounts of time spent reviewing each orientation topic ensuring sixteen hours has been completed within the first six weeks of employment. I also reminded you that new staff orientation training should be completed in addition to health and safety training. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), the fence surrounding the outdoor play area should be in good repair and barbs should not be protruding on the top or the bottom of the fence. Today, I observed fence barbs exposed along the bottom of the fence along the interior fence lines of Playground 2, Playground 3, and Playground 4 and a hole large enough for vermin to enter at the bottom of the fence along the side fence line of Playground 5. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you repair the bottom of the fence along the back fence that will cover the barbs on the bottom of the fence and the hole on the back fence line. CONSULTATION: 1. As discussed today, the no smoking/tobacco free signage needs to be replaced because it has faded. 2. As discussed today, the center’s safe sleep policy should be completed by checking the appropriate boxes so that parents know the facility’s procedures for providing a safe sleep environment. 3. As discussed today, the activity plan should be dated. 4. The NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure and poster were both updated in February 2025 and are available on the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Provider-Documents-and-Forms. The February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law poster was posted in a prominent location in the facility. Please include and use the February 2025 version of the NC Summary of Child Care Law brochure in your enrollment packet. 5. As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r), child care operators have five business days to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the ABCMS Provider Portal training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents. Be sure this information is updated in ABCMS on an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and terminated and as FCCH residents move in or reach sixteen years of age. If you are not already using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or FCCH residents, you will need both an Individual NCID and a Business NCID. You will need an email address for your Individual NCID and a different email address for your Business NCID account. Once you have created your Business NCID, complete the ABCMS Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given to you, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff or current FCCH residents are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated and as FCCH residents change or reach sixteen years of age. These actions satisfy the requirement to notify the Division within five business days of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility. 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. 6. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to the Stars” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE. The NC Child Care Commission approved the proposed rules regarding the QRIS Modernization Plan on April 22, 2025 and will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. Hold Harmless provisions continue. Star rated license reassessments were postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a three- or five-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded that any ERS assessment completed on or after February 1, 2025 will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 7. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 8. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Healthy Social Behaviors: https://www.childcarerrnc.org/special-projects/healthy-social-behaviors/. Healthy Social Behaviors Helpline: Call at 1-704-376-6697 or toll free at 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or email at sbrawley@childcareresourcesinc.org or jbyrd@childcareresources.org. Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy QRIS Modernization Plan resources: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than June 17, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 . 1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0508 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0605 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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. 0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 09.0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 09.0607 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/11/2025 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 2/11/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:10 AM Time Out: 11:15 AM Time In: 12:15 PM Time Out: 03:40 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, KinderCare Education LLC, that owns your facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today including the restrictions, capacity, and age range and observed these being maintained today. KinderCare Education LLC that owns your facility was reviewed and listed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on February 7, 2025. Your center's compliance history was 85% as of February 10, 2025 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 25, 2024 and received in my office by email on November 27, 2024. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated December 30, 2024 with a Superior classification and eight demerits. I verified that the lead water testing required to be completed every three years was started on April 25, 2024. Your most recent lead water test results were dated November 23, 2020. Today, I verified that those test results indicated that your facilities drinking water source was within the required limits. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. You and I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces today. I observed children throughout the facility participating in free play in activity areas, transitions, personal care routines, eating lunch, napping, and departing. I observed infants engaged in floor play and napping. Due to the rain, a walk-through of the outdoor licensed spaces was not completed today. I will monitor the outdoor play areas during the next monitoring visit. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. Meals offering a variety of foods as nutritious snacks and meals that complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs were prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen. Infant bottles and food were stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a compact refrigerator located in Space 1A. Today’s lunch included fish sticks, coleslaw, diced mango, tortilla shell, and unflavored milk. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline. I monitored program records including emergency medical care plan, safe arrival and departure procedures, incident log, outdoor safety inspections, fire drills, emergency drills, and your Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I reviewed staff record files for ten returning staff members to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid ITS-SIDS training, completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, completion of Playground Safety training by at least one staff member who completes the monthly outdoor inspections, and completion of Emergency Preparedness and Response training by at least one staff member who prepares and reviews the EPR Plan annually. I reviewed staff record files for four new staff members hired since the last annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. I monitored health and safety requirements. I reviewed your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan at your annual compliance visit on June 27, 2024. You stated your written policies and procedures had not changed since June 2024. I monitored supervision, staff-child ratios, group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were 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 fire inspection report dated 09/25/2024 was received on 11/27/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 603 All floors and floor coverings were not constructed of nonabsorbent material and/or were not kept clean and in good repair. In Spaces 5B and 5C, the bathroom floors were visibly soiled with buildup along the baseboards and around the toilets. 15A NCAC 18A .2824(a)&(b) 604 Lavatories were not kept clean, in good repair and kept free of storage. In Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A, the toilet bases were visibly soiled with buildup. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a) 620 All walls and ceilings including doors and windows were not kept clean, free of visible fungal growth, and in good repair. Paint was peeling off the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. In Space 6A, the wall and baseboard behind the toilet needed to be repaired. 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. Furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans were visibly soiled in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, 6A, and 6B. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not completed and/or recorded on the fire drill log in July 2024, August 2024, and October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 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. In Spaces 4B and 5C, two electrical outlets in each classroom were not covered and were accessible to the children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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 Spaces 2A and 5C, diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags were stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. Monthly playground inspections were not completed and the individual completing the inspections did not have the Playground Safety Training certificate on file. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. First Aid training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. CPR training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025 but the training has not been completed. .1102(d) 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. A shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was due in August 2024 but was not practiced every three months as required. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) 1827 The Center did not have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and/or documentation of completion of the training was not on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. The person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training did not have documentation of completion of the training on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. .0607(b) 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. The Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was due by 12/25/2024 for one staff member hired on 09/25/2025. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a), the original copy of the most recently approved fire inspection report should be sent to me by email within one week of completion. The fire inspection report dated 09/25/.2024 was received on 11/27/2024 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you forward the email containing the fire inspection report when you receive it from the fire inspector. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, two electrical outlets were not covered and were accessible to the children in Spaces 4B and 5C. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlets in Space 4B and 5C which corrected the violation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed and review this child care requirement with your staff. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age. To make any object inaccessible, the expectation is to place them above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Grocery bags, opened shrink wrapped or bagged products, diapers in opened plastic shrink wrap, opened diaper wipe refill packets, used trash bags not in a trash can, unused trash bags, used zip-loc bags, and opened teacher supply materials are considered plastic bags. It is also best practice to make disposable gloves inaccessible to the children when they are not actively being used. In Spaces 2A and 5C, I observed diapers and wipes in opened plastic bags stored unlocked and below five feet under the changing tables which had a broken locks. The teachers removed the diapers from the plastic bags and placed the opened wipes in hard plastic wipe containers which corrected this violation. To maintain compliance with this child requirement, I suggest you review this requirement with your staff, monitor classrooms weekly and remove any plastic bags, place them in your locked storage closet or move them above five feet as required. 4. Per North Carolina General Statute 110-91(12) and child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0508(a), a current schedule should be posted for each group of children for reference by parents and by caregivers. At your facility, the daily schedules were posted in the classrooms and/or on classroom information boards in the hallway. I informed you that the daily schedule was to be posted where it could be seen by both parents and teachers. Ms. James stated that the corporation leaders required the daily schedules to be posted in the hallway for parents to view. I advised you to post the daily schedules in each classroom to meet the child care requirement and in the hallway to meet the corporate requirement. Today, in Space 5B, a daily schedule was not posted in the classroom or in the hallway. During the visit, the teacher printed and posted a copy of the daily schedule in the classroom and in the hallway which corrected the violation and satisfied the corporate expectation. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you post a copy of the daily schedule for each group of children in each classroom to be referenced by teachers and parents. 5. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2825(a), walls, doors, doorframes, windows, and windowsills should be kept in good repair and clean. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you touch up the peeling paint on the cinderblock walls, windowsills, doors, and doorframes in all the classrooms throughout the facility. I also suggested you repair the wall and baseboard behind the toilet in Space 6A. 6. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(a), lavatories including the sinks and toilets should be kept clean, in good repair, and kept free of storage. To maintain compliance this sanitation rule, I suggest you have you deep clean the handwashing sinks in Space 5B and the toilet bases in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A and then wipe them clean daily. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09. 0601(b), all equipment and materials should be kept in good repair. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you clean furniture and equipment including pillow covers, dramatic play sets and clothing, toy shelves, and trash cans when they are visibly soiled. 8. Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2824(a&b), all floors and floor coverings should be kept clean and in good repair. To maintain compliance with this sanitation rule, I suggested you deep clean the bathroom floors and along the baseboards in Spaces 5B and 5C and then mop them daily. 9. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(c & d), each employee must maintain documentation in their staff record file as verification that the employee has completed First Aid and CPR training within the first ninety (90) days of employment and has maintained a current and valid First Aid and CPR certificate. I suggested you contact fire departments, fire inspectors, community colleges, EMS departments, public health departments, and hospitals in your community as well as your local Resource and Referral agency to acquire information of upcoming first aid and CPR classes you can register your staff to attend or instructors you may contact. 10. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 1102(g), each child care administrator and all staff should complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training through the NC Prevent Child Abuse website and/or present the administrator with the completion certificate within the first ninety days of employment. A staff member was hired on 09/25/2024 making the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training due by 12/25/2024. The staff member completed the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on 02/03/2025 prior to today’s visit which corrected this violation. I suggested you create a tracking tool that assists you in keeping up with the required training due dates for each of your employees. Please let me know if you need assistance with developing a tracking tool. 11. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(t), fire drills should be completed each month children are in attendance and should be documented on a fire drill log including the date and time of each drill, the length of time taken to evacuate the building, and the signature of the person who conducted the drill. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your calendar or phone early in the month to remind you to complete a monthly fire drill and record the drill on the fire drill log. 12. Per child care rules 10A NCAC 09.0604(u) and .0302(d)(8), shelter-in-place or lockdown drills should be practiced every three months and recorded on the drill log. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you set a reminder on your phone to conduct a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill every three months and record the drill on the emergency drill log. 13. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(q), monthly playground inspections should be completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements and the trained administrator or staff person should make a record of each inspection using a playground inspection checklist provided by the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you begin using the monthly playground inspections document found on the DCDEE website. I also suggested you locate your playground safety training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to repeat the playground safety training, or assign the task of monthly playground inspections to a staff member that has already completed playground safety training. 14. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09.0607(b), the Center should have a person on staff who completed the EPR in Child Care training within the required timeframe and documentation of completion of the training should be on file or in a file designated for emergency preparedness and response plan documents. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you locate your EPR training certificate and place it in your staff file, plan to retake the EPR training, or assign the task of maintaining the EPR plan to a staff member that has already completed the EPR training. CONSULTATION: 1. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact Sameka Jones, District Leader, right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 2. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I advised you to contact your Environmental Health Specialist right away regarding guidance for water clean-up and reopening. 3. As a result of the emergency closure due to flooding in the building today, I requested that you keep me informed by email or phone as you proceed through the clean-up process and make plans to reopen. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. 5. As discussed today, all staff records are to be kept on file on-site as long as an employee is working at your facility and for at least one year after the employee is no longer employed. If file cabinet space is an issue, you may create an active file that contains all the documentation that will be monitored at each monitoring visit including training certificates and an inactive file that contains old training certificates for employees who have been employed for more than three years. 6. 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 in 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. