10A NCAC 09 .0102 · Violation

Name of Operation: TREASURABLE MOMENTS EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM, LLC Facility ID: 32001995 Consultant: KIA REID Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: 0224-138L Visit Date: 2/27/2024 Number Present: 5 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 1 To 1 Total Minutes: 60 Time In: 08:20 AM Time Out: 09:20 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to investigate a report that was received on February 13, 2024, alleging non-compliance of child care requirements. The provider, Ashely Rhone-Williams, was present and assisted me as needed. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the provider’s daughter. Once I entered the family child care home (fcch) I completed a general walk through of the children's space. There were five preschool children present, observed during morning drop-off and activities with Ms. Rhone-Williams and her daughter. Limited monitoring of child care requirements was conducted during the visit. Supervision of children, capacity, general licensing requirements, use of adequate/approved space, general safety, staff qualifications and safe environment were monitored. The license and emergency care plan were posted. During today’s visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Rhone-Williams, and she was given an opportunity to provide information surrounding the allegations. ALLEGATION #1 There are concerns regarding parent access inside the fcch during operating hours. FINDINGS Parents can enter the child care space through the front door or the garage. Once you enter the home through the garage you go through the family room to get to the child care space which is on the right. There are double doors for you to enter into the child care space. Ms. Rhone-Williams stated a parent of a child that is no longer enrolled dropped her child off then came back to the fcch. Ms. Rhone-Williams let the parent in through the garage where she stopped in the family room, the child care space couldn’t be seen. The parent informed Ms. Rhone-Williams that she needed to go inside the child care space and pick up the child’s blanket. It was a busy time during morning drop-off so Ms. Rhone-Williams explained to the parent that she would go inside the child care space and get the blanket. The parent seemed agitated with the response and her demeanor changed. Ms. Rhone-Williams stated she did not allow the parent in the child care space because she didn’t know what the parent would say or how she would act in front of the children. When I arrived to the fcch I observed a parent drop-off his child with the provider’s daughter who is fifteen years old. The parent stopped at the gate outside and handed the child to the provider’s daughter he did not go inside the fcch. Ms. Rhone-Williams was inside the fcch. Ms. Rhone-Williams stated that she doesn’t allow parents in the fcch because she is concerned with the recent outbreak of the flu, covid and other communicable diseases. Based on my observations and information received parents are not allowed access to the caregiving space, therefore this allegation is SUBTANTIATED. ALLEGATION #2 There is a concern regarding staff qualifications. FINDINGS When I arrived to the fcch I observed a parent drop-off a child with the provider’s daughter who is fifteen years old. The provider’s daughter was unsupervised and took the child inside the fcch. Ms. Rhone-Williams stated that on occasions during morning drop-off she allows her daughter to greet parents outside unsupervised then bring the children inside the fcch. Ms. Rhone-Williams stated that her fifteen-year old daughter is home schooled and is a volunteer for a few hours a day. RESOLUTION Based on my observations and information received this allegation is SUBTANTIATED. ALLEGATION #3 There is a concern regarding safety. FINDINGS You can enter the fcch through the front door which requires you to open a gate then walk to the door or you can enter through the garage. Ms. Williams stated that the gate is unlocked during arrival and departure times, however for safety reasons she locks the gate once all the children have arrived. The key to the gate is kept by the front door. On rainy days the parents enter through the garage. I entered the fcch through the front door and the gate was unlocked. RESOLUTION The fcch has two entrances to the home and none present a safety concern, therefore this allegation is UNSUBTANTIATED. You are now at risk of being issued an administrative action due to the substantiated allegations. You will receive written notification from the Division of Child Development and Early Education once the administrative action has been issued. The following violations were cited during the visit. One violation cited was not related to the allegations. Violation Number Comment Rule 201 Parent or guardian of child was not allowed access to the home during operating hours for the purpose of contacting the child or evaluating the caregiving space at the home and the care provided. Parents are not allowed to access the caregiving space during operating hours. 10 A NCAC 09.1710(b) 921 Operator did not maintain accurate daily attendance records including documentation of arrival and departure for all children in care, including the operator's own preschool children. The last documented day of attendance was 1/29/24. .1721(e)(6) 9999 All other rules must be followed even if there is not a specific violation number listed on this form. An uncompensated provider had unsupervised contact with children and was not 18 years of age. A fifteen-year-old was allowed to greet parents outside unsupervised then bring the children inside the fcch. This is a violation of a rule in 10A NCAC 09 .0102(52). 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 March 12, 2024. The letter must address each violation and explain how it will be corrected. Please send this to Kia.Reid@dhhs.nc.gov and include the following: -Facility name -Facility ID number -Each item number COMPLIANCE HISTORY SCORE Prior to the visit today the compliance history for the facility was 97%. 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. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE -I explained to Ms. Rhone-Williams that parents must have access to the home to evaluate the caregiving space. Although COVID-19 is still with us, we now have multiple ways to manage the virus, and can treat this as a communicable disease. I suggested to Ms. Rhone-Williams that if she is concerned with communicable diseases ask the parents wear a mask when entering the child care space. -There are three teenagers that live in the home and are home schooled. I reminded Ms. Rhone-Williams that the teenagers are not eighteen years of age and cannot be left alone with the children. If I can be of any assistance or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (919) 819-9378. 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