Supervision
Name of Operation: WESTERN TLC HEAD START CENTER Facility ID: 95000086 Consultant: GEORGIA MARSHALL Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/20/2025 Number Present: 13 Completed Date: 10/20/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 225 Time In: 10:15 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance during an annual compliance visit. A computerized generated report of today’s visit was completed, reviewed with you, and signed by Georgia Lee Marshall, Child Care Consultant and also signed by April Rominger, lead teacher, during the visit. An electronic signed copy of the visit summary was left on-site and electronically emailed to you. Today, the teachers were available during the visit to answer questions. The indoor and outdoor areas were monitored today, including, but not limited to, supervision, staff/child ratios, permit restrictions, discipline, nutrition and routine caregiving activities. An annual compliance monitoring checklist for child care centers was used to note the requirements monitored and is attached to the computerized generated visit summary for your records. The center’s compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-nine (99%) percentage as of 10/16/25. The North Carolina Secretary of State website was viewed prior to today’s visit and the Non-Profit Corporation, Intermountain Children`s Services, Inc., is current/active as of 10/16/25. Permit type – Five-star license issued May 9, 2022. Special Services/Restrictions – 1st shift (Daytime care), meets enhanced space and reduced ratios. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 11/20/24. The last fire drill was practiced on 9/17/25. The last lock down drill was practiced on 8/21/25. The last playground inspection was documented on 9/11/25. The last fire inspection was approved on 7/17/25. The last sanitation inspection was conducted on 10/9/25 with seven (7) demerits for a superior classification. The Emergency Medical Care plan was posted and current. The approved curriculum for four-year-old children is Creative Curriculum Teaching Strategies Gold. Lead water testing was completed on 9/6/23 without hazards. Lead paint and asbestos testing was completed on 11/1/24. When I arrived, I was greeted at the door by Ms. Cherie and Ms. Carrie. They stated that Ms. April was not working today due to an appointment. Children were playing in centers. They were building in blocks, playing dress up, putting puzzles together and other materials. After children cleaned up, they went outside to play on the playground. Ms. April arrived at school while children were playing outside. I monitored the bus while I was outside as well as the playground. Children came inside from the playground. They put their jackets away and washed their hands for lunch. Lunch is served family style at four (4) separate tables with an adult sitting at each table. After lunch children gathered at group time where they did an activity with scarves, read a book and sang a transition song to dismiss them to their cot for rest time. Lunch today consisted of chicken salad with bread (for sandwiches), raw broccoli, veggie chips, fresh oranges and milk I used the Child Care Center Item Number Listing (DCDEE-0357) as a basic monitoring tool to assess compliance with all applicable child care requirements pertinent to this facility. For specific rule references, refer to Chapter 110 General Statues Child Care Facilities, Chapter nine (9) Child Care Rule (10A NCAC 09) and Section 2800 Sanitation of Child Care Center (15A NCAC 18A) for additional information. Updated copies of these rules can be located on our website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ The program does provide transportation. You stated that you transport children ages three to five (3-5) years old. I monitored one (1) vehicle today. The classroom operates from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. The following violations were documented during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The wooden border around the mulch is uneven causing tripping hazards, has splinters, cracks and a screw sticking out. The fence has open spots near the ground and sharp wires exposed. Stairs on the large climber has loose and torn rubber covering. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 811 Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, gasoline, or kerosene were not stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or made inaccessible to children. Children walk by the kerosene tank and monitor heater exhaust to get to the playground. .0604(a) Technical assistance was provided as follows: Item #807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. *The wooden border around the mulch is uneven causing tripping hazards, has splinters, cracks and a screw sticking out. The fence has open spots near the ground and sharp wires exposed. Stairs on the large climber has loose and torn rubber covering. The previous playground had a black plastic border that was much safer than the wood. Is this pressure treated wood? Item #811 Potentially hazardous items including but not limited to power tools, nails, chemicals, propane stoves, lawn mowers, gasoline, or kerosene were not stored in locked areas, removed from the premises, or made inaccessible to children. *Children walk by the kerosene tank and monitor heater exhaust to get to the playground. I suggested a lattice fence type barrier or temporary fencing. Achieving Compliance: Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. The violations documented above must be corrected immediately. Send me a letter of compliance describing in detail specifically how each violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. Include the following: • Facility name • Facility ID# • Date of visit • Violation item number • Signed statement of compliance I must receive your compliance statement by November 3, 2025. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or in the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: lee.marshall@ dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education Attn: Georgia Lee Marshall PO Box 253 Zionville Please call me at 828-434-0236, or email [email protected], if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive it by the due date listed above. You will need to mail a compliance statement three to five days prior to the due date to ensure receipt is within the designated timeline. 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. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development 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. Consultation is provided as follows: • New Environment Rating Scales have arrived! The ECERS-3, also known as the "3s"—will be used for DCDEE assessments. Go to https://ncrlap.org/ for resources and training opportunities. • The new Pathway to the Stars and QRIS Modernization System is here. You can find information on our website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRIS-Modernization and there are Moodle Modules to review the New Rule Rollout (training hours are given for these). • Head Start Programs fall under pathway #3 automatically. Anytime you are ready to apply for your Star Rated License under Pathway #3, just let me know or send me the application and we will work through it together. • We talked about the playground and the kerosene tank and the best way to come into compliance. If you elect to change and/or alter any previously approved spaces used by children as indicated on the approved indoor and outdoor floor plan, you will need to contact me within thirty (30) days prior to the change. Failure to notify a DCDEE representative may result in a violation of child care requirements. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states “Each operator shall schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous fire inspection. The operator shall notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the center's annual fire inspection. The operator shall submit the original of the approved annual fire inspection report to the Division within one week of the inspection visit on the form provided by the Division.” As child care providers, you are a vital part in the prevention and intervention of child maltreatment! You may see potential indicators of maltreatment in the children under your care. Some children may even be more likely to disclose maltreatment to a child care provider than to a family member. It is required that all providers are aware of maltreatment indicators and to report any suspicions of maltreatment. Follow child care rules related to child maltreatment training: 10A NCAC 09 .1102(g) and 10A NCAC 09 .1703(a)(5) states the child care administrator, operator, and all staff members shall complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submit an official transcript (if applicable) and apply for a position for evaluation. This should be completed immediately upon hiring or at the latest, by the end of the six-week orientation process. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3222 (c) If employment-related changes occur at a facility that result in noncompliance with or failure to meet the standards in the Section for the star rating issued, the operator shall correct the noncompliance within six months. If the operator does not correct the noncompliance within six months, the operator shall notify the Division. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/.It is your responsibility to understand the rules and laws that are applicable your program. All rules/laws cannot be verbally reviewed during any monitoring visit. Please ask questions if you are having difficulty and would like additional technical assistance. I welcome your questions and want to be a resource for you. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at [email protected] or 828.434.0236, or Bonnie Mathis, Licensing Supervisor, at [email protected]. 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