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings. 7. The new QRIS Modernization Plan known as “Pathways to Success” is being added to law which included moving to the use of the updated Environmental Rating Scale (ERS-3 versions) for FCCERS, effective February 1, 2025. DCDEE and the NC Child Care Commission will continue the rulemaking process to add the rule language to child care requirements. This process with take several months. Hold Harmless provisions have been extended. Star rated license reassessments are postponed until the QRIS rulemaking process has been completed. Star rated license assessments are still required for new child care programs. A pathway for child care programs currently accredited through the approved accrediting bodies may now move to a 3- or 5-star license if they are not already at this star level. Providers need to submit a request to their licensing consultant and provide a copy of their accreditation award/certificate for processing: Accreditation Licensure Request Form. Please be reminded any ERS assessment completed on February 1, 2025 and after will be assessed using the ERS-3 versions. 8. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. Here are some important links on the DCEEE website that may be helpful: Child Care Rules and Laws: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Licensing/Getting-a-License Training and Professional Development: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development Required Health and Safety Training: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Health-and-Safety-Trainings Care for Children Receiving Subsidy: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Providing-Child-Care/Subsidized-Child-Care/Care-for-Children-Receiving-Subsidy DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for violation item numbers 106, 415, 812, 858, and 1897 corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than February 25, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you should contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to an issue with flooding I the building, I prepared a handwritten visit summary for you today. A computer-generated visit summary will be prepared and a copy will be mailed to you. We appreciate all you and your staff are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .1801 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: 1124-094L Visit Date: 11/19/2024 Number Present: 72 Completed Date: 11/19/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 187 Time In: 02:23 PM Time Out: 05:30 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 obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. You, Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with the visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not available today. According to the self-report, there is a concern of inadequate supervision. A child was left on the playground unattended. In addition to the allegation, I monitored staff-child ratio, adequate space capacity, and approved space use in Space 4B, the classroom in which the one-year-old child left on the playground was enrolled. I also monitored permit restrictions and posting in the facility. Today, you reported seventy-eight children ranging in age from zero to five years of age were enrolled in your facility. You stated seventy-two children ranging in age from zero to twelve years of age were present during today’s visit. Due to the nature of the report, I visited Space 4B where one-year-old children were enrolled and attending today but a walk-through of the entire facility was not conducted today. Today, I investigated the concern of inadequate supervision regarding a child being left on the playground unattended. I interviewed two staff members. Staff members stated that on November 6, 2024 during the afternoon hours, one one-year-old child was left unattended on Outdoor Space 1. During this time, two teachers were supervising two groups of two-year-old children on Outdoor Space 2 adjacent to Outdoor Space 1. One of the teachers left her group of two-year-old children with the other teacher on Outdoor Space 2 to bring the one one-year-old child in the building to the child’s teacher. Staff members stated they were unsure how long the one-year-old child was left unattended on the playground because the staff members involved reported a variety of estimated timespans. You provided me with written statements from five staff members who were involved on the incident or witnessed the incident. After reading these written statements, I gathered that the one-year-old child was left unattended on the playground for an estimated five seconds to ten minutes. Written statements reported that a group of seven one-year-old children enrolled in Space 4B located on the front side of the building were being supervised by two teachers while playing on Outdoor Space 1 located on the back side of the building. When the two teachers began to transition the group of seven one-year-old children from Outdoor Space 1 to indoor Space 4B, they entered the building through indoor Space 1B, an unused infant classroom. One teacher entered Space 1B through the exterior door and walked to the interior door with four one-year-old children. The second teacher entered Space 1B through the exterior door with two one-year-old children while one one-year-old child remained outside after refusing to come indoors. The first teacher walked her group of four one-year-old children across the hallway to Space 4B. The second teacher walked the two one-year-old children across the hallway to Space 4B. Once inside the classroom, the second teacher completed the CRS sheet and noticed that one one-year-old child who refused to enter the building was not with the group. The teacher walked across the hallway and was met by the teacher of a two-year-old group who had brought the child in from outside and to Space 4B where the child was enrolled. Today, during the visit, I observed eleven one-year-old children in Space 4B adequately supervised by two teachers while they ate afternoon snack. Based on my interviews with staff and the written statements from staff members, the allegation of a concern of inadequate supervision involving a child being left on the playground unattended was confirmed. Therefore, the allegation is substantiated. The following violation was observed and cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. One one-year-old child was left unattended on Outdoor Space 1 for approximately two minutes. .1801(a)(1-5) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1801(a)(1-5), children should be adequately supervised at all times in child care centers. Adequate supervision means that: (1) staff are positioned in the indoor and outdoor environment to maximize their ability to hear or see the children at all times and render assistance; (2) staff interact with the children while moving about the indoor or outdoor area; (3) staff know where each child is located and are aware of the children's activities at all times; (4) staff provide supervision appropriate to the individual age, needs, and capabilities of each child; and (5) staff are able to see and hear children aged birth to five years old while the children are eating. Today, you stated that one one-year-old child was left unattended on the playground for approximately two minutes while the teachers transitioned six one-year-old children inside before going back to retrieve the one one-year-old child. You stated you had “Child Supervision Record” (CSR) sheets which are being used in the classroom with head counts recorded every hour during the first two hours and the last two hours, every two hours throughout the operating day, when staff changes occur in the classroom, and when any transition is made through a doorway or a gate. You stated the KinderCare Learning Center corporation had determined that teachers involved in the incident on November 6, 2024 did not use the CSR sheets correctly which was a breach of the Supervision Policy. You stated you had taken action to correct this violation by making sure someone from the administrative staff visited each classroom several times throughout the day to verify that the CSR sheets were being completed correctly. You stated you were now requiring all teachers to use the walkies to notify the administrative staff when their group was transitioning outdoors and when their group was transitioning indoors. You stated you had reminded teachers of the importance of notifying the administrative staff when they needed assistance getting a child indoors or outdoors. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you consider moving your one-year-old children to a classroom located on the back side of the building that opens directly to the playground area in order to reduce the distance mobile and non-mobile one-year-old children had to travel to transition from the indoor setting to the outdoor setting. I advised you to consider providing a supervision training opportunity for your staff and hold a staff meeting after the training to review your facility’s supervision policy and expectations. CONSULTATION: 1. Due to the nature of the substantiated allegation, a follow-up visit is required within the next few weeks. 2. When determining the type of action if any will be issued after an allegation regarding supervision is substantiated, DCDEE will take into consideration the fact that this was a self-report, the facility’s past history, and the steps the facility has taken to prevent recurrence. For this reason, it is important for you to include in their compliance letter documentation everything you have done and plan to do to prevent recurrence. I provided you with suggestions above under the “Technical Assistance” section. COMPLIANCE PLAN: All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than December 3, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 403 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:28 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Nadine James, Interim Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakita Jones, Administrator, was not present today and is expected to return from extended leave around the end of August 2024. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Kindercare Education LLC, that owns your facility. Today, I reviewed with you the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Kindercare Education LLC, the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on June 25, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of June 25, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 18, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that on April 25, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 21, 2023 and was received in my office on October 23, 2023. I visited each licensed indoor with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas and participating in whole group teacher-directed activities. Because of the rain today, I will monitor the outdoor play areas when I return on July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, diced carrots or carrot sticks, watermelon, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 3A at a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit and in Space 3B at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. Because you needed time to revise your staff and training worksheets prior to the staff file review, I will return on Monday, July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2021 were reviewed during the change of ownership process in 2022. Your written operational policies and parent participation plan were updated in August 2023 and printed in your Family Handbook. Your written administrative and personnel policies were updated in March 2023 and printed in your Employee Handbook. I reviewed both updated handbooks today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 5C, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in the classroom with three-year-old children with plastic diaper wipe refill bags stored below five feet in an unlocked changing table, foam blocks accessible in the block area, and an electrical cord dangling from a CD player. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, vegetation including trees and vines were overhanging and growing through the fence. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, the mulch depth under the swings measured from one inch to 5 inches. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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. In Space 2A, one electrical outlet was uncovered and accessible to two-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 844 Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was not in the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached. .0803(2)(a) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 3A, one permission to administer form for a sunscreen was missing the dates to administer, the amount to administer, and the directions for how to administer. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream was missing the information for when to apply the medication. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream had dates to administer that exceeded twelve months. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 851 When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was administered and was not documented on a Medication Log. .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) 892 The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. In Space 3A and 3B, the center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the classroom where infant care was provided. .0606(b) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/09/2023 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment and no First Aid training certificate was on file. .1102(c) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One child application for enrollment was missing the information for a health care professional or hospital of preference. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Two child applications for enrollment were missing information in the "Health Care Needs" section. .0801(a)(1-7) 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. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. Parents may give blanket permission to administer over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens for up to twelve months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(2)(a), prescription medications should be in the original pharmaceutical container with the original pharmaceutical label attached. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you look for the “Rx Only” label on the medication and request the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached if the medication is a prescribed medication. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(13)(a-e), permission to administer prescription medications should be recorded on the Medication Permission to Administer form with the Medication Log attached and each time the medication is applied or administered, the medication administration information should be recorded on the log. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, one electrical outlet was not covered and was accessible to the children in Space 2A. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0606(b), the center’s Safe Sleep policy should be posted in the classrooms designated for infant care. Today, the center’s Safe Sleep policy was not posted in either of the classrooms were infant children were enrolled. During today’s visit, Ms. James printed the center’s Safe Sleep policy and the classroom teachers in Space 3A and 3B posted the policy in the classrooms. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. Today, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in a three-year-old classroom for the day. Plastic diaper wipe refill bags were stored in a changing table below five feet and unlocked because the lock was broken. Foam blocks in the block area were accessible to the two-year-old children. A CD play cord was dangling in the classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you prepare each classroom to safely accommodate the youngest child in each classroom especially when children are temporarily moved from to a classroom with older children. I suggest you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer, remove all foam materials from the activity areas, and secure all dangling cords in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a)(1-7), the health care needs section on each child application for enrollment should include some type of response rather than be left blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c)(2), each child application for enrollment should include health care professional or hospital preference information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 4. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5. When opening new classrooms, be sure all the required materials, equipment, and postings are in place BEFORE the children begin attending the classroom. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 11, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to equipment issues, a handwritten visit summary was prepared, signed and a copy was left with you today at the completion of the visit. The computer-generated visit summary was prepared during the visit but printed in my office. We signed the printed computer-generated visit summary on Monday, July 1, 2024 when I returned to complete the monitoring visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 403 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:28 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Nadine James, Interim Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakita Jones, Administrator, was not present today and is expected to return from extended leave around the end of August 2024. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Kindercare Education LLC, that owns your facility. Today, I reviewed with you the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Kindercare Education LLC, the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on June 25, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of June 25, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 18, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that on April 25, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 21, 2023 and was received in my office on October 23, 2023. I visited each licensed indoor with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas and participating in whole group teacher-directed activities. Because of the rain today, I will monitor the outdoor play areas when I return on July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, diced carrots or carrot sticks, watermelon, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 3A at a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit and in Space 3B at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. Because you needed time to revise your staff and training worksheets prior to the staff file review, I will return on Monday, July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2021 were reviewed during the change of ownership process in 2022. Your written operational policies and parent participation plan were updated in August 2023 and printed in your Family Handbook. Your written administrative and personnel policies were updated in March 2023 and printed in your Employee Handbook. I reviewed both updated handbooks today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 5C, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in the classroom with three-year-old children with plastic diaper wipe refill bags stored below five feet in an unlocked changing table, foam blocks accessible in the block area, and an electrical cord dangling from a CD player. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, vegetation including trees and vines were overhanging and growing through the fence. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, the mulch depth under the swings measured from one inch to 5 inches. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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. In Space 2A, one electrical outlet was uncovered and accessible to two-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 844 Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was not in the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached. .0803(2)(a) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 3A, one permission to administer form for a sunscreen was missing the dates to administer, the amount to administer, and the directions for how to administer. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream was missing the information for when to apply the medication. