Bella Children Center

10A NCAC 09 .0102 · Violation

Name of Operation: BELLA CHILDREN CENTER Facility ID: 26001796 Consultant: RONA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/13/2025 Number Present: 14 Completed Date: 11/13/2025 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 180 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:00 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 compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to an Annual Compliance visit. The previous Annual Compliance Visit was completed May 8, 2025, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 98%, which is at or above 75%, as required by North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(c-d). This program currently operates with a Three-Star License issued December 30, 2019. The License was based on the program earning four points in education standards, two points in program standards, and one quality point by choosing to meet a programmatic option by providing staff benefits and infrastructure of parent involvement. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Isabella Lovejoy. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of Superior completed June 17, 2025. Fire Inspection of Approved completed May 5, 2025. Isabella Lovejoy, Owner and Administrator, was present and assisted me while observing the indoor and outdoor areas. Upon my arrival, there were fourteen (14) children in care. Upon my arrival, children in space #6/7 were sitting at tables discussing fall/autumn in English and Spanish. Children were given paper with pre-drawn leaf, tree, and pumpkin. The children were given a green crayon to color the leaf. Two children were asked to choose the green crayon out of a container. In spaces 3A/B, children were sitting at tables putting together puzzles. The teacher asked children the names of animals that were on a puzzle piece. Children also used trucks, cars, and pretend keys. I observed children’s arrival, toileting, and hand washing. Children and parents were greeted by the administrator. Today’s lunch consists of chicken strips, mixed vegetables, beans, mixed fruit, bread, and milk. At the completion of the visit, the Visit Summary was reviewed with I. Lovejoy. One violation was observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 1811 Shelter-in-place or lockdown drills were not practiced every three months and/or drill record was incomplete. The facility's last shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was dated 7/1/25. .0604(u);.0302(d)(8) The violations observed and documented today must be corrected immediately. Additionally, by 5:00 pm on November 27, 2025, you must submit a written, dated, and signed statement to me. The statement must describe accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. If the letter states that corrections have been made when they have not, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: Rona Davis Child Care Consultant P.O. Box 1218 Raeford, NC 28376 rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov Facility Specific TA/Consultation/Reminders : Shelter-in-place and/or lockdown drills: A violation was cited for not conducting shelter-in-place and lockdown drills every three months. The last shelter-in-place or lockdown drill was completed July 1, 2025. To maintain a safe and healthy environment, a shelter-in-place or lockdown drill shall be conducted every three months. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0102. We discussed strategies of putting the month (every three months) on the fire drill documentation log and scheduling drills on a calendar. QRIS Modernization Pathway: During today’s visit an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules was provided. Each of the following pathway options were discussed: Program Assessment Pathway, Classroom and Instructional Quality Pathway, and Accreditation and Head Start Pathway. Education requirements were also reviewed. Based on today’s conversation you will pursue pathway 2: Classroom and Instructional Quality Pathway. Classroom Observation Recommendations: Giving children choices and letting their interests determine what activities you do with them, how long you do them; helping children learn to care for themselves and take on responsibility. This is important because children must be interested in an activity to learn from it. If you let children choose activities, you can feel confident they are ready to learn. Strategies are: • Let children choose where and how they want to play and when they want to change activities, asking children to share their activities with you and incorporating those ideas into activities. • Not letting your rules for behavior or agenda for the day get in the way of children’s learning; children’s freedom to move and talk if is not disrupting other children; allowing children to join and leave activities based on their interest (adjust pacing for individual children, allow movement and talking). • Giving children responsibilities in the classroom and as much independence within activities and tasks as possible; helping children learn to resolve their own conflicts by giving them words to say and encouraging them to consider other children’s perspectives. Visit the DCDEE website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) for updated requirements, forms, and other pertinent information. Please feel free to contact me at rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-309-2480 if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0605 · Violation

