10A NCAC 09 . 0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: SHUFORD ELEMENTARY KID CONNECTION Facility ID: 18000523 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/17/2025 Number Present: 27 Completed Date: 9/17/2025 Age: From 5 To 10 Total Minutes: 205 Time In: 03:05 PM Time Out: 06:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor for compliance with applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. You, Kaila Quinley, Program Coordinator and Person in Charge at Time of Visit, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted the facility's last annual compliance visit on February 26, 2025. The center's compliance history was 100% as viewed on September 16, 2025 prior to your visit and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on March 7, 2018, earning seven points in staff education, six points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, web address, email address, and mailing address. I reviewed the permit restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces and environments and bathrooms used by the students. You stated Space 1 (Room 110) and Space 4 (Room 101) were not currently being used by Kid Connection. I observed you, the program coordinator (PC), position their selves in the hallway outside of Space 5 between the classroom door and the lobby area leading to another wing of the building. I observed the group leader (GL) position their selves at the top of the hallway between the school restrooms and the gym. I observed students greeted by you and the GL upon arrival in the hallway, place their bookbags and personal belongings in laundry baskets, and line up according to gender on the wall outside the school restroom and the wall outside the school gym. I observed you take a group of eleven male students into Space 5 where they washed hands in preparation for snack. I observed the GL take a group of fifteen female students into Space 1 where they washed hands in preparation for snack. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, I observed one additional female student join the GL’s group bringing the total number of students in this group to sixteen female students. At 3:33pm, I observed you enter the cafeteria with eleven male students bringing the total number of students in attendance to twenty-seven. While asking the ages of the youngest and oldest student in the total group, I was informed that five students were five years of age and five-year-old students were included in both the male and female groupings. I observed you take attendance and complete a name to face check. The GL then called tables of students to come get snack. Students returned to their table seat and ate snack. You placed a clipboard labeled “Inside” on one table by the stage of the cafeteria and one clipboard labeled “Outside” on one table by the stage of the cafeteria. As students finished eating their snack, they selected their name tag from a hanging organizer on a rolling cart and moved to the back of the cafeteria where they placed their name tag on a clipboard to indicate whether they chose to stay “Inside” or go “Outside”. Students then sat at the respective table to socialize while they waited for their peers to finish snack and make their activity choice. During the transition from snack to activity choice, from 3:48pm to 3:50pm, I observed you leave the cafeteria with two students which left the GL in the cafeteria supervising a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age. At 3:50pm, a parent entered the cafeteria and picked up their female child. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, the GL was left supervising a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age. Upon returning to the cafeteria at 3:51pm, you gave two five-year-old students permission to use the hall restroom unattended by an adult. A few minutes later, you sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. I observed the students divided into two groups before leaving the cafeteria. The. GL took a group of fourteen students ranging from five to ten years of age to the playground where they participated in unstructured physical activity. You took a group of eleven students ranging from five to ten years of age to Space 5 where they participated their choice of a yarn craft project, games and manipulatives, creative arts activities including music and art, reading activities, family living and dramatic play, science exploration, or homework. At one point in the visit, I observed you give permission for one young student to go to the hallway with an older student but without adult supervision. I informed you that the students needed to be supervised while in the hallway and instructed you to stand in the classroom doorway where they could see the group in the classroom and the students in the hallway at the same time. Throughout the remainder of the visit, I observed students departing from the playground and the classroom with you and GL communicating with a walkie-talkie. I observed students allowed to move from the playground to the classroom and the classroom to the playground as a group size maximum of fourteen students was maintained. Positive staff interactions were observed and students were fully engaged and interacted positively with their peers and the staff throughout the visit. 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. Meals observed today met the meal pattern requirements. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of forty-one degrees Fahrenheit. 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 monitored two staff files for returning employees and was able to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, current and valid CPR and First Aid training, current and valid BSAC training, and completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. I monitored one staff file for a new employee hired since the last annual compliance visit on February 26, 2025. A staff and training worksheet was provided prior to the visit and is attached to this visit summary. I monitored health and safety requirements. On February 25, 2025 during an annual compliance visit, I monitored your written administrative and personnel policies documented in your Kid Connection Operations Manual dated March 2020 and your written operational policies and parent participation plan documented in your Parent Handbook date July 2023. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies. 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 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the gymnasium did not have a ratio requirement box checked. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the cafeteria did not include the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 852 Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. No incident report had been completed for two separate minor injuries that occurred on 09/16/2025. .0802 (e) 1424 School-aged children were not adequately supervised. At 3:51pm, a staff member gave two five-year-old students permission to leave the group to from the cafeteria and down the hallway unattended by a staff member to use the hall restroom. A few minutes later, the staff member sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. Later in the visit, a staff member gave permission for one young student to go into the hallway to get some out of their bookbag and sent an older student with them with no staff supervision. .2506(d)(1-3) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of sixteen female students ranging from five to ten years of age. From 3:48pm to 3:50pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age while the other staff member took two students to the classroom to depart with their parent. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age until the other staff member returned to the cafeteria. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2818 and .3208, enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes shall(must) be maintained at all times. During today’s visit, enhanced staff/child ratios were not maintained on three separate occasions. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, in the cafeteria, I observed the GL supervising a group of sixteen female students ranging from five to ten years of age. From 3:48pm to 3:50pm, in the cafeteria, I observed the GL supervising a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age while the PC took two students to the classroom to depart with their parent. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, in the cafeteria, the GL supervised a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age until the PC returned to the cafeteria. To correct this violation and maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you divide your groups by ages rather than by gender and adjusting the groupings to allow for no more than fifteen students when five-year-old students are present in the grouping. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement when staff members need to leave the room to assist students in the bathroom or to assist parents with departure, I suggest you develop a plan that includes taking a group of students with you to ensure that the grouping that includes five-year-old students does not exceed fifteen students or adjust your daily routine to include washing hands, using the bathroom and eating snack in the classroom until an additional group leader can be hired and trained to relieve the staff/child ratio demands of this growing program. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2506 (d) Care For School-Age Children: General Safety Requirements, all school-age children shall(must) be adequately supervised. Adequate supervision of school-age children means staff should be with the group of children and able to hear or see each child in his or her care, except: (1) Children who are developmentally able may be permitted to go to the restroom independently, provided that: (A) staff members' proximity to children assures immediate intervention to safeguard a child from harm; (B) individuals who are not staff members may not enter the restroom area while in use by any child; and (C) children up to nine years of age are supervised by staff members who are able to hear the child. Children nine years of age and older are not required to be directly supervised, however, staff members shall know the whereabouts of children who have left their group to use the restroom; (2) Adequate supervision for children nine years of age and older means that staff are with the group of children and able to hear or see each child in his or her care. A staff member shall(must) accompany any children who leave the group to go indoors or outdoors; and (3) When emergencies necessitate that direct supervision is impossible for brief periods of time. During today’s visit, at 3:51pm, the PC gave two five-year-old students permission to use the hall restroom unattended by an adult. A few minutes later, the PC sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. At one point in the visit, I observed the PC give permission for one young student to go to the hallway with an older student but without adult supervision. To correct this violation and maintain compliance with child care requirement, I informed the PC that the students needed to be supervised while in the hallway. I instructed the PC to stand in the classroom doorway where they could see the group in the classroom and the students in the hallway at the same time. I suggest you develop a plan to ensure that students are adequately supervised at all times until an additional group leader can be hired and trained to relieve the supervision demands of this growing program. 3. Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed and posted 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 greater number. Documenting the space capacity allows your staff to know the maximum number of students allowed in the space should the need arise for multiple groups to be combined together in the same space. Today, the Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the gymnasium did not have a ratio requirement box checked. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the cafeteria did not include the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space which resulted in a violation. To correct this violation, you will need to check the box next to “Highest Voluntary Enhanced Requirements” per your organizations policy. You will need to add the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print and laminate copies of the Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet so changes may be made easily as needed. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802 EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE (e), the child care provider shall(must) complete an incident report each time a child is injured as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care. This report shall(must) be signed by the person completing it and by the parent, a copy given to the parent or the parent declining a copy and the report maintained in the child's file. A copy of the form may be found on the Division's website at http://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/pdf_forms/DCDEE-0058.pdf. Because the DCDEE provided document is referenced in the child care rule, the “Incident Report” form provided by DCDEE should be used for recording any and all incidents that occur when a student is in licensed care regardless of the severity of the injury. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0802(f), when medical treatment is required by a health care professional, community clinic, or local health department as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care, a copy of the incident report shall(must) be mailed to a representative of the Division within seven calendar days after the incident. Also be reminded that per child care rule10A, NCAC 09 .0802(g), an incident log shall(must) be completed any time an incident report is completed. This log shall be completed on a form provided by the Division. A copy of the log may be found on the Division's website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Portals/0/documents/pdf/I/incident_log_i.pdf?ver=2017-05-16-105723-723. During today’s visit, the PC showed me the incident log from the 2024 – 2025 school year but was not aware of the “Incident Report” form and when it was to be completed. The PC was able to locate the “Incident Report” form which they had printed from the DCDEE website was not aware that it was a required document and when to use it. The PC showed me a spiral notebook in which she had recorded documentation notes for various students which included documentation of two separate minor injuries that had occurred on 09/16/2025. No incident report had been completed for these two separate incidents which resulted in a violation. To correct this violation, you will need to complete an “Incident Report” for the two separate incidents that occurred on 09/16/2025. When completing incident reports, be sure to complete all the following required information on the incident report and have the parent sign the incident report form: (1) facility identifying information; (2) the child's name; (3) date and time of the incident; (4) witness to the incident; (5) time the parent is notified of the incident and by whom; (6) piece of equipment involved, if applicable; (7) cause of injury, if applicable; (8) type of injury, if applicable; (9) body part injured, if applicable; (10) where the child received medical treatment, if applicable; (11) description of how and where the incident occurred, and the First Aid received; and (12) steps taken to prevent recurrence. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you develop a plan that assists you to remember to complete an incident report on the DCDEE provider document any time an injury occurs while a student is in licensed care and to submit that incident report to me when a child receives medical treatment as a result of an injury that occurred while the students was in licensed care. CONSULTATION: 1. Due to the nature of two violations cited today, a follow-up visit will be made to this facility within two weeks. 2. 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. 3. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 4. 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 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 5. Here is the link to the Children’s Resource Center training calendar: https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchildrensresourcecenter.org%2Ftraining-calendar%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.crane%40dhhs.nc.gov%7C101c6551811740280b8508ddb4d5fefa%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638865553370143920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OdnPYA%2B74ATZff2XV5xCwFjqwhdtx8vlujNbGYWB%2BNA%3D&reserved=0 6. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you’d wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. 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: 1. Please send photographs of the Classroom Staff to Child Worksheets as supporting documentation for me to use to verify correction of violation item number 319. 2. Please send copies of the completed incident reports for the two separate incidents that occurred on 09/16/2025 for me to use to verify correction of violation item number 852. I should receive your compliance letter no later than October 1, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. 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. An administrative action may be issued based on child care requirements outlined in Child Care Rule .2200 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND CIVIL PENALTIES. 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, due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary and enrollment worksheet was prepared, reviewed, signed, and left with you. A computer-generated visit summary packet and revised handwritten visit summary showing the accurate time out of the facility and revised enrollment worksheet showing the location of the groups was prepared, printed, and mailed to you within two business days. 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: SHUFORD ELEMENTARY KID CONNECTION Facility ID: 18000523 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/17/2025 Number Present: 27 Completed Date: 9/17/2025 Age: From 5 To 10 Total Minutes: 205 Time In: 03:05 PM Time Out: 06:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor for compliance with applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. You, Kaila Quinley, Program Coordinator and Person in Charge at Time of Visit, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted the facility's last annual compliance visit on February 26, 2025. The center's compliance history was 100% as viewed on September 16, 2025 prior to your visit and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on March 7, 2018, earning seven points in staff education, six points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, web address, email address, and mailing address. I reviewed the permit restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces and environments and bathrooms used by the students. You stated Space 1 (Room 110) and Space 4 (Room 101) were not currently being used by Kid Connection. I observed you, the program coordinator (PC), position their selves in the hallway outside of Space 5 between the classroom door and the lobby area leading to another wing of the building. I observed the group leader (GL) position their selves at the top of the hallway between the school restrooms and the gym. I observed students greeted by you and the GL upon arrival in the hallway, place their bookbags and personal belongings in laundry baskets, and line up according to gender on the wall outside the school restroom and the wall outside the school gym. I observed you take a group of eleven male students into Space 5 where they washed hands in preparation for snack. I observed the GL take a group of fifteen female students into Space 1 where they washed hands in preparation for snack. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, I observed one additional female student join the GL’s group bringing the total number of students in this group to sixteen female students. At 3:33pm, I observed you enter the cafeteria with eleven male students bringing the total number of students in attendance to twenty-seven. While asking the ages of the youngest and oldest student in the total group, I was informed that five students were five years of age and five-year-old students were included in both the male and female groupings. I observed you take attendance and complete a name to face check. The GL then called tables of students to come get snack. Students returned to their table seat and ate snack. You placed a clipboard labeled “Inside” on one table by the stage of the cafeteria and one clipboard labeled “Outside” on one table by the stage of the cafeteria. As students finished eating their snack, they selected their name tag from a hanging organizer on a rolling cart and moved to the back of the cafeteria where they placed their name tag on a clipboard to indicate whether they chose to stay “Inside” or go “Outside”. Students then sat at the respective table to socialize while they waited for their peers to finish snack and make their activity choice. During the transition from snack to activity choice, from 3:48pm to 3:50pm, I observed you leave the cafeteria with two students which left the GL in the cafeteria supervising a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age. At 3:50pm, a parent entered the cafeteria and picked up their female child. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, the GL was left supervising a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age. Upon returning to the cafeteria at 3:51pm, you gave two five-year-old students permission to use the hall restroom unattended by an adult. A few minutes later, you sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. I observed the students divided into two groups before leaving the cafeteria. The. GL took a group of fourteen students ranging from five to ten years of age to the playground where they participated in unstructured physical activity. You took a group of eleven students ranging from five to ten years of age to Space 5 where they participated their choice of a yarn craft project, games and manipulatives, creative arts activities including music and art, reading activities, family living and dramatic play, science exploration, or homework. At one point in the visit, I observed you give permission for one young student to go to the hallway with an older student but without adult supervision. I informed you that the students needed to be supervised while in the hallway and instructed you to stand in the classroom doorway where they could see the group in the classroom and the students in the hallway at the same time. Throughout the remainder of the visit, I observed students departing from the playground and the classroom with you and GL communicating with a walkie-talkie. I observed students allowed to move from the playground to the classroom and the classroom to the playground as a group size maximum of fourteen students was maintained. Positive staff interactions were observed and students were fully engaged and interacted positively with their peers and the staff throughout the visit. 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. Meals observed today met the meal pattern requirements. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of forty-one degrees Fahrenheit. 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 monitored two staff files for returning employees and was able to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, current and valid CPR and First Aid training, current and valid BSAC training, and completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. I monitored one staff file for a new employee hired since the last annual compliance visit on February 26, 2025. A staff and training worksheet was provided prior to the visit and is attached to this visit summary. I monitored health and safety requirements. On February 25, 2025 during an annual compliance visit, I monitored your written administrative and personnel policies documented in your Kid Connection Operations Manual dated March 2020 and your written operational policies and parent participation plan documented in your Parent Handbook date July 2023. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies. 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 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the gymnasium did not have a ratio requirement box checked. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the cafeteria did not include the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 852 Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. No incident report had been completed for two separate minor injuries that occurred on 09/16/2025. .0802 (e) 1424 School-aged children were not adequately supervised. At 3:51pm, a staff member gave two five-year-old students permission to leave the group to from the cafeteria and down the hallway unattended by a staff member to use the hall restroom. A few minutes later, the staff member sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. Later in the visit, a staff member gave permission for one young student to go into the hallway to get some out of their bookbag and sent an older student with them with no staff supervision. .2506(d)(1-3) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of sixteen female students ranging from five to ten years of age. From 3:48pm to 3:50pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age while the other staff member took two students to the classroom to depart with their parent. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age until the other staff member returned to the cafeteria. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2818 and .3208, enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes shall(must) be maintained at all times. During today’s visit, enhanced staff/child ratios were not maintained on three separate occasions. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, in the cafeteria, I observed the GL supervising a group of sixteen female students ranging from five to ten years of age. From 3:48pm to 3:50pm, in the cafeteria, I observed the GL supervising a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age while the PC took two students to the classroom to depart with their parent. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, in the cafeteria, the GL supervised a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age until the PC returned to the cafeteria. To correct this violation and maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you divide your groups by ages rather than by gender and adjusting the groupings to allow for no more than fifteen students when five-year-old students are present in the grouping. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement when staff members need to leave the room to assist students in the bathroom or to assist parents with departure, I suggest you develop a plan that includes taking a group of students with you to ensure that the grouping that includes five-year-old students does not exceed fifteen students or adjust your daily routine to include washing hands, using the bathroom and eating snack in the classroom until an additional group leader can be hired and trained to relieve the staff/child ratio demands of this growing program. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2506 (d) Care For School-Age Children: General Safety Requirements, all school-age children shall(must) be adequately supervised. Adequate supervision of school-age children means staff should be with the group of children and able to hear or see each child in his or her care, except: (1) Children who are developmentally able may be permitted to go to the restroom independently, provided that: (A) staff members' proximity to children assures immediate intervention to safeguard a child from harm; (B) individuals who are not staff members may not enter the restroom area while in use by any child; and (C) children up to nine years of age are supervised by staff members who are able to hear the child. Children nine years of age and older are not required to be directly supervised, however, staff members shall know the whereabouts of children who have left their group to use the restroom; (2) Adequate supervision for children nine years of age and older means that staff are with the group of children and able to hear or see each child in his or her care. A staff member shall(must) accompany any children who leave the group to go indoors or outdoors; and (3) When emergencies necessitate that direct supervision is impossible for brief periods of time. During today’s visit, at 3:51pm, the PC gave two five-year-old students permission to use the hall restroom unattended by an adult. A few minutes later, the PC sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. At one point in the visit, I observed the PC give permission for one young student to go to the hallway with an older student but without adult supervision. To correct this violation and maintain compliance with child care requirement, I informed the PC that the students needed to be supervised while in the hallway. I instructed the PC to stand in the classroom doorway where they could see the group in the classroom and the students in the hallway at the same time. I suggest you develop a plan to ensure that students are adequately supervised at all times until an additional group leader can be hired and trained to relieve the supervision demands of this growing program. 3. Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed and posted 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 greater number. Documenting the space capacity allows your staff to know the maximum number of students allowed in the space should the need arise for multiple groups to be combined together in the same space. Today, the Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the gymnasium did not have a ratio requirement box checked. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the cafeteria did not include the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space which resulted in a violation. To correct this violation, you will need to check the box next to “Highest Voluntary Enhanced Requirements” per your organizations policy. You will need to add the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print and laminate copies of the Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet so changes may be made easily as needed. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802 EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE (e), the child care provider shall(must) complete an incident report each time a child is injured as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care. This report shall(must) be signed by the person completing it and by the parent, a copy given to the parent or the parent declining a copy and the report maintained in the child's file. A copy of the form may be found on the Division's website at http://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/pdf_forms/DCDEE-0058.pdf. Because the DCDEE provided document is referenced in the child care rule, the “Incident Report” form provided by DCDEE should be used for recording any and all incidents that occur when a student is in licensed care regardless of the severity of the injury. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0802(f), when medical treatment is required by a health care professional, community clinic, or local health department as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care, a copy of the incident report shall(must) be mailed to a representative of the Division within seven calendar days after the incident. Also be reminded that per child care rule10A, NCAC 09 .0802(g), an incident log shall(must) be completed any time an incident report is completed. This log shall be completed on a form provided by the Division. A copy of the log may be found on the Division's website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Portals/0/documents/pdf/I/incident_log_i.pdf?ver=2017-05-16-105723-723. During today’s visit, the PC showed me the incident log from the 2024 – 2025 school year but was not aware of the “Incident Report” form and when it was to be completed. The PC was able to locate the “Incident Report” form which they had printed from the DCDEE website was not aware that it was a required document and when to use it. The PC showed me a spiral notebook in which she had recorded documentation notes for various students which included documentation of two separate minor injuries that had occurred on 09/16/2025. No incident report had been completed for these two separate incidents which resulted in a violation. To correct this violation, you will need to complete an “Incident Report” for the two separate incidents that occurred on 09/16/2025. When completing incident reports, be sure to complete all the following required information on the incident report and have the parent sign the incident report form: (1) facility identifying information; (2) the child's name; (3) date and time of the incident; (4) witness to the incident; (5) time the parent is notified of the incident and by whom; (6) piece of equipment involved, if applicable; (7) cause of injury, if applicable; (8) type of injury, if applicable; (9) body part injured, if applicable; (10) where the child received medical treatment, if applicable; (11) description of how and where the incident occurred, and the First Aid received; and (12) steps taken to prevent recurrence. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you develop a plan that assists you to remember to complete an incident report on the DCDEE provider document any time an injury occurs while a student is in licensed care and to submit that incident report to me when a child receives medical treatment as a result of an injury that occurred while the students was in licensed care. CONSULTATION: 1. Due to the nature of two violations cited today, a follow-up visit will be made to this facility within two weeks. 2. 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. 3. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 4. 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 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 5. Here is the link to the Children’s Resource Center training calendar: https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchildrensresourcecenter.org%2Ftraining-calendar%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.crane%40dhhs.nc.gov%7C101c6551811740280b8508ddb4d5fefa%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638865553370143920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OdnPYA%2B74ATZff2XV5xCwFjqwhdtx8vlujNbGYWB%2BNA%3D&reserved=0 6. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you’d wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. 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: 1. Please send photographs of the Classroom Staff to Child Worksheets as supporting documentation for me to use to verify correction of violation item number 319. 2. Please send copies of the completed incident reports for the two separate incidents that occurred on 09/16/2025 for me to use to verify correction of violation item number 852. I should receive your compliance letter no later than October 1, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. 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. An administrative action may be issued based on child care requirements outlined in Child Care Rule .2200 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND CIVIL PENALTIES. 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, due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary and enrollment worksheet was prepared, reviewed, signed, and left with you. A computer-generated visit summary packet and revised handwritten visit summary showing the accurate time out of the facility and revised enrollment worksheet showing the location of the groups was prepared, printed, and mailed to you within two business days. 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 .2506 · Violation

