GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: LITTLE GIFTS FROM ABOVE Facility ID: 51000794 Consultant: LEIGH MCKENZIE-LEE Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 9/17/2025 Number Present: 3 Completed Date: 9/17/2025 Age: From 2 To 4 Total Minutes: 55 Time In: 11:40 AM Time Out: 12:35 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Annual Comp Full Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance of applicable family child care home requirements during your annual compliance visit. I monitored the indoor and outdoor environments for compliance with child care requirements. Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, refrigerator thermometer, storage of medication and hazardous products, outlets, garbage storage, toys and materials and the bathroom the children use were all monitored for compliance. The permit, schedule, SIDS information, emergency telephone numbers and a summary of NC Child Care Law were all posted at the time of today's visit. Qualifying letters, CPR/ first aid, ITS-SIDS, health questionnaire, emergency procedures and the children's records were also monitored for compliance. Three preschool age children was present and was observed during naptime. A meal or snack was not observed during today's visit. A four star family child care home with seven points in education, two points in program standards and one quality point was issued to you on 1-31-18. Based on the information provided and on observations made, you continue to meet the standards previously met to obtain such a license. Violation Number Comment Rule 706 Corrosive agents, pesticides, bleaches, detergents, cleansers, polishes, and products under pressure in an aerosol dispenser and any substance that may be hazardous to a child if ingested, inhaled, or handled were not kept in locked storage when children were in care. Multiple containers of laundry detergent were stored on a shelf in the laundry room. One container of laundry detergent was stored on top of the clothes dryer. .1719 (a)(7) 721 Operator was not able to hear and respond, without delay, to children who were sleeping or napping. While the children were sleeping, you were at the other end of the home. You were not able to hear the children as the door to the room where the children were was closed. .1711(a)(4)(D) 726 Children were sleeping or napping in a room with a closed door between the child and the supervising staff. The door to the room where the children were sleeping was closed at the time of my arrival. .1711(a)(4)(D) 910 Copy of each child's health assessment, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file within 30 days of enrollment. A completed health assessment was not available in one of the children's files. GS 110-91(1); 10A NCAC 09.1721(a)(1) 911 Copy of each child's immunization record, including the operator's own preschool child(ren), was not on file. Immunization records were not available in one of the children's files. GS 110-91(1); .1721(a)(2) Two violations pertaining to supervision of the children were documented during the visit. When I arrived for the visit, you did not initially come to the door. As I was backing our of your driveway, you came to the door and motioned for me to come back. When I approached the front door of the home, you stated that you were in the bathroom when I arrived for the visit. As we walked down to the room where care is provided, I observed that the door was closed. I asked if the children were in the child care room and you stated that they were. When I asked about why the door was closed, you stated that you did not want the children to get out of the child care room while you were in the bathroom. I explained that based on family child care home requirements, there cannot be a closed door between you and the children. In addition, this closed door prevented you from being able to hear and respond quickly while you were in the bathroom, which is located down the hallway on the other side of your home. These types of violations directly impact the safety of the children while in your care and must be corrected immediately. As an alternative, you may want to have the children sleep on the floor in the den area of your home as it is closer to your kitchen and bathroom, which would allow for easier supervision during naptime. In addition, the child care room and the adjacent laundry room are located in what appears to be a converted garage. These rooms are on ground level, which is several steps lower than the rest of your home. Moving the children to your den for nap will allow you more freedom to move about the other areas of your home while still providing adequate supervision while the children are sleeping. A violation was also documented as your laundry detergent was not in locked storage. This same violation was documented during your 4-23-25 routine unannounced visit. As we discussed during that visit, laundry detergent must be in locked storage at all times. When I arrived for today's visit, you asked wasn't I early for the visit. Your last annual compliance visit was conducted on 10-8-24, thus this year's visit would be conducted anytime between 8-8-25 and 10-7-25. When I pointed out the laundry detergent and again explained that it must be in locked storage, you stated that you were going to lock it up before I came for the visit and again stated that I came early for the visit. You went on to state that the children knew not to touch the laundry detergent. Child care requirements are in place to ensure the health and safety of the children while in your care. This particular requirement is in place to limit children's access to hazardous products. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory at all times, not just when you are expecting a visit from a representative of DCDEE. Failure to maintain compliance with this requirement will negatively impact your compliance history and may lead to the issuance of an administrative action for a compliance history below the minimum or for willful non-compliance with child care requirements. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to monitor compliance with child care requirements. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all the licensing requirements that apply to your program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the childcare law and rules. I explained that you have access to the on-line version of the Child Care Rule Book, as well as a hard copy of the rules. I recommended that you visit the Division of Child Development's website (www.ncchildcare.nc.gov) on a regular basis to find out what's new in childcare. Please contact me at 919-819-9301 or at leigh.mckenzie-lee@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. Please use the following address for mailing items to me: Division of Child Development and Early Education Attention: Leigh McKenzie-Lee 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2200 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: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.