Name of Operation: BELLA CHILDREN CENTER Facility ID: 26001796 Consultant: RONA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/14/2024 Number Present: 24 Completed Date: 10/14/2024 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 210 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:30 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 compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a Routine Unannounced visit. The previous Annual Compliance Visit was completed May 14, 2024, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 95%, which is at or above 75%, as required by North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(c-d). This program currently operates with a Three-Star License issued December 30, 2019. The License was based on the program earning four points in education standards, two points in program standards, and one quality point by choosing to meet a programmatic option by providing staff benefits and infrastructure of parent involvement. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Isabella Lovejoy. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of Superior completed April 10, 2024. Fire Inspection of Approved completed May 30, 2024. Isabella Lovejoy, Owner and Administrator, was present and assisted me while observing the indoor and outdoor areas. Upon my arrival, there were twenty-four (24) children in care. Upon my arrival, children in space #6/7, were sitting at tables. They transitioned to the carpet for a group activity. Their teacher read a story. The teacher read the title of the book and discussed the cover. The children talked about what they saw on the cover. After hearing each page of the story, children talked about when they did some of the same things with their parents. For example, milk was in a shopping cart, so children named other things that could be put in a shopping cart. At the conclusion of the story, the teacher reminded the children about doing things together with their parents. Next, children sat at tables and were given individual “Together” books and crayons. In space #3A, children were sitting at a table building with Large Legos. Another group was sitting on the floor using various developmentally age-appropriate materials like, rattles, keys, camera, and blocks. Three children participated in holding hands and marching in a circle. Children in space #3B, were using shakers and bells. They were given other musical instruments like, guitar, tambourine, and a xylophone. I observed toileting, handwashing, and sanitation. According to the menu, today’s lunch will be meatballs, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, wheat bread, and milk. At the completion of the visit, the Visit Summary was reviewed with I. Lovejoy. The following violation was observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Play equipment that cannot be moved by at least one person, measured approximately 21 inches high and was not placed over protective surfacing. .0605(j) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. On the outdoor area, there was a large table against the building with open cracks around the edge. The table was removed from the playground. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 808 The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests. Grass was growing in the mulch. 15A NCAC 18A .2832(a) The violation(s) must be corrected immediately. Mail or email a written, dated, and signed statement to me by 5:00 pm on October 28, 2024, describing how and when the violations were corrected and how the facility plans to maintain compliance in the future. If the compliance letter is not received by the deadline, an annual compliance follow-up visit will be conducted to verify that all violation(s) have been corrected. Mail or email the information to: Rona Davis Child Care Consultant P.O. Box 1218 Raeford, NC 28376 rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov Observation Suggestions: Activity Preparation: Prepare activities at least the day before to prevent long waits. If children must wait, consider singing songs or nursery rhymes to keep them busy. Focus on ways to maximize students’ interest, engagement, and ability to learn from lessons and activities at each child’s developmental level. For example, when writing first names, children may copy their name when others may need to trace their name of glue objects on the first letter of their name. Offer children a range of activities along with choices for what they can do when they are done. When writing children’s name on their activity, consider spelling their name while they watch. Facility Specific TA/Consultation/Reminders: Surfacing: We discussed play equipment higher than eighteen inches must have at least six feet of surfacing extended beyond the external limits of the equipment. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i)(1-2). Also, the area under the stationary see-saw, needs more mulch. The mulch surfacing must measure at least six inches in depth. Today, it measured approximately 1 -2 inches in depth. Remove the grass growing through the mulch. There should be only one type of surfacing. You stated that you would take care of everything. Equipment and furnishing: Both indoor and outdoor play areas must contain safe, sturdy equipment that is in good repair. Areas must be clean and free of hazards. A large table against the building was cracked around the edges, leaving space where a child’s finger could possibly get caught and injured. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(k). You stated that you will remove the table. Visit the DCDEE website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) for updated requirements, forms, and other pertinent information. Please feel free to contact me at rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-309-2480 if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. 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