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream had dates to administer that exceeded twelve months. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 851 When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was administered and was not documented on a Medication Log. .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) 892 The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. In Space 3A and 3B, the center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the classroom where infant care was provided. .0606(b) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/09/2023 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment and no First Aid training certificate was on file. .1102(c) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One child application for enrollment was missing the information for a health care professional or hospital of preference. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Two child applications for enrollment were missing information in the "Health Care Needs" section. .0801(a)(1-7) 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. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. Parents may give blanket permission to administer over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens for up to twelve months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(2)(a), prescription medications should be in the original pharmaceutical container with the original pharmaceutical label attached. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you look for the “Rx Only” label on the medication and request the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached if the medication is a prescribed medication. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(13)(a-e), permission to administer prescription medications should be recorded on the Medication Permission to Administer form with the Medication Log attached and each time the medication is applied or administered, the medication administration information should be recorded on the log. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, one electrical outlet was not covered and was accessible to the children in Space 2A. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0606(b), the center’s Safe Sleep policy should be posted in the classrooms designated for infant care. Today, the center’s Safe Sleep policy was not posted in either of the classrooms were infant children were enrolled. During today’s visit, Ms. James printed the center’s Safe Sleep policy and the classroom teachers in Space 3A and 3B posted the policy in the classrooms. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. Today, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in a three-year-old classroom for the day. Plastic diaper wipe refill bags were stored in a changing table below five feet and unlocked because the lock was broken. Foam blocks in the block area were accessible to the two-year-old children. A CD play cord was dangling in the classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you prepare each classroom to safely accommodate the youngest child in each classroom especially when children are temporarily moved from to a classroom with older children. I suggest you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer, remove all foam materials from the activity areas, and secure all dangling cords in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a)(1-7), the health care needs section on each child application for enrollment should include some type of response rather than be left blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c)(2), each child application for enrollment should include health care professional or hospital preference information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 4. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5. When opening new classrooms, be sure all the required materials, equipment, and postings are in place BEFORE the children begin attending the classroom. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 11, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to equipment issues, a handwritten visit summary was prepared, signed and a copy was left with you today at the completion of the visit. The computer-generated visit summary was prepared during the visit but printed in my office. We signed the printed computer-generated visit summary on Monday, July 1, 2024 when I returned to complete the monitoring visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 403 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:28 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Nadine James, Interim Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakita Jones, Administrator, was not present today and is expected to return from extended leave around the end of August 2024. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Kindercare Education LLC, that owns your facility. Today, I reviewed with you the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Kindercare Education LLC, the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on June 25, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of June 25, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 18, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that on April 25, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 21, 2023 and was received in my office on October 23, 2023. I visited each licensed indoor with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas and participating in whole group teacher-directed activities. Because of the rain today, I will monitor the outdoor play areas when I return on July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, diced carrots or carrot sticks, watermelon, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 3A at a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit and in Space 3B at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. Because you needed time to revise your staff and training worksheets prior to the staff file review, I will return on Monday, July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2021 were reviewed during the change of ownership process in 2022. Your written operational policies and parent participation plan were updated in August 2023 and printed in your Family Handbook. Your written administrative and personnel policies were updated in March 2023 and printed in your Employee Handbook. I reviewed both updated handbooks today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 5C, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in the classroom with three-year-old children with plastic diaper wipe refill bags stored below five feet in an unlocked changing table, foam blocks accessible in the block area, and an electrical cord dangling from a CD player. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, vegetation including trees and vines were overhanging and growing through the fence. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, the mulch depth under the swings measured from one inch to 5 inches. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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. In Space 2A, one electrical outlet was uncovered and accessible to two-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 844 Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was not in the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached. .0803(2)(a) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 3A, one permission to administer form for a sunscreen was missing the dates to administer, the amount to administer, and the directions for how to administer. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream was missing the information for when to apply the medication. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream had dates to administer that exceeded twelve months. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 851 When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was administered and was not documented on a Medication Log. .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) 892 The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. In Space 3A and 3B, the center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the classroom where infant care was provided. .0606(b) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/09/2023 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment and no First Aid training certificate was on file. .1102(c) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One child application for enrollment was missing the information for a health care professional or hospital of preference. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Two child applications for enrollment were missing information in the "Health Care Needs" section. .0801(a)(1-7) 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. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. Parents may give blanket permission to administer over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens for up to twelve months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(2)(a), prescription medications should be in the original pharmaceutical container with the original pharmaceutical label attached. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you look for the “Rx Only” label on the medication and request the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached if the medication is a prescribed medication. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(13)(a-e), permission to administer prescription medications should be recorded on the Medication Permission to Administer form with the Medication Log attached and each time the medication is applied or administered, the medication administration information should be recorded on the log. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, one electrical outlet was not covered and was accessible to the children in Space 2A. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0606(b), the center’s Safe Sleep policy should be posted in the classrooms designated for infant care. Today, the center’s Safe Sleep policy was not posted in either of the classrooms were infant children were enrolled. During today’s visit, Ms. James printed the center’s Safe Sleep policy and the classroom teachers in Space 3A and 3B posted the policy in the classrooms. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. Today, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in a three-year-old classroom for the day. Plastic diaper wipe refill bags were stored in a changing table below five feet and unlocked because the lock was broken. Foam blocks in the block area were accessible to the two-year-old children. A CD play cord was dangling in the classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you prepare each classroom to safely accommodate the youngest child in each classroom especially when children are temporarily moved from to a classroom with older children. I suggest you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer, remove all foam materials from the activity areas, and secure all dangling cords in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a)(1-7), the health care needs section on each child application for enrollment should include some type of response rather than be left blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c)(2), each child application for enrollment should include health care professional or hospital preference information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 4. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5. When opening new classrooms, be sure all the required materials, equipment, and postings are in place BEFORE the children begin attending the classroom. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 11, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to equipment issues, a handwritten visit summary was prepared, signed and a copy was left with you today at the completion of the visit. The computer-generated visit summary was prepared during the visit but printed in my office. We signed the printed computer-generated visit summary on Monday, July 1, 2024 when I returned to complete the monitoring visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 403 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:28 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Nadine James, Interim Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakita Jones, Administrator, was not present today and is expected to return from extended leave around the end of August 2024. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Kindercare Education LLC, that owns your facility. Today, I reviewed with you the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Kindercare Education LLC, the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on June 25, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of June 25, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 18, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that on April 25, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 21, 2023 and was received in my office on October 23, 2023. I visited each licensed indoor with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas and participating in whole group teacher-directed activities. Because of the rain today, I will monitor the outdoor play areas when I return on July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, diced carrots or carrot sticks, watermelon, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 3A at a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit and in Space 3B at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. Because you needed time to revise your staff and training worksheets prior to the staff file review, I will return on Monday, July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2021 were reviewed during the change of ownership process in 2022. Your written operational policies and parent participation plan were updated in August 2023 and printed in your Family Handbook. Your written administrative and personnel policies were updated in March 2023 and printed in your Employee Handbook. I reviewed both updated handbooks today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 5C, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in the classroom with three-year-old children with plastic diaper wipe refill bags stored below five feet in an unlocked changing table, foam blocks accessible in the block area, and an electrical cord dangling from a CD player. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, vegetation including trees and vines were overhanging and growing through the fence. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, the mulch depth under the swings measured from one inch to 5 inches. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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. In Space 2A, one electrical outlet was uncovered and accessible to two-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 844 Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was not in the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached. .0803(2)(a) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 3A, one permission to administer form for a sunscreen was missing the dates to administer, the amount to administer, and the directions for how to administer. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream was missing the information for when to apply the medication. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream had dates to administer that exceeded twelve months. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 851 When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was administered and was not documented on a Medication Log. .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) 892 The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. In Space 3A and 3B, the center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the classroom where infant care was provided. .0606(b) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/09/2023 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment and no First Aid training certificate was on file. .1102(c) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One child application for enrollment was missing the information for a health care professional or hospital of preference. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Two child applications for enrollment were missing information in the "Health Care Needs" section. .0801(a)(1-7) 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. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. Parents may give blanket permission to administer over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens for up to twelve months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(2)(a), prescription medications should be in the original pharmaceutical container with the original pharmaceutical label attached. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you look for the “Rx Only” label on the medication and request the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached if the medication is a prescribed medication. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(13)(a-e), permission to administer prescription medications should be recorded on the Medication Permission to Administer form with the Medication Log attached and each time the medication is applied or administered, the medication administration information should be recorded on the log. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, one electrical outlet was not covered and was accessible to the children in Space 2A. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0606(b), the center’s Safe Sleep policy should be posted in the classrooms designated for infant care. Today, the center’s Safe Sleep policy was not posted in either of the classrooms were infant children were enrolled. During today’s visit, Ms. James printed the center’s Safe Sleep policy and the classroom teachers in Space 3A and 3B posted the policy in the classrooms. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. Today, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in a three-year-old classroom for the day. Plastic diaper wipe refill bags were stored in a changing table below five feet and unlocked because the lock was broken. Foam blocks in the block area were accessible to the two-year-old children. A CD play cord was dangling in the classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you prepare each classroom to safely accommodate the youngest child in each classroom especially when children are temporarily moved from to a classroom with older children. I suggest you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer, remove all foam materials from the activity areas, and secure all dangling cords in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a)(1-7), the health care needs section on each child application for enrollment should include some type of response rather than be left blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c)(2), each child application for enrollment should include health care professional or hospital preference information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 4. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5. When opening new classrooms, be sure all the required materials, equipment, and postings are in place BEFORE the children begin attending the classroom. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 11, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to equipment issues, a handwritten visit summary was prepared, signed and a copy was left with you today at the completion of the visit. The computer-generated visit summary was prepared during the visit but printed in my office. We signed the printed computer-generated visit summary on Monday, July 1, 2024 when I returned to complete the monitoring visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 403 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:28 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Nadine James, Interim Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakita Jones, Administrator, was not present today and is expected to return from extended leave around the end of August 2024. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Kindercare Education LLC, that owns your facility. Today, I reviewed with you the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Kindercare Education LLC, the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on June 25, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of June 25, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 18, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that on April 25, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 21, 2023 and was received in my office on October 23, 2023. I visited each licensed indoor with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas and participating in whole group teacher-directed activities. Because of the rain today, I will monitor the outdoor play areas when I return on July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, diced carrots or carrot sticks, watermelon, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 3A at a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit and in Space 3B at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. Because you needed time to revise your staff and training worksheets prior to the staff file review, I will return on Monday, July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2021 were reviewed during the change of ownership process in 2022. Your written operational policies and parent participation plan were updated in August 2023 and printed in your Family Handbook. Your written administrative and personnel policies were updated in March 2023 and printed in your Employee Handbook. I reviewed both updated handbooks today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 5C, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in the classroom with three-year-old children with plastic diaper wipe refill bags stored below five feet in an unlocked changing table, foam blocks accessible in the block area, and an electrical cord dangling from a CD player. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, vegetation including trees and vines were overhanging and growing through the fence. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, the mulch depth under the swings measured from one inch to 5 inches. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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. In Space 2A, one electrical outlet was uncovered and accessible to two-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 844 Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was not in the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached. .0803(2)(a) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 3A, one permission to administer form for a sunscreen was missing the dates to administer, the amount to administer, and the directions for how to administer. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream was missing the information for when to apply the medication. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream had dates to administer that exceeded twelve months. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 851 When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was administered and was not documented on a Medication Log. .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) 892 The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. In Space 3A and 3B, the center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the classroom where infant care was provided. .0606(b) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/09/2023 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment and no First Aid training certificate was on file. .1102(c) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One child application for enrollment was missing the information for a health care professional or hospital of preference. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Two child applications for enrollment were missing information in the "Health Care Needs" section. .0801(a)(1-7) 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. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. Parents may give blanket permission to administer over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens for up to twelve months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(2)(a), prescription medications should be in the original pharmaceutical container with the original pharmaceutical label attached. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you look for the “Rx Only” label on the medication and request the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached if the medication is a prescribed medication. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(13)(a-e), permission to administer prescription medications should be recorded on the Medication Permission to Administer form with the Medication Log attached and each time the medication is applied or administered, the medication administration information should be recorded on the log. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, one electrical outlet was not covered and was accessible to the children in Space 2A. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0606(b), the center’s Safe Sleep policy should be posted in the classrooms designated for infant care. Today, the center’s Safe Sleep policy was not posted in either of the classrooms were infant children were enrolled. During today’s visit, Ms. James printed the center’s Safe Sleep policy and the classroom teachers in Space 3A and 3B posted the policy in the classrooms. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. Today, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in a three-year-old classroom for the day. Plastic diaper wipe refill bags were stored in a changing table below five feet and unlocked because the lock was broken. Foam blocks in the block area were accessible to the two-year-old children. A CD play cord was dangling in the classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you prepare each classroom to safely accommodate the youngest child in each classroom especially when children are temporarily moved from to a classroom with older children. I suggest you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer, remove all foam materials from the activity areas, and secure all dangling cords in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a)(1-7), the health care needs section on each child application for enrollment should include some type of response rather than be left blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c)(2), each child application for enrollment should include health care professional or hospital preference information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 4. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5. When opening new classrooms, be sure all the required materials, equipment, and postings are in place BEFORE the children begin attending the classroom. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 11, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to equipment issues, a handwritten visit summary was prepared, signed and a copy was left with you today at the completion of the visit. The computer-generated visit summary was prepared during the visit but printed in my office. We signed the printed computer-generated visit summary on Monday, July 1, 2024 when I returned to complete the monitoring visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0801 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 403 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:28 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Nadine James, Interim Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakita Jones, Administrator, was not present today and is expected to return from extended leave around the end of August 2024. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Kindercare Education LLC, that owns your facility. Today, I reviewed with you the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Kindercare Education LLC, the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on June 25, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of June 25, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 18, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that on April 25, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 21, 2023 and was received in my office on October 23, 2023. I visited each licensed indoor with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas and participating in whole group teacher-directed activities. Because of the rain today, I will monitor the outdoor play areas when I return on July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, diced carrots or carrot sticks, watermelon, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 3A at a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit and in Space 3B at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. Because you needed time to revise your staff and training worksheets prior to the staff file review, I will return on Monday, July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2021 were reviewed during the change of ownership process in 2022. Your written operational policies and parent participation plan were updated in August 2023 and printed in your Family Handbook. Your written administrative and personnel policies were updated in March 2023 and printed in your Employee Handbook. I reviewed both updated handbooks today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 5C, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in the classroom with three-year-old children with plastic diaper wipe refill bags stored below five feet in an unlocked changing table, foam blocks accessible in the block area, and an electrical cord dangling from a CD player. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, vegetation including trees and vines were overhanging and growing through the fence. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, the mulch depth under the swings measured from one inch to 5 inches. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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. In Space 2A, one electrical outlet was uncovered and accessible to two-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 844 Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was not in the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached. .0803(2)(a) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 3A, one permission to administer form for a sunscreen was missing the dates to administer, the amount to administer, and the directions for how to administer. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream was missing the information for when to apply the medication. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream had dates to administer that exceeded twelve months. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 851 When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was administered and was not documented on a Medication Log. .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) 892 The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. In Space 3A and 3B, the center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the classroom where infant care was provided. .0606(b) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/09/2023 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment and no First Aid training certificate was on file. .1102(c) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One child application for enrollment was missing the information for a health care professional or hospital of preference. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Two child applications for enrollment were missing information in the "Health Care Needs" section. .0801(a)(1-7) 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. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. Parents may give blanket permission to administer over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens for up to twelve months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(2)(a), prescription medications should be in the original pharmaceutical container with the original pharmaceutical label attached. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you look for the “Rx Only” label on the medication and request the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached if the medication is a prescribed medication. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(13)(a-e), permission to administer prescription medications should be recorded on the Medication Permission to Administer form with the Medication Log attached and each time the medication is applied or administered, the medication administration information should be recorded on the log. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, one electrical outlet was not covered and was accessible to the children in Space 2A. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0606(b), the center’s Safe Sleep policy should be posted in the classrooms designated for infant care. Today, the center’s Safe Sleep policy was not posted in either of the classrooms were infant children were enrolled. During today’s visit, Ms. James printed the center’s Safe Sleep policy and the classroom teachers in Space 3A and 3B posted the policy in the classrooms. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. Today, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in a three-year-old classroom for the day. Plastic diaper wipe refill bags were stored in a changing table below five feet and unlocked because the lock was broken. Foam blocks in the block area were accessible to the two-year-old children. A CD play cord was dangling in the classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you prepare each classroom to safely accommodate the youngest child in each classroom especially when children are temporarily moved from to a classroom with older children. I suggest you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer, remove all foam materials from the activity areas, and secure all dangling cords in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a)(1-7), the health care needs section on each child application for enrollment should include some type of response rather than be left blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c)(2), each child application for enrollment should include health care professional or hospital preference information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 4. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5. When opening new classrooms, be sure all the required materials, equipment, and postings are in place BEFORE the children begin attending the classroom. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 11, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to equipment issues, a handwritten visit summary was prepared, signed and a copy was left with you today at the completion of the visit. The computer-generated visit summary was prepared during the visit but printed in my office. We signed the printed computer-generated visit summary on Monday, July 1, 2024 when I returned to complete the monitoring visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 403 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:28 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Nadine James, Interim Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakita Jones, Administrator, was not present today and is expected to return from extended leave around the end of August 2024. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Kindercare Education LLC, that owns your facility. Today, I reviewed with you the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Kindercare Education LLC, the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on June 25, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of June 25, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 18, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that on April 25, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 21, 2023 and was received in my office on October 23, 2023. I visited each licensed indoor with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas and participating in whole group teacher-directed activities. Because of the rain today, I will monitor the outdoor play areas when I return on July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, diced carrots or carrot sticks, watermelon, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 3A at a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit and in Space 3B at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. Because you needed time to revise your staff and training worksheets prior to the staff file review, I will return on Monday, July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2021 were reviewed during the change of ownership process in 2022. Your written operational policies and parent participation plan were updated in August 2023 and printed in your Family Handbook. Your written administrative and personnel policies were updated in March 2023 and printed in your Employee Handbook. I reviewed both updated handbooks today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 5C, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in the classroom with three-year-old children with plastic diaper wipe refill bags stored below five feet in an unlocked changing table, foam blocks accessible in the block area, and an electrical cord dangling from a CD player. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, vegetation including trees and vines were overhanging and growing through the fence. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, the mulch depth under the swings measured from one inch to 5 inches. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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. In Space 2A, one electrical outlet was uncovered and accessible to two-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 844 Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was not in the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached. .0803(2)(a) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 3A, one permission to administer form for a sunscreen was missing the dates to administer, the amount to administer, and the directions for how to administer. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream was missing the information for when to apply the medication. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream had dates to administer that exceeded twelve months. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 851 When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was administered and was not documented on a Medication Log. .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) 892 The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. In Space 3A and 3B, the center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the classroom where infant care was provided. .0606(b) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/09/2023 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment and no First Aid training certificate was on file. .1102(c) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One child application for enrollment was missing the information for a health care professional or hospital of preference. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Two child applications for enrollment were missing information in the "Health Care Needs" section. .0801(a)(1-7) 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. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. Parents may give blanket permission to administer over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens for up to twelve months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(2)(a), prescription medications should be in the original pharmaceutical container with the original pharmaceutical label attached. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you look for the “Rx Only” label on the medication and request the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached if the medication is a prescribed medication. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(13)(a-e), permission to administer prescription medications should be recorded on the Medication Permission to Administer form with the Medication Log attached and each time the medication is applied or administered, the medication administration information should be recorded on the log. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, one electrical outlet was not covered and was accessible to the children in Space 2A. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0606(b), the center’s Safe Sleep policy should be posted in the classrooms designated for infant care. Today, the center’s Safe Sleep policy was not posted in either of the classrooms were infant children were enrolled. During today’s visit, Ms. James printed the center’s Safe Sleep policy and the classroom teachers in Space 3A and 3B posted the policy in the classrooms. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. Today, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in a three-year-old classroom for the day. Plastic diaper wipe refill bags were stored in a changing table below five feet and unlocked because the lock was broken. Foam blocks in the block area were accessible to the two-year-old children. A CD play cord was dangling in the classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you prepare each classroom to safely accommodate the youngest child in each classroom especially when children are temporarily moved from to a classroom with older children. I suggest you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer, remove all foam materials from the activity areas, and secure all dangling cords in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a)(1-7), the health care needs section on each child application for enrollment should include some type of response rather than be left blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c)(2), each child application for enrollment should include health care professional or hospital preference information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 4. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5. When opening new classrooms, be sure all the required materials, equipment, and postings are in place BEFORE the children begin attending the classroom. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 11, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to equipment issues, a handwritten visit summary was prepared, signed and a copy was left with you today at the completion of the visit. The computer-generated visit summary was prepared during the visit but printed in my office. We signed the printed computer-generated visit summary on Monday, July 1, 2024 when I returned to complete the monitoring visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0803 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 84 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 403 Time In: 09:05 AM Time Out: 12:28 PM Time In: 01:25 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Nadine James, Interim Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Shakita Jones, Administrator, was not present today and is expected to return from extended leave around the end of August 2024. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to your phone number, email address, mailing address, or corporate contact for the facility. I reviewed the facility’s permit with you today. You stated there has been no change with the corporation, Kindercare Education LLC, that owns your facility. Today, I reviewed with you the restrictions on your license, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. Kindercare Education LLC, the company that owns your facility, was reviewed and listed as current-active on the NC Secretary of State website on June 25, 2024. Your program’s compliance history was 83% as of June 25, 2024 and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning six points in staff education, three points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 18, 2024 with a Superior classification and two demerits. I verified that on April 25, 2024, you initiated the lead water testing required to be completed every three years. Today, I verified that you are waiting on those test results. I verified that you have registered for the lead-based paint and asbestos testing. Your last fire inspection was dated September 21, 2023 and was received in my office on October 23, 2023. I visited each licensed indoor with you today. I observed children playing in activity areas and participating in whole group teacher-directed activities. Because of the rain today, I will monitor the outdoor play areas when I return on July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. You stated and I verified that your facility uses Early Foundations as the approved curriculum for a 4-Star facility serving children who are four and five years of age. A current menu was posted, documented appropriate nutritious snacks and meals, showed a variety of foods, and complied with Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs. Lunch was prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. Today’s lunch included a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun, diced carrots or carrot sticks, watermelon, and unflavored milk. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Infant bottles and infant food were stored in a small compact refrigerator in Space 3A at a temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit and in Space 3B at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. I monitored hazardous product storage, medication storage, medication administration, general safety, and discipline practices. I monitored program records and child record files. Because you needed time to revise your staff and training worksheets prior to the staff file review, I will return on Monday, July 1, 2024 to monitor the staff record files. Your written operational, administrative, and personnel policies and your parent participation plan from 2021 were reviewed during the change of ownership process in 2022. Your written operational policies and parent participation plan were updated in August 2023 and printed in your Family Handbook. Your written administrative and personnel policies were updated in March 2023 and printed in your Employee Handbook. I reviewed both updated handbooks today. I monitored health and safety requirements. I monitored supervision of children, staff-child ratios and group sizes, approved space use, space capacities, and permit restrictions. The following violations were observed and cited during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. In Space 5C, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in the classroom with three-year-old children with plastic diaper wipe refill bags stored below five feet in an unlocked changing table, foam blocks accessible in the block area, and an electrical cord dangling from a CD player. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, vegetation including trees and vines were overhanging and growing through the fence. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children and school age children, the mulch depth under the swings measured from one inch to 5 inches. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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. In Space 2A, one electrical outlet was uncovered and accessible to two-year-old children. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 844 Prescribed medicine was not in original labeled container or accompanied by signed and dated written instructions from prescribing physician or health care professional. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was not in the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached. .0803(2)(a) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 3A, one permission to administer form for a sunscreen was missing the dates to administer, the amount to administer, and the directions for how to administer. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream was missing the information for when to apply the medication. In Space 3B, one permission to administer a diaper cream had dates to administer that exceeded twelve months. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 851 When medication was administered, documentation was not completed or maintained for 6 months and/or the documentation did not include the required information. In Space 3A, one topical prescription medication was administered and was not documented on a Medication Log. .0803(13)(a-e); .2318(3) 892 The center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the infant room where parents and caregivers were able to view daily. In Space 3A and 3B, the center's safe sleep policy was not posted in a prominent place in the classroom where infant care was provided. .0606(b) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/09/2023 did not complete First Aid training within 90 days of employment and no First Aid training certificate was on file. .1102(c) 1314 Emergency information did not name childs health care professional. One child application for enrollment was missing the information for a health care professional or hospital of preference. .0802(c)(2) 1329 Application for enrollment did not include all required information. Two child applications for enrollment were missing information in the "Health Care Needs" section. .0801(a)(1-7) 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. .1102(g) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. Parents may give blanket permission to administer over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens for up to twelve months. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(2)(a), prescription medications should be in the original pharmaceutical container with the original pharmaceutical label attached. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you look for the “Rx Only” label on the medication and request the original container with the pharmaceutical label attached if the medication is a prescribed medication. 3. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(13)(a-e), permission to administer prescription medications should be recorded on the Medication Permission to Administer form with the Medication Log attached and each time the medication is applied or administered, the medication administration information should be recorded on the log. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c), each electrical outlet and power strip outlet should be covered. Today, one electrical outlet was not covered and was accessible to the children in Space 2A. During the visit, Ms. James covered the electrical outlet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you supply each classroom with extra outlet protector plugs to insert in the outlets when needed. 5. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0606(b), the center’s Safe Sleep policy should be posted in the classrooms designated for infant care. Today, the center’s Safe Sleep policy was not posted in either of the classrooms were infant children were enrolled. During today’s visit, Ms. James printed the center’s Safe Sleep policy and the classroom teachers in Space 3A and 3B posted the policy in the classrooms. 6. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), centers should provide a safe environment both indoors and outdoors for all children enrolled at the facility. When children are temporarily moved from their assigned classroom to another classroom for the day, the classroom should be made safe for the age of the children attending the classroom for the day. Today, two-year-old children were temporarily placed in a three-year-old classroom for the day. Plastic diaper wipe refill bags were stored in a changing table below five feet and unlocked because the lock was broken. Foam blocks in the block area were accessible to the two-year-old children. A CD play cord was dangling in the classroom. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you prepare each classroom to safely accommodate the youngest child in each classroom especially when children are temporarily moved from to a classroom with older children. I suggest you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer, remove all foam materials from the activity areas, and secure all dangling cords in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 7. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0801(a)(1-7), the health care needs section on each child application for enrollment should include some type of response rather than be left blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. 8. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(c)(2), each child application for enrollment should include health care professional or hospital preference information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you review the child enrollment application with the parent(s) when the application is accepted to ensure all information is provided. CONSULTATION: 1. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. 2. Visit NC Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center at http://healthychildcare.unc.edu to find the following resources: technical assistance, coaching support, resources, handwashing and diapering posters, monthly newsletters, and a list of approved in-service trainings including, but not limited to, ITS-SIDS training and Emergency Preparedness and Response in Child Care training. 3. The Change of Information form for CBC is listed in law. When a new staff member starts working at a facility and gives the administrator a CBC qualification letter that was previously completed while working at another facility, but is still current, the administrator must send a Change of Information form for that new staff member to the CBC unit. The Change of Information form can be found on DCDEE’s website under Provider Documents and Forms. 4. The Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report form should include the date of the assessment as the date the health exam was completed as well as the health care professional’s signature and date of signature. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you highlight the “date of the assessment” on the document so remind health care professionals that information is required in addition to their signature and date of signature. 5. When opening new classrooms, be sure all the required materials, equipment, and postings are in place BEFORE the children begin attending the classroom. COMPLIANCE PLAN: No compliance documentation is needed for those violations corrected during today’s visit. In the visit summary, I documented the corrective actions taken today to correct those violations. All violations cited and not corrected today must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. 1) Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 11, 2024. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Due to equipment issues, a handwritten visit summary was prepared, signed and a copy was left with you today at the completion of the visit. The computer-generated visit summary was prepared during the visit but printed in my office. We signed the printed computer-generated visit summary on Monday, July 1, 2024 when I returned to complete the monitoring visit. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/28/2023 Number Present: 75 Completed Date: 9/28/2023 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 277 Time In: 09:13 AM Time Out: 01:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Unannounced Visit Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an unannounced follow up visit. You, Shakitia Jones, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Ms. Jones and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 3B, 5B, and 6A were not currently being used today. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 3B currently being set up as a new infant room possibly opening in October 2023. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 5B set-up and ready to open as a classroom for 3-year-old children as soon as staff can be hired. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 6A was not currently open due to enrollment after children started attending Kindergarten this week. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outdoors, and napping. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. Ms. Jones stated no new staff members were hired since your last unannounced visit on August 31, 2023. I reviewed fifteen staff records for returning staff members. I monitored valid and current criminal background check (CBC) qualification letters, valid and current First Aid and CPR training, valid and current ITS-SIDS training for applicable staff members, completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and staff qualifications. I monitored valid and current CBC qualification letters for therapists delivering services to children outside the classrooms. I cited the following violations and observed all violations corrected during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 3A, a daily schedule was not posted for the group of infant children. The assistance director posted a daily schedule in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 1B and 2B, the posted activity plans were dated August 2023. The assistant director posted activity plans dated September 2023 in Space 1B and Space 2B. In Space 4C, the posted activity plan was dated August 2023 and included activities for 8 out of the 11 one-year-old children enrolled in the classroom. The teacher located the current activity plan dated September 2023 in the classroom and added the names, ages, and activities for the missing three children. In Space 5C, the posted activity plan was not dated. The administrator dated the activity plan with 09/25 to 09/29. In Space 6B where four-year-old children were enrolled, the posted activity plan included activities for school-age children in grades K-6th grade. The assistant director located the activity plan for preschool age children, added the current date of 09/25 to 09/29 and posted the new activity plan. GS 110-91(12); .0508(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 2A, diaper wipes in plastic bags, latex gloves, plastic grocery bags, and ziploc bags were stored below five feet in an unlocked diaper changing table, an unlocked cabinet, and/or cubbies. The administrator removed the grocery bags from the classroom. The teacher locked the changing table doors. The teacher removed the ziploc bags from the cubbies. In Space 2B, a ziploc bag was stored on the windowsill and a roll of unused trash bags was stored on top of the changing table. The ziploc bag and the roll of unused trash bags were moved to a shelf above five feet. In Spaces 4A and 4B, rolls of unused trash bags were stored on top of the changing table. The teachers moved the rolls of unused trash bags to a locked cabinet. In Space 4B, diaper wipes in a plastic bag were stored on top of the changing table. The teacher removed the diaper wipes from the plastic bag and placed them in a clear hard plastic container on top of the changing table. .0604(q) Compliance Plan: Since the violations cited today were corrected during today's visit, no compliance documentation will be due after today’s visit. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 2) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 3) Activity plans should be complete, dated, and posted in each classroom with age-appropriate activities planned across the five developmental domains connected with NC Foundations for Early Learning (NCFELD). 4) As discussed today, activity plans should be posted where teachers and parents can see them easily. You stated since the classroom bulletin boards had been moved to the hallways, the activity plans was being posted on the hall bulletin boards for parents to view. We discussed the need to post the activity plans in the classrooms for teachers to use and refer to throughout the day and week. You stated you would begin to post the activity plans in the classroom and in the hallway. 5) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 6) Each lead teacher and teacher should have proof of meeting lead teacher or teacher qualifications in the staff file. This may include one of the following forms of documentation: (a) a copy of the credential certificate; (b) a copy of notification from the Division that the individual meets the equivalency (WORKS status letter); (c) a copy of notification from the Division that the individual does not meet the equivalency and must enroll in coursework (WORKS return letter); (c) a dated copy of the request submitted by the individual to the Division for the assessment of equivalency status (WORKS request); (d) documentation of enrollment in credential coursework (registration receipt). 7) Please be sure all staff members have established a WORKS account, have submitted their most up to date education transcripts for evaluation, and have the most up to date WORKS status letter on file which will ensure a timely evaluation of the education standards for your staff and facility as a whole. 