GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: MOMMA THERESA'S FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME Facility ID: 37000035 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 8/13/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 8/13/2025 Age: From 3 To 10 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 02:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Routine Unannounced visit was to monitor your family child care home with applicable child care requirements. Last Annual Compliance Visit – 4/10/25 18-month compliance history from 2/8/24 – 8/7/25 = 100%. The FCCH Operator, T. Butler, was present and assisted me with the visit. Her substitute, R. Druash, was also present. The family child care home currently operates with a Three-Star License, issued 1/5/23. Your three-year rated license assessment is due 1/5/26 but is pending implementation of the recently adopted QRIS (Pathway to the Stars) rules. Information, training, resources, and updated forms will be shared with you as we transition to the new rules. See Additional Comments for more information and watch for updates in the Raise NC Newsletter. Note that the program assessment tool is now the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale – 3 (FCCERS-3). Information and training on the new program assessment tool is available on the NC Rating License Assessment Project website at https://ncrlap.org/. The family child care home is owned as a Sole Proprietorship. T. Butler reported no changes to owner information, facility contact information (phone, address, email) or license information. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility or contact information. I monitored the indoor and outdoor spaces used for child care for applicable family child care home requirements using the NC Child Care Requirements, effective 11/1/2024 and Item Number Listing, effective 4/2025. I reviewed program records. The family child care home chooses not to transport children. The operator stated that she uses a substitute. I monitored the substitute’s staff file. The Written Plan of Care currently shows that the operator performs routine tasks during operating hours by leaving them with a qualified substitute. If there are any changes to the Written Plan of Care, it must be revised and provided to parents. Parents must sign that they have received the updated Written Plan of Care. Observations The operator and her substitute were present with nine (9) children, three – ten years of age. Four (4) of the children were preschool-age; five (5) of the children were school-age. They were busy with indoor free play with the toys and materials. Later they went outdoors to play on the covered porch even though it was raining on and off. Portable gross motor equipment and playhouses were available on the unfenced playground, but children played with toys and materials on the porch. When they returned indoors, they used the bathroom and washed hands. The substitute cleaned the table and prepared lunch, which was biscuit pizza with pepperoni and cheese, salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber and dressing), banana, and milk. After lunch, they washed up and rested on their blankets on the floor. One of the school-age children read a book to the younger children. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 101 Number of children exceeded number allowed. Nine (9) children were present, three through ten years of age. GS 110-91(7)(b) & 110-86(3)(b) 705 All medicines, including refrigerated and unrefrigerated, were not kept in locked storage. A bottle of Children's Tylenol and a bottle of Pronamel Mouthwash were stored out of reach on a high shelf in the bathroom but were not locked. .1719(a)(5) 706 Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care. An aerosol can of Febreze Air Freshener was stored out of reach on a high shelf in the bathroom. An aerosol can of Coppertone Sunscreen was stored within reach of children on a side table in the dining area. .1719 (a)(7) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) d(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to you, T. Butler. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. You corrected the two hazardous items storage. Correct the capacity violation immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 8/27/25. Your compliance verification letter needs to state your facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. Do not include names of children in the compliance letter. Use their initials. Send compliance verification letter in an email from your fcch’s official email address, blueeyes0705@yahoo.com to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. Please be aware that any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the compliance letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. A violation was documented that requires a follow-up visit. An unannounced visit will be made soon to verify correction of the violation. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199. Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Permit Capacity – Due to nature of multi-age groups (infants – school-age) in family child care homes, maintaining the selected permit capacity of five preschool-age children and three-school age children helps to ensure the safety of children and allow the operator provide the care, attention, and learning opportunities for each child. Today, four preschool-age children, three through four years of age, and five school-age children, six through ten years of age, were present in your home. You stated that you thought your granddaughter who resides in the home did not count in your capacity because she is starting Kindergarten on August 25th when school starts. You also accepted two school-age drop-ins today who do not normally attend. Even though you wanted to assist the mother, having more children than your permit allows puts you at risk in the event that an incident should occur. You stated that now you understand that your granddaughter still counts in your capacity until the first day of Kindergarten, you will ensure that only eight (8) children maximum are present at any one time. A follow-up visit will be made to ensure you are in compliance with permit capacity. Please note that repeated permit capacity violations may result in an administrative action. Storage of Medication - Improper storge of medications results in millions of accidental poisonings in children annually. A container of Children’s Tylenol and a bottle of Pronamel Mouthwash were stored out of reach on the top of the medicine cabinet in the bathroom but were not locked. Over the Counter medications like Children’s Tylenol and mouthwash have a warning label with more than “Keep out of reach of children” and must be maintained in locked storage. You stated that these medications were for household members, and they must have forgotten to return them to their locked bedroom. Even when household members forget to store items appropriately or lock cabinets that need to be locked, it is your responsibility to check the home before children arrive each morning to ensure that hazardous items and medication are stored correctly. If hazardous items are maintained in bedrooms, they need to be locked to ensure they are not accessible to children in care unless a household member is present in the bedroom. You corrected this during the visit but need to address this with your family so that everyone is aware of what types of items need to be locked to ensure the safety of children in your care. Aerosol Sprays – Aerosol spray cans or cans in which the contents are under pressure can be dangerous because they can explode, burning persons with the chemical inside the spray can and showering them with metal shrapnel from the can itself. In addition, if children find an aerosol spray can, they may model what they see their teachers and parents do and hit the trigger and accidentally spray the chemicals in their face or in another child’s face. An aerosol can of Febreze Air Freshener was stored out of reach on the top of the medicine cabinet in the bathroom but was not locked.. A can of aerosol Coppertone sunscreen was stored on a low shelf by the dining room table and was accessible to children. The operator stated that a family member left the aerosol sprays unlocked. She immediately moved them to the locked bedroom. You corrected this during the visit and address this with your family so that everyone is aware of what types of items need to be locked to ensure the safety of children in your care. General Visit Information: As a licensed family child care home operator, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules. The most recent versions of laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. You can also review the “What’s New” section and download a copy of the Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. The Raise NC Newsletter, which is sent to you by email almost weekly, provides the most current information and updates from the Division and available training opportunities. Consider creating an email folder for it so that you can refer back to it after you read it. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants provide general training to meet on-going training hours, health and safety training requirements, Environment Rating Scale training and training specific to your family child care home’s needs. They can also work with you to provide on-site technical assistance. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Regional Family Child Care Consultant – P. O’Donnell – (252) 333-1233; pamo@aacfnc.org *Child Care Health Consultant – C. Smith - (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org *Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. The Natural Learning Initiative (https://naturalearning.org/) offers a variety of resources such as training, YouTube videos, handouts, etc. to help you add natural elements to your outdoor play spaces to promote time outdoors. Check out the NLI Resource Hub including Design Sites, Infosheets, The Green Desk, Interactive Apps and more! You and your children will want to spend more time outdoors! Reminders: FCCH Verification Form – See your staff worksheet for due dates for different items. *On-going training – You completed your required on-going training for this past year. You and R. Druash need 5 hours of on-going training by 4/10/26 (anniversary of last Annual Compliance visit). ABCMS Portal – ABCMS Portal - The process of notifying the Division when you have new staff (or household members for family child care homes and centers licensed in a residence) has changed and is now captured in ABCMS, the new Criminal Background Check portal. You have completed the ABCMS Provider Portal Training and are now authorized to log in the ABCMS Provider Portal https://ncabcms.nc.gov/DCDEE/ using your Business NCID. You said that you are working through the process of getting yourself and household members linked to your facility in the ABCMS portal. I am emailing the ABCMS Provider Portal Access Guide which should provide you the step-by-step instructions to complete this. • Some providers have completed the Moodle Training again or have gone back to complete the Powerform where you list your business NCID email. • If you need assistance using the ABCMS Provider Portal, contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 or DCDEE_ABCMS_Provider@dhhs.nc.gov and someone will assist you. Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Requirements, Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) and Ready-to-Go File – Your Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Plan needs to be reviewed and updated annually in the NC Risk Management Portal. 1. Log into the Emergency Management Portal on the DCDEE website -> Provider tab -> Emergency Preparedness and Response 2. Scroll down to NC Risk Management Portal link under the heading “Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Template. Log in at top right using NCID used to create or update EPR Plan. 3. Click Planning Tools at top. 4. Click Child Care Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan 5. Click “Get Started”. Your plan should appear in a drop-down box. If you click on the down arrow, there may be other plans connected to the account. 6. Review EPR Plan (listed by name on cover of most recent plan) and update as needed. Remember that this is the plan that you will practice through fire and emergency drills with the intention to train your teachers and children to be knowledgeable and confident in an emergency. EPR Plans have saved lives in NC child cares when there have been tornadoes, fires, and unwanted visitors. The more information you can provide (names, phone numbers, center floor plans, evacuation plans, stay-in-place plans, meet-up plans), the better prepared you and staff will be. These plans are also available to county emergency management teams who can assist you. Don’t take this lightly. Be intentional with your EPR Plan, review it with staff, and practice. 7. Document update/review date on page 28. If changes are needed, print the plan up to page 29. If no changes are needed, print new cover page and page 28 with the update/review date reflected. If you have questions, or need assistance with accessing your EPR Plan email dcdee.inservice.training@dhhs.nc.gov *Also update your Ready-to-Go File to include children, remove former children, and add updated medication information. (Make sure a copy of the Child’s Application for Enrollment is added to the R2G File when a new child starts, or the application is updated.) *Your EPR Plan was reviewed in December 2024 but was not updated in the portal. See the information above to update your EPR Plan. Update in the Emergency Management Portal by December 2025. Fire and Emergency Drills - Continue practicing fire drills monthly and either a shelter-in-place or a lockdown drill every three months. Document fire drills and emergency drills on the Emergency Drill Log available on the DCDEE website when drills are completed. Keep log on your clipboard so that it is easily accessible. Also document outdoor inspections as they are completed. Additional Comments: Choosing a Pathway to the Stars – The Child Care Commission voted to adopt the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modernization Proposed Rule Amendments and Adoptions. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition will begin soon with the following informational opportunities: • August 18 at 1:00pm (child care centers and centers located in a residence) Join webinar • August 18 at 6:30pm (family child care homes) Join webinar • August 20 at 1:00pm (family child care homes) Join webinar • August 20 at 6:30pm (child care centers and centers located in a residence) Join webinar In September, child care consultants will host in-person facility operator/administrator meetings within the counties they serve to provide additional guidance on the changes, the transition plan and timeline. Beginning In October, child care consultants will begin discussing the new rules in Section .3200; Standards for Two through Five Star Rated Licenses during licensing visits. Consultants will review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen. All the newest information will be posted at QRIS Modernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Raise NC Newsletter – If you are not receiving and reading the Raise NC Newsletter, you are missing out on current relevant information about early childhood issues in North Carolina, information about proposed rules, available trainings and other information that may be of interest to you. The Raise NC Newsletter is typically sent out weekly to all facility contact email addresses, but if your email is not the facility contact email address, you can go to the DCDEE Website, https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ and click on the “What’s New” tab. Click on “What’s New” and enter your email address and name under “Sign Up for Updates”. As an early learning professional, you need to stay in the know about issues in North Carolina that affect you and your business. NCID Password Rule to Change - If you have a MYNCID or NCID account, when you change your current password after Feb. 23, you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. Keep Your NCID Active - Did you know that if you do not login on to any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. *Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you, your staff and your household members (CLIAR only) every 6 months to log in and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. *For assistance with NCID, contact ncid.nc.gov or 919.754.6000. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Choosing a Pathway: QRIS Webinars – Next Week 2. Address the Stress: Take Care of You! - Free self-paced, online Professional Development for NC Child Care Professionals (1 DCDEE training credit hour) 3. Setting Up Effective Classroom Environments Webinar– Tuesday, 8/19; 7 – 8pm 4. New Training in Moodle – Child Development 5. Moodle Helpful Hints 6. Environment Rating Scales – Get Ready for the 3’s! Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: MOMMA THERESA'S FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME Facility ID: 37000035 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 8/13/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 8/13/2025 Age: From 3 To 10 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 02:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Routine Unannounced visit was to monitor your family child care home with applicable child care requirements. Last Annual Compliance Visit – 4/10/25 18-month compliance history from 2/8/24 – 8/7/25 = 100%. The FCCH Operator, T. Butler, was present and assisted me with the visit. Her substitute, R. Druash, was also present. The family child care home currently operates with a Three-Star License, issued 1/5/23. Your three-year rated license assessment is due 1/5/26 but is pending implementation of the recently adopted QRIS (Pathway to the Stars) rules. Information, training, resources, and updated forms will be shared with you as we transition to the new rules. See Additional Comments for more information and watch for updates in the Raise NC Newsletter. Note that the program assessment tool is now the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale – 3 (FCCERS-3). Information and training on the new program assessment tool is available on the NC Rating License Assessment Project website at https://ncrlap.org/. The family child care home is owned as a Sole Proprietorship. T. Butler reported no changes to owner information, facility contact information (phone, address, email) or license information. Please contact me prior to any information change regarding the ownership of this facility or contact information. I monitored the indoor and outdoor spaces used for child care for applicable family child care home requirements using the NC Child Care Requirements, effective 11/1/2024 and Item Number Listing, effective 4/2025. I reviewed program records. The family child care home chooses not to transport children. The operator stated that she uses a substitute. I monitored the substitute’s staff file. The Written Plan of Care currently shows that the operator performs routine tasks during operating hours by leaving them with a qualified substitute. If there are any changes to the Written Plan of Care, it must be revised and provided to parents. Parents must sign that they have received the updated Written Plan of Care. Observations The operator and her substitute were present with nine (9) children, three – ten years of age. Four (4) of the children were preschool-age; five (5) of the children were school-age. They were busy with indoor free play with the toys and materials. Later they went outdoors to play on the covered porch even though it was raining on and off. Portable gross motor equipment and playhouses were available on the unfenced playground, but children played with toys and materials on the porch. When they returned indoors, they used the bathroom and washed hands. The substitute cleaned the table and prepared lunch, which was biscuit pizza with pepperoni and cheese, salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber and dressing), banana, and milk. After lunch, they washed up and rested on their blankets on the floor. One of the school-age children read a book to the younger children. I observed and documented the following violations during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 101 Number of children exceeded number allowed. Nine (9) children were present, three through ten years of age. GS 110-91(7)(b) & 110-86(3)(b) 705 All medicines, including refrigerated and unrefrigerated, were not kept in locked storage. A bottle of Children's Tylenol and a bottle of Pronamel Mouthwash were stored out of reach on a high shelf in the bathroom but were not locked. .1719(a)(5) 706 Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care. An aerosol can of Febreze Air Freshener was stored out of reach on a high shelf in the bathroom. An aerosol can of Coppertone Sunscreen was stored within reach of children on a side table in the dining area. .1719 (a)(7) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) d(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to you, T. Butler. We reviewed the visit summary and violation(s) documented during today’s visit. You corrected the two hazardous items storage. Correct the capacity violation immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 8/27/25. Your compliance verification letter needs to state your facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. Do not include names of children in the compliance letter. Use their initials. Send compliance verification letter in an email from your fcch’s official email address, blueeyes0705@yahoo.com to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. Please be aware that any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the compliance letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. A violation was documented that requires a follow-up visit. An unannounced visit will be made soon to verify correction of the violation. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199. Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Permit Capacity – Due to nature of multi-age groups (infants – school-age) in family child care homes, maintaining the selected permit capacity of five preschool-age children and three-school age children helps to ensure the safety of children and allow the operator provide the care, attention, and learning opportunities for each child. Today, four preschool-age children, three through four years of age, and five school-age children, six through ten years of age, were present in your home. You stated that you thought your granddaughter who resides in the home did not count in your capacity because she is starting Kindergarten on August 25th when school starts. You also accepted two school-age drop-ins today who do not normally attend. Even though you wanted to assist the mother, having more children than your permit allows puts you at risk in the event that an incident should occur. You stated that now you understand that your granddaughter still counts in your capacity until the first day of Kindergarten, you will ensure that only eight (8) children maximum are present at any one time. A follow-up visit will be made to ensure you are in compliance with permit capacity. Please note that repeated permit capacity violations may result in an administrative action. Storage of Medication - Improper storge of medications results in millions of accidental poisonings in children annually. A container of Children’s Tylenol and a bottle of Pronamel Mouthwash were stored out of reach on the top of the medicine cabinet in the bathroom but were not locked. Over the Counter medications like Children’s Tylenol and mouthwash have a warning label with more than “Keep out of reach of children” and must be maintained in locked storage. You stated that these medications were for household members, and they must have forgotten to return them to their locked bedroom. Even when household members forget to store items appropriately or lock cabinets that need to be locked, it is your responsibility to check the home before children arrive each morning to ensure that hazardous items and medication are stored correctly. If hazardous items are maintained in bedrooms, they need to be locked to ensure they are not accessible to children in care unless a household member is present in the bedroom. You corrected this during the visit but need to address this with your family so that everyone is aware of what types of items need to be locked to ensure the safety of children in your care. Aerosol Sprays – Aerosol spray cans or cans in which the contents are under pressure can be dangerous because they can explode, burning persons with the chemical inside the spray can and showering them with metal shrapnel from the can itself. In addition, if children find an aerosol spray can, they may model what they see their teachers and parents do and hit the trigger and accidentally spray the chemicals in their face or in another child’s face. An aerosol can of Febreze Air Freshener was stored out of reach on the top of the medicine cabinet in the bathroom but was not locked.. A can of aerosol Coppertone sunscreen was stored on a low shelf by the dining room table and was accessible to children. The operator stated that a family member left the aerosol sprays unlocked. She immediately moved them to the locked bedroom. You corrected this during the visit and address this with your family so that everyone is aware of what types of items need to be locked to ensure the safety of children in your care. General Visit Information: As a licensed family child care home operator, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules. The most recent versions of laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. You can also review the “What’s New” section and download a copy of the Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program. The Raise NC Newsletter, which is sent to you by email almost weekly, provides the most current information and updates from the Division and available training opportunities. Consider creating an email folder for it so that you can refer back to it after you read it. Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and Child Care Health Consultants provide general training to meet on-going training hours, health and safety training requirements, Environment Rating Scale training and training specific to your family child care home’s needs. They can also work with you to provide on-site technical assistance. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Regional Family Child Care Consultant – P. O’Donnell – (252) 333-1233; pamo@aacfnc.org *Child Care Health Consultant – C. Smith - (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org *Southwestern Child Development Commission, www.swcdcinc.org, Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ and Early Years, https://www.earlyyearsnc.org/ offer DCDEE approved, on-line, self-paced and virtual real-time training. SWCDC also offers affordable annual packages allowing you to take as many courses as you need or want for one price. The Natural Learning Initiative (https://naturalearning.org/) offers a variety of resources such as training, YouTube videos, handouts, etc. to help you add natural elements to your outdoor play spaces to promote time outdoors. Check out the NLI Resource Hub including Design Sites, Infosheets, The Green Desk, Interactive Apps and more! You and your children will want to spend more time outdoors! Reminders: FCCH Verification Form – See your staff worksheet for due dates for different items. *On-going training – You completed your required on-going training for this past year. You and R. Druash need 5 hours of on-going training by 4/10/26 (anniversary of last Annual Compliance visit). ABCMS Portal – ABCMS Portal - The process of notifying the Division when you have new staff (or household members for family child care homes and centers licensed in a residence) has changed and is now captured in ABCMS, the new Criminal Background Check portal. You have completed the ABCMS Provider Portal Training and are now authorized to log in the ABCMS Provider Portal https://ncabcms.nc.gov/DCDEE/ using your Business NCID. You said that you are working through the process of getting yourself and household members linked to your facility in the ABCMS portal. I am emailing the ABCMS Provider Portal Access Guide which should provide you the step-by-step instructions to complete this. • Some providers have completed the Moodle Training again or have gone back to complete the Powerform where you list your business NCID email. • If you need assistance using the ABCMS Provider Portal, contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 or DCDEE_ABCMS_Provider@dhhs.nc.gov and someone will assist you. Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Requirements, Emergency Medical Care Plan (EMCP) and Ready-to-Go File – Your Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Plan needs to be reviewed and updated annually in the NC Risk Management Portal. 1. Log into the Emergency Management Portal on the DCDEE website -> Provider tab -> Emergency Preparedness and Response 2. Scroll down to NC Risk Management Portal link under the heading “Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Template. Log in at top right using NCID used to create or update EPR Plan. 3. Click Planning Tools at top. 4. Click Child Care Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan 5. Click “Get Started”. Your plan should appear in a drop-down box. If you click on the down arrow, there may be other plans connected to the account. 6. Review EPR Plan (listed by name on cover of most recent plan) and update as needed. Remember that this is the plan that you will practice through fire and emergency drills with the intention to train your teachers and children to be knowledgeable and confident in an emergency. EPR Plans have saved lives in NC child cares when there have been tornadoes, fires, and unwanted visitors. The more information you can provide (names, phone numbers, center floor plans, evacuation plans, stay-in-place plans, meet-up plans), the better prepared you and staff will be. These plans are also available to county emergency management teams who can assist you. Don’t take this lightly. Be intentional with your EPR Plan, review it with staff, and practice. 7. Document update/review date on page 28. If changes are needed, print the plan up to page 29. If no changes are needed, print new cover page and page 28 with the update/review date reflected. If you have questions, or need assistance with accessing your EPR Plan email dcdee.inservice.training@dhhs.nc.gov *Also update your Ready-to-Go File to include children, remove former children, and add updated medication information. (Make sure a copy of the Child’s Application for Enrollment is added to the R2G File when a new child starts, or the application is updated.) *Your EPR Plan was reviewed in December 2024 but was not updated in the portal. See the information above to update your EPR Plan. Update in the Emergency Management Portal by December 2025. Fire and Emergency Drills - Continue practicing fire drills monthly and either a shelter-in-place or a lockdown drill every three months. Document fire drills and emergency drills on the Emergency Drill Log available on the DCDEE website when drills are completed. Keep log on your clipboard so that it is easily accessible. Also document outdoor inspections as they are completed. Additional Comments: Choosing a Pathway to the Stars – The Child Care Commission voted to adopt the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modernization Proposed Rule Amendments and Adoptions. The DCDEE team looks forward to working with child care facilities across the state to transition to the new QRIS system, also known as Pathways to the Stars, located in Section .3200 of the Child Care Rules. The transition will begin soon with the following informational opportunities: • August 18 at 1:00pm (child care centers and centers located in a residence) Join webinar • August 18 at 6:30pm (family child care homes) Join webinar • August 20 at 1:00pm (family child care homes) Join webinar • August 20 at 6:30pm (child care centers and centers located in a residence) Join webinar In September, child care consultants will host in-person facility operator/administrator meetings within the counties they serve to provide additional guidance on the changes, the transition plan and timeline. Beginning In October, child care consultants will begin discussing the new rules in Section .3200; Standards for Two through Five Star Rated Licenses during licensing visits. Consultants will review the pathway options, identify facility needs, answer questions, and work with the facility operator to establish an individualized timeline for transition to a new rated license within 12 months based on the pathway chosen. All the newest information will be posted at QRIS Modernization and will also be provided through emails and Raise NC newsletters. Raise NC Newsletter – If you are not receiving and reading the Raise NC Newsletter, you are missing out on current relevant information about early childhood issues in North Carolina, information about proposed rules, available trainings and other information that may be of interest to you. The Raise NC Newsletter is typically sent out weekly to all facility contact email addresses, but if your email is not the facility contact email address, you can go to the DCDEE Website, https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ and click on the “What’s New” tab. Click on “What’s New” and enter your email address and name under “Sign Up for Updates”. As an early learning professional, you need to stay in the know about issues in North Carolina that affect you and your business. NCID Password Rule to Change - If you have a