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: BELLA CHILDREN CENTER Facility ID: 26001796 Consultant: RONA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/14/2024 Number Present: 24 Completed Date: 10/14/2024 Age: From 1 To 5 Total Minutes: 210 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 12:30 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 compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to a Routine Unannounced visit. The previous Annual Compliance Visit was completed May 14, 2024, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 95%, which is at or above 75%, as required by North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(c-d). This program currently operates with a Three-Star License issued December 30, 2019. The License was based on the program earning four points in education standards, two points in program standards, and one quality point by choosing to meet a programmatic option by providing staff benefits and infrastructure of parent involvement. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Isabella Lovejoy. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of Superior completed April 10, 2024. Fire Inspection of Approved completed May 30, 2024. Isabella Lovejoy, Owner and Administrator, was present and assisted me while observing the indoor and outdoor areas. Upon my arrival, there were twenty-four (24) children in care. Upon my arrival, children in space #6/7, were sitting at tables. They transitioned to the carpet for a group activity. Their teacher read a story. The teacher read the title of the book and discussed the cover. The children talked about what they saw on the cover. After hearing each page of the story, children talked about when they did some of the same things with their parents. For example, milk was in a shopping cart, so children named other things that could be put in a shopping cart. At the conclusion of the story, the teacher reminded the children about doing things together with their parents. Next, children sat at tables and were given individual “Together” books and crayons. In space #3A, children were sitting at a table building with Large Legos. Another group was sitting on the floor using various developmentally age-appropriate materials like, rattles, keys, camera, and blocks. Three children participated in holding hands and marching in a circle. Children in space #3B, were using shakers and bells. They were given other musical instruments like, guitar, tambourine, and a xylophone. I observed toileting, handwashing, and sanitation. According to the menu, today’s lunch will be meatballs, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, wheat bread, and milk. At the completion of the visit, the Visit Summary was reviewed with I. Lovejoy. The following violation was observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 716 All stationary equipment, more than 18 inches high, was not installed over protective surfacing. Play equipment that cannot be moved by at least one person, measured approximately 21 inches high and was not placed over protective surfacing. .0605(j) 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. On the outdoor area, there was a large table against the building with open cracks around the edge. The table was removed from the playground. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 808 The child care center premises, including the outdoor learning environment, was not clean, drained to minimize standing water, free of litter and hazards, and/or maintained in a manner which does not create conditions that attract or harbor pests. Grass was growing in the mulch. 15A NCAC 18A .2832(a) The violation(s) must be corrected immediately. Mail or email a written, dated, and signed statement to me by 5:00 pm on October 28, 2024, describing how and when the violations were corrected and how the facility plans to maintain compliance in the future. If the compliance letter is not received by the deadline, an annual compliance follow-up visit will be conducted to verify that all violation(s) have been corrected. Mail or email the information to: Rona Davis Child Care Consultant P.O. Box 1218 Raeford, NC 28376 rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov Observation Suggestions: Activity Preparation: Prepare activities at least the day before to prevent long waits. If children must wait, consider singing songs or nursery rhymes to keep them busy. Focus on ways to maximize students’ interest, engagement, and ability to learn from lessons and activities at each child’s developmental level. For example, when writing first names, children may copy their name when others may need to trace their name of glue objects on the first letter of their name. Offer children a range of activities along with choices for what they can do when they are done. When writing children’s name on their activity, consider spelling their name while they watch. Facility Specific TA/Consultation/Reminders: Surfacing: We discussed play equipment higher than eighteen inches must have at least six feet of surfacing extended beyond the external limits of the equipment. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(i)(1-2). Also, the area under the stationary see-saw, needs more mulch. The mulch surfacing must measure at least six inches in depth. Today, it measured approximately 1 -2 inches in depth. Remove the grass growing through the mulch. There should be only one type of surfacing. You stated that you would take care of everything. Equipment and furnishing: Both indoor and outdoor play areas must contain safe, sturdy equipment that is in good repair. Areas must be clean and free of hazards. A large table against the building was cracked around the edges, leaving space where a child’s finger could possibly get caught and injured. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0605(k). You stated that you will remove the table. Visit the DCDEE website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) for updated requirements, forms, and other pertinent information. Please feel free to contact me at rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-309-2480 if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. 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

10A NCAC 09 .1102 · Violation