8) As discussed today, when employees are assigned to a different facility site within the organization, the employee’s date of employment does not change. The application for employment would be the same as the original application submitted at the date of hire. The staff medical and TB test results would be the same as the original submitted at the date of hire unless the organization required an update of these documents. The health and safety training topics would be transferred with the employee and could count as the first-year requirement at the new facility if the dates were within 12 months of the transfer date. Each transferring employee would need to complete new staff orientation training since those trainings are specific to the individual facility. Any policies specific to the facility and not the organization would need to be reviewed and new policy acknowledgment statements signed such EMC Plan, EPR Plan, Aquatic Policy, etc. I suggested you include both the start date for the facility and for the organization on the Staff and Training Worksheet to document the transfer. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or our lead consultant and interim supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/28/2023 Number Present: 75 Completed Date: 9/28/2023 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 277 Time In: 09:13 AM Time Out: 01:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Unannounced Visit Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an unannounced follow up visit. You, Shakitia Jones, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Ms. Jones and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 3B, 5B, and 6A were not currently being used today. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 3B currently being set up as a new infant room possibly opening in October 2023. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 5B set-up and ready to open as a classroom for 3-year-old children as soon as staff can be hired. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 6A was not currently open due to enrollment after children started attending Kindergarten this week. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outdoors, and napping. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. Ms. Jones stated no new staff members were hired since your last unannounced visit on August 31, 2023. I reviewed fifteen staff records for returning staff members. I monitored valid and current criminal background check (CBC) qualification letters, valid and current First Aid and CPR training, valid and current ITS-SIDS training for applicable staff members, completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and staff qualifications. I monitored valid and current CBC qualification letters for therapists delivering services to children outside the classrooms. I cited the following violations and observed all violations corrected during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 3A, a daily schedule was not posted for the group of infant children. The assistance director posted a daily schedule in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 1B and 2B, the posted activity plans were dated August 2023. The assistant director posted activity plans dated September 2023 in Space 1B and Space 2B. In Space 4C, the posted activity plan was dated August 2023 and included activities for 8 out of the 11 one-year-old children enrolled in the classroom. The teacher located the current activity plan dated September 2023 in the classroom and added the names, ages, and activities for the missing three children. In Space 5C, the posted activity plan was not dated. The administrator dated the activity plan with 09/25 to 09/29. In Space 6B where four-year-old children were enrolled, the posted activity plan included activities for school-age children in grades K-6th grade. The assistant director located the activity plan for preschool age children, added the current date of 09/25 to 09/29 and posted the new activity plan. GS 110-91(12); .0508(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 2A, diaper wipes in plastic bags, latex gloves, plastic grocery bags, and ziploc bags were stored below five feet in an unlocked diaper changing table, an unlocked cabinet, and/or cubbies. The administrator removed the grocery bags from the classroom. The teacher locked the changing table doors. The teacher removed the ziploc bags from the cubbies. In Space 2B, a ziploc bag was stored on the windowsill and a roll of unused trash bags was stored on top of the changing table. The ziploc bag and the roll of unused trash bags were moved to a shelf above five feet. In Spaces 4A and 4B, rolls of unused trash bags were stored on top of the changing table. The teachers moved the rolls of unused trash bags to a locked cabinet. In Space 4B, diaper wipes in a plastic bag were stored on top of the changing table. The teacher removed the diaper wipes from the plastic bag and placed them in a clear hard plastic container on top of the changing table. .0604(q) Compliance Plan: Since the violations cited today were corrected during today's visit, no compliance documentation will be due after today’s visit. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 2) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 3) Activity plans should be complete, dated, and posted in each classroom with age-appropriate activities planned across the five developmental domains connected with NC Foundations for Early Learning (NCFELD). 4) As discussed today, activity plans should be posted where teachers and parents can see them easily. You stated since the classroom bulletin boards had been moved to the hallways, the activity plans was being posted on the hall bulletin boards for parents to view. We discussed the need to post the activity plans in the classrooms for teachers to use and refer to throughout the day and week. You stated you would begin to post the activity plans in the classroom and in the hallway. 5) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 6) Each lead teacher and teacher should have proof of meeting lead teacher or teacher qualifications in the staff file. This may include one of the following forms of documentation: (a) a copy of the credential certificate; (b) a copy of notification from the Division that the individual meets the equivalency (WORKS status letter); (c) a copy of notification from the Division that the individual does not meet the equivalency and must enroll in coursework (WORKS return letter); (c) a dated copy of the request submitted by the individual to the Division for the assessment of equivalency status (WORKS request); (d) documentation of enrollment in credential coursework (registration receipt). 7) Please be sure all staff members have established a WORKS account, have submitted their most up to date education transcripts for evaluation, and have the most up to date WORKS status letter on file which will ensure a timely evaluation of the education standards for your staff and facility as a whole. 8) As discussed today, when employees are assigned to a different facility site within the organization, the employee’s date of employment does not change. The application for employment would be the same as the original application submitted at the date of hire. The staff medical and TB test results would be the same as the original submitted at the date of hire unless the organization required an update of these documents. The health and safety training topics would be transferred with the employee and could count as the first-year requirement at the new facility if the dates were within 12 months of the transfer date. Each transferring employee would need to complete new staff orientation training since those trainings are specific to the individual facility. Any policies specific to the facility and not the organization would need to be reviewed and new policy acknowledgment statements signed such EMC Plan, EPR Plan, Aquatic Policy, etc. I suggested you include both the start date for the facility and for the organization on the Staff and Training Worksheet to document the transfer. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or our lead consultant and interim supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/28/2023 Number Present: 75 Completed Date: 9/28/2023 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 277 Time In: 09:13 AM Time Out: 01:50 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Unannounced Visit Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an unannounced follow up visit. You, Shakitia Jones, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Ms. Jones and I visited each licensed indoor and outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 3B, 5B, and 6A were not currently being used today. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 3B currently being set up as a new infant room possibly opening in October 2023. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 5B set-up and ready to open as a classroom for 3-year-old children as soon as staff can be hired. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 6A was not currently open due to enrollment after children started attending Kindergarten this week. I observed students playing in activity areas, playing outdoors, and napping. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. Ms. Jones stated no new staff members were hired since your last unannounced visit on August 31, 2023. I reviewed fifteen staff records for returning staff members. I monitored valid and current criminal background check (CBC) qualification letters, valid and current First Aid and CPR training, valid and current ITS-SIDS training for applicable staff members, completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training, and staff qualifications. I monitored valid and current CBC qualification letters for therapists delivering services to children outside the classrooms. I cited the following violations and observed all violations corrected during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 3A, a daily schedule was not posted for the group of infant children. The assistance director posted a daily schedule in the classroom. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 1B and 2B, the posted activity plans were dated August 2023. The assistant director posted activity plans dated September 2023 in Space 1B and Space 2B. In Space 4C, the posted activity plan was dated August 2023 and included activities for 8 out of the 11 one-year-old children enrolled in the classroom. The teacher located the current activity plan dated September 2023 in the classroom and added the names, ages, and activities for the missing three children. In Space 5C, the posted activity plan was not dated. The administrator dated the activity plan with 09/25 to 09/29. In Space 6B where four-year-old children were enrolled, the posted activity plan included activities for school-age children in grades K-6th grade. The assistant director located the activity plan for preschool age children, added the current date of 09/25 to 09/29 and posted the new activity plan. GS 110-91(12); .0508(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 2A, diaper wipes in plastic bags, latex gloves, plastic grocery bags, and ziploc bags were stored below five feet in an unlocked diaper changing table, an unlocked cabinet, and/or cubbies. The administrator removed the grocery bags from the classroom. The teacher locked the changing table doors. The teacher removed the ziploc bags from the cubbies. In Space 2B, a ziploc bag was stored on the windowsill and a roll of unused trash bags was stored on top of the changing table. The ziploc bag and the roll of unused trash bags were moved to a shelf above five feet. In Spaces 4A and 4B, rolls of unused trash bags were stored on top of the changing table. The teachers moved the rolls of unused trash bags to a locked cabinet. In Space 4B, diaper wipes in a plastic bag were stored on top of the changing table. The teacher removed the diaper wipes from the plastic bag and placed them in a clear hard plastic container on top of the changing table. .0604(q) Compliance Plan: Since the violations cited today were corrected during today's visit, no compliance documentation will be due after today’s visit. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 2) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 3) Activity plans should be complete, dated, and posted in each classroom with age-appropriate activities planned across the five developmental domains connected with NC Foundations for Early Learning (NCFELD). 4) As discussed today, activity plans should be posted where teachers and parents can see them easily. You stated since the classroom bulletin boards had been moved to the hallways, the activity plans was being posted on the hall bulletin boards for parents to view. We discussed the need to post the activity plans in the classrooms for teachers to use and refer to throughout the day and week. You stated you would begin to post the activity plans in the classroom and in the hallway. 5) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 6) Each lead teacher and teacher should have proof of meeting lead teacher or teacher qualifications in the staff file. This may include one of the following forms of documentation: (a) a copy of the credential certificate; (b) a copy of notification from the Division that the individual meets the equivalency (WORKS status letter); (c) a copy of notification from the Division that the individual does not meet the equivalency and must enroll in coursework (WORKS return letter); (c) a dated copy of the request submitted by the individual to the Division for the assessment of equivalency status (WORKS request); (d) documentation of enrollment in credential coursework (registration receipt). 7) Please be sure all staff members have established a WORKS account, have submitted their most up to date education transcripts for evaluation, and have the most up to date WORKS status letter on file which will ensure a timely evaluation of the education standards for your staff and facility as a whole. 8) As discussed today, when employees are assigned to a different facility site within the organization, the employee’s date of employment does not change. The application for employment would be the same as the original application submitted at the date of hire. The staff medical and TB test results would be the same as the original submitted at the date of hire unless the organization required an update of these documents. The health and safety training topics would be transferred with the employee and could count as the first-year requirement at the new facility if the dates were within 12 months of the transfer date. Each transferring employee would need to complete new staff orientation training since those trainings are specific to the individual facility. Any policies specific to the facility and not the organization would need to be reviewed and new policy acknowledgment statements signed such EMC Plan, EPR Plan, Aquatic Policy, etc. I suggested you include both the start date for the facility and for the organization on the Staff and Training Worksheet to document the transfer. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or our lead consultant and interim supervisor, Erin Pickard, by email at erin.pickard@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/31/2023 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 8/31/2023 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 277 Time In: 09:08 AM Time Out: 01:45 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Unannounced Visit Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an unannounced follow up visit. You, Shakitia Jones, Administrator, and Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Ms. James and I visited each licensed indoor space today. I observed Spaces 2A, 3A, 3B, 5B, and 6B were not currently being used today. Ms. James stated and I observed Space 2A set-up and ready to open soon as a classroom for 2-year-old children. Ms. James stated and I observed Space 3A set-up and ready to open next week as a classroom for infant children. Ms. James stated and I observed Space 3B currently used as storage. Ms. James stated and I observed Space 5B set-up and ready to open next week as a classroom for 3-year-old children. Ms. Jones stated and I observed Space 6B was not currently open due to enrollment after children started attending Kindergarten this week. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher-directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, eating lunch, and napping. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. I reviewed four staff records for new staff members hired since your annual compliance visit on July 11, 2023. I reviewed eleven staff records for returning staff members to monitor valid and current criminal background check (CBC) qualification letters, valid and current First Aid and CPR training, and valid and current ITS-SIDS training for applicable staff members. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: 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. Two staff medical reports for staff members with a date of employment of 08/07/2023 and 08/18/2023 did not include a statement signed by a health care professional that indicated the person was emotionally and physically fit to care for children. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. One staff member with a date of employment of 08/18/2023 had an Emergency Information Form on file dated 08/31/2023. The Emergency Information Form was signed and dated prior to today's review of the staff's records. .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. The New Staff Orientation Training Documentation form completed for four new staff members hired on 07/31/2023, 08/07/2023, 08/18/2023, and 08/23/2023 had inaccurate dates and hours recorded. Some of the dates recorded reflected the dates and hours that virtual new staff on-boarding trainings were assigned to the staff members by the KinderCare corporate office. .1101(a) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff acknowledgement statement for a staff member with a date of employment of 08/18/2023 documenting the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy had been reviewed by the staff member prior to caring for children was dated 08/31/2023 and was not signed by the staff member. The staff member signed the statement during the visit. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited must be corrected immediately. Please submit a written, signed, and dated statement to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance letter must include the following: 1. The name of your center 2. The center’s ID number 3. The date you write the letter 4. Address each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. Address your plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature I advise you to be prepared to provide supporting documentation in the form of photos, documents, certificates, etc. should I request them in order to clarify or verify compliance. I must receive your compliance letter no later than September 14, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Each employee should have a staff medical assessment on file on or before the first day of employment that includes a statement signed by a health care professional that indicates that the person is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. Ms. Jones stated when new employees were hired, she did not give them the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report document provided by DCDEE which contains the required statement for which the health care professional is to attest. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you give each new employee a blank copy of the Staff Health Assessment/Medical Report document provided by DCDEE when a job offer is made and require the completed document to be on file on or before the new staff member’s first day of employment. 2) The staff member’s acknowledgement statement of having reviewed the center’s Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy should be signed and dated by the staff member prior to the staff member caring for children. In order to maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when you receive it from the staff member to be sure the staff member has signed the document. 3) Each staff member should have a completed Emergency Information form on file on the staff member’s first day of employment. 