10A NCAC 09 .3201 · Violation

Name of Operation: Topeka Heights Head Start Facility ID: 26002590 Consultant: RHONDA BLACKMON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/1/2025 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 4/1/2025 Age: From 2 To 4 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 12:10 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 November 4, 2024, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 97%, which exceeds requirements by North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(c-d). This program currently operates with a Four (4) Star License issued December 4, 2024. The License was based on the program earning seven (7) points in education standards, two (2) points in program standards, and one (1) quality point by choosing to meet a programmatic option: Staff benefits package and infrastructure of parent involvement. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Michelle Huck, 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 with two (2) demerits completed August 29, 2024. Fire Classification of approved for daytime care only completed August 27, 2024. M. Huck, Administrator/Assistant Director, was present and accompanied me while observing the indoor and outdoor areas. Preschool children, aged two to four years old, and staff assigned to Spaces A and B were engaged in free play activities in the outdoor learning environment. Children played hopscotch, used sidewalk chalk to write and draw on the poured surfacing, climbed and slid on the composite structure, and chased one another, while playing freeze tag and hide and seek. Upon their return indoors, children and staff in Space A participated in personal care and handwashing routines and transitioned to the activity areas for free play. Children built with blocks, pushed vehicles on the carpeted floor, dressed up like a nurse and firefighter, and manipulated playdough and magnetic tiles in the art and science areas. Staff walked around the space, interacting with the children, while engaging the children in conversation. Assistance was provided as needed. I observed children and staff as they returned indoors to Space B to wash their hands and prepare for mealtime. A pack of wipes, labeled keep out of reach of children, was stored on top of the musical shelving unit, accessible to children in care. When prompted, M. Huck removed the pack of wipes from the shelving unit and placed them in a cabinet, five feet from the finished floor. Lunch served was Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes, whole grain roll, broccoli florets, sliced peaches, and milk. Following lunch, staff assisted children with toileting routines, hand washing, and preparation for rest time. Soft music played as children rested on individual cots. A Staff and Training Worksheet was completed during today’s visit for two (2) new staff members and the employees’ files were monitored. Program records were reviewed. The most recent fire drill was completed on March 28, 2025. The most recent shelter-in-place drill was completed on March 18, 2025. The most recent outdoor inspection was completed on March 28, 2025. Attendance records were current/accurate and maintained for each group of children. At the completion of the visit, the Visit Summary was reviewed with M. Huck. The following violation was observed and corrected during the visit: 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. A pack of baby wipes with a plastic outer wrapping with a warning that read, "to avoid suffocation keep out of reach of children," was sitting on top of a musical shelving unit, accessible to children in care. This was corrected when the Administrator removed the pack of baby wipes from the shelving unit and placed them in a cabinet, five feet above the finished floor. .0604(q) No compliance letter is due at this time. As a reminder, 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. Facility Specific TA/Consultation/Reminders: Classroom Observations: Based on today’s classroom observation in Space A, I discussed with M. Huck the positive teacher/child interactions and planned activities being completed with the children. Children’s artwork was displayed at the children’s eye level and represented the theme for this week. Children were engaged in classroom activities and were provided with a variety of options such as blocks, dramatic play, art, manipulatives, books and puppets, and science. During interactions with children, the teachers engaged in rich, meaningful conversations with the children. I encouraged the teachers to continue providing and engaging in positive interactions with children and promote peer to peer interactions. This is important for proper growth and development of young children. I encouraged teachers to also be flexible in the posted schedule based on children’s interest and attention span. Childcare Health Consultant: The Cumberland County Department of Public Health current Child Care Health Consultant is Nicole Richardson. Her contact number is: 910-678-7706 and her email address: nrrichardson@cumberlandcountync.gov. Visit the website https://nccchcassociation.org/resources/, under resources there are several links that may be beneficial for your Child Care Center. For example, Caring for Our Children, My Plate, Safe Kids NC, and many others. The following website will also provide more information about the Child Care Health Consultants. The Child Care Health Consultant provides support in the following areas, but not limited to oral health, illness, infectious disease, emergency preparedness, health related areas, nutrition, environmental health, and physical activity. For addition information areas, visit the website, https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/child-care-health-consultants/about-cchc/. Public Notice: Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modernization Proposed Rule Amendments and Adoptions - Public Comment Period Closes April 4, 2025. The Child Care Commission intends to adopt the rules cited as 10A NCAC 09 .3201-.3226 and amend the rules cited as 10A NCAC 09 .0102, .2902, .2905, .3002, .3009, and .3010. This set of rules is proposed for adoption and amendment by the N.C. Child Care Commission in response to Session Laws 2023-40 and 2024-34 regarding the modernization of the state’s Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS). The proposed rules incorporate all the elements of QRIS required by legislation as well as additional changes necessary for administrative clarity. The rules preserve the integrity of the state’s existing QRIS while providing more options for child care facilities to demonstrate and meet quality standards. These options include adjustments to current requirements related to staff/child ratio and enrollment that will result in more availability for families, options for early childhood education professionals to meet education standards at all star levels, and a choice of three licensure pathways to earn a Star Rated License. This will enable operators to demonstrate quality care practices by meeting standards that best fit the needs of the families they serve and the early childhood education professionals they employ. PUBLIC HEARING - March 26, 2025, at 1:15 p.m. 333 Six Forks Road, Room 165, Raleigh, NC 27609 and By WebEx SEND WRITTEN COMMENTS TO: Julie Peck, DCDEE Rulemaking Coordinator 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2201 Julie.peck@dhhs.nc.gov Please feel free to contact me at Rhonda.blackmon@hhs.nc.gov or 910-709-4168 