Childcare Network #321

10A NCAC 09 .0604 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: PAULA DAVIS Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0525-074L Visit Date: 5/21/2025 Number Present: 60 Completed Date: 5/21/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 11:00 AM 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 investigate a complaint report received by the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) on May 9, 2025, alleging violations of child care requirements of discipline and supervision. Upon my arrival, we were greeted by the administrator, Amber Bell. Licensing Supervisor Teraesa Leak accompanied me on today’s visit. Limited monitoring of the child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The license was posted. We were accompanied by Ms. Bell as we conducted a general walk-through of the indoor environments. A total of 60 children were present. Children were observed playing in activity areas, participating in teacher directed activities, and outdoor play. The allegations of non-compliance with the childcare requirements are as follows: -Inappropriate Discipline -Supervision During today’s visit, we discussed the allegations with Ms. Bell and staff members, and each were given an opportunity to share her perspective regarding the allegations and to provide any additional information. We also monitored two (2) staff files. We asked Ms. Bell and staff members if they had recently received any concerns regarding the allegations, from either parents or staff. The staff members each stated that they had not seen or heard any staff members using inappropriate discipline with the children. Ms. Bell stated that one staff member is currently suspended. Ms. Bell went on to explain that the corporate office had received a complaint about the teacher and therefore, the corporate office is conducting an internal investigation. Ms. Bell informed us that she had spent a significant amount of time reviewing the camera footage and she had not observed the suspended teacher, or any other teacher, at the facility using inappropriate discipline with the children. Ms. Bell stated today that each of the teachers has their unique teaching styles, but they do not use inappropriate discipline with the children. Ms. Bell further explained that each of the staff members sign the facility’s discipline policy when they are hired, and they are aware of what is and is not allowed in the classrooms. Today all of the children were adequately supervised, and we did not observe any inappropriate discipline from the staff. Based on our observations and statements from staff, the allegations regarding inappropriate discipline and supervision are UNCONFIRMED. The following violations were cited and corrected during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 812 Electrical outlets and power strips, not in use, which were located in space used by children did not have safety outlets or were not covered with safety plugs unless located behind furniture or equipment that cannot be moved by a child. Two outlets in the classroom for the school age children was not covered. 10A NCAC 09 .0604(c) 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. A can of shaving cream and a can of snow was located in an unlocked closet in the classroom for the three year old children. .2820(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE/CONSULTATION: Today, you stated that several of the staff members have very little experience in the field of Early Childhood Education and therefore might not be familiar with the child care rules. In addition, there are several classrooms with children that have challenging behaviors. Ms. Leak asked if you felt you and the staff members would benefit from rules review and you stated that you felt a rules review would be very beneficial. Ms. Leak asked that you get in touch with her to arrange a date. You were also encouraged to contact the Partnership for Children to obtain training courses on supervision, discipline, as well as working with children with challenging behaviors. We observed the signed discipline policy in the staff files today, but I also suggested that you review the discipline policy with the staff members again. You stated that you plan to review it with the staff members tonight. Thank you for your time today. Should you have any questions regarding today's visit, please do not hesitate to contact me at 919-819-9302 or by email at paula.davis@dhhs.nc.gov. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: KATISHA FARMER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0225-194A Visit Date: 2/26/2025 Number Present: 76 Completed Date: 2/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 80 Time In: 10:20 AM Time Out: 11:40 AM 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. Amber Bell, Director, accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Bell and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. No violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Staff member failed to ensure the child had excited the bus, which placed the child in an unsafe environment. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1118 Children were left in a vehicle unattended by an adult. Staff members left ann eight-year-old child on the bus unsupervised for one hour. GS 110-91 (13); .1003(g) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. Staff did not use the roster to complete a name to face check of the children as they exited the bus or when the children entered the classroom. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1810 There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. The Division of Child Development and Early Education determined child maltreatment occurred related to supervision. GS 110-105.6(a) You may contact me at Katisha Farmer, Investigations Consultant, 252 373-8547, Katisha.farmer@dhhs.nc.gov or Corrie davenport, Supervisor, corrie.davenport@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

10A NCAC 09 .1003 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: KATISHA FARMER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0225-194A Visit Date: 2/26/2025 Number Present: 76 Completed Date: 2/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 80 Time In: 10:20 AM Time Out: 11:40 AM 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. Amber Bell, Director, accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Bell and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. No violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Staff member failed to ensure the child had excited the bus, which placed the child in an unsafe environment. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1118 Children were left in a vehicle unattended by an adult. Staff members left ann eight-year-old child on the bus unsupervised for one hour. GS 110-91 (13); .1003(g) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. Staff did not use the roster to complete a name to face check of the children as they exited the bus or when the children entered the classroom. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1810 There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. The Division of Child Development and Early Education determined child maltreatment occurred related to supervision. GS 110-105.6(a) You may contact me at Katisha Farmer, Investigations Consultant, 252 373-8547, Katisha.farmer@dhhs.nc.gov or Corrie davenport, Supervisor, corrie.davenport@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

GS 110-105 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: KATISHA FARMER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0225-194A Visit Date: 2/26/2025 Number Present: 76 Completed Date: 2/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 80 Time In: 10:20 AM Time Out: 11:40 AM 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. Amber Bell, Director, accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Bell and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. No violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Staff member failed to ensure the child had excited the bus, which placed the child in an unsafe environment. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1118 Children were left in a vehicle unattended by an adult. Staff members left ann eight-year-old child on the bus unsupervised for one hour. GS 110-91 (13); .1003(g) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. Staff did not use the roster to complete a name to face check of the children as they exited the bus or when the children entered the classroom. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1810 There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. The Division of Child Development and Early Education determined child maltreatment occurred related to supervision. GS 110-105.6(a) You may contact me at Katisha Farmer, Investigations Consultant, 252 373-8547, Katisha.farmer@dhhs.nc.gov or Corrie davenport, Supervisor, corrie.davenport@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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: KATISHA FARMER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0225-194A Visit Date: 2/26/2025 Number Present: 76 Completed Date: 2/26/2025 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 80 Time In: 10:20 AM Time Out: 11:40 AM 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. Amber Bell, Director, accompanied me during a walk-through of the facility. During the visit, I discussed the allegations with Ms. Bell and additional staff members. Limited monitoring of child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. No violations were observed and/or confirmed during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. Staff member failed to ensure the child had excited the bus, which placed the child in an unsafe environment. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 1118 Children were left in a vehicle unattended by an adult. Staff members left ann eight-year-old child on the bus unsupervised for one hour. GS 110-91 (13); .1003(g) 1128 For routine transport of children to and from the center, staff did not use the list to document attendance as children boarded and departed the vehicle. Staff did not use the roster to complete a name to face check of the children as they exited the bus or when the children entered the classroom. 10A NCAC 09 .1003(l) 1810 There was a substantiation of child maltreatment. The Division of Child Development and Early Education determined child maltreatment occurred related to supervision. GS 110-105.6(a) You may contact me at Katisha Farmer, Investigations Consultant, 252 373-8547, Katisha.farmer@dhhs.nc.gov or Corrie davenport, Supervisor, corrie.davenport@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

10A NCAC 09 .0601 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/19/2024 Number Present: 63 Completed Date: 12/19/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 04:30 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 checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored today. The Administrator was not present when I arrived. The staff member in charge was identified and notified of the purpose of the visit. The Administrator arrived shortly thereafter and assisted with the visit. An administrative action follow-up visit was conducted in conjunction with today’s visit. I monitored the indoor environments for compliance with child care requirements. Staff/child ratios, supervision, use of space and capacity were monitored for compliance. The permit, sanitation, evacuation, safe arrival and departure procedures, first aid chart, menus, activity plans, daily schedules, staff/child ratios, emergency medical care plan, emergency telephone numbers, and a summary of NC Child Care Law were all were all monitored during the visit. The storage of medication and hazardous products was also monitored for compliance. Staff and Children records were also reviewed today. Files for staff were monitored and the staff/training worksheets were not fully completed. Your signature on these forms will serve as verification the information provided is accurate and complete. A random selection of children’s records were reviewed, and the children record worksheet was shared with you and discussed today. I observed the children completing routine care tasks, coming indoors from outdoor play, engaged in free play, eating lunch, transitioning into nap and napping. The infants in care were observed napping, being held and fed by the caregivers, and playing on the floor. The meal served today consisted of ham sandwiches with bun and cheese, tropical fruit, celery, and milk. Your last sanitation inspection was completed on August 7, 2024 with 0 demerits and a superior classification. The last fire drill was documented as conducted on December 13, 2024 at 3:15pm. The log reflected that it took one minute fifty-six seconds to evacuate 49 children and 11 adults. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on December 13, 2024 at 2:30pm. The last outdoor inspection was documented as completed on November 15, 2024. Your last fire inspection was completed on February 14, 2024. I verified the corporation status with the Secretary of State’s website as part of the visit. Any violations observed during today's visit were discussed with you even though the handwritten visit summary was used. The following violations were documented during today's visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitutions today were not listed on them menu in the lobby area. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not available for August, September, or October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The kitchen was not made inaccessible to the children. Upon my arrival the kitchen door was standing open. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. A playground inspection was not conducted in October 2024. .0605(q) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. This verification was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete first aid certification within the first 90 days of employment. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete CPR certification within 90 days of employment. .1102(d) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. An annual staff evaluation was not available for one staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1851 The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. This verification was not provided for the nine children's records monitored today. .0604(j) 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. One staff member did not complete this training within 90 days of employment. .1102(g) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than January 2, 2025. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. We discussed that additional time is available to meet on-going training requirements. The number of hours and specific staff were reviewed. I reminded you that the hours must be obtained by January 8, 2025. Failure to obtain the number of hours or submit the documentation of hours may result in additional violations being documented. Consultation and Technical Assistance: I notified you that CPR and First Aid certification for one staff member would expire in a few days. I also notified you that your fire inspection would expire on February 14, 2024. You are responsible for contacting the local fire marshal to request the inspection. You asked about Criminal Background Checks for therapists. I explained that anyone who is left alone with children must have a Background Check completed by our agency. If therapy sessions are conducted in the classrooms or in the presence of other staff members, a background check is not required. We discussed that infants must sleep in a safe environment. The infants must be placed on their backs to sleep when first placed in the crib. If they are able to roll over, they are not required to be repositioned. If they are placed any way other than on their backs, a waiver must be available. The safe sleep logs must also reflect that the child was placed in the crib on their back. If they immediately roll over, the form should be noted that the child was placed on their back and immediately rolled. The first notation on the safe sleep forms should always be marked “back”, unless a waiver is on file. The health and safety trainings must be completed every five years. The health and safety trainings are available on Moodle on the DCDEE website and remain free of charge. I encouraged you to use the Health and Safety tracking log to ensure all topics are covered. I noted that both Medication Administration and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment are part of this series. The hold harmless state of Rated License Assessments has been extended, however you may request to have your rated license reassessed at any time. Therefore, it is imperative that you and your staff ensure all education information is updated in the WORKS database. I also encouraged you to begin conducting mock ERS assessments if you plan to request them for the Rated License Assessment. I asked that you notify me if you are interested in completing the reassessment. Please ensure that you are notifying the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired within five business days. Previously, written notification such as the “Change of Information” form was used, however the process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. A Provider Portal training is available in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. 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. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance with the portal or the training, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401and someone will assist you. REVIEW OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN: A Written Warning was issued to this facility on October 30, 2024. The stipulations of the Corrective Action Plan were reviewed during the visit conducted on November 19, 2024. We discussed the status of each today. Stipulation 1: This item requires that the facility comply at all times with all applicable rules, including but not limited to, falsification and supervision. During today’s visit, supervision requirements were observed and were in compliance. However, other violations of child care requirements were noted. Stipulation 2: This item requires that the facility contact me to arrange for a training on falsification within two (2) weeks after receiving the Administrative Action. The facility is not in compliance with this item, as I have not been contacted to arrange for the training. I asked if they had documentation of any prior attempt to contact me to request the training. None was provided. The Administrator requested the training verbally today. I asked that she follow-up with an email requesting the training for documentation purposes. I will contact you on my next office day to schedule the training. Stipulation 3: This item requires that the facility contact Lorena Esparza, Quality Supports Manager, with the Partnership for Children of Johnston County, to arrange for the Active Supervision training. You stated today that this training was conducted on December 16, 2024 with 20 staff members attending. You stated one staff member was unable to attend due to illness and the inability to find child care for her own children. I notified you that I would discuss the requirements with management and let you know how to proceed. Documentation of this training was observed today. Stipulation 4: This item requires that a written plan be developed that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to adequate supervision of children. This plan is due within two (2) weeks after the required Active Supervision training, or by December 30, 2024. We discussed that I had received this plan from Ms. Furman on December 17, 2024. I will notify you if modification is needed or if the plan is sufficient. Stipulation 5: This item requires that a written plan be developed that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff, children and program records. This plan was received on November 22, 2024. The facility was provided verbal and written notice that the plan was sufficient on December 5, 2024. Stipulation 6: This item requires that the facility shall conduct a staff meeting to review the written plan related to supervision. This item is due within two (2) weeks after notification from the Division that the stipulation has been met. I will contact you when the plans have been reviewed. Please be mindful of the imposed deadlines for each stipulation. If you have any questions, you may contact me. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/19/2024 Number Present: 63 Completed Date: 12/19/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 04:30 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 checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored today. The Administrator was not present when I arrived. The staff member in charge was identified and notified of the purpose of the visit. The Administrator arrived shortly thereafter and assisted with the visit. An administrative action follow-up visit was conducted in conjunction with today’s visit. I monitored the indoor environments for compliance with child care requirements. Staff/child ratios, supervision, use of space and capacity were monitored for compliance. The permit, sanitation, evacuation, safe arrival and departure procedures, first aid chart, menus, activity plans, daily schedules, staff/child ratios, emergency medical care plan, emergency telephone numbers, and a summary of NC Child Care Law were all were all monitored during the visit. The storage of medication and hazardous products was also monitored for compliance. Staff and Children records were also reviewed today. Files for staff were monitored and the staff/training worksheets were not fully completed. Your signature on these forms will serve as verification the information provided is accurate and complete. A random selection of children’s records were reviewed, and the children record worksheet was shared with you and discussed today. I observed the children completing routine care tasks, coming indoors from outdoor play, engaged in free play, eating lunch, transitioning into nap and napping. The infants in care were observed napping, being held and fed by the caregivers, and playing on the floor. The meal served today consisted of ham sandwiches with bun and cheese, tropical fruit, celery, and milk. Your last sanitation inspection was completed on August 7, 2024 with 0 demerits and a superior classification. The last fire drill was documented as conducted on December 13, 2024 at 3:15pm. The log reflected that it took one minute fifty-six seconds to evacuate 49 children and 11 adults. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on December 13, 2024 at 2:30pm. The last outdoor inspection was documented as completed on November 15, 2024. Your last fire inspection was completed on February 14, 2024. I verified the corporation status with the Secretary of State’s website as part of the visit. Any violations observed during today's visit were discussed with you even though the handwritten visit summary was used. The following violations were documented during today's visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitutions today were not listed on them menu in the lobby area. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not available for August, September, or October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The kitchen was not made inaccessible to the children. Upon my arrival the kitchen door was standing open. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. A playground inspection was not conducted in October 2024. .0605(q) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. This verification was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete first aid certification within the first 90 days of employment. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete CPR certification within 90 days of employment. .1102(d) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. An annual staff evaluation was not available for one staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1851 The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. This verification was not provided for the nine children's records monitored today. .0604(j) 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. One staff member did not complete this training within 90 days of employment. .1102(g) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than January 2, 2025. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. We discussed that additional time is available to meet on-going training requirements. The number of hours and specific staff were reviewed. I reminded you that the hours must be obtained by January 8, 2025. Failure to obtain the number of hours or submit the documentation of hours may result in additional violations being documented. Consultation and Technical Assistance: I notified you that CPR and First Aid certification for one staff member would expire in a few days. I also notified you that your fire inspection would expire on February 14, 2024. You are responsible for contacting the local fire marshal to request the inspection. You asked about Criminal Background Checks for therapists. I explained that anyone who is left alone with children must have a Background Check completed by our agency. If therapy sessions are conducted in the classrooms or in the presence of other staff members, a background check is not required. We discussed that infants must sleep in a safe environment. The infants must be placed on their backs to sleep when first placed in the crib. If they are able to roll over, they are not required to be repositioned. If they are placed any way other than on their backs, a waiver must be available. The safe sleep logs must also reflect that the child was placed in the crib on their back. If they immediately roll over, the form should be noted that the child was placed on their back and immediately rolled. The first notation on the safe sleep forms should always be marked “back”, unless a waiver is on file. The health and safety trainings must be completed every five years. The health and safety trainings are available on Moodle on the DCDEE website and remain free of charge. I encouraged you to use the Health and Safety tracking log to ensure all topics are covered. I noted that both Medication Administration and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment are part of this series. The hold harmless state of Rated License Assessments has been extended, however you may request to have your rated license reassessed at any time. Therefore, it is imperative that you and your staff ensure all education information is updated in the WORKS database. I also encouraged you to begin conducting mock ERS assessments if you plan to request them for the Rated License Assessment. I asked that you notify me if you are interested in completing the reassessment. Please ensure that you are notifying the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired within five business days. Previously, written notification such as the “Change of Information” form was used, however the process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. A Provider Portal training is available in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. 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. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance with the portal or the training, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401and someone will assist you. REVIEW OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN: A Written Warning was issued to this facility on October 30, 2024. The stipulations of the Corrective Action Plan were reviewed during the visit conducted on November 19, 2024. We discussed the status of each today. Stipulation 1: This item requires that the facility comply at all times with all applicable rules, including but not limited to, falsification and supervision. During today’s visit, supervision requirements were observed and were in compliance. However, other violations of child care requirements were noted. Stipulation 2: This item requires that the facility contact me to arrange for a training on falsification within two (2) weeks after receiving the Administrative Action. The facility is not in compliance with this item, as I have not been contacted to arrange for the training. I asked if they had documentation of any prior attempt to contact me to request the training. None was provided. The Administrator requested the training verbally today. I asked that she follow-up with an email requesting the training for documentation purposes. I will contact you on my next office day to schedule the training. Stipulation 3: This item requires that the facility contact Lorena Esparza, Quality Supports Manager, with the Partnership for Children of Johnston County, to arrange for the Active Supervision training. You stated today that this training was conducted on December 16, 2024 with 20 staff members attending. You stated one staff member was unable to attend due to illness and the inability to find child care for her own children. I notified you that I would discuss the requirements with management and let you know how to proceed. Documentation of this training was observed today. Stipulation 4: This item requires that a written plan be developed that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to adequate supervision of children. This plan is due within two (2) weeks after the required Active Supervision training, or by December 30, 2024. We discussed that I had received this plan from Ms. Furman on December 17, 2024. I will notify you if modification is needed or if the plan is sufficient. Stipulation 5: This item requires that a written plan be developed that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff, children and program records. This plan was received on November 22, 2024. The facility was provided verbal and written notice that the plan was sufficient on December 5, 2024. Stipulation 6: This item requires that the facility shall conduct a staff meeting to review the written plan related to supervision. This item is due within two (2) weeks after notification from the Division that the stipulation has been met. I will contact you when the plans have been reviewed. Please be mindful of the imposed deadlines for each stipulation. If you have any questions, you may contact me. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/19/2024 Number Present: 63 Completed Date: 12/19/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 360 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 04:30 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 checklist was used to note the requirements I monitored today. The Administrator was not present when I arrived. The staff member in charge was identified and notified of the purpose of the visit. The Administrator arrived shortly thereafter and assisted with the visit. An administrative action follow-up visit was conducted in conjunction with today’s visit. I monitored the indoor environments for compliance with child care requirements. Staff/child ratios, supervision, use of space and capacity were monitored for compliance. The permit, sanitation, evacuation, safe arrival and departure procedures, first aid chart, menus, activity plans, daily schedules, staff/child ratios, emergency medical care plan, emergency telephone numbers, and a summary of NC Child Care Law were all were all monitored during the visit. The storage of medication and hazardous products was also monitored for compliance. Staff and Children records were also reviewed today. Files for staff were monitored and the staff/training worksheets were not fully completed. Your signature on these forms will serve as verification the information provided is accurate and complete. A random selection of children’s records were reviewed, and the children record worksheet was shared with you and discussed today. I observed the children completing routine care tasks, coming indoors from outdoor play, engaged in free play, eating lunch, transitioning into nap and napping. The infants in care were observed napping, being held and fed by the caregivers, and playing on the floor. The meal served today consisted of ham sandwiches with bun and cheese, tropical fruit, celery, and milk. Your last sanitation inspection was completed on August 7, 2024 with 0 demerits and a superior classification. The last fire drill was documented as conducted on December 13, 2024 at 3:15pm. The log reflected that it took one minute fifty-six seconds to evacuate 49 children and 11 adults. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on December 13, 2024 at 2:30pm. The last outdoor inspection was documented as completed on November 15, 2024. Your last fire inspection was completed on February 14, 2024. I verified the corporation status with the Secretary of State’s website as part of the visit. Any violations observed during today's visit were discussed with you even though the handwritten visit summary was used. The following violations were documented during today's visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitutions today were not listed on them menu in the lobby area. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 805 Fire drills were not practiced monthly and/or the drill record was incomplete. Fire drills were not available for August, September, or October 2024. .0604(t); .0302(d)(5) 807 A safe indoor and outdoor environment was not provided for the children. The kitchen was not made inaccessible to the children. Upon my arrival the kitchen door was standing open. 10A NCAC 09 .0601(a) 859 Monthly playground inspections were not completed and/or they were not completed by an individual trained in playground safety requirements. A playground inspection was not conducted in October 2024. .0605(q) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. This verification was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete first aid certification within the first 90 days of employment. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete CPR certification within 90 days of employment. .1102(d) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. An annual staff evaluation was not available for one staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1851 The operator did not notify the parent of each child enrolled in writing of the smoking and tobacco restriction. This verification was not provided for the nine children's records monitored today. .0604(j) 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. One staff member did not complete this training within 90 days of employment. .1102(g) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than January 2, 2025. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. We discussed that additional time is available to meet on-going training requirements. The number of hours and specific staff were reviewed. I reminded you that the hours must be obtained by January 8, 2025. Failure to obtain the number of hours or submit the documentation of hours may result in additional violations being documented. Consultation and Technical Assistance: I notified you that CPR and First Aid certification for one staff member would expire in a few days. I also notified you that your fire inspection would expire on February 14, 2024. You are responsible for contacting the local fire marshal to request the inspection. You asked about Criminal Background Checks for therapists. I explained that anyone who is left alone with children must have a Background Check completed by our agency. If therapy sessions are conducted in the classrooms or in the presence of other staff members, a background check is not required. We discussed that infants must sleep in a safe environment. The infants must be placed on their backs to sleep when first placed in the crib. If they are able to roll over, they are not required to be repositioned. If they are placed any way other than on their backs, a waiver must be available. The safe sleep logs must also reflect that the child was placed in the crib on their back. If they immediately roll over, the form should be noted that the child was placed on their back and immediately rolled. The first notation on the safe sleep forms should always be marked “back”, unless a waiver is on file. The health and safety trainings must be completed every five years. The health and safety trainings are available on Moodle on the DCDEE website and remain free of charge. I encouraged you to use the Health and Safety tracking log to ensure all topics are covered. I noted that both Medication Administration and Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment are part of this series. The hold harmless state of Rated License Assessments has been extended, however you may request to have your rated license reassessed at any time. Therefore, it is imperative that you and your staff ensure all education information is updated in the WORKS database. I also encouraged you to begin conducting mock ERS assessments if you plan to request them for the Rated License Assessment. I asked that you notify me if you are interested in completing the reassessment. Please ensure that you are notifying the Division of any new child care providers working who were hired within five business days. Previously, written notification such as the “Change of Information” form was used, however the process of notifying the Division has changed and is now captured in ABCMS. A Provider Portal training is available in Moodle at https://www.dcdee.moodle.nc.gov/course/view.php?id=119. No action is needed on your part if you have already completed the training and are currently using the ABCMS Provider Portal to update information regarding new hires or residents. 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. Please note, the hard copy of the Change of Information form will no longer be needed or accepted. Should you need assistance with the portal or the training, please contact the Criminal Background Check Unit at (919) 814-6401and someone will assist you. REVIEW OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN: A Written Warning was issued to this facility on October 30, 2024. The stipulations of the Corrective Action Plan were reviewed during the visit conducted on November 19, 2024. We discussed the status of each today. Stipulation 1: This item requires that the facility comply at all times with all applicable rules, including but not limited to, falsification and supervision. During today’s visit, supervision requirements were observed and were in compliance. However, other violations of child care requirements were noted. Stipulation 2: This item requires that the facility contact me to arrange for a training on falsification within two (2) weeks after receiving the Administrative Action. The facility is not in compliance with this item, as I have not been contacted to arrange for the training. I asked if they had documentation of any prior attempt to contact me to request the training. None was provided. The Administrator requested the training verbally today. I asked that she follow-up with an email requesting the training for documentation purposes. I will contact you on my next office day to schedule the training. Stipulation 3: This item requires that the facility contact Lorena Esparza, Quality Supports Manager, with the Partnership for Children of Johnston County, to arrange for the Active Supervision training. You stated today that this training was conducted on December 16, 2024 with 20 staff members attending. You stated one staff member was unable to attend due to illness and the inability to find child care for her own children. I notified you that I would discuss the requirements with management and let you know how to proceed. Documentation of this training was observed today. Stipulation 4: This item requires that a written plan be developed that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to adequate supervision of children. This plan is due within two (2) weeks after the required Active Supervision training, or by December 30, 2024. We discussed that I had received this plan from Ms. Furman on December 17, 2024. I will notify you if modification is needed or if the plan is sufficient. Stipulation 5: This item requires that a written plan be developed that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff, children and program records. This plan was received on November 22, 2024. The facility was provided verbal and written notice that the plan was sufficient on December 5, 2024. Stipulation 6: This item requires that the facility shall conduct a staff meeting to review the written plan related to supervision. This item is due within two (2) weeks after notification from the Division that the stipulation has been met. I will contact you when the plans have been reviewed. Please be mindful of the imposed deadlines for each stipulation. If you have any questions, you may contact me. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. 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

10A NCAC 09 .1801 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: TERAESA LEAK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/19/2024 Number Present: 65 Completed Date: 11/19/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 60 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 10:00 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Admin Action Follow-Up Lic Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor applicable child care requirements during an Administrative Action follow up visit after a Written Warning was issued to the facility on October 30, 2024. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the acting director, D. Wiggins. Also present was the director in training, Ms. A. Bell. The assistant director, J. Ingram, arrived a short time later. Limited monitoring of the child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The license was posted. I was accompanied by Ms. Wiggins as I conducted a walk-through of the indoor environment. A total of sixty-five (65) children were present during today’s visit. The children were observed during free play, teacher directed activities and completing routine tasks. I observed all required postings and monitored for today’s lunch. The meal was in compliance with Meal Pattern requirements. The following violation (s) were cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1948 Following the issuance of any administrative action the operator did not post the administrative action, cover letter, and/or corrective action plan, if applicable, in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility during the pendency of an appeal and/or throughout the effective time period of the administrative action. (Applicable to administrative actions after 2/1/19) 10A NCAC 09 .2201(i)(1-4) The violation was corrected during the visit, therefore a compliance letter is not required. The facility received the Administrative Action on November 4, 2024, but was not posted. They were reminded that the Administrative Action must remain posted in a location visible to parents and visitors for the duration of the Action. During today's visit, I reviewed the Administrative Action, Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and appeal process with the administrative team. I discussed each stipulation, and the team was given an opportunity to ask any questions. REVIEW OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN: Stipulation 1: The facility shall comply at all times with all applicable rules, including but not limited to, North Carolina General Statute § 110-91(14) regarding falsification and Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1801(a)(1-4) regarding supervision. During today’s visit, supervision requirements were observed and in compliance. Stipulation 2: Within two (2) weeks after receiving the Administrative Action, Ms. Ingram shall contact Becky Jackson, Lead Child Care Consultant to arrange for a training on falsification. The facility is not in compliance with this item. I was notified today that there is a new administrator in training set to assume the role on December 16, 2024. Ms. Wiggins is a Lead Director for the company and has been assisting with the transition. I stated that they should make contact with Ms. Jackson today to schedule the training. Stipulation 3: Within one (1) week after the Notice is received, Ms. Ingram shall contact Lorena Esparza, Quality Supports Manager, Partnership for Children of Johnston County, to arrange for the Active Supervision training. A question was raised about this stipulation during the visit. According to the administrative team, the facility participated in this training in October following a supervision violation. I stated that I would ask if the training would have to be repeated. In the meantime, please contact Esparza to schedule a tentative training date. Stipulation 4: Within two (2) weeks after the required Active Supervision training is completed, Ms. Ingram shall develop a written plan that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to adequate supervision of children. You should begin working on the written plan based on the knowledge obtained from the training. Stipulation 5: Within two (2) weeks after the Notice is received Ms. Ingram shall develop a written plan that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff, children and program records. Stipulation 6: Within two (2) weeks after notification from the Division that the stipulation has been met for the written plan related to supervision, Ms. Ingram shall conduct a staff meeting with all staff members to discuss the plan. Please be mindful of the imposed deadlines for each stipulation. If you have any questions, you may contact your child care consultant. I can also be reached at Teraesa.Leak@dhhs.nc.gov or by phone at 919-971-7765. Finally, Ms. Bell was given a copy of the Preservice Requirements for Administrators form. Please complete the form, obtain the necessary signatures and submit to Ms. Jackson upon completion. Once the information is received, our database will be updated reflecting Ms. Bell as the new administrator. 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

