10A NCAC 09 .3009 · Violation

Name of Operation: H.B. SUGG ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 74000761 Consultant: LESHAUNDA MCCOTTER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/23/2026 Number Present: 31 Completed Date: 2/23/2026 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 235 Time In: 08:35 AM Time Out: 12:30 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in spaces #1 and #2, where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/5/20, earning 7 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced requirements and reduced ratios) and 1 quality point for the programmatic option of staff benefits package and infrastructure of parent involvement. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum, High Scope, as required for all four and five star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 3/6/25. The sanitation inspection was completed 12/15/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 2/11/26 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. Two groups were observed during the visit. Upon arrival, the groups were transitioning to the classroom spaces. Children washed their hands and met the teacher at the carpet. In space #1, children discussed animals. Children identified wild animals and pets. In space #2, the group discussed animals that hibernate. The groups then dismissed to indoor free play. Teachers were observed moving about the spaces, interacting with the children through conversation, asking open ended questions, and assisting children with problem solving. Proper handwashing techniques were observed. Lunch was observed during today’s visit and included crescent roll, cinnamon roll, eggs, yogurt, mozzarella sticks w/ marinara sauce, roasted potatoes ,mixed vegetables, apples, banana, and milk. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance. The current NC Pre-K staff are lead teachers, K. Adams and B. Brown, and teacher, S. Ebison. A selection of files were monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. The classroom uses the Teaching Strategies Gold instrument to document evidence of children's ongoing progress. The checkpoint assessments are conducted three times per year: at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. Family involvement activities/events are offered throughout the school year. The first day of school was 9-3-25. The classroom operates from 7:15 am- 1:45 pm. Parent conferences are held two times per year. You stated that you use the Class Dojo app, a private class Facebook Page, newsletters, and daily communication folders to communicate with parents any information about the child’s day and any reminders. The environment rating scale score received on 4/12/23 was 6.25. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. There were eight open outlets located on the Kindergarten hall, four open outlets in on the Pre-K hall and two open outlets in the cafeteria. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 840 All corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, any product which is under pressure in an aerosol dispenser, and any substance which may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not stored in a locked room or cabinet. One bottle of Horizon Vantage disinfectant spray hang on the trash cart in then entrance of the cafeteria. .2820(b) Compliance Verification: Two of two violations sited were corrected during the visit. No further action is required at this time. Technical Assistance: Safe Indoor Environment-Environments should ensure safety, promote health, provide comfort and be convenient for children and caregivers. Twelve open outlets were observed in the hallways used by preschool aged children and two open outlets were located near the food line in the cafeteria. You were able to talk to office and custodial staff during the visit and request outlet covers be replaced. Additional covers were purchased and are available for use with needed. Today there was a bottle of Horizon Vantage disinfectant spray on the handle of the trash cart. We discussed sharing the storage requirements with all staff. You may put visual reminders or posters up to remind all school staff of how to properly store cleaning chemicals. Additional Comments: Pathways to the Stars- C. Lakhram, Pre-K Coordinator, and I discussed the facility’s plan for completing a rated license assessment on 10/8/2025, using the new QRIS rules found in Section .3200 of the NC Child Care Rules. A technical Assistance visit was completed on November 20, 2025, to further review Section .3200 of the NC Child Care Rules at this location. The program wishes to pursue pathway #1, Program Assessment. The three-month self-study was completed November 2025 to February 2026. -Educational Standards- The determination of the facility’s expected star level is based on education currently available in WORKS. All staff’s education is not updated in the WORKS Portal. Be sure that all classroom staff and administrators have updated their WORKS accounts by June 2026. Please submit an Application for Assessment for a Rated License by August 2026. Reminders: Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them for understanding and implement them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. NCID- Did you know that if you do not login on 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. As part of ongoing efforts to protect state systems and data, the N.C. Department of Information Technology will be changing the minimum length of NCID passwords from eight to 14 characters. When you change your current password after Feb. 23, however, 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. • Passwords shall not contain number or character substitutes to create dictionary words (e.g., d33psl33p for deepsleep). North Carolina General Statute 14-208 requires sex offenders to register with the North Carolina Department of Justice. The law states that a sex offender shall not knowingly reside within 1,000 feet of the property on which any public or nonpublic school or child care center is located. This does not apply to child care centers that are located on or within 1,000 feet of property of an institution of higher education where the registrant is a student or is employed. All licensed child care centers must register to receive e-mail notification when a registered sex offender moves within a one-mile radius of the center. (§14-208.19) To register for the e-mail notification, go to http://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. If you have any questions, please contact your local sheriff's department. The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on child care issues, and assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 758-8885 or check out their website at mppfc.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant, 252-751-8634, LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 252-373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@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.