G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: HIGHLAND LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 2655144 Consultant: YOLANDA PRIDGEN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/14/2024 Number Present: 103 Completed Date: 8/14/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 02:15 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 February 13, 2024, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 97%. This program currently operates with a Five (5) Star License issued April 27, 2022. The License was based on the program earning seven (7) points in education standards, six (6) points in program standards, and one (1) quality point by choosing to meet a programmatic option: The childcare administrator has at least ten years of documented early child care experience in a license program that can be verified by the Division. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Diana Bunton and the owner’s corporation status was verified on the Secretary of State’s website as current-active. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of superior completed February 1, 2024. Fire Classification of approved for daytime care only completed June 5, 2024. Diana Bunton, Administrator, accompanied me while observing the indoor and outdoor areas. Robin Burns, assistant administrator, was present. I observed infants playing with soft toys the floor, receiving tummy time, and resting in individual cribs. Preschool-aged children throughout the facility were observed in free choice activities in interest centers both indoors and outdoors. I observed children singing alphabet including American sign language, reciting numbers 1-10 in English and Spanish. Children were observed manipulating playdough with tools, dumping and filling containers in the sandbox, building structures with colored magnetic blocks, Legos, unit blocks, and vehicles. In the outdoor play area, children engaged in water play, climbed on stationary equipment, and played with portable toys such as tricycles, hoops, and balls. Teachers assisted children with transitioning indoors, completing diapering/toileting routines, and hand washing in preparation for mealtime. For lunch, children were served cheese pizza, fresh garden salad, applesauce, and milk. Water was offered to children. Following lunch, children were observed resting on individual cots as soft music played. Staff and training worksheets were monitored during today’s visit. The most recent fire drill was completed on July 30, 2024, a lockdown drill was completed on July 22, 2024. The most current monthly outdoor inspection was completed on August 5, 2024. At the completion of the visit, the Visit Summary was reviewed with D. Bunton. The following violations were observed: Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. On the playground used for toddlers, a yellow Tonka dump truck was rusted and had sections of chipping paint. The violation was corrected when the administrative staff removed the truck from the playground to be repaired. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 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. Accessible to children in space #9, an aerosol can of Barbasol shaving cream was stored in a plastic wall chart near the entrance of the classroom. The violation was corrected when the teacher removed the shaving cream and placed it in a locked cabinet. .2820(b) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. The violations observed today were corrected immediately therefore a compliance letter is not required. Facility Specific TA/Consultation/Reminders: Classroom Observations: During today’s visit, I observed space #1 with infants. The teacher was sitting on the floor feeding an infant and other children were sitting on the floor in Boppie cushions. Infants were playing with rattles, busy music boxes, and soft blocks. One infant was observed resting in their crib. A second teacher entered the classroom and assisted with caring for children. Teachers were observed talking to the children and providing them with age-appropriate toys that were stored on low open shelves in the classroom. I observed the teacher having a conversation with two infants, “I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere. Are you done with your bottle? Let’s try to burp. You found your toy!” I recommend teachers continue having conversations with infants although they may not talk or make babbling sounds back to them. I also recommend teachers utilize time on the floor to play games with infants such as placing toys out of the infant’s reach and encouraging the child to reach for the object. I observed space #6 with preschool- aged children. Children and teachers were observed on the floor in circle time activities. One teacher read the book “Llama Llama Missing Mama” to the children and children asked and answered questions. “He is happy! Do you know where his mama went? You’re right, she went to work.” Following reading the book, teachers transitioned children to singing Icky Sticky Bubble Gum and Rolly Polly songs where children used their hands to make gestures and stretch. I suggest teachers continue to have meaningful conversations and interactions with children. I encourage teachers to give children opportunities to respond to their statement or question and encourage peer conversations. Natural Outdoor Learning Initiative: The DCDEE has a new initiative – Natural Outdoor Learning Initiative. Through this initiative, we hope to: increase knowledge and confidence for everyone in developing and implementing best practices to support the creation, programming, and safe use of naturalized outdoor spaces in child care facilities. You can learn more by visiting the NLI website, where you will also find many resources, including an updated Toolkit designed to help you enhance your outdoor learning environment. The downloadable NLI Toolkit is available at: https://naturalearning.org/preschool-outdoor-toolkit. School-aged Professional Development Opportunities: The Cumberland County Partnership for Children is sponsoring the “Let’s Get Connected” The School Aged Connection. The in-person event focuses on creating a safe and inclusive community for sharing and learning new concepts. This learning event is for directors and school-age staff only (newly hired and/or seasoned Group Leaders). Training topics to be covered are: growth and development, classroom management, learning environments, building relationships, safety and wellness, positive behaviors, activity planning, and sanitation. For more information on how to register, contact Mary Anders, Lead Coach, at manders@ccpfc.org or (910)826-3018. Please feel free to contact me at yolanda.pridgen@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-305-2371 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