4) Providing inaccurate dates and hours on the New Staff Orientation Training Documentation form may be considered falsification of records. Falsification may be grounds for revoking the license of the facility. Ms. Jones stated she had recorded the dates new staff on-board virtual training was assigned to the new employee by the KinderCare corporate office in addition to the on-site new staff training that Ms. Jones and Ms. James completed with the new staff members. I advised you to complete the New Staff Orientation Training Document as the training topics were completed in-person or virtually by documenting the date and hours and/or minutes required to complete each training topic. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you and your staff do to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .2703 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/20/2023 Number Present: 57 Completed Date: 7/20/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 337 Time In: 09:23 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Compliance Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to conduct an annual compliance follow up (AC-FU) visit. You, Shakitia Jones, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Today, I monitored supervision, staff/child ratios, enhanced space capacity, use of approved space, permit restrictions and corrections of violations cited during the Annual Compliance Visit (ACV) conducted on July 11, 2023. I conducted a walk-through of the facility today. I observed Spaces 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used. You stated Spaces 2A and 3A were undergoing renovations with plans to open both classrooms for infant care. You stated Space 3B and 5A were not currently open due to staffing. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outside, eating lunch in the classrooms, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, preparing for snack, and eating snack in the classrooms. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. During today’s visit, in Space 2B, I observed a developmentally appropriate schedule posted for children 1-year of age, thereby correcting violation item number 415 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, in Spaces 1A, 1B, 2B, and 4B observed individualized activity plans for children 12 to 24 months of age, thereby correcting violation item number 429 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, you stated screen-time had been eliminated throughout the facility. You stated you had retrained staff in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A where screen-time was being used on or prior to the visit on July 11, 2023 making it clear that screen-time was not to be used at any time throughout the day or the center. You stated you had ordered additional language materials including “Big Books” with coordinating CD’s Spaces to be used in the place of screen-time. These actions corrected violation item number 524 and 544 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, you stated the sunscreen in Spaces 4A and 5B had been sent home and the parent was asked to apply sunscreen to the child in the morning prior to dropping the child off for group care. You stated the Neosporin antibiotic ointment in Space 4A was taken home per the parent’s preference. These actions corrected violation item number 842 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the incident log updated with incident reports from January 2023 through July 2023 entered on the incident log, thereby correcting violation item number 853 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, in Spaces 1A and 1B, I observed you remove all the Ziploc bags from under the food preparation sink. In Space 2B, I observed opened diaper wipe refill packs, trash bags, and gloves under the unlocked changing table which you locked during today’s visit. In Space 4A, I observed the teacher had locked the diaper wipe refill packs and gloves in the changing table and placed the opened diaper shrink wrapped packs on the shelf above five feet in the classroom bathroom. In Space 4B, I observed the teacher had locked the diaper wipe refill packs, trash bags, and gloves in the changing table. In Space 5C, I observed opened diaper wipe refill packs and gloves under an unlocked changing table which I observed the teacher lock during the visit. I observed you remove all the foam block and manipulative materials from Space 4A, 4B, and 5C. The actions taken today corrected violation item number 858 during today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the date of enrollment had been added to the Safe Sleep Policy in the two child files where this information was missing, thereby correcting violation item number 893 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the new staff orientation documentation forms had been completed within the required timeframes and were now filed in the three staff files where this information was missing, thereby correcting violation item number 1045 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed a children’s medical report had been added to the child’s file where this information was missing, thereby correcting violation item number 1321 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed you add the date of enrollment to the Discipline and Behavior Management policy acknowledgement statement in the two child files where this information was missing, thereby correcting violation item number 1325 during today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan updated on July 13, 2023, printed, and placed in the Ready to Go file, thereby correcting violation item number 1824 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the date given had been added prior to today’s visit to the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma acknowledgement statements in one staff file where this information was missing. I observed the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma acknowledgement statement had been completed and added prior to today’s visit to the one staff file where this information was missing. I observed the staff signature and the signature date was added during today’s visit to the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma acknowledgement statements in one staff file where this information was missing. These actions corrected violation item number 1874. I observed and cited the following additional violation during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter was not on file for each therapist delivering therapy services outside the classroom setting. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I should receive your compliance letter for the violation cited during today’s visit no later than August 3, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 The following violations should be corrected on or before July 25, 2023 and compliance documentation should be received by the close of business on or before July 25, 2023: Violation item number 807 should be corrected on Playground 3 by replacing the steps or removing the entire stationary climbing and slide unit where the rubber coating on the steps was cracking and deteriorating, removing or replacing the two broken plastic border pieces, adding border spikes where the two spikes are missing, and driving all the spikes down in the plastic border pieces. To correct this violation on Playgrounds 4 and 5, all overgrown vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries should be cut back away from the fence lines. Violation item number 1311 should be corrected by making sure the emergency medical care information is provided by the parent. Child enrollment applications with the emergency medical care information missing should be completed by the parent and initialed by the parent and dated with the current date to document the correction of the violation. Violation item number 1317 should be corrected by making sure the authorization for emergency medical care statement is signed by the parent. Child enrollment applications with the parent signature missing for the authorization for emergency medical care statement should be signed by the parent and dated with the current date to document the correction of the violation. During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file in their staff records. This includes therapists who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the therapist provides therapy services within the classroom with the teacher present, the therapist does not have to have a CBC qualification letter because the teacher is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the therapist takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the therapist has to have CBC qualification letter on file. 2) Violation item number 807 which was cited due to an unsafe outdoor environment may not be recorded as corrected until all the cited repairs and maintenance needs are completed. To ensure a safe outdoor environment temporarily until the repairs and maintenance needs are addressed, I suggested you close Playgrounds 4 and 5 temporarily since you have Playground 1 which is a large open fenced in grassed area where children 2 to 5 year of age can play with age-appropriate materials, ride trikes on the concrete pad, and play ball. I suggested you use Playground 3 temporarily since you have Playground 2 where infants, 1-year old, and 2-year-old children can play. 3) Playground 1 has a space capacity of 80 children but reminded 2-year-old children may not combine with 4- and 5-year-old children except for the first and last hour of the operating day. 4) Playground 2 has a space capacity of 14 children but reminded infants may not combine with 2-year-old children except for the first and last hour of the operating day. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” after I review staff records during tomorrow’s visit. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

G.S. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/20/2023 Number Present: 57 Completed Date: 7/20/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 337 Time In: 09:23 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Compliance Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to conduct an annual compliance follow up (AC-FU) visit. You, Shakitia Jones, Administrator, assisted me with today’s visit. Today, I monitored supervision, staff/child ratios, enhanced space capacity, use of approved space, permit restrictions and corrections of violations cited during the Annual Compliance Visit (ACV) conducted on July 11, 2023. I conducted a walk-through of the facility today. I observed Spaces 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used. You stated Spaces 2A and 3A were undergoing renovations with plans to open both classrooms for infant care. You stated Space 3B and 5A were not currently open due to staffing. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outside, eating lunch in the classrooms, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, preparing for snack, and eating snack in the classrooms. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. During today’s visit, in Space 2B, I observed a developmentally appropriate schedule posted for children 1-year of age, thereby correcting violation item number 415 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, in Spaces 1A, 1B, 2B, and 4B observed individualized activity plans for children 12 to 24 months of age, thereby correcting violation item number 429 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, you stated screen-time had been eliminated throughout the facility. You stated you had retrained staff in Spaces 4B, 5B, 5C, and 6A where screen-time was being used on or prior to the visit on July 11, 2023 making it clear that screen-time was not to be used at any time throughout the day or the center. You stated you had ordered additional language materials including “Big Books” with coordinating CD’s Spaces to be used in the place of screen-time. These actions corrected violation item number 524 and 544 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, you stated the sunscreen in Spaces 4A and 5B had been sent home and the parent was asked to apply sunscreen to the child in the morning prior to dropping the child off for group care. You stated the Neosporin antibiotic ointment in Space 4A was taken home per the parent’s preference. These actions corrected violation item number 842 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the incident log updated with incident reports from January 2023 through July 2023 entered on the incident log, thereby correcting violation item number 853 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, in Spaces 1A and 1B, I observed you remove all the Ziploc bags from under the food preparation sink. In Space 2B, I observed opened diaper wipe refill packs, trash bags, and gloves under the unlocked changing table which you locked during today’s visit. In Space 4A, I observed the teacher had locked the diaper wipe refill packs and gloves in the changing table and placed the opened diaper shrink wrapped packs on the shelf above five feet in the classroom bathroom. In Space 4B, I observed the teacher had locked the diaper wipe refill packs, trash bags, and gloves in the changing table. In Space 5C, I observed opened diaper wipe refill packs and gloves under an unlocked changing table which I observed the teacher lock during the visit. I observed you remove all the foam block and manipulative materials from Space 4A, 4B, and 5C. The actions taken today corrected violation item number 858 during today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the date of enrollment had been added to the Safe Sleep Policy in the two child files where this information was missing, thereby correcting violation item number 893 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the new staff orientation documentation forms had been completed within the required timeframes and were now filed in the three staff files where this information was missing, thereby correcting violation item number 1045 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed a children’s medical report had been added to the child’s file where this information was missing, thereby correcting violation item number 1321 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed you add the date of enrollment to the Discipline and Behavior Management policy acknowledgement statement in the two child files where this information was missing, thereby correcting violation item number 1325 during today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan updated on July 13, 2023, printed, and placed in the Ready to Go file, thereby correcting violation item number 1824 prior to today’s visit. During today’s visit, I observed the date given had been added prior to today’s visit to the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma acknowledgement statements in one staff file where this information was missing. I observed the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma acknowledgement statement had been completed and added prior to today’s visit to the one staff file where this information was missing. I observed the staff signature and the signature date was added during today’s visit to the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma acknowledgement statements in one staff file where this information was missing. These actions corrected violation item number 1874. I observed and cited the following additional violation during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter was not on file for each therapist delivering therapy services outside the classroom setting. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I should receive your compliance letter for the violation cited during today’s visit no later than August 3, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 The following violations should be corrected on or before July 25, 2023 and compliance documentation should be received by the close of business on or before July 25, 2023: Violation item number 807 should be corrected on Playground 3 by replacing the steps or removing the entire stationary climbing and slide unit where the rubber coating on the steps was cracking and deteriorating, removing or replacing the two broken plastic border pieces, adding border spikes where the two spikes are missing, and driving all the spikes down in the plastic border pieces. To correct this violation on Playgrounds 4 and 5, all overgrown vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries should be cut back away from the fence lines. Violation item number 1311 should be corrected by making sure the emergency medical care information is provided by the parent. Child enrollment applications with the emergency medical care information missing should be completed by the parent and initialed by the parent and dated with the current date to document the correction of the violation. Violation item number 1317 should be corrected by making sure the authorization for emergency medical care statement is signed by the parent. Child enrollment applications with the parent signature missing for the authorization for emergency medical care statement should be signed by the parent and dated with the current date to document the correction of the violation. During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & 10A NCAC 09 .2703(e), each child care provider should have a valid Criminal Background Check qualification letter on file in their staff records. This includes therapists who visit your facility and are contracted to work with a child enrolled in your facility. When the therapist provides therapy services within the classroom with the teacher present, the therapist does not have to have a CBC qualification letter because the teacher is supervising the child and monitoring the therapy session. However, when the therapist takes the child out of the classroom to another part of the building and is left alone with the child, then the therapist has to have CBC qualification letter on file. 2) Violation item number 807 which was cited due to an unsafe outdoor environment may not be recorded as corrected until all the cited repairs and maintenance needs are completed. To ensure a safe outdoor environment temporarily until the repairs and maintenance needs are addressed, I suggested you close Playgrounds 4 and 5 temporarily since you have Playground 1 which is a large open fenced in grassed area where children 2 to 5 year of age can play with age-appropriate materials, ride trikes on the concrete pad, and play ball. I suggested you use Playground 3 temporarily since you have Playground 2 where infants, 1-year old, and 2-year-old children can play. 3) Playground 1 has a space capacity of 80 children but reminded 2-year-old children may not combine with 4- and 5-year-old children except for the first and last hour of the operating day. 4) Playground 2 has a space capacity of 14 children but reminded infants may not combine with 2-year-old children except for the first and last hour of the operating day. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” after I review staff records during tomorrow’s visit. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0510 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0608 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0803 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .2508 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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

