Supervision
Name of Operation: UPWARD ELEM SCH INTENSIVE INTERVENTION CLASSROOM Facility ID: 45000349 Consultant: KARLA TERRY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 1/22/2026 Number Present: 6 Completed Date: 1/22/2026 Age: From 7 To 9 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 09:40 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 compliance during an annual compliance visit. A computerized generated report of today’s visit was completed, reviewed with you, and signed by Karla Terry, Child Care Consultant and also signed by Sandra Wright, Teacher, during the visit. A signed copy of the visit summary was left on-site with you. Sandra Wright, Teacher, Joe Hinchliffe, Teacher, and Michael Gates, Administrator, were available during the visit. The indoor and outdoor areas were monitored today, including supervision, staff/child ratios, permit restrictions, discipline, nutrition and routine caregiving activities. An annual compliance monitoring checklist for child care centers was used to note the requirements monitored and is attached to the computerized generated visit summary for your records. The center’s compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety-four percent (94%) as of 1/5/2026. Permit type – Five (5) Star Rated License, issued 9/8/2025. Special Services/Restrictions – first shift, school-age only, meets enhanced space, meets reduced ratios; Developmental Day Certified; Playground does not meet NC child care playground safety standards. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 2/13/2025. The last fire drill was practiced on 12/18/2025. A fire drill was conducted during the visit at 10:00a. The last lockdown drill was practiced on 12/8/2025. The last fire inspection was approved on 5/22/2025. The last sanitation inspection was conducted on 7/10/2025 with zero (0) demerits for a superior classification. Lead water testing was completed on 5/23/2024. The next testing is due to be completed on or before 5/23/2027. Lead paint and asbestos testing was completed on 7/29/2024 and 12/18/2025. The facility is linked to Upward Elementary School. The Emergency Medical Care plan was posted and current. Transportation is provided by and maintained by Henderson County Public Schools. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Ms. Wright. A walkthrough of the indoor and outdoor environment was conducted. Space #1 is currently not used by the licensed program. Space #2, the group of seven- and nine-year-old children were engaged free play and individualized activities. While monitoring the classroom, I observed two (2) aerosol cans of air freshener unlocked in the restroom. When discussed with the staff, the staff moved the two (2) cans to locking storage. Also, I was unable to locate the activity plans for the week. When asked, the staff stated the activity plans are located on the lead teacher’s computer. She was out today. We discussed the activity plans need to be printed and posted in central location of the classroom for all staff to easily reference, along with the parents. Lunch today consisted of a choice of fish nuggets or meatloaf, hushpuppy or roll, mash potatoes, mixed fruit, and milk. The developmental day requirements in section .2900 of the childcare rules were monitored for compliance. Children who receive developmental day services are currently cared for in space #2. Staff and children’s files were monitored. Staff member hired 8/11/2025 Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was not completed within the first ninety (90) days of employment. The completion certificate on file was dated 12/5/2025. The training was due to be completed by 11/9/2025. I used the Child Care Center Item Number Listing (DCDEE-0357) as a basic monitoring tool to assess compliance with all applicable child care requirements pertinent to this facility. For specific rule references, refer to Chapter 110 General Statues Child Care Facilities, Chapter nine (9) Child Care Rule (10A NCAC 09) and Section 2800 Sanitation of Child Care Center (15A NCAC 18A) for additional information. Updated copies of these rules can be located on our website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ The following violations were documented during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. Space #2 current activity plan was not posted for staff and parents to reference. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 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. Space #2, two (2) aerosol cans of air freshener unlocked in the restroom. .2820(b) 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. Staff member hired 8/11/2025 Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was not completed within the first ninety (90) days of employment. The completion certificate on file was dated 12/5/2025. .1102(g) Technical assistance was provided as follows: Item 428- Space #2 current activity plan was not posted for staff and parents to reference. When asked, the staff stated the activity plans are located on the lead teacher’s computer. She was out today. We discussed the activity plans need to be printed and posted in central location of the classroom for all staff to easily reference, along with the parents. Rule Reference: G.S. 110-91(12);.0508(a) Item 840- Space #2, two (2) aerosol cans of air freshener unlocked in the restroom. When discussed with the staff, the staff moved the two (2) cans to locking storage. Rule Reference: 15A NCAC 18A.2820(b) Item 1897- Staff member hired 8/11/2025 Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training was not completed within the first ninety (90) days of employment. The completion certificate on file was dated 12/5/2025. The training was due to be completed by 11/9/2025. Rule Reference: 10A NCAC 09.1102(g) Achieving Compliance: 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. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware any information submitted by you is legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit will be conducted. The violations documented above must be corrected immediately. Send me a letter of compliance describing in detail specifically how each violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. Include the following: • Facility name • Facility ID# • Date of visit • Violation item number • Signed statement of compliance I must receive your compliance statement by 2/5/2026. Email the compliance letter on signed letterhead or in the email identifying your facility name, ID#, name and position to: karla.terry@ dhhs.nc.gov or you can mail to: Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education Attn: Karla Terry PO Box 552 Ellenboro, NC 28040 Please call me at 828-200-9952, or email [email protected], if you need assistance. Please note: if mailing the letter of compliance, I must receive by the due date listed above. You will need to mail a compliance statement three to five days prior to the due date to ensure receipt within the designated timeline. Failure to correct the violations and send the written statement by the due date listed above may result in an unannounced follow-up visit being conducted. Based on Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 Section .2200, the Division of Child Development may take administrative action against the license and/or impose civil penalties based on the failure of the operator to correct any documented violations within the established time period. Consultation is provided as follows: Reminders- -Annual staff evaluations and professional development plans are to be reviewed on or before 8/11/2026. -Health and Safety training topics are due to be completed by 8/11/2026 for staff members hired 8/11/2025. -The administrators qualifying letter will expire 8/23/2026. Please begin the process early to ensure that the letter is updated prior to the expiration date. -On-going training hours will be due by 8/11/2027 for the staff members hired 8/11/2025. -We reviewed emergency medical care plan and school risk management plan documentation of annual review or when changes occur on file for review. -QRIS modernization- I would like to schedule a day for us to meet and discuss the official pathway the facility intends to pursue. During my previous visit on September 22, 2025, the staff indicated that they would like to move forward with the Classroom and Instructional Quality pathway. As we discussed, the facility will need to ensure that an approved curriculum and formative assessment are being used. At this time, the curriculum currently in use is not approved by the Division. The facility will need to contact the curriculum publisher and request that they submit the materials for review. The request should be sent to: [email protected] -ABCMS portal- continue to update the staff roster in the ABCMS portal ensuring the staff roster shows the current staff. New and terminated staff notification requirement: As stated in G.S. 110-90.2 & .2703(r) child care operators are to notify the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. This change has been in effect since February 2024. Effective immediately, you will need to obtain a Business NCID and complete Provider Portal training in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. Once the training has been completed and access has been given, you must verify your facility roster to ensure current staff are noted on the roster. This information should be updated in ABCMS in an ongoing basis as staff members are hired and when their employment is terminated. This satisfies the requirement to notify the Division of new child care providers working who were hired or moved into the child care facility within five business days. The compliance of this rule will be monitored during your next visit. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401 and someone will assist you. If you elect to change and/or alter any previously approved spaces used by children as indicated on the approved indoor and outdoor floor plan, you will need to contact me within thirty (30) days prior to the change. Failure to notify a DCDEE representative may result in a violation of child care requirements. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .0304(a) states “Each operator shall schedule and obtain a fire inspection within 12 months of the center's previous fire inspection. The operator shall notify the local fire inspector when it is time for the center's annual fire inspection. The operator shall submit the original of the approved annual fire inspection report to the Division within one week of the inspection visit on the form provided by the Division.” As child care providers, you are a vital part in the prevention and intervention of child maltreatment! You may see potential indicators of maltreatment in the children under your care. Some children may even be more likely to disclose maltreatment to a child care provider than to a family member. It is required that all providers are aware of maltreatment indicators and to report any suspicions of maltreatment. Follow child care rules related to child maltreatment training: 10A NCAC 09 .1102(g) and 10A NCAC 09 .1703(a)(5) states the child care administrator, operator, and all staff members shall complete Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training within 90 days of employment. It is the center operator’s responsibility to make sure each staff person has registered for a WORKS account, submit an official transcript (if applicable) and apply for a position for evaluation. This should be completed immediately upon hiring or at the latest, by the end of the six-week orientation process. Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3222 (c) If employment-related changes occur at a facility that result in noncompliance with or failure to meet the standards in the Section for the star rating issued, the operator shall correct the noncompliance within six months. If the operator does not correct the noncompliance within six months, the operator shall notify the Division. It is your responsibility to understand the health and safety requirements in child care rule .1102. If the program is out of compliance in accordance with health and safety requirements, Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), it may affect subsidy funding. Stay updated with changes and new rule updates by visiting the DCDEE website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/.It is your responsibility to understand the rules and laws that are applicable your program. All rules/laws cannot be verbally reviewed during any monitoring visit. Please ask questions if you are having difficulty and would like additional technical assistance. I welcome your questions and want to be a resource for you. We appreciate all you are doing to serve the children and families of NC. If you have questions, please contact me at [email protected] or 828-200-9952, or Bonnie Mathis, Licensing Supervisor, at [email protected]. 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