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: Topeka Heights Head Start Facility ID: 26002590 Consultant: RHONDA BLACKMON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/1/2025 Number Present: 21 Completed Date: 4/1/2025 Age: From 2 To 4 Total Minutes: 175 Time In: 09:15 AM Time Out: 12:10 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 November 4, 2024, and prior to today’s visit, the eighteen-month compliance history score was 97%, which exceeds requirements by North Carolina General Statute 110-90(4)(c-d). This program currently operates with a Four (4) Star License issued December 4, 2024. The License was based on the program earning seven (7) points in education standards, two (2) points in program standards, and one (1) quality point by choosing to meet a programmatic option: Staff benefits package and infrastructure of parent involvement. The information on record with DCDEE was verified as correct by Michelle Huck, 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 with two (2) demerits completed August 29, 2024. Fire Classification of approved for daytime care only completed August 27, 2024. M. Huck, Administrator/Assistant Director, was present and accompanied me while observing the indoor and outdoor areas. Preschool children, aged two to four years old, and staff assigned to Spaces A and B were engaged in free play activities in the outdoor learning environment. Children played hopscotch, used sidewalk chalk to write and draw on the poured surfacing, climbed and slid on the composite structure, and chased one another, while playing freeze tag and hide and seek. Upon their return indoors, children and staff in Space A participated in personal care and handwashing routines and transitioned to the activity areas for free play. Children built with blocks, pushed vehicles on the carpeted floor, dressed up like a nurse and firefighter, and manipulated playdough and magnetic tiles in the art and science areas. Staff walked around the space, interacting with the children, while engaging the children in conversation. Assistance was provided as needed. I observed children and staff as they returned indoors to Space B to wash their hands and prepare for mealtime. A pack of wipes, labeled keep out of reach of children, was stored on top of the musical shelving unit, accessible to children in care. When prompted, M. Huck removed the pack of wipes from the shelving unit and placed them in a cabinet, five feet from the finished floor. Lunch served was Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes, whole grain roll, broccoli florets, sliced peaches, and milk. Following lunch, staff assisted children with toileting routines, hand washing, and preparation for rest time. Soft music played as children rested on individual cots. A Staff and Training Worksheet was completed during today’s visit for two (2) new staff members and the employees’ files were monitored. Program records were reviewed. The most recent fire drill was completed on March 28, 2025. The most recent shelter-in-place drill was completed on March 18, 2025. The most recent outdoor inspection was completed on March 28, 2025. Attendance records were current/accurate and maintained for each group of children. At the completion of the visit, the Visit Summary was reviewed with M. Huck. The following violation was observed and corrected during the visit: 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. A pack of baby wipes with a plastic outer wrapping with a warning that read, "to avoid suffocation keep out of reach of children," was sitting on top of a musical shelving unit, accessible to children in care. This was corrected when the Administrator removed the pack of baby wipes from the shelving unit and placed them in a cabinet, five feet above the finished floor. .0604(q) No compliance letter is due at this time. As a reminder, 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. Facility Specific TA/Consultation/Reminders: Classroom Observations: Based on today’s classroom observation in Space A, I discussed with M. Huck the positive teacher/child interactions and planned activities being completed with the children. Children’s artwork was displayed at the children’s eye level and represented the theme for this week. Children were engaged in classroom activities and were provided with a variety of options such as blocks, dramatic play, art, manipulatives, books and puppets, and science. During interactions with children, the teachers engaged in rich, meaningful conversations with the children. I encouraged the teachers to continue providing and engaging in positive interactions with children and promote peer to peer interactions. This is important for proper growth and development of young children. I encouraged teachers to also be flexible in the posted schedule based on children’s interest and attention span. Childcare Health Consultant: The Cumberland County Department of Public Health current Child Care Health Consultant is Nicole Richardson. Her contact number is: 910-678-7706 and her email address: nrrichardson@cumberlandcountync.gov. Visit the website https://nccchcassociation.org/resources/, under resources there are several links that may be beneficial for your Child Care Center. For example, Caring for Our Children, My Plate, Safe Kids NC, and many others. The following website will also provide more information about the Child Care Health Consultants. The Child Care Health Consultant provides support in the following areas, but not limited to oral health, illness, infectious disease, emergency preparedness, health related areas, nutrition, environmental health, and physical activity. For addition information areas, visit the website, https://healthychildcare.unc.edu/child-care-health-consultants/about-cchc/. Public Notice: Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Modernization Proposed Rule Amendments and Adoptions - Public Comment Period Closes April 4, 2025. The Child Care Commission intends to adopt the rules cited as 10A NCAC 09 .3201-.3226 and amend the rules cited as 10A NCAC 09 .0102, .2902, .2905, .3002, .3009, and .3010. This set of rules is proposed for adoption and amendment by the N.C. Child Care Commission in response to Session Laws 2023-40 and 2024-34 regarding the modernization of the state’s Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS). The proposed rules incorporate all the elements of QRIS required by legislation as well as additional changes necessary for administrative clarity. The rules preserve the integrity of the state’s existing QRIS while providing more options for child care facilities to demonstrate and meet quality standards. These options include adjustments to current requirements related to staff/child ratio and enrollment that will result in more availability for families, options for early childhood education professionals to meet education standards at all star levels, and a choice of three licensure pathways to earn a Star Rated License. This will enable operators to demonstrate quality care practices by meeting standards that best fit the needs of the families they serve and the early childhood education professionals they employ. PUBLIC HEARING - March 26, 2025, at 1:15 p.m. 333 Six Forks Road, Room 165, Raleigh, NC 27609 and By WebEx SEND WRITTEN COMMENTS TO: Julie Peck, DCDEE Rulemaking Coordinator 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2201 Julie.peck@dhhs.nc.gov Please feel free to contact me at Rhonda.blackmon@hhs.nc.gov or 910-709-4168 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.