MYNCID or NCID account, when you change your current password after Feb. 23, you will be required to create a new one that must: • Be a minimum of 14 characters. • Consist of at least one numeric character, at least one uppercase letter, at least one lowercase letter, and at least one special character such as #, &, * etc. Keep Your NCID Active - Did you know that if you do not login on to any DCDEE platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) for a period of 12 months, your account will be archived? An archived account cannot be reinstated. You will need to create a new one and then email all platforms (e.g., Moodle, WORKS, CBC) to merge accounts. *Pro Tip: Set your calendar to remind you, your staff and your household members (CLIAR only) every 6 months to log in and out at https://myncid.nc.gov to keep your account activated and it will NOT be archived. *For assistance with NCID, contact ncid.nc.gov or 919.754.6000. I shared information on the following topics and emailed the information to you after the visit: 1. Choosing a Pathway: QRIS Webinars – Next Week 2. Address the Stress: Take Care of You! - Free self-paced, online Professional Development for NC Child Care Professionals (1 DCDEE training credit hour) 3. Setting Up Effective Classroom Environments Webinar– Tuesday, 8/19; 7 – 8pm 4. New Training in Moodle – Child Development 5. Moodle Helpful Hints 6. Environment Rating Scales – Get Ready for the 3’s! Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: MOMMA THERESA'S FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME Facility ID: 37000035 Consultant: MARJORIE WHITE Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 6/5/2024 Number Present: 8 Completed Date: 6/5/2024 Age: From 2 To 9 Total Minutes: 195 Time In: 01:15 PM Time Out: 04:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced * The purpose of today’s Annual Compliance visit was to monitor your family child care home with applicable child care requirements. I completed your last Annual Compliance visit on 6/21/23. The FCCH Early Learning Professional, T. Butler, was present and assisted me with the visit. The family child care home currently operates with Three- Star License, issued 1/5/2023, earning points in the following components: Program (2 PTS) + Education (4 PTS) + Quality Point (1 PT) = 7 Points = 3 Stars *Quality Point met and remains in effect: Infant capacity restricted to no more than two children under one year of age. Your three-year rated license assessment is due 1/5/26. DCDEE has developed a cohort system to return all facilities back to rated license reassessments. You have been assigned to Cohort 3. The Cohort 3 Rated License Preparation Year is from 7/1/2025 – 6/30/2026. You may complete your FCCERS-R Self-Assessment and rated license reassessment during this year or you may wait until your Assessment Year from 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027. During both of these years, you may request and complete an FCCERS-R assessment to potentially earn more points in Program Standards and a higher star rated license. The rated license process is being updated and may change. The family child care home’s 18-month compliance history from 12/1/2022 – 5/31/2024 = 100%. The family child care home is owned as a Sole Proprietorship. T. Butler reported no changes to facility contact information (phone, address, email) or license information. Please contact me prior to any information changing regarding the ownership of this facility or contact information. I monitored the indoor and outdoor spaces used for child care for applicable family child care home requirements using the NC Child Care Requirements, effective 1/1/2024 and Item Number Listing, effective 3/1/2024. I also reviewed all children’s records, operator and household member records, and program records. The family child care home chooses not to transport children. The operator stated that she uses a substitute. I monitored the substitute’s staff file. The Written Plan of Care currently reflects that the operator performs routine tasks during operating hours by leaving them with a qualified substitute. If there are any changes to the Written Plan of Care, it must be revised and provided to parents. Parents must sign that they have received the updated Written Plan of Care. Observations The operator was present with five children, two through four years of age. Children were resting or sleeping on blankets on the carpeted floor. When they woke up, they used the bathroom and washed hands and had cheese and crackers and watermelon with water for snack. They played outdoors. The three school-age children arrived and joined the group. They washed their hands and ate snack on the porch. I observed and documented the following violation during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1741 Prior to enrollment of children in a Family Child Care Home, and before animals come into the Family Child Care Home, the operator did not obtain each parent's signature on a form acknowledging the type of animal located on the premises and where the animal will be kept during child care operating hours and /or the signed form was not maintained in the child's file. Updated pet notifications were not completed and signed by the parents when a new cat joined the household. 