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: HIGHLAND LEARNING CENTER Facility ID: 2655144 Consultant: YOLANDA PRIDGEN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 8/14/2024 Number Present: 103 Completed Date: 8/14/2024 Age: From 0 To 10 Total Minutes: 300 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 02:15 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 February 13, 2024, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 97%. This program currently operates with a Five (5) Star License issued April 27, 2022. The License was based on the program earning seven (7) points in education standards, six (6) points in program standards, and one (1) quality point by choosing to meet a programmatic option: The childcare administrator has at least ten years of documented early child care experience in a license program that can be verified by the Division. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Diana Bunton and the owner’s corporation status was verified on the Secretary of State’s website as current-active. Current Inspections are as follows: Sanitation Classification of superior completed February 1, 2024. Fire Classification of approved for daytime care only completed June 5, 2024. Diana Bunton, Administrator, accompanied me while observing the indoor and outdoor areas. Robin Burns, assistant administrator, was present. I observed infants playing with soft toys the floor, receiving tummy time, and resting in individual cribs. Preschool-aged children throughout the facility were observed in free choice activities in interest centers both indoors and outdoors. I observed children singing alphabet including American sign language, reciting numbers 1-10 in English and Spanish. Children were observed manipulating playdough with tools, dumping and filling containers in the sandbox, building structures with colored magnetic blocks, Legos, unit blocks, and vehicles. In the outdoor play area, children engaged in water play, climbed on stationary equipment, and played with portable toys such as tricycles, hoops, and balls. Teachers assisted children with transitioning indoors, completing diapering/toileting routines, and hand washing in preparation for mealtime. For lunch, children were served cheese pizza, fresh garden salad, applesauce, and milk. Water was offered to children. Following lunch, children were observed resting on individual cots as soft music played. Staff and training worksheets were monitored during today’s visit. The most recent fire drill was completed on July 30, 2024, a lockdown drill was completed on July 22, 2024. The most current monthly outdoor inspection was completed on August 5, 2024. At the completion of the visit, the Visit Summary was reviewed with D. Bunton. The following violations were observed: Violation Number Comment Rule 721 All equipment and furnishings were not in good repair. On the playground used for toddlers, a yellow Tonka dump truck was rusted and had sections of chipping paint. The violation was corrected when the administrative staff removed the truck from the playground to be repaired. G.S. 110-91(6); .0601(b) 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. Accessible to children in space #9, an aerosol can of Barbasol shaving cream was stored in a plastic wall chart near the entrance of the classroom. The violation was corrected when the teacher removed the shaving cream and placed it in a locked cabinet. .2820(b) Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. The violations observed today were corrected immediately therefore a compliance letter is not required. Facility Specific TA/Consultation/Reminders: Classroom Observations: During today’s visit, I observed space #1 with infants. The teacher was sitting on the floor feeding an infant and other children were sitting on the floor in Boppie cushions. Infants were playing with rattles, busy music boxes, and soft blocks. One infant was observed resting in their crib. A second teacher entered the classroom and assisted with caring for children. Teachers were observed talking to the children and providing them with age-appropriate toys that were stored on low open shelves in the classroom. I observed the teacher having a conversation with two infants, “I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere. Are you done with your bottle? Let’s try to burp. You found your toy!” I recommend teachers continue having conversations with infants although they may not talk or make babbling sounds back to them. I also recommend teachers utilize time on the floor to play games with infants such as placing toys out of the infant’s reach and encouraging the child to reach for the object. I observed space #6 with preschool- aged children. Children and teachers were observed on the floor in circle time activities. One teacher read the book “Llama Llama Missing Mama” to the children and children asked and answered questions. “He is happy! Do you know where his mama went? You’re right, she went to work.” Following reading the book, teachers transitioned children to singing Icky Sticky Bubble Gum and Rolly Polly songs where children used their hands to make gestures and stretch. I suggest teachers continue to have meaningful conversations and interactions with children. I encourage teachers to give children opportunities to respond to their statement or question and encourage peer conversations. Natural Outdoor Learning Initiative: The DCDEE has a new initiative – Natural Outdoor Learning Initiative. Through this initiative, we hope to: increase knowledge and confidence for everyone in developing and implementing best practices to support the creation, programming, and safe use of naturalized outdoor spaces in child care facilities. You can learn more by visiting the NLI website, where you will also find many resources, including an updated Toolkit designed to help you enhance your outdoor learning environment. The downloadable NLI Toolkit is available at: https://naturalearning.org/preschool-outdoor-toolkit. School-aged Professional Development Opportunities: The Cumberland County Partnership for Children is sponsoring the “Let’s Get Connected” The School Aged Connection. The in-person event focuses on creating a safe and inclusive community for sharing and learning new concepts. This learning event is for directors and school-age staff only (newly hired and/or seasoned Group Leaders). Training topics to be covered are: growth and development, classroom management, learning environments, building relationships, safety and wellness, positive behaviors, activity planning, and sanitation. For more information on how to register, contact Mary Anders, Lead Coach, at manders@ccpfc.org or (910)826-3018. Please feel free to contact me at yolanda.pridgen@dhhs.nc.gov or 910-305-2371 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