Name of Operation: SHUFORD ELEMENTARY KID CONNECTION Facility ID: 18000523 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/17/2025 Number Present: 27 Completed Date: 9/17/2025 Age: From 5 To 10 Total Minutes: 205 Time In: 03:05 PM Time Out: 06:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor for compliance with applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. You, Kaila Quinley, Program Coordinator and Person in Charge at Time of Visit, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted the facility's last annual compliance visit on February 26, 2025. The center's compliance history was 100% as viewed on September 16, 2025 prior to your visit and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on March 7, 2018, earning seven points in staff education, six points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, web address, email address, and mailing address. I reviewed the permit restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces and environments and bathrooms used by the students. You stated Space 1 (Room 110) and Space 4 (Room 101) were not currently being used by Kid Connection. I observed you, the program coordinator (PC), position their selves in the hallway outside of Space 5 between the classroom door and the lobby area leading to another wing of the building. I observed the group leader (GL) position their selves at the top of the hallway between the school restrooms and the gym. I observed students greeted by you and the GL upon arrival in the hallway, place their bookbags and personal belongings in laundry baskets, and line up according to gender on the wall outside the school restroom and the wall outside the school gym. I observed you take a group of eleven male students into Space 5 where they washed hands in preparation for snack. I observed the GL take a group of fifteen female students into Space 1 where they washed hands in preparation for snack. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, I observed one additional female student join the GL’s group bringing the total number of students in this group to sixteen female students. At 3:33pm, I observed you enter the cafeteria with eleven male students bringing the total number of students in attendance to twenty-seven. While asking the ages of the youngest and oldest student in the total group, I was informed that five students were five years of age and five-year-old students were included in both the male and female groupings. I observed you take attendance and complete a name to face check. The GL then called tables of students to come get snack. Students returned to their table seat and ate snack. You placed a clipboard labeled “Inside” on one table by the stage of the cafeteria and one clipboard labeled “Outside” on one table by the stage of the cafeteria. As students finished eating their snack, they selected their name tag from a hanging organizer on a rolling cart and moved to the back of the cafeteria where they placed their name tag on a clipboard to indicate whether they chose to stay “Inside” or go “Outside”. Students then sat at the respective table to socialize while they waited for their peers to finish snack and make their activity choice. During the transition from snack to activity choice, from 3:48pm to 3:50pm, I observed you leave the cafeteria with two students which left the GL in the cafeteria supervising a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age. At 3:50pm, a parent entered the cafeteria and picked up their female child. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, the GL was left supervising a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age. Upon returning to the cafeteria at 3:51pm, you gave two five-year-old students permission to use the hall restroom unattended by an adult. A few minutes later, you sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. I observed the students divided into two groups before leaving the cafeteria. The. GL took a group of fourteen students ranging from five to ten years of age to the playground where they participated in unstructured physical activity. You took a group of eleven students ranging from five to ten years of age to Space 5 where they participated their choice of a yarn craft project, games and manipulatives, creative arts activities including music and art, reading activities, family living and dramatic play, science exploration, or homework. At one point in the visit, I observed you give permission for one young student to go to the hallway with an older student but without adult supervision. I informed you that the students needed to be supervised while in the hallway and instructed you to stand in the classroom doorway where they could see the group in the classroom and the students in the hallway at the same time. Throughout the remainder of the visit, I observed students departing from the playground and the classroom with you and GL communicating with a walkie-talkie. I observed students allowed to move from the playground to the classroom and the classroom to the playground as a group size maximum of fourteen students was maintained. Positive staff interactions were observed and students were fully engaged and interacted positively with their peers and the staff throughout the visit. 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. Meals observed today met the meal pattern requirements. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of forty-one degrees Fahrenheit. 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 monitored two staff files for returning employees and was able to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, current and valid CPR and First Aid training, current and valid BSAC training, and completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. I monitored one staff file for a new employee hired since the last annual compliance visit on February 26, 2025. A staff and training worksheet was provided prior to the visit and is attached to this visit summary. I monitored health and safety requirements. On February 25, 2025 during an annual compliance visit, I monitored your written administrative and personnel policies documented in your Kid Connection Operations Manual dated March 2020 and your written operational policies and parent participation plan documented in your Parent Handbook date July 2023. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies. 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 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the gymnasium did not have a ratio requirement box checked. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the cafeteria did not include the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 852 Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. No incident report had been completed for two separate minor injuries that occurred on 09/16/2025. .0802 (e) 1424 School-aged children were not adequately supervised. At 3:51pm, a staff member gave two five-year-old students permission to leave the group to from the cafeteria and down the hallway unattended by a staff member to use the hall restroom. A few minutes later, the staff member sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. Later in the visit, a staff member gave permission for one young student to go into the hallway to get some out of their bookbag and sent an older student with them with no staff supervision. .2506(d)(1-3) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of sixteen female students ranging from five to ten years of age. From 3:48pm to 3:50pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age while the other staff member took two students to the classroom to depart with their parent. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age until the other staff member returned to the cafeteria. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2818 and .3208, enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes shall(must) be maintained at all times. During today’s visit, enhanced staff/child ratios were not maintained on three separate occasions. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, in the cafeteria, I observed the GL supervising a group of sixteen female students ranging from five to ten years of age. From 3:48pm to 3:50pm, in the cafeteria, I observed the GL supervising a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age while the PC took two students to the classroom to depart with their parent. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, in the cafeteria, the GL supervised a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age until the PC returned to the cafeteria. To correct this violation and maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you divide your groups by ages rather than by gender and adjusting the groupings to allow for no more than fifteen students when five-year-old students are present in the grouping. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement when staff members need to leave the room to assist students in the bathroom or to assist parents with departure, I suggest you develop a plan that includes taking a group of students with you to ensure that the grouping that includes five-year-old students does not exceed fifteen students or adjust your daily routine to include washing hands, using the bathroom and eating snack in the classroom until an additional group leader can be hired and trained to relieve the staff/child ratio demands of this growing program. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2506 (d) Care For School-Age Children: General Safety Requirements, all school-age children shall(must) be adequately supervised. Adequate supervision of school-age children means staff should be with the group of children and able to hear or see each child in his or her care, except: (1) Children who are developmentally able may be permitted to go to the restroom independently, provided that: (A) staff members' proximity to children assures immediate intervention to safeguard a child from harm; (B) individuals who are not staff members may not enter the restroom area while in use by any child; and (C) children up to nine years of age are supervised by staff members who are able to hear the child. Children nine years of age and older are not required to be directly supervised, however, staff members shall know the whereabouts of children who have left their group to use the restroom; (2) Adequate supervision for children nine years of age and older means that staff are with the group of children and able to hear or see each child in his or her care. A staff member shall(must) accompany any children who leave the group to go indoors or outdoors; and (3) When emergencies necessitate that direct supervision is impossible for brief periods of time. During today’s visit, at 3:51pm, the PC gave two five-year-old students permission to use the hall restroom unattended by an adult. A few minutes later, the PC sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. At one point in the visit, I observed the PC give permission for one young student to go to the hallway with an older student but without adult supervision. To correct this violation and maintain compliance with child care requirement, I informed the PC that the students needed to be supervised while in the hallway. I instructed the PC to stand in the classroom doorway where they could see the group in the classroom and the students in the hallway at the same time. I suggest you develop a plan to ensure that students are adequately supervised at all times until an additional group leader can be hired and trained to relieve the supervision demands of this growing program. 3. Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed and posted 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 greater number. Documenting the space capacity allows your staff to know the maximum number of students allowed in the space should the need arise for multiple groups to be combined together in the same space. Today, the Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the gymnasium did not have a ratio requirement box checked. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the cafeteria did not include the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space which resulted in a violation. To correct this violation, you will need to check the box next to “Highest Voluntary Enhanced Requirements” per your organizations policy. You will need to add the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print and laminate copies of the Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet so changes may be made easily as needed. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802 EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE (e), the child care provider shall(must) complete an incident report each time a child is injured as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care. This report shall(must) be signed by the person completing it and by the parent, a copy given to the parent or the parent declining a copy and the report maintained in the child's file. A copy of the form may be found on the Division's website at http://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/pdf_forms/DCDEE-0058.pdf. Because the DCDEE provided document is referenced in the child care rule, the “Incident Report” form provided by DCDEE should be used for recording any and all incidents that occur when a student is in licensed care regardless of the severity of the injury. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0802(f), when medical treatment is required by a health care professional, community clinic, or local health department as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care, a copy of the incident report shall(must) be mailed to a representative of the Division within seven calendar days after the incident. Also be reminded that per child care rule10A, NCAC 09 .0802(g), an incident log shall(must) be completed any time an incident report is completed. This log shall be completed on a form provided by the Division. A copy of the log may be found on the Division's website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Portals/0/documents/pdf/I/incident_log_i.pdf?ver=2017-05-16-105723-723. During today’s visit, the PC showed me the incident log from the 2024 – 2025 school year but was not aware of the “Incident Report” form and when it was to be completed. The PC was able to locate the “Incident Report” form which they had printed from the DCDEE website was not aware that it was a required document and when to use it. The PC showed me a spiral notebook in which she had recorded documentation notes for various students which included documentation of two separate minor injuries that had occurred on 09/16/2025. No incident report had been completed for these two separate incidents which resulted in a violation. To correct this violation, you will need to complete an “Incident Report” for the two separate incidents that occurred on 09/16/2025. When completing incident reports, be sure to complete all the following required information on the incident report and have the parent sign the incident report form: (1) facility identifying information; (2) the child's name; (3) date and time of the incident; (4) witness to the incident; (5) time the parent is notified of the incident and by whom; (6) piece of equipment involved, if applicable; (7) cause of injury, if applicable; (8) type of injury, if applicable; (9) body part injured, if applicable; (10) where the child received medical treatment, if applicable; (11) description of how and where the incident occurred, and the First Aid received; and (12) steps taken to prevent recurrence. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you develop a plan that assists you to remember to complete an incident report on the DCDEE provider document any time an injury occurs while a student is in licensed care and to submit that incident report to me when a child receives medical treatment as a result of an injury that occurred while the students was in licensed care. CONSULTATION: 1. Due to the nature of two violations cited today, a follow-up visit will be made to this facility within two weeks. 2. 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. 3. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 4. 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 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 5. Here is the link to the Children’s Resource Center training calendar: https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchildrensresourcecenter.org%2Ftraining-calendar%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.crane%40dhhs.nc.gov%7C101c6551811740280b8508ddb4d5fefa%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638865553370143920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OdnPYA%2B74ATZff2XV5xCwFjqwhdtx8vlujNbGYWB%2BNA%3D&reserved=0 6. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you’d wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. 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: 1. Please send photographs of the Classroom Staff to Child Worksheets as supporting documentation for me to use to verify correction of violation item number 319. 2. Please send copies of the completed incident reports for the two separate incidents that occurred on 09/16/2025 for me to use to verify correction of violation item number 852. I should receive your compliance letter no later than October 1, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. 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. An administrative action may be issued based on child care requirements outlined in Child Care Rule .2200 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND CIVIL PENALTIES. 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, due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary and enrollment worksheet was prepared, reviewed, signed, and left with you. A computer-generated visit summary packet and revised handwritten visit summary showing the accurate time out of the facility and revised enrollment worksheet showing the location of the groups was prepared, printed, and mailed to you within two business days. 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 .2818 · Violation

Name of Operation: SHUFORD ELEMENTARY KID CONNECTION Facility ID: 18000523 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/17/2025 Number Present: 27 Completed Date: 9/17/2025 Age: From 5 To 10 Total Minutes: 205 Time In: 03:05 PM Time Out: 06:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor for compliance with applicable child care requirements during a routine unannounced visit. You, Kaila Quinley, Program Coordinator and Person in Charge at Time of Visit, assisted me with today’s visit. I conducted the facility's last annual compliance visit on February 26, 2025. The center's compliance history was 100% as viewed on September 16, 2025 prior to your visit and was reviewed with you today. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued on March 7, 2018, earning seven points in staff education, six points in program standards, and one quality point for meeting staff benefits package and infrastructure for parent involvement. I reviewed with you today the facility information found in our system. You stated there have been no changes to the facility phone number, fax number, web address, email address, and mailing address. I reviewed the permit restrictions, capacity, and age range on your permit and observed these being maintained. I completed a walk-through of the indoor licensed spaces and environments and bathrooms used by the students. You stated Space 1 (Room 110) and Space 4 (Room 101) were not currently being used by Kid Connection. I observed you, the program coordinator (PC), position their selves in the hallway outside of Space 5 between the classroom door and the lobby area leading to another wing of the building. I observed the group leader (GL) position their selves at the top of the hallway between the school restrooms and the gym. I observed students greeted by you and the GL upon arrival in the hallway, place their bookbags and personal belongings in laundry baskets, and line up according to gender on the wall outside the school restroom and the wall outside the school gym. I observed you take a group of eleven male students into Space 5 where they washed hands in preparation for snack. I observed the GL take a group of fifteen female students into Space 1 where they washed hands in preparation for snack. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, I observed one additional female student join the GL’s group bringing the total number of students in this group to sixteen female students. At 3:33pm, I observed you enter the cafeteria with eleven male students bringing the total number of students in attendance to twenty-seven. While asking the ages of the youngest and oldest student in the total group, I was informed that five students were five years of age and five-year-old students were included in both the male and female groupings. I observed you take attendance and complete a name to face check. The GL then called tables of students to come get snack. Students returned to their table seat and ate snack. You placed a clipboard labeled “Inside” on one table by the stage of the cafeteria and one clipboard labeled “Outside” on one table by the stage of the cafeteria. As students finished eating their snack, they selected their name tag from a hanging organizer on a rolling cart and moved to the back of the cafeteria where they placed their name tag on a clipboard to indicate whether they chose to stay “Inside” or go “Outside”. Students then sat at the respective table to socialize while they waited for their peers to finish snack and make their activity choice. During the transition from snack to activity choice, from 3:48pm to 3:50pm, I observed you leave the cafeteria with two students which left the GL in the cafeteria supervising a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age. At 3:50pm, a parent entered the cafeteria and picked up their female child. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, the GL was left supervising a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age. Upon returning to the cafeteria at 3:51pm, you gave two five-year-old students permission to use the hall restroom unattended by an adult. A few minutes later, you sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. I observed the students divided into two groups before leaving the cafeteria. The. GL took a group of fourteen students ranging from five to ten years of age to the playground where they participated in unstructured physical activity. You took a group of eleven students ranging from five to ten years of age to Space 5 where they participated their choice of a yarn craft project, games and manipulatives, creative arts activities including music and art, reading activities, family living and dramatic play, science exploration, or homework. At one point in the visit, I observed you give permission for one young student to go to the hallway with an older student but without adult supervision. I informed you that the students needed to be supervised while in the hallway and instructed you to stand in the classroom doorway where they could see the group in the classroom and the students in the hallway at the same time. Throughout the remainder of the visit, I observed students departing from the playground and the classroom with you and GL communicating with a walkie-talkie. I observed students allowed to move from the playground to the classroom and the classroom to the playground as a group size maximum of fourteen students was maintained. Positive staff interactions were observed and students were fully engaged and interacted positively with their peers and the staff throughout the visit. 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. Meals observed today met the meal pattern requirements. Cold food and milk were stored in a commercial refrigerator in the kitchen at a temperature of forty-one degrees Fahrenheit. 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 monitored two staff files for returning employees and was able to verify current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, current and valid CPR and First Aid training, current and valid BSAC training, and completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. I monitored one staff file for a new employee hired since the last annual compliance visit on February 26, 2025. A staff and training worksheet was provided prior to the visit and is attached to this visit summary. I monitored health and safety requirements. On February 25, 2025 during an annual compliance visit, I monitored your written administrative and personnel policies documented in your Kid Connection Operations Manual dated March 2020 and your written operational policies and parent participation plan documented in your Parent Handbook date July 2023. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies. 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 319 Staff/child ratios applicable to a classroom, were not posted in each classroom. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the gymnasium did not have a ratio requirement box checked. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the cafeteria did not include the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space. .0713(a)(10), (c) & (f)(3); .2818(e) 852 Incident reports were not completed each time a child was injured, it did not include all the information required in rule, it was not signed by the parent and/or it was not maintained in the child's file. No incident report had been completed for two separate minor injuries that occurred on 09/16/2025. .0802 (e) 1424 School-aged children were not adequately supervised. At 3:51pm, a staff member gave two five-year-old students permission to leave the group to from the cafeteria and down the hallway unattended by a staff member to use the hall restroom. A few minutes later, the staff member sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. Later in the visit, a staff member gave permission for one young student to go into the hallway to get some out of their bookbag and sent an older student with them with no staff supervision. .2506(d)(1-3) 1756 Enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes were not met. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of sixteen female students ranging from five to ten years of age. From 3:48pm to 3:50pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age while the other staff member took two students to the classroom to depart with their parent. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, in the cafeteria, one staff member supervised a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age until the other staff member returned to the cafeteria. 10A NCAC 09 .2818 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2818 and .3208, enhanced staff/child ratios and group sizes shall(must) be maintained at all times. During today’s visit, enhanced staff/child ratios were not maintained on three separate occasions. From 3:25pm to 3:33pm, in the cafeteria, I observed the GL supervising a group of sixteen female students ranging from five to ten years of age. From 3:48pm to 3:50pm, in the cafeteria, I observed the GL supervising a group of twenty-five students ranging from five to ten years of age while the PC took two students to the classroom to depart with their parent. From 3:50pm to 3:51pm, in the cafeteria, the GL supervised a group of twenty-four students ranging from five to ten years of age until the PC returned to the cafeteria. To correct this violation and maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you divide your groups by ages rather than by gender and adjusting the groupings to allow for no more than fifteen students when five-year-old students are present in the grouping. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement when staff members need to leave the room to assist students in the bathroom or to assist parents with departure, I suggest you develop a plan that includes taking a group of students with you to ensure that the grouping that includes five-year-old students does not exceed fifteen students or adjust your daily routine to include washing hands, using the bathroom and eating snack in the classroom until an additional group leader can be hired and trained to relieve the staff/child ratio demands of this growing program. 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .2506 (d) Care For School-Age Children: General Safety Requirements, all school-age children shall(must) be adequately supervised. Adequate supervision of school-age children means staff should be with the group of children and able to hear or see each child in his or her care, except: (1) Children who are developmentally able may be permitted to go to the restroom independently, provided that: (A) staff members' proximity to children assures immediate intervention to safeguard a child from harm; (B) individuals who are not staff members may not enter the restroom area while in use by any child; and (C) children up to nine years of age are supervised by staff members who are able to hear the child. Children nine years of age and older are not required to be directly supervised, however, staff members shall know the whereabouts of children who have left their group to use the restroom; (2) Adequate supervision for children nine years of age and older means that staff are with the group of children and able to hear or see each child in his or her care. A staff member shall(must) accompany any children who leave the group to go indoors or outdoors; and (3) When emergencies necessitate that direct supervision is impossible for brief periods of time. During today’s visit, at 3:51pm, the PC gave two five-year-old students permission to use the hall restroom unattended by an adult. A few minutes later, the PC sent a ten-year-old student to supervise the two five-year-old students and bring them back to the cafeteria. At one point in the visit, I observed the PC give permission for one young student to go to the hallway with an older student but without adult supervision. To correct this violation and maintain compliance with child care requirement, I informed the PC that the students needed to be supervised while in the hallway. I instructed the PC to stand in the classroom doorway where they could see the group in the classroom and the students in the hallway at the same time. I suggest you develop a plan to ensure that students are adequately supervised at all times until an additional group leader can be hired and trained to relieve the supervision demands of this growing program. 3. Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheets should be completed and posted 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 greater number. Documenting the space capacity allows your staff to know the maximum number of students allowed in the space should the need arise for multiple groups to be combined together in the same space. Today, the Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the gymnasium did not have a ratio requirement box checked. The Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet posted in the cafeteria did not include the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space which resulted in a violation. To correct this violation, you will need to check the box next to “Highest Voluntary Enhanced Requirements” per your organizations policy. You will need to add the maximum space capacity as the maximum number of children allowed in the space. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you print and laminate copies of the Classroom Staff to Child Ratio Worksheet so changes may be made easily as needed. 4. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802 EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE (e), the child care provider shall(must) complete an incident report each time a child is injured as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care. This report shall(must) be signed by the person completing it and by the parent, a copy given to the parent or the parent declining a copy and the report maintained in the child's file. A copy of the form may be found on the Division's website at http://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/pdf_forms/DCDEE-0058.pdf. Because the DCDEE provided document is referenced in the child care rule, the “Incident Report” form provided by DCDEE should be used for recording any and all incidents that occur when a student is in licensed care regardless of the severity of the injury. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 . 0802(f), when medical treatment is required by a health care professional, community clinic, or local health department as a result of an incident occurring while the child is in care, a copy of the incident report shall(must) be mailed to a representative of the Division within seven calendar days after the incident. Also be reminded that per child care rule10A, NCAC 09 .0802(g), an incident log shall(must) be completed any time an incident report is completed. This log shall be completed on a form provided by the Division. A copy of the log may be found on the Division's website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Portals/0/documents/pdf/I/incident_log_i.pdf?ver=2017-05-16-105723-723. During today’s visit, the PC showed me the incident log from the 2024 – 2025 school year but was not aware of the “Incident Report” form and when it was to be completed. The PC was able to locate the “Incident Report” form which they had printed from the DCDEE website was not aware that it was a required document and when to use it. The PC showed me a spiral notebook in which she had recorded documentation notes for various students which included documentation of two separate minor injuries that had occurred on 09/16/2025. No incident report had been completed for these two separate incidents which resulted in a violation. To correct this violation, you will need to complete an “Incident Report” for the two separate incidents that occurred on 09/16/2025. When completing incident reports, be sure to complete all the following required information on the incident report and have the parent sign the incident report form: (1) facility identifying information; (2) the child's name; (3) date and time of the incident; (4) witness to the incident; (5) time the parent is notified of the incident and by whom; (6) piece of equipment involved, if applicable; (7) cause of injury, if applicable; (8) type of injury, if applicable; (9) body part injured, if applicable; (10) where the child received medical treatment, if applicable; (11) description of how and where the incident occurred, and the First Aid received; and (12) steps taken to prevent recurrence. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, I suggest you develop a plan that assists you to remember to complete an incident report on the DCDEE provider document any time an injury occurs while a student is in licensed care and to submit that incident report to me when a child receives medical treatment as a result of an injury that occurred while the students was in licensed care. CONSULTATION: 1. Due to the nature of two violations cited today, a follow-up visit will be made to this facility within two weeks. 2. 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. 3. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. 4. 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 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 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 DCDEE Updates, Current Projects, and information applicable to Child Care in NC: https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Whats-New 5. Here is the link to the Children’s Resource Center training calendar: https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchildrensresourcecenter.org%2Ftraining-calendar%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ckimberly.crane%40dhhs.nc.gov%7C101c6551811740280b8508ddb4d5fefa%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638865553370143920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OdnPYA%2B74ATZff2XV5xCwFjqwhdtx8vlujNbGYWB%2BNA%3D&reserved=0 6. If you would like an electronic link to any of the links shared above, please send me an email requesting the links that you’d wish to receive, and I will be glad to send the hyperlinks to you by email. 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: 1. Please send photographs of the Classroom Staff to Child Worksheets as supporting documentation for me to use to verify correction of violation item number 319. 2. Please send copies of the completed incident reports for the two separate incidents that occurred on 09/16/2025 for me to use to verify correction of violation item number 852. I should receive your compliance letter no later than October 1, 2025. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. 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. An administrative action may be issued based on child care requirements outlined in Child Care Rule .2200 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS AND CIVIL PENALTIES. 