10A NCAC 09 .2201 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: TERAESA LEAK Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 11/19/2024 Number Present: 65 Completed Date: 11/19/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 60 Time In: 09:00 AM Time Out: 10:00 AM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Admin Action Follow-Up Lic Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to monitor applicable child care requirements during an Administrative Action follow up visit after a Written Warning was issued to the facility on October 30, 2024. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by the acting director, D. Wiggins. Also present was the director in training, Ms. A. Bell. The assistant director, J. Ingram, arrived a short time later. Limited monitoring of the child care requirements occurred during today’s visit. The license was posted. I was accompanied by Ms. Wiggins as I conducted a walk-through of the indoor environment. A total of sixty-five (65) children were present during today’s visit. The children were observed during free play, teacher directed activities and completing routine tasks. I observed all required postings and monitored for today’s lunch. The meal was in compliance with Meal Pattern requirements. The following violation (s) were cited during today’s visit: Violation Number Comment Rule 1948 Following the issuance of any administrative action the operator did not post the administrative action, cover letter, and/or corrective action plan, if applicable, in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility during the pendency of an appeal and/or throughout the effective time period of the administrative action. (Applicable to administrative actions after 2/1/19) 10A NCAC 09 .2201(i)(1-4) The violation was corrected during the visit, therefore a compliance letter is not required. The facility received the Administrative Action on November 4, 2024, but was not posted. They were reminded that the Administrative Action must remain posted in a location visible to parents and visitors for the duration of the Action. During today's visit, I reviewed the Administrative Action, Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and appeal process with the administrative team. I discussed each stipulation, and the team was given an opportunity to ask any questions. REVIEW OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN: Stipulation 1: The facility shall comply at all times with all applicable rules, including but not limited to, North Carolina General Statute § 110-91(14) regarding falsification and Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1801(a)(1-4) regarding supervision. During today’s visit, supervision requirements were observed and in compliance. Stipulation 2: Within two (2) weeks after receiving the Administrative Action, Ms. Ingram shall contact Becky Jackson, Lead Child Care Consultant to arrange for a training on falsification. The facility is not in compliance with this item. I was notified today that there is a new administrator in training set to assume the role on December 16, 2024. Ms. Wiggins is a Lead Director for the company and has been assisting with the transition. I stated that they should make contact with Ms. Jackson today to schedule the training. Stipulation 3: Within one (1) week after the Notice is received, Ms. Ingram shall contact Lorena Esparza, Quality Supports Manager, Partnership for Children of Johnston County, to arrange for the Active Supervision training. A question was raised about this stipulation during the visit. According to the administrative team, the facility participated in this training in October following a supervision violation. I stated that I would ask if the training would have to be repeated. In the meantime, please contact Esparza to schedule a tentative training date. Stipulation 4: Within two (2) weeks after the required Active Supervision training is completed, Ms. Ingram shall develop a written plan that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to adequate supervision of children. You should begin working on the written plan based on the knowledge obtained from the training. Stipulation 5: Within two (2) weeks after the Notice is received Ms. Ingram shall develop a written plan that describes, in detail, the steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with child care requirements related to staff, children and program records. Stipulation 6: Within two (2) weeks after notification from the Division that the stipulation has been met for the written plan related to supervision, Ms. Ingram shall conduct a staff meeting with all staff members to discuss the plan. Please be mindful of the imposed deadlines for each stipulation. If you have any questions, you may contact your child care consultant. I can also be reached at Teraesa.Leak@dhhs.nc.gov or by phone at 919-971-7765. Finally, Ms. Bell was given a copy of the Preservice Requirements for Administrators form. Please complete the form, obtain the necessary signatures and submit to Ms. Jackson upon completion. Once the information is received, our database will be updated reflecting Ms. Bell as the new administrator. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/6/2024 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 9/6/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 85 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Unannounced Visit Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to follow-up on violations documented during a visit conducted on August 13, 2024. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, and was observed preparing and serving lunch. She was notified of the purpose of the visit. A technician was also present for part of the visit installing a new door keypad entry system. During the visit a staff member from a neighboring facility owned by the same legal owner arrived to provide assistance. She was observed finishing lunch service and cleaning the kitchen. The children were observed eating lunch, conducting routines, and engaged in group dancing time. The infants in care were observed napping and playing on the floor. The lunch being served today consisted of hamburger with gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, apples, and milk. Files for staff hired or transferred to this location since the previous visit were monitored today. During the visit I asked you for the files for staff who had been hired since the previous visit. You provided me with two files. You stated one staff member had a several parts to her name, however this file was for and named one of the staff members observed during the classroom monitoring. The name on documents in the file was the same thorough out and did not match what the staff member reported her name to be during classroom monitoring. I went into the classroom, approached the named staff member identified, and pointed to the name on the application in the file. I asked the named staff member if this was any portion of her name. She stated it was not, that the person listed on the application was not present today. I returned to the office and notified you that I was aware of the falsification and explained what I had asked the named staff member who verified that was not her information. You admitted it was not her file. I asked if you had a file for the named staff member. You stated you had some of the forms but not a complete file. I asked that you provide me with the items you had for the named staff member. You later brought them to me in the empty classroom where I was reviewing files. When asked why you provided false information, you stated you were the only administration staff present today, that you had sent the assistant administrator home sick, and that you didn’t have the required information on file for the named staff member. You stated you wanted to prevent a violation being documented, so you falsely told me the file was for the named staff member. We discussed that one of the violations documented during the August 13, 2024 was falsification by two staff members. I notified you that a repeated violation regarding falsification would be documented. However, this time the falsification was provided by a member of management rather than a staff member. I asked if you understood how serious this situation was. You stated you did, and apologized. You stated you were not expecting me to visit today, and that you were “freaking out”. You stated you wanted to prevent a violation from being documented. I explained that the better situation would have been for a violation regarding staff files be documented than providing false information to a Division representative. I notified you that administrative action would more than likely be taken against this facility’s permit. I asked that you contact your regional manager to notify her of the situation. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 108 The operator made an effort to falsify information. The administrator provided false information when identifying staff records for monitoring. G.S. 110-91(14) 1030 Application for employment and date of birth was not on file for all staff. An application was not on file for one staff member. .0302(d)(1)(A) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. This signed statement was not on file for one staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. This signed acknowledgement was not on file for two staff members. .0608(d)(1-4) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than September 20, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, from the email address on file with the Division as the official email address for the facility. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov with any questions or to request technical assistance. 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: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY JACKSON Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 9/6/2024 Number Present: 68 Completed Date: 9/6/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 85 Time In: 11:15 AM Time Out: 12:40 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Unannounced Visit Follow-Up Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to follow-up on violations documented during a visit conducted on August 13, 2024. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, and was observed preparing and serving lunch. She was notified of the purpose of the visit. A technician was also present for part of the visit installing a new door keypad entry system. During the visit a staff member from a neighboring facility owned by the same legal owner arrived to provide assistance. She was observed finishing lunch service and cleaning the kitchen. The children were observed eating lunch, conducting routines, and engaged in group dancing time. The infants in care were observed napping and playing on the floor. The lunch being served today consisted of hamburger with gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, apples, and milk. Files for staff hired or transferred to this location since the previous visit were monitored today. During the visit I asked you for the files for staff who had been hired since the previous visit. You provided me with two files. You stated one staff member had a several parts to her name, however this file was for and named one of the staff members observed during the classroom monitoring. The name on documents in the file was the same thorough out and did not match what the staff member reported her name to be during classroom monitoring. I went into the classroom, approached the named staff member identified, and pointed to the name on the application in the file. I asked the named staff member if this was any portion of her name. She stated it was not, that the person listed on the application was not present today. I returned to the office and notified you that I was aware of the falsification and explained what I had asked the named staff member who verified that was not her information. You admitted it was not her file. I asked if you had a file for the named staff member. You stated you had some of the forms but not a complete file. I asked that you provide me with the items you had for the named staff member. You later brought them to me in the empty classroom where I was reviewing files. When asked why you provided false information, you stated you were the only administration staff present today, that you had sent the assistant administrator home sick, and that you didn’t have the required information on file for the named staff member. You stated you wanted to prevent a violation being documented, so you falsely told me the file was for the named staff member. We discussed that one of the violations documented during the August 13, 2024 was falsification by two staff members. I notified you that a repeated violation regarding falsification would be documented. However, this time the falsification was provided by a member of management rather than a staff member. I asked if you understood how serious this situation was. You stated you did, and apologized. You stated you were not expecting me to visit today, and that you were “freaking out”. You stated you wanted to prevent a violation from being documented. I explained that the better situation would have been for a violation regarding staff files be documented than providing false information to a Division representative. I notified you that administrative action would more than likely be taken against this facility’s permit. I asked that you contact your regional manager to notify her of the situation. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 108 The operator made an effort to falsify information. The administrator provided false information when identifying staff records for monitoring. G.S. 110-91(14) 1030 Application for employment and date of birth was not on file for all staff. An application was not on file for one staff member. .0302(d)(1)(A) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1233 Each employee's personnel file did not contain a signed and dated statement that they received a job description and that they have received personnel and operational policies. This signed statement was not on file for one staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(g) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. This signed acknowledgement was not on file for two staff members. .0608(d)(1-4) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than September 20, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, from the email address on file with the Division as the official email address for the facility. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.jackson@dhhs.nc.gov with any questions or to request technical assistance. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 57 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 12:30 PM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Admin Action Follow-Up Lic Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to assess compliance with applicable NC child care requirements following the issuance of a Written Warning issued to this facility on June 14, 2024. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, and assisted with the visit. The children were observed napping during today’s visit. The infants in care were observed napping and being fed. The school age children were not present today, as they were participating in an off-premise activity. Files for staff hired or transferred to this location since the previous visit were monitored today. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. The EMC plan had not been reviewed with two staff members annually, or when they transferred to a different facility. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test was obtained after employment for one staff member. .