Name of Operation: BELLA CHILDREN CENTER Facility ID: 26001796 Consultant: RONA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/27/2023 Number Present: 22 Completed Date: 9/27/2023 Age: From 1 To 4 Total Minutes: 180 Time In: 08:30 AM Time Out: 11:30 AM 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 compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to an Annual Compliance visit. The previous Annual Compliance Visit was completed June 23, 2022, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 98%, which is at or above 75%, as required by North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(c-d). This program currently operates with a Three-Star License issued December 30, 2019. The License was based on the program earning four points in education standards, two points in program standards, and one quality point by choosing to meet a programmatic option by providing staff benefits and infrastructure of parent involvement. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Isabella Lovejoy. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of Superior completed February 23, 2023. Fire Inspection of Approved completed June 13, 2023. Isabella Lovejoy, Owner and Administrator, was present and assisted me while observing the indoor and outdoor areas. Upon my arrival, there were twenty-two (22) children in care. Children in space #6/7, were observed sitting at tables participating in an activity using crayons and ditto sheets of animals like, squirrels and pandas. The children discussed the color of crayons they were using amongst each other. The teacher went to each individual child to discuss the animals. Children names were written on the paper when children were done. Later, children were asked to point to letters like, M, O, and A. Children were praised and given affirmation. Clues were given, when a child did not point to the correct letter. For example, for the letter “O”, the teacher said, “it is round”. In space #3A, children participated in activities like body part recognition and rote counting numbers 1 – 10. Next they played with cars and a rattling toy. Children in space #3B, were reading and feeling a soft textured book. The teacher discussed the pictures and textures and pass the book around so that each child could feel. Questions were asked like, “What do you think is behind here? and What’s behind the cover?” I observed toileting, and handwashing. According to the menu, today’s lunch will be chicken nuggets, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, wheat bread, and milk. At the completion of the visit, the Visit Summary was reviewed with I. Lovejoy. The following violation was observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 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. One staff member did not complete First Aid certification training within 90 days of employment (K. H., DOE 5/28/23). The training was completed 9/12/23. .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. One staff member did not complete CPR training within 90 days of employment (K. H., DOE 5/28/23). The training was completed 9/12/23. .1102(d) 1897 The child care administrator and all staff did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. One staff member did not complete the Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment (K. H., DOE 5/28/23). .1102(g) The violation(s) must be corrected immediately. Mail or email a written, dated, and signed statement to me by 5:00 pm on October 11, 2023, describing how and when the violations were corrected and how the facility plans to maintain compliance in the future. If the compliance letter is not received by the deadline, an annual compliance follow-up visit will be conducted to verify that all violation(s) have been corrected. Mail or email the information to: Rona Davis Child Care Consultant P.O. Box 1218 Raeford, NC 28376 rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov Observation Suggestions: Capture the degree to which the teacher’s interactions with children and classroom activities place an emphasis on children’s interest, motivations & points of view and encourage their responsibility & independence. Offer a range of opportunities for children to express their ideas in the context of both planned and unplanned activities. Provide a balance of adult and child-directed activities where children can make guided decisions based on teacher’s clearly identified expectations (example, where to sit at circle time). Facility Specific TA/Consultation/Reminders: Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse and Maltreatment Child care staff are expected to be well informed about child abuse and neglect issues and adequately trained to prevent and recognize potential maltreatment. The “Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse and Maltreatment” training must be completed within 90 days of hire. Documentation of training must be kept on file for review. Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment course is available at www.preventchildabusenc.org. When all courses are completed, send me your course certificates or training transcripts. Ensure that all courses are completed by October 11, 2023. Refer to 10A NCAC 09 .1102(g) for more information. CPR and First Aid: CPR and First Aid certification trainings were not completed within 90 days of employment for one staff member (K. H.). However, both trainings were completed on 9/12/23. Therefore, both violations were corrected during today’s visit. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1102(d) regarding staff requirements. We discussed using the staff file checklist for new staff for reminders of paperwork deadlines. Do you have children who bite? Do children struggle to focus during circle time? Do challenging behaviors cause difficult transitions? Do you spend all day managing behavior? Are you at your wits' end? Help is available for these and other behavior challenges! The Challenging Behaviors Hotline has opened and is provided for Free. You may speak to a Behavior Support Advisor for advice and resources specific to challenging behaviors in your facility. Dial 1-888-600-1685 Option 1 or for more information go to www.childcareresourcesinc.org/challenging-behaviors-helpline. Visit the DCDEE website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) for updated requirements, forms, and other pertinent information. Please feel free to contact me at rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-309-2480 if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. 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