10 NCAC 09 .1719(b)(3) * Child care programs are expected to achieve and always maintain compliance and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) d(d) to achieve and maintain an 18-month compliance history score of at least 75%. Any violations documented may impact the compliance history score. I completed an electronic copy of the visit summary and provided a printed copy of it to you, T. Butler. We reviewed the visit summary and violation documented during today’s visit. Correct these immediately. Send evidence of correction to me so that I receive it no later than 6/19/2024 Your compliance verification letter needs to state your facility name and license number and list each violation by Item # and describe in detail when and how each violation has been corrected. Do not include names of children in the compliance letter. Use their initials. Send compliance verification letter in an email from your fcch’s official email address, blueeyes0705@yahoo.com to my email address, Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may include the compliance verification as an attachment or in the body of the email. I will email a sample compliance verification letter to you. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be conducted. Please be aware that any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the compliance letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If I may be of further assistance, please contact me by phone at (252) 373-9385, by e-mail at Marjorie.White@dhhs.nc.gov. You may also call Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, at (252) 373-4199. Technical Assistance With Documented Violations: Pet Notification – The Pet Notification Form makes parents aware of animals living on the premises and whether the children may come in contact with them. It needs to be signed at enrollment and updated before any new pets/animals join the household. You recently added a new cat, Lambchops, to your home and forgot to update the Pet Notification form and have parents sign. You stated that you just forgot about it. You pulled all of the Pet Notification Forms and will have parents sign at pick-up or the next time their child attends. For your compliance letter, state the date when all pet notifications are signed and available in the children’s files. General Visit Information: As a licensed family child care home operator, it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules. The most recent versions of laws and rules regarding child care facilities in North Carolina are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. You can also review the “What’s New” section and download a copy of the Items Number Listing which you can use as a checklist for your program Your local and regional Smart Start Partnerships and Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies are available to assist you with technical assistance and training on a multitude of topics not limited to: Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale – Revised (FCCERS-R), infant/toddler practices, healthy behaviors. Child Care Health Consultants can provide training and technical assistance on topics related to health and safety such as sanitation, handwashing, diapering, illness policies, etc. *Albemarle Alliance for Children and Families (AACF) and Region 1 Child Care Resource and Referral: Phone – (252) 333-1233; website - www.aacfnc.org . *Child Care Health Consultant – C. Smith - (252) 340-0212 or cindy@aacfnc.org Consultation: Your daughter has received her Qualifying Letter and can reside in your home. Put a lock on her bedroom door to make it inaccessible to children. As long as it is locked, I will not make observations of the space. If your granddaughter’s room is unlocked, ensure that there are no potentially hazardous items in the room. Now that they will be using the bathroom that is also used by children, all items with only a “Keep Out of Reach of Children” must be stored at least five feet or higher. If items have a warning other than “Keep Out of Reach of Children” they must be locked with a key, combination, or magnetic lock. REMINDERS: FCCH Verification Form – We reviewed your FCCH Verification Form today. All items are current. On-going Training and Health & Safety Training - We reviewed your FCCH Verification form which documents your on-going training requirements and Health & Safety Training requirements. T. Butler – 5 hours on-going training due 6/5/25; H&S Training due 10/2028 R. Druash (now working > 10 years) - 5 hours on-going training due 6/5/25; H&S Training due 5/2029 Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Requirements – Your EPR Plan was reviewed and updated in the NC Risk Management Portal in December 2023. Review in the NC Risk Management Portal and update or document date of review by December 2024. Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - New child care rules require child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water, lead paint, and asbestos. Testing is required by 1/1/2025. You have mailed your water samples and are waiting for results. You have been told that your home is exempt from lead paint testing but asbestos testing will be required. You are waiting to hear when the asbestos testing will be scheduled. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I reviewed information about the following with you and emailed the information and links to you during/after the visit: • Be Vigilant About Snakes • Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing – Enroll by 5/1/24. • Moodle Back Up and Running and Moodle Support Contacts • Rule Changes Effective January 1, 2024 • Free On-line Professional Development Memberships • Health and Safety Resources • New Challenging Behaviors Helpline • NC Rated License Assessment Project (NC-RLAP) Resources • NCID – Keep it current! Thank you for your time and assistance today. Refer to this visit summary for a refresher of our discussions today. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call or email me at the contact information listed above. 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.