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, due to time restraints, a handwritten visit summary and enrollment worksheet was prepared, reviewed, signed, and left with you. A computer-generated visit summary packet and revised handwritten visit summary showing the accurate time out of the facility and revised enrollment worksheet showing the location of the groups was prepared, printed, and mailed to you within two business days. 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: SHUFORD ELEMENTARY KID CONNECTION Facility ID: 18000523 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/7/2023 Number Present: 25 Completed Date: 12/7/2023 Age: From 5 To 10 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 02:50 PM Time Out: 05:40 PM Time In: Time Out: 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 during a routine unannounced visit. You, Dawn Scott, Program Coordinator, assisted me with today’s visit. Kirsten Maynard, Off-Site Administrator, arrived late in the visit and signed the visit summary. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on April 27, 2023. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued March 7, 2018 earning 7 points in staff education, 6 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for having a staff benefit package and an infrastructure of parent involvement. Your center's compliance history was 100% as viewed today prior to your visit and was reviewed with you today. I observed your license posted as required. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2023 and was received in my office on September 19, 2023. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 13, 2023 with a Superior classification and 0 demerits. I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored licensed indoor and outdoor areas and bathrooms used by the students. You stated Space 1 (Room 110) and Space 4 (Room 101) were not currently being used. I observed and cited one violation. I observed children participate in arrival, eat snack, engage in free play in activity areas and outdoors, transitions, and personal care routines. I observed the teachers interacting with each child. I observed afternoon snack documented on a current and posted menu, prepared by cafeteria staff, and served by staff to the students in the cafeteria. I observed afternoon snack included yogurt, string cheese, cinnamon graham crackers, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, craisins, and unflavored milk. I observed children adequately supervised, approved space used, enhanced space capacity maintained, enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes maintained, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “School-age children only”, “Playground area does not meet child care safety standards”, “Age range extended to 14 years”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, and “Meets enhanced space” maintained during today’s visit. I monitored your hazardous product storage, general safety, and discipline during today’s visit. I monitored program records including fire drills, emergency drills, daily schedule, activity plans, screen-time, incident log, emergency medical care plan, and Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I observed and cited one violation. I monitored medication storage and administration. You stated none of the children currently enrolled currently take medications at school. I reviewed one staff record file for a new staff member hired since your last annual compliance visit. I reviewed two staff record files for two returning staff members. I verified current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid BSAC training, and completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. I observed and cited one violation. On November 22, 2022 during a routine unannounced visit, I monitored your written administrative and personnel policies documented in your Kid Connection Operations Manual dated March 2020. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies. Today, I monitored your written operational policies and your parent participation plan documented in your Parent Handbook date July 2023. I observed and cited no violations. The following violations were observed and cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One staff member with a date of employment of 10/18/2022 did not have training certificates on file to verify that the 8 required health and safety training topics had been completed within the first year of employment. .1102(a) 1914 The person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan was not on the premises at all times and/or did not accompany children for off premise activities. The emergency medical care plan dated 08/30/2023 did not include the names of the current staff as the responsible person or the alternate responsible person. .0802(b)(1-2) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(e) Handwash signs shall be posted at every handwash lavatory area. The signs shall instruct children and child care center employees to wash their hands in accordance with Rule .2803 of this Section. Handwashing signs were not posted in the hall bathrooms used by the students. Technical Assistance: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. Please be reminded per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1103(b), returning employees should revisit each H&S Training topic every five years. The due date of the H&S training five-year renewal is calculated five years from the date on each H&S training certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(b)(1-2), the person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan should be on the premises at all times and/or accompany children for off premise activities. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you and your staff should be listed as the person responsible or the alternate person responsible to carry out the emergency medical care plan. 3. Per sanitation rules for child care centers rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(e), each handwashing sink used should have a handwashing procedure sign for children posted at or near by. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you should find copies of the handwashing procedure sign for children and post them at the handwashing sinks used by the children in the hallway. 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. 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. 3. 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. 4. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE has developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. While the first reassessment year will not begin until July 1, 2024, the preparation year for cohort one begins July 1, 2023. Your facility is in Cohort 1. Throughout the next few months, I recommend you consider completing the following tasks and activities that will help prepare you for your reassessment year, which will be sometime between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have Environment Rating Scale (ERS) Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. • Consider requesting an ERS assessment (free of charge) during the preparation year. Remember the scores can be used in a variety of ways o ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality o If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment o Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year o Facilities can request another ERS assessment (free of charge) in your reassessment year for any ERS assessment scoring less than a 5.0 If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process Compliance Plan: All violations cited must 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 December 21, 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 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary and enrollment worksheet were printed, reviewed, and 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: SHUFORD ELEMENTARY KID CONNECTION Facility ID: 18000523 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/7/2023 Number Present: 25 Completed Date: 12/7/2023 Age: From 5 To 10 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 02:50 PM Time Out: 05:40 PM Time In: Time Out: 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 during a routine unannounced visit. You, Dawn Scott, Program Coordinator, assisted me with today’s visit. Kirsten Maynard, Off-Site Administrator, arrived late in the visit and signed the visit summary. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on April 27, 2023. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued March 7, 2018 earning 7 points in staff education, 6 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for having a staff benefit package and an infrastructure of parent involvement. Your center's compliance history was 100% as viewed today prior to your visit and was reviewed with you today. I observed your license posted as required. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2023 and was received in my office on September 19, 2023. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 13, 2023 with a Superior classification and 0 demerits. I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored licensed indoor and outdoor areas and bathrooms used by the students. You stated Space 1 (Room 110) and Space 4 (Room 101) were not currently being used. I observed and cited one violation. I observed children participate in arrival, eat snack, engage in free play in activity areas and outdoors, transitions, and personal care routines. I observed the teachers interacting with each child. I observed afternoon snack documented on a current and posted menu, prepared by cafeteria staff, and served by staff to the students in the cafeteria. I observed afternoon snack included yogurt, string cheese, cinnamon graham crackers, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, craisins, and unflavored milk. I observed children adequately supervised, approved space used, enhanced space capacity maintained, enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes maintained, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “School-age children only”, “Playground area does not meet child care safety standards”, “Age range extended to 14 years”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, and “Meets enhanced space” maintained during today’s visit. I monitored your hazardous product storage, general safety, and discipline during today’s visit. I monitored program records including fire drills, emergency drills, daily schedule, activity plans, screen-time, incident log, emergency medical care plan, and Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I observed and cited one violation. I monitored medication storage and administration. You stated none of the children currently enrolled currently take medications at school. I reviewed one staff record file for a new staff member hired since your last annual compliance visit. I reviewed two staff record files for two returning staff members. I verified current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid BSAC training, and completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. I observed and cited one violation. On November 22, 2022 during a routine unannounced visit, I monitored your written administrative and personnel policies documented in your Kid Connection Operations Manual dated March 2020. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies. Today, I monitored your written operational policies and your parent participation plan documented in your Parent Handbook date July 2023. I observed and cited no violations. The following violations were observed and cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One staff member with a date of employment of 10/18/2022 did not have training certificates on file to verify that the 8 required health and safety training topics had been completed within the first year of employment. .1102(a) 1914 The person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan was not on the premises at all times and/or did not accompany children for off premise activities. The emergency medical care plan dated 08/30/2023 did not include the names of the current staff as the responsible person or the alternate responsible person. .0802(b)(1-2) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(e) Handwash signs shall be posted at every handwash lavatory area. The signs shall instruct children and child care center employees to wash their hands in accordance with Rule .2803 of this Section. Handwashing signs were not posted in the hall bathrooms used by the students. Technical Assistance: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. Please be reminded per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1103(b), returning employees should revisit each H&S Training topic every five years. The due date of the H&S training five-year renewal is calculated five years from the date on each H&S training certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(b)(1-2), the person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan should be on the premises at all times and/or accompany children for off premise activities. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you and your staff should be listed as the person responsible or the alternate person responsible to carry out the emergency medical care plan. 3. Per sanitation rules for child care centers rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(e), each handwashing sink used should have a handwashing procedure sign for children posted at or near by. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you should find copies of the handwashing procedure sign for children and post them at the handwashing sinks used by the children in the hallway. 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. 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. 3. 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. 4. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE has developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. While the first reassessment year will not begin until July 1, 2024, the preparation year for cohort one begins July 1, 2023. Your facility is in Cohort 1. Throughout the next few months, I recommend you consider completing the following tasks and activities that will help prepare you for your reassessment year, which will be sometime between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have Environment Rating Scale (ERS) Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. • Consider requesting an ERS assessment (free of charge) during the preparation year. Remember the scores can be used in a variety of ways o ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality o If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment o Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year o Facilities can request another ERS assessment (free of charge) in your reassessment year for any ERS assessment scoring less than a 5.0 If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process Compliance Plan: All violations cited must 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 December 21, 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 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary and enrollment worksheet were printed, reviewed, and 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 .1103 · Violation

Name of Operation: SHUFORD ELEMENTARY KID CONNECTION Facility ID: 18000523 Consultant: KIMBERLY CRANE Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/7/2023 Number Present: 25 Completed Date: 12/7/2023 Age: From 5 To 10 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 02:50 PM Time Out: 05:40 PM Time In: Time Out: 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 during a routine unannounced visit. You, Dawn Scott, Program Coordinator, assisted me with today’s visit. Kirsten Maynard, Off-Site Administrator, arrived late in the visit and signed the visit summary. I conducted your last annual compliance visit on April 27, 2023. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued March 7, 2018 earning 7 points in staff education, 6 points in program standards, and 1 quality point for having a staff benefit package and an infrastructure of parent involvement. Your center's compliance history was 100% as viewed today prior to your visit and was reviewed with you today. I observed your license posted as required. Your most recent fire inspection was dated September 19, 2023 and was received in my office on September 19, 2023. Your most recent sanitation inspection was dated September 13, 2023 with a Superior classification and 0 demerits. I completed a walk-through of the facility today. I monitored licensed indoor and outdoor areas and bathrooms used by the students. You stated Space 1 (Room 110) and Space 4 (Room 101) were not currently being used. I observed and cited one violation. I observed children participate in arrival, eat snack, engage in free play in activity areas and outdoors, transitions, and personal care routines. I observed the teachers interacting with each child. I observed afternoon snack documented on a current and posted menu, prepared by cafeteria staff, and served by staff to the students in the cafeteria. I observed afternoon snack included yogurt, string cheese, cinnamon graham crackers, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, craisins, and unflavored milk. I observed children adequately supervised, approved space used, enhanced space capacity maintained, enhanced staff-child ratios and group sizes maintained, and permit restrictions including “Daytime care only”, “School-age children only”, “Playground area does not meet child care safety standards”, “Age range extended to 14 years”, “Meets enhanced ratios”, and “Meets enhanced space” maintained during today’s visit. I monitored your hazardous product storage, general safety, and discipline during today’s visit. I monitored program records including fire drills, emergency drills, daily schedule, activity plans, screen-time, incident log, emergency medical care plan, and Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) Plan. I observed and cited one violation. I monitored medication storage and administration. You stated none of the children currently enrolled currently take medications at school. I reviewed one staff record file for a new staff member hired since your last annual compliance visit. I reviewed two staff record files for two returning staff members. I verified current and valid Criminal Background Check qualification letters, valid CPR and First Aid training, valid BSAC training, and completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training. I observed and cited one violation. On November 22, 2022 during a routine unannounced visit, I monitored your written administrative and personnel policies documented in your Kid Connection Operations Manual dated March 2020. You stated no changes had been made to these written policies. Today, I monitored your written operational policies and your parent participation plan documented in your Parent Handbook date July 2023. I observed and cited no violations. The following violations were observed and cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1898 Staff did not complete the health and safety training within one year of employment. One staff member with a date of employment of 10/18/2022 did not have training certificates on file to verify that the 8 required health and safety training topics had been completed within the first year of employment. .1102(a) 1914 The person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan was not on the premises at all times and/or did not accompany children for off premise activities. The emergency medical care plan dated 08/30/2023 did not include the names of the current staff as the responsible person or the alternate responsible person. .0802(b)(1-2) 9995 A violation was found for which there is no item number. 15A NCAC 18A .2818(e) Handwash signs shall be posted at every handwash lavatory area. The signs shall instruct children and child care center employees to wash their hands in accordance with Rule .2803 of this Section. Handwashing signs were not posted in the hall bathrooms used by the students. Technical Assistance: 1. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(a), new employee’s should complete the Health & Safety (H&S) Training requirement within the first year of employment. Please be reminded per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1103(b), returning employees should revisit each H&S Training topic every five years. The due date of the H&S training five-year renewal is calculated five years from the date on each H&S training certificate. To maintain compliance with this child care 2. Per child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0802(b)(1-2), the person identified as the person or alternate person responsible for carrying out the emergency medical care plan should be on the premises at all times and/or accompany children for off premise activities. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you and your staff should be listed as the person responsible or the alternate person responsible to carry out the emergency medical care plan. 3. Per sanitation rules for child care centers rule 15A NCAC 18A .2818(e), each handwashing sink used should have a handwashing procedure sign for children posted at or near by. To maintain compliance with this child care requirement, you should find copies of the handwashing procedure sign for children and post them at the handwashing sinks used by the children in the hallway. 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. 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. 3. 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. 4. The hold harmless legislation was extended and signed into law on June 12th, 2023. This legislation allows facilities to remain at their current star level without a reassessment until June 30, 2024 and when reassessed it reduces the education evaluation requirements for lead teachers from 75% to 50% until June of 2026. To prepare for the reassessment process, DCDEE has developed a cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each include a preparation year and a reassessment year. While the first reassessment year will not begin until July 1, 2024, the preparation year for cohort one begins July 1, 2023. Your facility is in Cohort 1. Throughout the next few months, I recommend you consider completing the following tasks and activities that will help prepare you for your reassessment year, which will be sometime between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. • Have all staff update WORKS accounts to reflect all currently completed coursework (DCDEE-WORKS) • Determine whether you wish to have Environment Rating Scale (ERS) Assessments [ITERS-R, ECERS-R, and/or SACERS-U] conducted • Request technical assistance with your child care consultant and local partners • Participate in local CCR&R and NCPC quality related training/workshops (CCRR Information) • Reach out to your local Community College to discuss educational opportunities • Review NCRLAP website ERS resources (www.NCRLAP.org). To help review ERS requirements and think carefully about the current characteristics and practices in your program and classrooms, check out the Thinking More worksheets. A worksheet is available for each subscale of each rating scale. • Consider requesting an ERS assessment (free of charge) during the preparation year. Remember the scores can be used in a variety of ways o ERS assessments can be requested during the preparation year and scores can be used as guidance to enhance program quality o If desired, assessment scores can be used during the preparation year if the operator wants to move forward with a rated license reassessment o Assessment scores can be saved to use during the reassessment year o Facilities can request another ERS assessment (free of charge) in your reassessment year for any ERS assessment scoring less than a 5.0 If you have questions, please contact me. I look forward to helping you through this rated license reassessment process Compliance Plan: All violations cited must 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 December 21, 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 At the completion of the visit, this visit summary and enrollment worksheet were printed, reviewed, and 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