Supervision
Name of Operation: UPWARD PSAM-PSPM-PLUS Facility ID: 45000031 Consultant: KARLA TERRY Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/25/2025 Number Present: 9 Completed Date: 2/25/2025 Age: From 5 To 12 Total Minutes: 165 Time In: 02:45 PM Time Out: 05:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Annual Comp w/Rated Lic Assess Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor compliance during an annual compliance with rated license. A computerized generated report of today’s visit was completed, reviewed with you, and signed by me, Karla Terry, Child Care Consultant and also signed by Sara Brown, Program Coordinator, during the visit. A signed copy of the visit summary was left on-site with you. Sara Brown, Program Coordinator, was on-site and 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-nine percent (99%) as of 2/21/2025. Permit type – Five (5) Star Rated License effective 12/31/2018. Special Services/Restrictions – first shift (daytime care), school-age only, meets enhanced space, meets reduced ratios by one from seven (7) point, and playground does not meet NC Child Care Requirements. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on 3/20/2024. The last fire drill was practiced on 2/13/2025. The last lockdown drill was practiced on 2/13/2025. The last fire inspection was approved on 8/8/2024. The last sanitation inspection was conducted on 8/13/2024 with six (6) demerits for a superior classification. The last lead water testing was completed on 5/23/2024. However, lead paint and asbestos testing is still due to be completed by 5/31/2025. The Emergency Medical Care plan was posted and current. The facility closed on 9/27/2024 due to Tropical Storm Helene and re-opened after Tropical Storm Helene on 10/25/2024. Upon arrival, I checked in at the office and walked down to the gym. I observed the children arriving at 2:59p. They put away their belongings in their individual baskets, got hand sanitizer, and began to engage in play. Once everyone arrived, the group lined up and transitioned to the restroom to wash hands and prepare for snack. After washing hands and using the restroom, the group transitioned to the cafeteria for snack. Today, snack consisted of cheez-its and milk. After snack, the group lined up and walked to the restroom to wash hands. Then the group transitioned outdoors for gross motor play. The program does not provide transportation. Today, we reviewed the prep assessment that was conducted on 5/14/2024. Due to the facility being closed for the summer and Tropical Storm Helene, I was unable to review the assessment with the facility prior to today. Below are the items that were scored two (2) or below. ECERS-R assessment – 5/14/2024 – (S. Brown) Total score – 5.26 Item 12 Indicator: 3.1 Score: 2 pts Assessor Comments: The teacher reported that if children are sick they may wait in the quiet area; this space does not meet the requirements of this indicator because it is used by other children during the day. Observations today: The children go to the quiet area to wait on the carpet with pillows until their parents arrive. We discussed separating them away from the other children and having a cot or mat for them to lay down on until their parents arrive. Item 14 Indicator: 3.1 Score: 2 pts Assessor Comments: Indoors, there were push pins on the bulletin board in the gym, within reach of the children. Push pins pose a puncture hazard for the 5-year-old child enrolled in this group. Outdoors, this group used the playground with the red, yellow, and blue complex climber. The mulch measured 1-4 inches in depth under the climber and at the exit of the slides, rather than at least 6 inches as required by the ASTM1292 information provided by the program. Observations today: Push pins were observed on the parent information board. We discussed changing those to staples so that a child could not accidentally remove the push pin and get stuck by the pin. Also, outdoors the mulch depth at the slide exits and in the fall zones were four (4) inches instead of the required six (6) per the ASTM certification. We discussed raking the excess mulch from the outer area and bringing it into the slide exits and in the fall zones. Item 25 Indicator: 3.2 Score: 2 pts Assessor Comments: The required use of science or nature books was not observed. Observed today: I observed a bookshelf with twenty (20) books that were science or nature books. Item 36 Indicator: 3.3 Score: 2 pts Assessor Comments: The type of fine motor or language activity required by this indicator was reported to occur twice a week, rather than daily. Observed today: I observed the fine motor and language activities available for the children to independently access. When I spoke with Ms. Brown, she stated that it is offered daily. During our discussion, we discussed that the facility license is currently held harmless. Which means that the facility does not have to move forward with the rated license process. However, we did discuss that the facility can choose to voluntarily move forward with the rated license process using the score they received from the prep assessment as long as the facility can maintain their current star rating. I recommended that you meet with your administrator William Scott Rhodes to discuss how you would like to proceed. I left a copy of the staff information sheet with the staff should you decide to proceed with the rated license process. 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 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. One (1) staff members annual evaluation was not completed on or before the date of the previous evaluation. The previous evaluation was completed on 2/6/2024. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) Technical assistance was provided as follows: Item 1232- One (1) staff members annual evaluation was not completed on or before the date of the previous evaluation. The previous evaluation was completed on 2/6/2024. We discussed that the staff annual evaluations are to be completed on or before the previous evaluations date. Rule Reference: 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 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 • Statement of compliance I must receive your compliance statement by 3/10/2025. 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 it 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 is 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: Lead Paint and Asbestos Testing- In April 2023, North Carolina enacted final rules 10A NCAC 41C .1001-1007 requiring all public schools and child care facilities to: Test for lead in drinking/cooking water (.1005 and .2816), Identify lead-based paint hazards (.1004), Identify asbestos hazards (.1003), Mitigate or restrict access to any identified hazards. Testing is required to be completed by May 31, 2025. 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. No action is needed on your part if you have completed the reference training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. 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) 814-8401 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 .2830 (c) If employment-related changes occur at a facility that result in the operator not complying with the standards in the Section for the star rating issued, the operator shall correct the noncompliance within 120 days. If the operator does not correct the noncompliance within 120 days, 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 karla.terry@ dhhs.nc.gov 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