THE Goddard School / Fuquay-Varina

10A NCAC 09 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE GODDARD SCHOOL / FUQUAY-VARINA Facility ID: 92002549 Consultant: WANDA FOWLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0825-336L Visit Date: 9/8/2025 Number Present: 111 Completed Date: 9/8/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 09:30 AM Time Out: 12:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. I was having technical issues and was unable to type the report during today’s visit. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the owners, Carla Wahdan and Ada Kay. During today’s visit, there were 111children and 24 staff members present. The facility currently has a 5 Star License that was issued on 8/22/24. Prior to conducting observations, We discussed the nature of the report and Ada accompanied me on a general walkthrough of the outdoor play area used by the children ranging in age from infants through two years. To investigate the allegation related to safety concerns for the outdoor play area, Ada and I proceeded to the playground used by the younger children. I observed a large grassy area, a pour in place area surrounding some installed play structures, and a few areas that contained small pebbles. Ada explained that they had been unsuccessful growing grass in area of the playground due to a lack of sun and drainage issues. Their landscaper recommended placing gravel screening in these areas to prevent soil erosion and to fill in spaces surrounding the pour in place, to prevent trip hazards. There were numerous small pebbles in these areas with no grass. To assess how the space was used, I observed two groups of children using the playground for approximately 30 minutes. Throughout the observation, I did not observe any child playing in the areas with the small pebbles. Instead, they played mostly with balls and riding toys in the large grassy area of the playground. A few children played on the pour in place and interacted with the play structures. I interviewed 6 center staff members Four of them work in classrooms ranging in age from infants through two years and routinely use the playground area noted in the report. I asked them if they had any concerns regarding their outdoor play areas. They all responded that they did not have concerns about the safety of the playground. They stated that the children played mostly in the grassy area because they enjoyed playing with the balls and riding toys. To investigate the allegation related to supervision, I conducted an observation of the outdoor area I observed one child trying to stand on a riding toy and the teacher promptly removed the child, reminding them that they must sit on that toy. I observed the teachers redirecting children, reminding them of safety rules and quickly responding to the children when they were upset or needing assistance. The teachers remained close to the children throughout the observation and were observed frequently interacting with the children and attending to their needs. After completing the outdoor observations, I went inside and observed for approximately 20 minutes in the classroom enrolling younger two-year-old children. In this room, I observed the teachers being attentive and responsive to the children’s needs, redirecting children who needed help finding an activity and gently reminding children of safety rules. One child had recently transitioned into this classroom, and I observed the teachers giving him hugs and helping him to find activities he wanted to do. A partial assessment of child care requirements was conducted during today’s visit. I monitored supervision, ratios, permit restrictions and general health and safety requirements. The following violation was observed and recorded during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. There are small pebbles in several area of the playground used by children under three years of age. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) The above violations must be corrected immediately. By 9/25/25 please email me a signed letter of compliance. Before the letter is sent, all violations should be corrected; please contact me if additional time is needed to correct a specific violation. Include the following in your letter: facility ID number, list the item number describing how and when the violations were corrected and tell me how you plan to maintain compliance in the future with each item. If the compliance action letter is not received by the due date another visit to the center may be made. COMPLIANCE HISTORY Prior to today’s visit, the center’s compliance history was 98%. INVESTIGATION STATUS The investigation was completed during today’s visit. Based on interviews conducted and my observations, I was unable to determine whether a child came in contact with a small pebble while he was at the center. Therefore, this allegation regarding playground safety is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Throughout the observations, I observed no concerns with staff supervision. Therefore, the allegation regarding supervision was UNSUBSTANTIATED. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Caring for Our Children National Health and Safety Performs Standards Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs states, “Play equipment should be deemed appropriate to the developmental needs, individual interests, abilities and the ages of the children.” Having small pebbles located in various areas of the playground poses a risk to children under three years of age because they are considered a potential choking hazard to young children experiencing oral fixation. Just as we do not permit small beads or other potential hazards in a young child’s classroom, similar items can not be present on the playgrounds used by children under three years of age. The small pebbles should be removed and replaced with another more appropriate surface. If the children need to be relocated to another play area to complete a repair, remember that infants and toddlers should not be using the same outdoor area with older children. To prevent this the outdoor play schedule may need to be revised. If there is equipment that is not developmentally appropriate in the play area, then there should be a barrier to prevent younger children from accessing the equipment while they temporarily use the space. For assistance you may contact me at wanda.fowler@dhhs.nc.gov or 919 218-0988.or my supervision, Holli Hemby at holli.hemby@dhhs.nc.gov or 919 819-9363. 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

G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: THE GODDARD SCHOOL / FUQUAY-VARINA Facility ID: 92002549 Consultant: NICOLE MILLER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0924-168A Visit Date: 9/18/2024 Number Present: 57 Completed Date: 9/18/2024 Age: From 0 To 4 Total Minutes: 90 Time In: 04:00 PM Time Out: 05:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of this unannounced visit was to investigate allegations of violations of child care requirements at this child care facility. Ada Kay, owner, accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Kay and an additional staff member. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 902 Each child was not attended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner, or in keeping with the child's developmental needs. In September 2024, a parent of a four-year-old child used physical discipline on their child while in the classroom and in the presence of other enrolled children. The children were not tended to in a nurturing and appropriate manner when the children were exposed to the use of physical discipline in their presence. G.S. 110-91(10) You may contact me, Nicole Miller, Investigations Consultant, at 919-397-8451 or Nicole.p.miller@dhhs.nc.gov. Ms. Sheronda Harris, Supervisor, may be contacted at sheronda.harris@dhhs.nc.gov. Thank you for your time. 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