Growing Minds DAY Care AND Preschool Academy, LLC

10A NCAC 09 .064 · Violation

Name of Operation: GROWING MINDS DAY CARE AND PRESCHOOL ACADEMY, LLC Facility ID: 26001460 Consultant: RONA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 3/17/2026 Number Present: 28 Completed Date: 3/17/2026 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 330 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 02:30 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 compliance with applicable child care requirements pertinent to an Annual Compliance visit. The previous Annual Compliance Visit was completed March 25, 2025, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 98%. Your program currently operates with a three-star license issued August 24, 2020. The License was based on the program earning four points in education standards, two points in program standards, and one quality point by having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Eboni Hunt and the owner’s corporation status, Growing Minds Day Care and Academy, LLC was verified on the Secretary of State’s website as current-active. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of Superior completed July 18, 2025. Fire Classification of Approved completed March 12, 20226. Eboni Hunt, Administrator, was present while I observed the indoor and outdoor areas. Upon my arrival, there were twenty-eight (28) children in care. In space #1, children were sitting at tables playing with assorted colors of playdough, scissors, and cookie cutters. In space #2, children were playing in the block and dramatic play areas. They used materials like hats, spiderman masks, dishes, necklaces, and pretend food. Children in the block area used a hammer. The teacher explained what a hammer was used for. In space #3, children were crawling, walking, sitting and using developmentally aged appropriate materials like balls, small basketball hoop, noise makers, and shapes. They used indoor play equipment that included a slide. In space #4, children were observed playing in the dramatic play area. They used pots, dishes, and pretend food. They served their teacher different foods and drinks. She was offered chicken, tea, and water. She pretended that she was eating and drinking. She comforted one child that appeared upset and crying. After hugging and talking to the child, he continued playing. I observed sanitation, hand washing, lunch, rest time, and snack. Lunch consisted of chicken nuggets, corn, fries, peaches, and milk. Snack consisted of cheese balls and milk. Transportation was monitored during today's the visit. Vehicle: Thomas Built Bus License Plate: T**-**7* Registration/Inspection expires: 3/31/27 Insurance: 3/26/25 -3/26/26 At the completion of the visit, the visit summary was reviewed with E. Hunt. The following violation was observed: 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. In space #4, there were several plastic zip lock bags used for art materials, stored on a shelf lower than five feet above the floor. .0604(q) The violations observed and documented today must be corrected immediately. Additionally, by 5:00 pm on March 31, 2026. 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 Technical Assistance/Reminders/Discussions: 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 the facility will pursue pathway 2. The goal is to submit application on August 3, 2026. Plastic bags/Small materials: A violation was cited for plastic zip lock bags stored on a shelf less than five feet above the ground accessible to children under three years of age in space #4. According to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .064(q), plastic bags, materials that could be torn apart and toy parts small enough to swallow shall not be accessible to children under three years of age. Please visit DCDEE’s website for the latest child care updates and information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. If you have questions, please contact me at 910-309-2480 or rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov 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 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: GROWING MINDS DAY CARE AND PRESCHOOL ACADEMY, LLC Facility ID: 26001460 Consultant: RONA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/1/2024 Number Present: 20 Completed Date: 10/1/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 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 for a Routine Unannounced visit. The previous Annual Compliance Visit was completed April 3,2024, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 96%. Your program currently operates with a three-star license issued August 24, 2020. The License was based on the program earning four points in education standards, two points in program standards, and one quality point by having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Eboni Hunt and the owner’s corporation status, Growing Minds Day Care and Academy, LLC was verified on the Secretary of State’s website as current-active. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of Superior completed April 2, 2024. Fire Classification of Approved completed February 22, 2024. Eboni Hunt, Administrator, was present while I observed the indoor and outdoor areas. Upon my arrival, there were twenty children in care. Children in space #1, were sitting, crawling, and walking on the floor near their teachers. Soft music was playing. Teachers interacted with children by talking to them about what they were doing. One teacher helped a child push a button on a pop-up toy. Children used rattles, soft colored blocks, and musical instruments (drum and piano). Positive communication was observed. For example, the teacher called each child’s first name. One child was using a telephone and was told what to say. The teacher asked if she was talking to her mommy. In space #4, children participated in a group activity. They chanted alphabet sounds, counted 1 – 10 in English and Spanish, stretched and exercised. They participated doing jumping jacks, push-ups, and running in place. I observed toileting, handwashing, sanitation, lunch and rest time. Lunch consisted of corn dogs, green beans, apples, bread, and milk. At the completion of the visit, the visit summary was reviewed with E. Hunt. The following violations were observed. The violation(s) must be corrected immediately. Mail or email a written, dated, and signed statement to me by 5:00 pm on October 15,2024, 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: Violation Number Comment Rule 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. A medical report signed by a health care professional was not on file for two new employees. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. TB test results were not on file for two new employees. .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A Health Questionnaire for one new staff member was not on file (no medical statement). .0701(a) 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. A signed acknowledgement statement for the Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma Policy was not on file for two new employees. .0608(d)(1-4) Rona Davis Child Care Consultant P. O. Box 1218 Raeford, NC 28376 If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 TA/Reminders/Discussions: Shaken Baby Syndrome and Head Trauma Policy: A violation was cited for not having an acknowledgement form on file for two staff members. Remember to review and have new employees sign an acknowledgement form and place in their file before caring for children under five years of age. Refer to child care rule NCAC 09 .0608(d)(1-4). Medical Statement: A violation was cited for two staff members not having a medical statement on file Day one of employment. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a). TB Test Results: A violation was cited for two staff members not having TB Test Results on file Day one of employment. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a). Observation Strategies: Language Support: A language-rich environment: helping infants learn to communicate themselves and communicate their needs is important because it helps them gain the foundational skills on which all later language is built. Some strategies are: • Talking to infants in complete and descriptive sentences, narrating what you’re doing and what’s happening in the classroom; telling infants the names of objects they see. • Talking to infants with the intention of getting them to voice a response, making sounds, repeating their sounds, and asking them questions. • Telling infants what you “heard” when they use facial expressions, gestures, words, or sounds to communicate; showing infants how conversations work by pausing and making eye contact when you talk to them. • Read to the babies, show them the pictures in the book, point and name the pictures in the book. Teach children how to take care of books. • Include props when reading to children (puppets, flannel boards) Reminder: One staff member’s (A. C.) Recognizing and Responding to the Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training is due by 9/3/24. Please visit DCDEE’s website for the latest child care updates and information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. If you have questions, please contact me at 910-309-2480 or rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov 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 .0304 · Violation

Name of Operation: GROWING MINDS DAY CARE AND PRESCHOOL ACADEMY, LLC Facility ID: 26001460 Consultant: RONA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/3/2024 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 4/3/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:00 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 with applicable child care requirements pertinent for an Annual Compliance visit. The previous Annual Compliance Visit was completed May 16, 2023, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 95%. Your program currently operates with a three-star license issued August 24, 2020. The License was based on the program earning four points in education standards, two points in program standards, and one quality point by having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Eboni Hunt and the owner’s corporation status, Growing Minds Day Care and Academy, LLC was verified on the Secretary of State’s website as current-active. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of Superior completed April 2, 2024. Fire Classification of Approved completed February 22, 2024. I received both inspections during today’s visit. Eboni Hunt, Administrator, was present while I observed the indoor and outdoor areas. Upon my arrival, there were eighteen children in care. Children in space #6, were participating in various activities. I observed a game of Tic-Tac-Toe. Children used chalk and wrote on the black portion of a wall in the classroom. Children used other materials like large blocks and dramatic play materials. Children listened to a story. The teacher asked follow-up questions about their thoughts of the story. In space #1, children were observed crawling, sitting and playing with a pop-up toy. A teacher comforted a child that was crying by holding him and letting him know that everything was okay. In space #4, children were observed playing with dramatic play material, blocks, and musical instruments. I observed toileting, handwashing, sanitation, lunch and rest time. Lunch consisted of chicken strips, green beans, mashed potatoes, peaches, bread, and milk. Transportation was monitored during the visit: Vehicle: Bus License: ***-**76 Registration/Inspection expired: March 31, 2024 Insurance: 3/26/24 – 3/26/25 At the completion of the visit, the visit summary was reviewed with E. Hunt. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's current fire inspection was not received within one week after inspection. It was dated 2/22/24 and was received during today's visit. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The schoolbus used to transpot children, vehicle registration expired 3/31/24. .1002(b) The violation(s) must be corrected immediately. Mail or email a written, dated, and signed statement to me by 5:00 pm on April 17,2024, 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 If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 TA/Reminders/Discussions: Mailing Fire Inspection: A violation being cited regarding not mailing the facility’s current fire inspection to DCDEE within one week of the inspection. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a). Consider mailing the fire inspection to DCDEE immediately after the inspection. Vehicle Registration A violation was cited for a vehicle registration that expired on March 31, 2024. You stated that you were not aware that the requirements had expired. We discussed adding the requirements on a calendar. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(b). Water Testing Access to Safe Drinking Water: An amendment to Rule 15A NCAC 18A .2816 was adopted and approved effective October 1, 2019. This amendment requires that all licensed child care centers test all drinking water faucets and food preparation sinks for lead contamination within one year, and new centers must test upon application for a license. As a reminder, centers will need to test once every three years. In order to test the drinking water at your center for free, you must register for a pre-enrollment webinar with RTI international. Go to www.cleanwaterforcarolinakids.org to sign up for the required webinar. You must be open at normal or reduced operations to participate (e.g., not closed for summer). Please visit DCDEE’s website for the latest child care updates and COVID-19 information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. If you have questions, please contact me at 910-309-2480 or rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov 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 .1002 · Violation

Name of Operation: GROWING MINDS DAY CARE AND PRESCHOOL ACADEMY, LLC Facility ID: 26001460 Consultant: RONA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/3/2024 Number Present: 18 Completed Date: 4/3/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 240 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 01:00 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 with applicable child care requirements pertinent for an Annual Compliance visit. The previous Annual Compliance Visit was completed May 16, 2023, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 95%. Your program currently operates with a three-star license issued August 24, 2020. The License was based on the program earning four points in education standards, two points in program standards, and one quality point by having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less for administrator, program coordinator, lead teacher, and group leader over the last 12 months. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Eboni Hunt and the owner’s corporation status, Growing Minds Day Care and Academy, LLC was verified on the Secretary of State’s website as current-active. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of Superior completed April 2, 2024. Fire Classification of Approved completed February 22, 2024. I received both inspections during today’s visit. Eboni Hunt, Administrator, was present while I observed the indoor and outdoor areas. Upon my arrival, there were eighteen children in care. Children in space #6, were participating in various activities. I observed a game of Tic-Tac-Toe. Children used chalk and wrote on the black portion of a wall in the classroom. Children used other materials like large blocks and dramatic play materials. Children listened to a story. The teacher asked follow-up questions about their thoughts of the story. In space #1, children were observed crawling, sitting and playing with a pop-up toy. A teacher comforted a child that was crying by holding him and letting him know that everything was okay. In space #4, children were observed playing with dramatic play material, blocks, and musical instruments. I observed toileting, handwashing, sanitation, lunch and rest time. Lunch consisted of chicken strips, green beans, mashed potatoes, peaches, bread, and milk. Transportation was monitored during the visit: Vehicle: Bus License: ***-**76 Registration/Inspection expired: March 31, 2024 Insurance: 3/26/24 – 3/26/25 At the completion of the visit, the visit summary was reviewed with E. Hunt. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 106 Operator has not scheduled and obtained a fire inspection within 12 months of the previous inspection. Operator did not submit the original approved report to DCDEE within one week of the inspection visit on a form provided by the Division. The facility's current fire inspection was not received within one week after inspection. It was dated 2/22/24 and was received during today's visit. 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) 1110 Vehicles used to transport children enrolled in the child care center did not comply with all applicable State and federal laws and regulations. The schoolbus used to transpot children, vehicle registration expired 3/31/24. .1002(b) The violation(s) must be corrected immediately. Mail or email a written, dated, and signed statement to me by 5:00 pm on April 17,2024, 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 If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 TA/Reminders/Discussions: Mailing Fire Inspection: A violation being cited regarding not mailing the facility’s current fire inspection to DCDEE within one week of the inspection. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a). Consider mailing the fire inspection to DCDEE immediately after the inspection. Vehicle Registration A violation was cited for a vehicle registration that expired on March 31, 2024. You stated that you were not aware that the requirements had expired. We discussed adding the requirements on a calendar. Refer to child care rule 10A NCAC 09 .1002(b). Water Testing Access to Safe Drinking Water: An amendment to Rule 15A NCAC 18A .2816 was adopted and approved effective October 1, 2019. This amendment requires that all licensed child care centers test all drinking water faucets and food preparation sinks for lead contamination within one year, and new centers must test upon application for a license. As a reminder, centers will need to test once every three years. In order to test the drinking water at your center for free, you must register for a pre-enrollment webinar with RTI international. Go to www.cleanwaterforcarolinakids.org to sign up for the required webinar. You must be open at normal or reduced operations to participate (e.g., not closed for summer). Please visit DCDEE’s website for the latest child care updates and COVID-19 information for child care at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/. If you have questions, please contact me at 910-309-2480 or rona.davis@dhhs.nc.gov 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