GS110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER-ROCK BARN Facility ID: 18000603 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2023 Number Present: 59 Completed Date: 7/13/2023 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 410 Time In: 08:55 AM Time Out: 01:10 PM Time In: 02:10 PM Time Out: 04:45 PM List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit. Meria Wilder, Child Care Consultant, accompanied and assisted me with today’s visit. Shakitia Jones, Administrator, was not present today. Nadine James, Assistant Director, assisted us with today’s visit. Your temporary license was issued on July 18, 2022. Your program currently operates with a four-star license, issued on February 22, 2023, earning 6 points in staff education, 3 points in program standards, and one (1) quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. Kindercare Education LLC, the owner of your facility, was viewed as current-active on the North Carolina Secretary of State website on July 11, 2023. Your program’s compliance history was 77% as of July 10, 2023 and was reviewed with you today. Your last sanitation inspection was dated June 14, 2023 with a Superior classification and 4 demerits. Your last fire inspection was dated September 27, 2022. I visited each licensed indoor space and each outdoor space today. I observed Spaces 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, and 5A were not currently being used due to enrollment. I observed students playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed whole group activities, playing outdoors, preparing for lunch, eating lunch, preparing for nap, napping, waking from nap, eating snack and departing. Indoors I observed updated cabinets, changing tables, sinks with storage, activity area furnishings, cribs, learning materials, classroom rugs, and lobby furniture. Outdoors I observed grass growing in areas that were previously bare. I observed current menus posted in the lobby and the kitchen. I observed fish nuggets, coleslaw, diced mango, whole wheat tortilla, and milk prepared in the kitchen and served in the classrooms. I observed children eating lunch today. I observed children adequately supervised during today’s visit. I observed voluntary enhanced staff-child ratios maintained during today’s visit. I observed adequate approved space used during today’s visit. I observed enhanced space capacity maintained throughout the center during today's visit. I observed permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, “Meets enhanced space”, and “Children 2 ½ years old in rooms with direct exits only” maintained during today’s visit. We reviewed program records today. Ms. Wilder reviewed children’s records and staff records today. I observed and cited the following violations during today's visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. In Space 2B, a current daily schedule was not posted. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 429 The activity plan was not designed to stimulate emotional and social, health and physical, approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development for each group of children in care. In Space 1A, the activity plan for chiildren 0 to 24 months of age was missing the approaches to play and learning, language development and communication, and cognitive development domains. In Space 2B and 4B, no individualized written activity plan was provided for the children 0 to 24 months of age. .0508(b)(1-5) 524 When children 3 years and older were in care, screen time was not used to stimulate a developmental domain; was not limited to 30 minutes a day and no more than a total of two and a half hours per week, per child; and/or was not documented on a cumulative log or the activity plan that is available for review. In Space 5B, 5C, and 6A, limited screen time used to stimulate a developmental domain was not logged on the activity plan or a screen time log. .0510(d)(2)(A-C) 544 Screen time was offered to children under three years of age. In Space 4B, staff stated screen time was offered to children one year of age during the early morning arrival hours and the late afternoon departing hours. .0510(f) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. On Playground 3 designated for use by children one and two years of age, the rubber coating on the steps of the three slide composite piece was cracking and deteriorating; 1 plastic border was broken; 2 border spikes were missing; and multiple border spikes had worked out of place and were sticking up approximately one-half to one inch. On Playgrounds 4 & 5 designated for use by preschool age children, vegetation including trees, vines, bushes with briars and berries, and shrubs with berries were overhanging and growing through the fence. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 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 5B, one aerosol can of disinfectant spray was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. In Space 6A, one container of bleach was stored unlocked on a shelf above five feet in the bathroom. .2820(b) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. In Space 4B, diaper creams were stored under the changing table and the changing table lock was left unlocked with the key in the lock. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 842 A drug or medication was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. In Space 4A, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen and one Neosporin antibiotic ointment. In Space 5B, no written authorization to administer was on file giving permission to administer one sunscreen. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b) 847 Parent's medication authorization did not include required information. In Space 4A, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 4B, 2 over the counter permission to administer medication forms were missing information for how to apply the medication. In Space 6B, 1 over the counter permission to administer medication form was missing the valid dates to administer the medication. 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)(6-9) 853 Incident logs were not completed and maintained as required. The incident log was not current and maintained. Incident reports for 2023 were collected but not logged on the incident log. The last update to the incident log was made in 12/2022. .0802(g)(1-6) 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 1A, trash bags were stored under the unlocked food preparation sink area. In Space 2B, opened diaper wipe refill bags and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4A, opened plastic bags of diapers were stored on the floor in the bathroom and diaper wipe refill bags were stored on top of the changing table. In Space 4B, trash bags, opened diaper wipe refill bags, and latex gloves were stored on top of the changing table. In Spaces 4A and 5C, a variety of foam blocks were accessible to children under three years of age in the block activity areas. .0604(q) 893 A copy of the safe sleep policy was not given to and/or explained to the parent of each child on or before the first day the infant attended the center. In 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review, the Safe Sleep policy parent acknowledgement statement was missing the date of enrollment for each child. 10A NCAC 09 .0606(c) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. Three staff members with dates of employment of 12/06/2022, 12/09/2022, and 03/15/2023 did not have documentation on file of having completed at least 16 hours of new staff orientation training within the first six weeks of employment. .1101(a) 1311 Emergency medical care information was not on file in the center on the child's first day of attendance and/or was not updated as changes occurred or at least annually for each child. 1 out of 8 child record file randomly selected for review had no emergency medical information on file for the child. .0802(c) 1317 Authorization for emergency medical care information was not signed by child's parent. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have authorization for emergency medical care information signed by the parent. .0802(d) 1321 Medical exam or health assessment record was not on file before or within 30 days after admission. 1 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review did not have a medical exam or health assessment record on file for the child and the child had been enrolled for more than 30 days. GS110-91(1) 1325 Parent’s statement includes the child’s name and date of enrollment and the date the parent signed the statement. The Discipline and Behavior Management Policy for 2 out of 8 child record files randomly selected for review was missing the date of enrollment for the child. .1804(b) 1824 The trained staff did not review the EPR Plan annually or when information in the plan changed to ensure all information was current. The person trained to maintain the EPR Plan did not review the ERP Plan annually and when information changed. The last review was dated 01/12/2021. .0607(e) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff member with a date of employment of 12/06/2022 did not have an acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy on file. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 05/22/2023 was missing the date the policy was given and explained to the staff member. The acknowledgement statement for The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy for one staff member with a date of employment of 06/26/2023 was missing the staff member's signature and the date of the signature. .0608(d)(1-4) Compliance Plan: All violations cited should be corrected immediately. Please submit written, signed, and dated compliance documentation to me at the email/address below detailing the steps taken to correct each violation. Your compliance documentation must include the following: 1) A compliance letter including the following: 1. The name of your facility 2. The ID number of your facility 3. The date you write the letter 4. A corrective action statement for each violation stating how you corrected the violation and are now in compliance. 5. A compliance plan statement for each violation stating how you plan to ensure that you will not have that violation again. 6. Your signature 2) Supporting documentation including the following: Please send supporting documentation such as training certificates, CBC letters, acknowledgement statements, and photographs for me to use to verify compliance. Please DO NOT send staff or child medical documents or documentation for verification as this is a violation of HIPPA protocol. If needed I will verify these documents at the next monitoring visit. I must receive your compliance letter no later than July 25, 2023. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If you state in your compliance letter that corrections have been made when they have not, it will be considered falsification of information. If you cannot meet the requirements by this date you shall contact me with a timeline of the corrections. In some cases, this timeline may be extended. 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. Child care programs are required to maintain compliance with all applicable child care rules and regulations at all times. 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 eighteen (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. Any violations cited during a visit may affect your score. Your letter may be mailed to me at: Kimberly Crane Post Office Box 6217 Hickory, NC 28603 For your convenience, your compliance letter may be sent by email to: kimberly.crane@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 in the body of the email: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 During today’s visit, I provided the following technical assistance: 1) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4), over-the-counter diaper creams and sunscreens should be labeled with the name of the child and the parent should complete the permission to administer form leaving no spaces blank. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review the permission to administer form when received from the parent and prior to the parent leaving the facility. 2) Per sanitation rule 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b), all cleaning supplies, aerosol cans, and items with “Keep out of the reach children” labels with additional warnings such as poison control contact numbers or first aid procedures should be stored in a locked cabinet, drawer, or closet. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock these hazardous items in the cabinets in the classroom. 3) Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed to reflect the maximum number of children allowed in the space as being the maximum number of students allowed in a group or the maximum space capacity whichever is the lesser number and posted in each classroom. 4) An individualized written activity plan should be created, posted, and followed for each infant and 1-year-old group or classroom. 5) A daily schedule should be created, posted, and followed in each classroom. 6) Documents required by child care rule to be posted including Individual Feeding Schedules should be posted individually at a level easily seen by staff and consultants. To maintain compliance with this monitoring expectation and child care requirement, I suggested you hang your Individual Feeding Schedules on a bulletin board or the wall in the classrooms serving children under 15 months of age. 7) The Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan and the Ready to Go file should be reviewed annually and when changes are made in the plan. The EPR Plan should be reviewed and updated by the person in the facility who has completed the Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning training using the emergency management portal. 8) The Safe Sleep policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. Best practice is to also include on the Safe Sleep policy the name of the facility and the date the policy was adopted. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 9) Each child should have an authorization for emergency medical care signed and dated by the parent on file on or before the child’s first day of attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 10) A Children’s Medical Report with section A completed by the parent and section B completed by the health care professional should be on file for each child within the first 30 days of the child’s attendance. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 11) The discipline policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the parent should include the child’s date of enrollment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 12) The child’s enrollment application should include the emergency medical information. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this document when received from the parent during the enrollment process prior to the child’s first day of attendance. 13) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0604(q), plastic bags including diaper wipe refill bags, Ziploc bags, grocery bags, and opened shrink wrapped or bagged products should be stored inaccessible to children under three years of age by storing these items above five feet or in a locked cabinet, closet, or drawer. Foam rubber products including foam blocks in block centers should not be used with children under three years of age. Styrofoam plates, bowls, and cups may be used with children under three years of age for food service. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you place all plastic bags above five feet or in a locked cabinet or drawer and remove all foam materials from the activity areas in the rooms serving children under three years of age. 14) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2508(e)(1-5), when screen time is provided on any electronic device with a visual display, it should be: a. offered as a free choice activity; b. used to meet a developmental goal; c. limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and no more than two and a half hours per week, per child; d. documented on a cumulative log or activity plan, available for review by a representative of the Division; and e. usage time periods may be extended for school assigned homework. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested teachers log whole group screen time activities on the activity plan and log individual screen time usage on the screen time log provided by DCDEE. 15) Per Sanitation rule for child care centers, 15A NCAC 18A.2820(d), medications including prescription and non-prescription items should be stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you lock diaper creams and sunscreens in the locked cabinets located on the walls and above five feet. 16) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0510(f), screen time should not be offered to children under three years of age. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review this child care requirement with teachers serving children under three years of age. 17) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(4)&(6-9), the medication permission to administer form should include the directions for how to administer the medication is to be administered and the valid dates the medication may be administered. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you review all medication permission to administer forms when received from the parent and before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 18) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0803(1)(a & b), a drug or medicine was administered without written authorization and/or instructions from a child's parent or authorized health professional. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you only accept medications from parents if a medication permission to administer form is also received from the parent before the parent leaves the facility at the time of receiving the medication. 19) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(g)(1-6), incident logs should be completed any time an incident report is completed, kept cumulative, maintained in a separate file, and available for review by a representative of the Division. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you maintain your Incident Log as an on-going process logging incident reports daily and/or weekly. Allowing incident reports to accumulate over months at a time becomes an overwhelming task for administrative staff. 20) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4), the Prevention of the Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy acknowledgement statement signed and dated by the staff should include the individual’s name, the date the center’s policy was given and explained to the individual, the individual’s signature, and the date the individual signed the acknowledgment. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggested you double-check each staff acknowledgement statement during the orientation training process to be sure the statements are signed and dated and completed as required prior to placing the document in the staff record file. 21) New staff orientation training should be completed within two weeks and six weeks even if a holiday(s) fall within that period of time. Be sure to document on the New Staff Orientation Training Record with the exact time spent on each topic. When providing new staff orientation training, be sure to use the most current EPR Plan and Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Plan. 22) When hiring staff with no early childhood education or experience, you should be prepared to assist these employees to meet preservice requirements for a teacher or lead teacher within the first six months of employment by enrolling the employee in EDU 119 or offering the NC Early Childhood Education Equivalency Exam if applicable. Best practice is to provide these employees new to the child care setting a supervised training period that allows these employees to count in staff to child ratio but not be left alone to supervise children until the new staff orientation training has been completed and longer if possible. 23) Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a), safe indoor and outdoor environment shall be provided for the children in care including providing equipment and furnishings that are in good repair, sturdy, stable, and free of hazards. To maintain this child care requirement in your outdoor play areas, I suggested you place work orders for repairs and maintenance as soon as you notice needs and include vegetation removal along your fence lines as part of your routine work order when requesting mulch surfacing maintenance. Due to the number of violations cited during today’s visit, I informed you an unannounced follow-up visit would be made in the near future. Due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary was prepared at the completion of the visit, reviewed with Ms. James, and a copy was left with you today. I will complete a computer-generated visit summary packet and the “Annual Compliance Monitoring Checklist for Child Care Centers” and email you a copy within two business days. Please continue to visit DCDEE’s website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ to get the latest information for child care settings and child care updates including the most up to date documents and forms. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families in your community. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone at (828) 493-6390 or by email at kimberly.crane@dhhs.nc.gov or my supervisor, Kris Updike, by email at kris.updike@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time today. 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