10A NCAC 09 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: Lil Explorers Learning Center Facility ID: 32002341 Consultant: KIA REID Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/12/2026 Number Present: 3 Completed Date: 5/12/2026 Age: From 2 To 3 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:50 AM Time Out: 12:45 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 child care requirements during your routine unannounced visit. You, Ebony Watts, Owner/Director, assisted me with the visit. Currently this center operates with a three-star license issued on June 2, 2024, earning five (5) points in Staff Education, two (2) points in Program Standards and one (1) Quality Point. The license was posted, and the restrictions were in compliance. Prior to today's visit I reviewed the NC Secretary of State's website and observed that the owner of this facility, Lil Explorers Learning Center LLC, is listed as current/active. I completed a general walk through of the indoor and outdoor areas. Children throughout the facility were participating in outdoor play, personal care routines, transitions, and eating lunch. INSPECTIONS *The last annual compliance visit was conducted on November 11, 2025. *The sanitation inspection was completed March 6, 2026, with a “Superior” classification. *The last fire inspection was completed on November 14, 2026, and the facility is approved for daytime care only. *The last documented fire drill and lockdown drill were both completed on April 11, 2026. Seven violations were observed today and must be corrected immediately. The violations are as follows: Violation Number Comment Rule 858 Plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to be swallowed were accessible to children under three years of age. Art materials stored in plastic bags were accessible to children under three years of age in space #1. .0604(q) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. The last documented playground inspection was completed on 2/14/26. .0605(q) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. The First Aid training expired for two staff, on 1/27/26 and 4/18/26. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. The CPR training expired for two staff, on 1/27/26 and 4/18/26. .1102(d) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. Two staff files did not include this information. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1301 Center did not maintain a record of daily attendance. Some attendance records reviewed did not list the date children were present. GS 110-91(9) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. One staff file did not have this information. .0608(d)(1-4) In order to comply with the NC Laws and Rules any violations cited today must be corrected immediately. A compliance letter must be sent to me by May 26, 2026. The letter must address each violation and explain how it has been corrected. Please send this to Kia.Reid@dhhs.nc.gov and include the following: -Facility name -Facility ID number -Each item number COMPLIANCE HISTORY Prior to today's visit, the Compliance History Score for the facility was 95%. According to NC General Statute 110-90 (4) (d) all facilities must maintain a compliance history of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for the past 18 months. STAFF RECORDS I monitored two new staff files and existing staff files for criminal background qualifying letters, current CPR/First Aid, and other specialized training. On your next annual compliance visit training hours will be monitored. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE -Today I observed art materials in plastic bags in space #1. Please remind teachers to check the classroom daily and prior to the children occupying the space, to ensure all materials are age appropriate for this mixed age group with two-year-old children. -A checklist could be created to keep track of the expiration dates for required paperwork. -I suggested Ms. Watts use the children’s file checklist to ensure all paperwork is in the file. Best practice would be to check the files twice per year to make sure all forms are present. Good record keeping is the key to a successful business. -Some attendance sheets reviewed today listed arrival and departure times but did not list the date the children were present. Ms. Watts informed me that the parents are responsible for writing the date and arrival/departure times. I suggested Ms. Watts write the dates on the attendance sheets before putting in the binder weekly to ensure the date is listed for each child in attendance. AUTOMATED BACKGROUND CHECK MONITORING SYSTEM North Carolina child care administrators can now view and edit their facility’s staff roster in ABCMS, the DCDEE’s criminal background check system. Provider Access to ABCMS allows administrators to: •See the real-time background check status of staff members. •Run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. •See new background check applicants and add to staff roster. To get started, complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training in Moodle—a video tutorial followed by a few questions. RATED LICENSE INFORMATION Your next Rated License is due in May 2027; however, I encourage you to visit the DCDEE website to review the new QRIS REQUIREMENTS. Pathways to the Stars became effective 7/1/25. We are going away from a point-based system allowing you to have three different pathways to achieve stars. You will find the following resources in the QRIS section. -Pathways to the Stars Questions and Answers and Frequently asked questions REMINDERS The following requirements will come due in the near future; please make arrangements to complete the items before the deadline. *The qualification letter for R. Smith will expire on 6/28/26 and for E. Watts on 12/28/26. Remember your paperwork for the 5-year re-check can be submitted six months prior to the expiration of the qualification letter. To prevent any lapse in your qualification, the process should be started now. *Please check the Division of Child Development and Early Education website: ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov frequently and click the “what’s new” tab to stay informed of all updates available to you. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at (919) 819-9378, Kia.Reid@dhhs.nc.gov or Holli Hemby, Supervisor, 919-819-9363, Holli.Hemby@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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.