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A health questionnaire that had been completed within the last year was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information that had been completed within the last year was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete first aid certification before it expired on April 20, 2024. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete CPR certification before it expired on April 20, 2024. .1102(d) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. These items had not been updated annually for one staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. The EPR plan had not been reviewed with two staff members annually, or when they transferred to a different facility. .0607(f) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than July 11, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. Administrative Action Discussion The Division issued a Written Warning to this facility on June 14, 2024. You stated today that both the certified copy and the regular mail copy were in the mailbox on June 19, 2024, however the certified copy did not have a card to sign and return. As outlined in the cover letter attached to the Written Warning, the Notice of Administrative Action, Corrective Action Plan, and the cover letter must be posted in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility. This information was posted today. The information must remain posted for three months and until receipt of a closure letter from DCDEE. We also discussed that a representative of the owner had contacted me to discuss the possibility of removing the action from the current owner, as the incident occurred before the change of ownership took place on January 8, 2024. I reiterated that the center should refer to page six of the administrative action for information on how to appeal the action or to request an informal meeting with the Division. We discussed each item of the Corrective Action Plan as follows: Item #1: This item requires that the facility maintain compliance at all times with applicable child care requirements including but not limited to supervision requirements. We discussed that violations of child care requirements were documented today. Item #2: This item requires that after the plan #2 has been approved, that you conduct a staff meeting to review the plan with staff. This staff meeting must be held within one week of the approval, with documentation of the meeting being sent to me within three days of the meeting. These dates will be determined following the approval of the plan and procedures. I asked that you contact me immediately if you cannot meet the requirements of the Corrective Action Plan. I also reminded you that failure to comply with the Corrective Action Plan may result in further administrative action being taken against your child care license. Additional monitoring visits will occur while the Administrative Action is in place. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov with any questions or to request additional technical assistance. My mailing address is 2201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2201. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 57 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 12:30 PM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Admin Action Follow-Up Lic Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to assess compliance with applicable NC child care requirements following the issuance of a Written Warning issued to this facility on June 14, 2024. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, and assisted with the visit. The children were observed napping during today’s visit. The infants in care were observed napping and being fed. The school age children were not present today, as they were participating in an off-premise activity. Files for staff hired or transferred to this location since the previous visit were monitored today. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. The EMC plan had not been reviewed with two staff members annually, or when they transferred to a different facility. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test was obtained after employment for one staff member. .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A health questionnaire that had been completed within the last year was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information that had been completed within the last year was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete first aid certification before it expired on April 20, 2024. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete CPR certification before it expired on April 20, 2024. .1102(d) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. These items had not been updated annually for one staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. The EPR plan had not been reviewed with two staff members annually, or when they transferred to a different facility. .0607(f) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than July 11, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. Administrative Action Discussion The Division issued a Written Warning to this facility on June 14, 2024. You stated today that both the certified copy and the regular mail copy were in the mailbox on June 19, 2024, however the certified copy did not have a card to sign and return. As outlined in the cover letter attached to the Written Warning, the Notice of Administrative Action, Corrective Action Plan, and the cover letter must be posted in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility. This information was posted today. The information must remain posted for three months and until receipt of a closure letter from DCDEE. We also discussed that a representative of the owner had contacted me to discuss the possibility of removing the action from the current owner, as the incident occurred before the change of ownership took place on January 8, 2024. I reiterated that the center should refer to page six of the administrative action for information on how to appeal the action or to request an informal meeting with the Division. We discussed each item of the Corrective Action Plan as follows: Item #1: This item requires that the facility maintain compliance at all times with applicable child care requirements including but not limited to supervision requirements. We discussed that violations of child care requirements were documented today. Item #2: This item requires that after the plan #2 has been approved, that you conduct a staff meeting to review the plan with staff. This staff meeting must be held within one week of the approval, with documentation of the meeting being sent to me within three days of the meeting. These dates will be determined following the approval of the plan and procedures. I asked that you contact me immediately if you cannot meet the requirements of the Corrective Action Plan. I also reminded you that failure to comply with the Corrective Action Plan may result in further administrative action being taken against your child care license. Additional monitoring visits will occur while the Administrative Action is in place. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov with any questions or to request additional technical assistance. My mailing address is 2201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2201. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 6/27/2024 Number Present: 57 Completed Date: 6/27/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 150 Time In: 12:30 PM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Admin Action Follow-Up Lic Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to assess compliance with applicable NC child care requirements following the issuance of a Written Warning issued to this facility on June 14, 2024. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, and assisted with the visit. The children were observed napping during today’s visit. The infants in care were observed napping and being fed. The school age children were not present today, as they were participating in an off-premise activity. Files for staff hired or transferred to this location since the previous visit were monitored today. The following violations were documented today: Violation Number Comment Rule 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. The EMC plan had not been reviewed with two staff members annually, or when they transferred to a different facility. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test was obtained after employment for one staff member. .0701(a) 1034 All staff, including the director, did not have an annual health questionnaire on file following the initial medical statement. A health questionnaire that had been completed within the last year was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information that had been completed within the last year was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1048 All staff did not successfully complete certification in First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care. Verification of staff completion of First Aid training from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete first aid certification before it expired on April 20, 2024. .1102(c) 1049 All staff did not successfully complete certification in CPR training appropriate to the age of the children in care. Verification of staff completion of the CPR course from an approved training organization was not in the staff file. One staff member did not complete CPR certification before it expired on April 20, 2024. .1102(d) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. These items had not been updated annually for one staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. The EPR plan had not been reviewed with two staff members annually, or when they transferred to a different facility. .0607(f) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than July 11, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. Administrative Action Discussion The Division issued a Written Warning to this facility on June 14, 2024. You stated today that both the certified copy and the regular mail copy were in the mailbox on June 19, 2024, however the certified copy did not have a card to sign and return. As outlined in the cover letter attached to the Written Warning, the Notice of Administrative Action, Corrective Action Plan, and the cover letter must be posted in a location visible to parents and visitors near the entrance of the child care facility. This information was posted today. The information must remain posted for three months and until receipt of a closure letter from DCDEE. We also discussed that a representative of the owner had contacted me to discuss the possibility of removing the action from the current owner, as the incident occurred before the change of ownership took place on January 8, 2024. I reiterated that the center should refer to page six of the administrative action for information on how to appeal the action or to request an informal meeting with the Division. We discussed each item of the Corrective Action Plan as follows: Item #1: This item requires that the facility maintain compliance at all times with applicable child care requirements including but not limited to supervision requirements. We discussed that violations of child care requirements were documented today. Item #2: This item requires that after the plan #2 has been approved, that you conduct a staff meeting to review the plan with staff. This staff meeting must be held within one week of the approval, with documentation of the meeting being sent to me within three days of the meeting. These dates will be determined following the approval of the plan and procedures. I asked that you contact me immediately if you cannot meet the requirements of the Corrective Action Plan. I also reminded you that failure to comply with the Corrective Action Plan may result in further administrative action being taken against your child care license. Additional monitoring visits will occur while the Administrative Action is in place. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov with any questions or to request additional technical assistance. My mailing address is 2201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2201. 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

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 4/30/2024 Number Present: 60 Completed Date: 4/30/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 120 Time In: 11:00 AM Time Out: 01:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable childcare requirements during the temporary time period visit. This is the second temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued January 8, 2024 and is valid through July 8, 2024. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 135 children ages 0 to 12 years old and meeting enhanced space and ratios. A. Deans, Administrator was present and assisted with today’s visit. Six classrooms are operating with 98 children enrolled and 60 children present. Children throughout the facility were playing outdoors or engaged in free play. The infants in care were observed sleeping and playing on the floor. Age appropriate equipment and materials were available and accessible to the children. Positive interactions between caregivers and children were observed. The lunch being served consisted of chicken nuggets, baked beans, peaches, bread, and milk. Files for staff hired since the most recent monitoring visit were reviewed. The following violations were documented during today’s visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 508 Special diet or food allergy information was not posted where they can be seen in food preparation and eating areas. This information was not posted in the kitchen. .0901(g) 887 Caregivers did not document compliance with visually checking on sleeping infants aged 12 months or younger and/or the documents were not maintained for a minimum of one month. Checks were documented in advance of the check. During today's visit checks for 10:15am and 10:30 am were documented at 10:12am. .0606(g) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than May 14, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe please submit a request for an extension as soon as you determine you will not meet the imposed timeframe. This request should include a specific plan to correct the remaining violations and any time frames needed. This request will need to be approved by DCDEE management. 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. Child care licensing requirements were 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 type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all 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 child care 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. You could also find any needed Child Care forms by going on the web site and clicking on the "Provider" tab and then clicking on the "Provider Documents" tab. As this is a change of ownership a new building, fire and inspections must be completed by July 8, 2024. Failure to obtain the required approved inspections prior to July 8, 2024 may result in administrative action against your license. An approved sanitation inspection was completed on February 29, 2024. A fire inspection was completed February 14, 2024. A copy of this inspection was received today. You have requested your building inspection, however you stated you were unsure of the status of this inspection. We again discussed the use of Space #1. You stated this area is used for a lobby area, for office space for several staff members, and as a gathering area for the school age children while they are awaiting to board the bus in the morning. We had discussed removing this space from the licensed space and capacity. However, based on the use for gathering the school agers, it should remain in the approved space. I reminded you that this area must be free of hazards just as a classroom would be. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE We discussed that the documentation for checking on sleeping infants must be completed as it occurs. It cannot be completed before, or “caught up” after. During today’s visit the documentation forms were observed at 10:12am. The form for one child listed that checks had occurred at 0:15am and at 10:30am. A violation was documented. I encouraged you to provide additional training and technical assistance to your infant classroom staff on your safe sleep policy and on the importance of these checks. We discussed several instances of SIDS deaths in child care where checks were not completed that may be used as examples. We also discussed that the walls are beginning to show wear and the paint is beginning to peel. I reminded you that both the child care and sanitation requirements include that the walls must be smooth, non-absorbent, and easy cleanable. I encouraged you to address these issues before they become hazards. The requirements for materials and activity areas were also discussed today. We discussed that under the previous ownership the center had conducted Environment Rating Scales as part of the Rated License Assessment. You have stated that you planned to go back to that rating after the end of the temporary time period. I reminded you that the center should continue to maintain that level of materials and activities throughout the temporary time period. At a minimum, spaces for children under three years of age should have activities and materials in identifiable groupings with duplicates of popular toys and a variety of experiences in blocks, books, dolls, pretend play, fine motor, musical, and sensory. In spaces where children three years of age and older receive care, activities and materials should be available in the following areas: Art, Books, Blocks, Manipulatives, and Dramatic Play. At least once per week activities in Sand/Water, Music, and Science should also be available. These activities should be available for a substantial portion of the day, be developmentally appropriate, and be accessible. RATED LICENSE Today we again discussed the two-component rated license process. As a change of ownership you may choose to continue with the points awarded during the last rated license assessment. Under the previous ownership the facility earned 1 quality point for having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less. The facility earned four points in program for meeting enhanced requirements including enhanced staff/child ratios. The facility earned an average score of 4.73 across three environment rating scale assessments. The facility earned five points in education. The facility earned a total of 10 points which is a 4 star license. You stated again today the facility would like to continue with these points and not conduct a reassessment at this time. Your facility is in Cohort 2 for Resuming Rated License Reassessments. Your prep year will begin July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Your reassessment year is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. In your planning year, you will want to review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact your local Partnership for Children and CCR&R for assistance with completion of the self-assessment component. Your planning year is an opportunity to focus on your Star Rated License and consider strategies to help maintain or increase your star rating. For more information regarding the “cohort model” of resuming rated license reassessments, and opportunities for training and technical assistance as you prepare for a reassessment, you may visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/Resuming-Star-Rated-License. Also, be reminded that you may voluntarily request a reassessment at any time by contacting your consultant. NCRLAP outreach assessments are still being offered if you wish to “practice” however they may not be used toward a rated license reassessment. If you are interested in having an planning year ERS assessment conducted you should contact me. You may also wish to contact technical assistance specialists with the local Partnership for Children or CCR&R to help you with mock assessments. In planning for your reassessment, all staff should ensure current education information has been submitted to WORKS and they have requested the appropriate evaluation for their position. It typically takes WORKS 4-6 weeks to complete an evaluation. Child Care Rules were revised January 1, 2024, and a new rule book was posted to the DCDEE website. You should discard any old versions of the rules and ensure you are referring to the most current rule book when reviewing or researching requirements. It’s time to enroll your facility in the Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids program to identify and eliminate exposure to lead and asbestos hazards in building infrastructure. It may also be time to renew your lead water testing. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to have tap water tested for lead and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. As you have already completed your water testing, you only need to enroll in the paint and asbestos programs. The deadline for enrollment is May 1, 2024. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess for lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. My mailing address is 2201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2201. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0901 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 64 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for the facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued January 8, 2024 and is valid through July 8, 2024. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 135 children ages 0 to 12 years old and meeting enhanced ratios. Restrictions were in compliance today. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, however she was observed conducting food preparation and service duties. Six classrooms are operating with 94 children enrolled and 64 children present. During today’s visit, infants were observed playing with materials on the floor, crawling around exploring their environment or engaged in routine care. The remaining groups were observed conducting routines (diaper changing, toileting, and hand washing), playing outdoors, engaged in free play, having group story and singing time, eating lunch, and transitioning to nap. The school age children were not present today. Lunch for today consisted of chicken patty with bun, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and milk. According to the North Carolina Secretary of State website, your corporation Child Development Schools North Carolina, LLC is current and active. Your last fire drill was completed January 8, 2024. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on November 11, 2023, and the last outdoor inspection was completed February 4, 2024. As this is a change of ownership a new building, fire and sanitation inspections must be completed by July 8, 2024. You provided me with a building inspection form during today’s visit. The form had items that had not been answered, therefore it was returned to you. You also stated the fire inspector had conducted an inspection, however documentation of the inspection on either the Division’s form nor the Johnston County form was available. I asked that you follow up with these inspectors to obtain the appropriate documentation. I also asked that you follow-up with the Environmental Health Specialist to ensure a sanitation inspection has been requested. Failure to obtain the approved inspections prior to July 8, 2024 may result in administrative action against your license. I monitored your classroom environments, outdoor playgrounds, staff and children's records and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classrooms have a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Staff/child ratios were posted in each classroom. Activity plans and daily schedules were posted. No concerns with supervision were observed during the visit. Nine children’s records were reviewed today and were found to be in compliance. Sixteen staff files were also reviewed today. Using a checklist helps verify information on file and easily identifies missing information. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. In Space #3 the time of arrival was documented for 9 of the 10 children present. In Space #6 the time of arrival was documented for 14 of the 16 children present. In Space #7 the time of arrival was documented for 22 of the 23 children present. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not available in Space #3. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #4, #5, and #6, were dated February 19 to February 23. The activity plan in Space #7 was not dated. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitution served at lunch was not recorded on the menu prior to service. In addition, in Space #7 three children were served water as a substitute for milk at lunch. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 830 A First Aid information sheet was not posted in a place for referral and/or the information sheet did not include all the required information. This information was not posted. .0802(h) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. A statement was not on file for a second staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test result was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information was not updated at least annually for two staff members. .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. All topic areas were not reviewed with two staff members. .1101(a) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. Two staff members received five hours of orientation in these topics. .1101(a)(b) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. A staff development plan was not on file for one staff member who had been employed more than one year. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. .0607(f) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. This statement was not on file for three staff members before providing care for children. .0608(d)(1-4) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Two staff members had not completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within the past five years. .1103(b) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than March 13, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. We discussed that Space #1 on the floorplan is now being used as a lobby and office area rather than a classroom. We discussed that this space needs to be removed from the licensed space and capacity as it is no longer being used for children. This change will be reflected in the license issued at the end of the temporary time period. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that the fall zones for swings and installed equipment should be free of other equipment and play materials. Any sand boxes should be covered, and the covers should be monitored to ensure they remain in good condition. The surfacing at the end of slides and under swings should be redistributed so it remains an effective resilient surface of the required depth. We discussed that many of the violations documented today were in the staff records. I highly encouraged you to use the staff file checklist available under the provider documents section of the Division’s website to ensure staff files are complete and timeframes are met. I encouraged you to review the “Be a Smart Consumer of CPR and First Aid Training” resource in the training section of the DCDEE website to ensure all CPR and First Aid certifications are from approved sources, and that the specific courses are approved. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the two-component rated license process. I clarified that as a change of ownership you may choose to continue with the points awarded during the last rated license assessment. Under the previous ownership the facility earned 1 quality point for having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less. The facility earned four points in program for meeting enhanced ratios. The facility earned an average score of 4.73 across three environment rating scale assessments. The facility earned five points in education. The facility earned a total of 10 points which is a 4 star license. Your facility is in cohort 2. Your prep year will begin July 1, 2024 and continues through June 30, 2025. Your reassessment year is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. In your planning year, you may review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact your local Smart Start Partnership or CCR&R for assistance with preparing for the ERS assessment. This is an opportunity to focus on your Star Rated License and consider strategies to help maintain or increase your star rating. Review topics related to the Environment Rating Scales or other quality initiatives. I also reminded you that preparation year assessments are being offered by NCRLAP. If you are pleased with these scores, you may use them to apply for reassessment, or save them for your reassessment year. In order to ensure the education points are calculated correctly, please ensure that all staff have updated their information in the WORKS system. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. My mailing address is PO Box 2186, Clinton, NC 28329. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0302 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 64 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for the facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued January 8, 2024 and is valid through July 8, 2024. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 135 children ages 0 to 12 years old and meeting enhanced ratios. Restrictions were in compliance today. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, however she was observed conducting food preparation and service duties. Six classrooms are operating with 94 children enrolled and 64 children present. During today’s visit, infants were observed playing with materials on the floor, crawling around exploring their environment or engaged in routine care. The remaining groups were observed conducting routines (diaper changing, toileting, and hand washing), playing outdoors, engaged in free play, having group story and singing time, eating lunch, and transitioning to nap. The school age children were not present today. Lunch for today consisted of chicken patty with bun, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and milk. According to the North Carolina Secretary of State website, your corporation Child Development Schools North Carolina, LLC is current and active. Your last fire drill was completed January 8, 2024. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on November 11, 2023, and the last outdoor inspection was completed February 4, 2024. As this is a change of ownership a new building, fire and sanitation inspections must be completed by July 8, 2024. You provided me with a building inspection form during today’s visit. The form had items that had not been answered, therefore it was returned to you. You also stated the fire inspector had conducted an inspection, however documentation of the inspection on either the Division’s form nor the Johnston County form was available. I asked that you follow up with these inspectors to obtain the appropriate documentation. I also asked that you follow-up with the Environmental Health Specialist to ensure a sanitation inspection has been requested. Failure to obtain the approved inspections prior to July 8, 2024 may result in administrative action against your license. I monitored your classroom environments, outdoor playgrounds, staff and children's records and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classrooms have a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Staff/child ratios were posted in each classroom. Activity plans and daily schedules were posted. No concerns with supervision were observed during the visit. Nine children’s records were reviewed today and were found to be in compliance. Sixteen staff files were also reviewed today. Using a checklist helps verify information on file and easily identifies missing information. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. In Space #3 the time of arrival was documented for 9 of the 10 children present. In Space #6 the time of arrival was documented for 14 of the 16 children present. In Space #7 the time of arrival was documented for 22 of the 23 children present. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not available in Space #3. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #4, #5, and #6, were dated February 19 to February 23. The activity plan in Space #7 was not dated. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitution served at lunch was not recorded on the menu prior to service. In addition, in Space #7 three children were served water as a substitute for milk at lunch. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 830 A First Aid information sheet was not posted in a place for referral and/or the information sheet did not include all the required information. This information was not posted. .0802(h) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. A statement was not on file for a second staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test result was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information was not updated at least annually for two staff members. .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. All topic areas were not reviewed with two staff members. .1101(a) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. Two staff members received five hours of orientation in these topics. .1101(a)(b) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. A staff development plan was not on file for one staff member who had been employed more than one year. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. .0607(f) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. This statement was not on file for three staff members before providing care for children. .0608(d)(1-4) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Two staff members had not completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within the past five years. .1103(b) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than March 13, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. We discussed that Space #1 on the floorplan is now being used as a lobby and office area rather than a classroom. We discussed that this space needs to be removed from the licensed space and capacity as it is no longer being used for children. This change will be reflected in the license issued at the end of the temporary time period. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that the fall zones for swings and installed equipment should be free of other equipment and play materials. Any sand boxes should be covered, and the covers should be monitored to ensure they remain in good condition. The surfacing at the end of slides and under swings should be redistributed so it remains an effective resilient surface of the required depth. We discussed that many of the violations documented today were in the staff records. I highly encouraged you to use the staff file checklist available under the provider documents section of the Division’s website to ensure staff files are complete and timeframes are met. I encouraged you to review the “Be a Smart Consumer of CPR and First Aid Training” resource in the training section of the DCDEE website to ensure all CPR and First Aid certifications are from approved sources, and that the specific courses are approved. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the two-component rated license process. I clarified that as a change of ownership you may choose to continue with the points awarded during the last rated license assessment. Under the previous ownership the facility earned 1 quality point for having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less. The facility earned four points in program for meeting enhanced ratios. The facility earned an average score of 4.73 across three environment rating scale assessments. The facility earned five points in education. The facility earned a total of 10 points which is a 4 star license. Your facility is in cohort 2. Your prep year will begin July 1, 2024 and continues through June 30, 2025. Your reassessment year is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. In your planning year, you may review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact your local Smart Start Partnership or CCR&R for assistance with preparing for the ERS assessment. This is an opportunity to focus on your Star Rated License and consider strategies to help maintain or increase your star rating. Review topics related to the Environment Rating Scales or other quality initiatives. I also reminded you that preparation year assessments are being offered by NCRLAP. If you are pleased with these scores, you may use them to apply for reassessment, or save them for your reassessment year. In order to ensure the education points are calculated correctly, please ensure that all staff have updated their information in the WORKS system. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. My mailing address is PO Box 2186, Clinton, NC 28329. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0514 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 64 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for the facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued January 8, 2024 and is valid through July 8, 2024. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 135 children ages 0 to 12 years old and meeting enhanced ratios. Restrictions were in compliance today. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, however she was observed conducting food preparation and service duties. Six classrooms are operating with 94 children enrolled and 64 children present. During today’s visit, infants were observed playing with materials on the floor, crawling around exploring their environment or engaged in routine care. The remaining groups were observed conducting routines (diaper changing, toileting, and hand washing), playing outdoors, engaged in free play, having group story and singing time, eating lunch, and transitioning to nap. The school age children were not present today. Lunch for today consisted of chicken patty with bun, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and milk. According to the North Carolina Secretary of State website, your corporation Child Development Schools North Carolina, LLC is current and active. Your last fire drill was completed January 8, 2024. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on November 11, 2023, and the last outdoor inspection was completed February 4, 2024. As this is a change of ownership a new building, fire and sanitation inspections must be completed by July 8, 2024. You provided me with a building inspection form during today’s visit. The form had items that had not been answered, therefore it was returned to you. You also stated the fire inspector had conducted an inspection, however documentation of the inspection on either the Division’s form nor the Johnston County form was available. I asked that you follow up with these inspectors to obtain the appropriate documentation. I also asked that you follow-up with the Environmental Health Specialist to ensure a sanitation inspection has been requested. Failure to obtain the approved inspections prior to July 8, 2024 may result in administrative action against your license. I monitored your classroom environments, outdoor playgrounds, staff and children's records and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classrooms have a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Staff/child ratios were posted in each classroom. Activity plans and daily schedules were posted. No concerns with supervision were observed during the visit. Nine children’s records were reviewed today and were found to be in compliance. Sixteen staff files were also reviewed today. Using a checklist helps verify information on file and easily identifies missing information. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. In Space #3 the time of arrival was documented for 9 of the 10 children present. In Space #6 the time of arrival was documented for 14 of the 16 children present. In Space #7 the time of arrival was documented for 22 of the 23 children present. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not available in Space #3. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #4, #5, and #6, were dated February 19 to February 23. The activity plan in Space #7 was not dated. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitution served at lunch was not recorded on the menu prior to service. In addition, in Space #7 three children were served water as a substitute for milk at lunch. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 830 A First Aid information sheet was not posted in a place for referral and/or the information sheet did not include all the required information. This information was not posted. .0802(h) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. A statement was not on file for a second staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test result was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information was not updated at least annually for two staff members. .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. All topic areas were not reviewed with two staff members. .1101(a) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. Two staff members received five hours of orientation in these topics. .1101(a)(b) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. A staff development plan was not on file for one staff member who had been employed more than one year. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. .0607(f) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. This statement was not on file for three staff members before providing care for children. .0608(d)(1-4) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Two staff members had not completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within the past five years. .1103(b) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than March 13, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. We discussed that Space #1 on the floorplan is now being used as a lobby and office area rather than a classroom. We discussed that this space needs to be removed from the licensed space and capacity as it is no longer being used for children. This change will be reflected in the license issued at the end of the temporary time period. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that the fall zones for swings and installed equipment should be free of other equipment and play materials. Any sand boxes should be covered, and the covers should be monitored to ensure they remain in good condition. The surfacing at the end of slides and under swings should be redistributed so it remains an effective resilient surface of the required depth. We discussed that many of the violations documented today were in the staff records. I highly encouraged you to use the staff file checklist available under the provider documents section of the Division’s website to ensure staff files are complete and timeframes are met. I encouraged you to review the “Be a Smart Consumer of CPR and First Aid Training” resource in the training section of the DCDEE website to ensure all CPR and First Aid certifications are from approved sources, and that the specific courses are approved. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the two-component rated license process. I clarified that as a change of ownership you may choose to continue with the points awarded during the last rated license assessment. Under the previous ownership the facility earned 1 quality point for having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less. The facility earned four points in program for meeting enhanced ratios. The facility earned an average score of 4.73 across three environment rating scale assessments. The facility earned five points in education. The facility earned a total of 10 points which is a 4 star license. Your facility is in cohort 2. Your prep year will begin July 1, 2024 and continues through June 30, 2025. Your reassessment year is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. In your planning year, you may review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact your local Smart Start Partnership or CCR&R for assistance with preparing for the ERS assessment. This is an opportunity to focus on your Star Rated License and consider strategies to help maintain or increase your star rating. Review topics related to the Environment Rating Scales or other quality initiatives. I also reminded you that preparation year assessments are being offered by NCRLAP. If you are pleased with these scores, you may use them to apply for reassessment, or save them for your reassessment year. In order to ensure the education points are calculated correctly, please ensure that all staff have updated their information in the WORKS system. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. My mailing address is PO Box 2186, Clinton, NC 28329. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0701 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 64 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for the facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued January 8, 2024 and is valid through July 8, 2024. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 135 children ages 0 to 12 years old and meeting enhanced ratios. Restrictions were in compliance today. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, however she was observed conducting food preparation and service duties. Six classrooms are operating with 94 children enrolled and 64 children present. During today’s visit, infants were observed playing with materials on the floor, crawling around exploring their environment or engaged in routine care. The remaining groups were observed conducting routines (diaper changing, toileting, and hand washing), playing outdoors, engaged in free play, having group story and singing time, eating lunch, and transitioning to nap. The school age children were not present today. Lunch for today consisted of chicken patty with bun, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and milk. According to the North Carolina Secretary of State website, your corporation Child Development Schools North Carolina, LLC is current and active. Your last fire drill was completed January 8, 2024. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on November 11, 2023, and the last outdoor inspection was completed February 4, 2024. As this is a change of ownership a new building, fire and sanitation inspections must be completed by July 8, 2024. You provided me with a building inspection form during today’s visit. The form had items that had not been answered, therefore it was returned to you. You also stated the fire inspector had conducted an inspection, however documentation of the inspection on either the Division’s form nor the Johnston County form was available. I asked that you follow up with these inspectors to obtain the appropriate documentation. I also asked that you follow-up with the Environmental Health Specialist to ensure a sanitation inspection has been requested. Failure to obtain the approved inspections prior to July 8, 2024 may result in administrative action against your license. I monitored your classroom environments, outdoor playgrounds, staff and children's records and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classrooms have a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Staff/child ratios were posted in each classroom. Activity plans and daily schedules were posted. No concerns with supervision were observed during the visit. Nine children’s records were reviewed today and were found to be in compliance. Sixteen staff files were also reviewed today. Using a checklist helps verify information on file and easily identifies missing information. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. In Space #3 the time of arrival was documented for 9 of the 10 children present. In Space #6 the time of arrival was documented for 14 of the 16 children present. In Space #7 the time of arrival was documented for 22 of the 23 children present. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not available in Space #3. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #4, #5, and #6, were dated February 19 to February 23. The activity plan in Space #7 was not dated. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitution served at lunch was not recorded on the menu prior to service. In addition, in Space #7 three children were served water as a substitute for milk at lunch. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 830 A First Aid information sheet was not posted in a place for referral and/or the information sheet did not include all the required information. This information was not posted. .0802(h) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. A statement was not on file for a second staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test result was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information was not updated at least annually for two staff members. .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. All topic areas were not reviewed with two staff members. .1101(a) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. Two staff members received five hours of orientation in these topics. .1101(a)(b) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. A staff development plan was not on file for one staff member who had been employed more than one year. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. .0607(f) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. This statement was not on file for three staff members before providing care for children. .0608(d)(1-4) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Two staff members had not completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within the past five years. .1103(b) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than March 13, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. We discussed that Space #1 on the floorplan is now being used as a lobby and office area rather than a classroom. We discussed that this space needs to be removed from the licensed space and capacity as it is no longer being used for children. This change will be reflected in the license issued at the end of the temporary time period. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that the fall zones for swings and installed equipment should be free of other equipment and play materials. Any sand boxes should be covered, and the covers should be monitored to ensure they remain in good condition. The surfacing at the end of slides and under swings should be redistributed so it remains an effective resilient surface of the required depth. We discussed that many of the violations documented today were in the staff records. I highly encouraged you to use the staff file checklist available under the provider documents section of the Division’s website to ensure staff files are complete and timeframes are met. I encouraged you to review the “Be a Smart Consumer of CPR and First Aid Training” resource in the training section of the DCDEE website to ensure all CPR and First Aid certifications are from approved sources, and that the specific courses are approved. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the two-component rated license process. I clarified that as a change of ownership you may choose to continue with the points awarded during the last rated license assessment. Under the previous ownership the facility earned 1 quality point for having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less. The facility earned four points in program for meeting enhanced ratios. The facility earned an average score of 4.73 across three environment rating scale assessments. The facility earned five points in education. The facility earned a total of 10 points which is a 4 star license. Your facility is in cohort 2. Your prep year will begin July 1, 2024 and continues through June 30, 2025. Your reassessment year is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. In your planning year, you may review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact your local Smart Start Partnership or CCR&R for assistance with preparing for the ERS assessment. This is an opportunity to focus on your Star Rated License and consider strategies to help maintain or increase your star rating. Review topics related to the Environment Rating Scales or other quality initiatives. I also reminded you that preparation year assessments are being offered by NCRLAP. If you are pleased with these scores, you may use them to apply for reassessment, or save them for your reassessment year. In order to ensure the education points are calculated correctly, please ensure that all staff have updated their information in the WORKS system. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. My mailing address is PO Box 2186, Clinton, NC 28329. 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

10A NCAC 09 .0802 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 64 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for the facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued January 8, 2024 and is valid through July 8, 2024. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 135 children ages 0 to 12 years old and meeting enhanced ratios. Restrictions were in compliance today. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, however she was observed conducting food preparation and service duties. Six classrooms are operating with 94 children enrolled and 64 children present. During today’s visit, infants were observed playing with materials on the floor, crawling around exploring their environment or engaged in routine care. The remaining groups were observed conducting routines (diaper changing, toileting, and hand washing), playing outdoors, engaged in free play, having group story and singing time, eating lunch, and transitioning to nap. The school age children were not present today. Lunch for today consisted of chicken patty with bun, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and milk. According to the North Carolina Secretary of State website, your corporation Child Development Schools North Carolina, LLC is current and active. Your last fire drill was completed January 8, 2024. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on November 11, 2023, and the last outdoor inspection was completed February 4, 2024. As this is a change of ownership a new building, fire and sanitation inspections must be completed by July 8, 2024. You provided me with a building inspection form during today’s visit. The form had items that had not been answered, therefore it was returned to you. You also stated the fire inspector had conducted an inspection, however documentation of the inspection on either the Division’s form nor the Johnston County form was available. I asked that you follow up with these inspectors to obtain the appropriate documentation. I also asked that you follow-up with the Environmental Health Specialist to ensure a sanitation inspection has been requested. Failure to obtain the approved inspections prior to July 8, 2024 may result in administrative action against your license. I monitored your classroom environments, outdoor playgrounds, staff and children's records and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classrooms have a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Staff/child ratios were posted in each classroom. Activity plans and daily schedules were posted. No concerns with supervision were observed during the visit. Nine children’s records were reviewed today and were found to be in compliance. Sixteen staff files were also reviewed today. Using a checklist helps verify information on file and easily identifies missing information. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. In Space #3 the time of arrival was documented for 9 of the 10 children present. In Space #6 the time of arrival was documented for 14 of the 16 children present. In Space #7 the time of arrival was documented for 22 of the 23 children present. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not available in Space #3. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #4, #5, and #6, were dated February 19 to February 23. The activity plan in Space #7 was not dated. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitution served at lunch was not recorded on the menu prior to service. In addition, in Space #7 three children were served water as a substitute for milk at lunch. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 830 A First Aid information sheet was not posted in a place for referral and/or the information sheet did not include all the required information. This information was not posted. .0802(h) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. A statement was not on file for a second staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test result was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information was not updated at least annually for two staff members. .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. All topic areas were not reviewed with two staff members. .1101(a) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. Two staff members received five hours of orientation in these topics. .1101(a)(b) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. A staff development plan was not on file for one staff member who had been employed more than one year. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. .0607(f) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. This statement was not on file for three staff members before providing care for children. .0608(d)(1-4) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Two staff members had not completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within the past five years. .1103(b) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than March 13, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. We discussed that Space #1 on the floorplan is now being used as a lobby and office area rather than a classroom. We discussed that this space needs to be removed from the licensed space and capacity as it is no longer being used for children. This change will be reflected in the license issued at the end of the temporary time period. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that the fall zones for swings and installed equipment should be free of other equipment and play materials. Any sand boxes should be covered, and the covers should be monitored to ensure they remain in good condition. The surfacing at the end of slides and under swings should be redistributed so it remains an effective resilient surface of the required depth. We discussed that many of the violations documented today were in the staff records. I highly encouraged you to use the staff file checklist available under the provider documents section of the Division’s website to ensure staff files are complete and timeframes are met. I encouraged you to review the “Be a Smart Consumer of CPR and First Aid Training” resource in the training section of the DCDEE website to ensure all CPR and First Aid certifications are from approved sources, and that the specific courses are approved. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the two-component rated license process. I clarified that as a change of ownership you may choose to continue with the points awarded during the last rated license assessment. Under the previous ownership the facility earned 1 quality point for having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less. The facility earned four points in program for meeting enhanced ratios. The facility earned an average score of 4.73 across three environment rating scale assessments. The facility earned five points in education. The facility earned a total of 10 points which is a 4 star license. Your facility is in cohort 2. Your prep year will begin July 1, 2024 and continues through June 30, 2025. Your reassessment year is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. In your planning year, you may review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact your local Smart Start Partnership or CCR&R for assistance with preparing for the ERS assessment. This is an opportunity to focus on your Star Rated License and consider strategies to help maintain or increase your star rating. Review topics related to the Environment Rating Scales or other quality initiatives. I also reminded you that preparation year assessments are being offered by NCRLAP. If you are pleased with these scores, you may use them to apply for reassessment, or save them for your reassessment year. In order to ensure the education points are calculated correctly, please ensure that all staff have updated their information in the WORKS system. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. My mailing address is PO Box 2186, Clinton, NC 28329. 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

GS 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: Childcare Network #321 Facility ID: 51000958 Consultant: BECKY WILLIAMS Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/28/2024 Number Present: 64 Completed Date: 2/28/2024 Age: From 0 To 5 Total Minutes: 270 Time In: 10:30 AM Time Out: 03:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today's unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements for the facility’s the first temporary time period visit. The facility’s Temporary License was issued January 8, 2024 and is valid through July 8, 2024. Restrictions on the permit include a first shift capacity of 135 children ages 0 to 12 years old and meeting enhanced ratios. Restrictions were in compliance today. A. Deans, Administrator was present when I arrived, however she was observed conducting food preparation and service duties. Six classrooms are operating with 94 children enrolled and 64 children present. During today’s visit, infants were observed playing with materials on the floor, crawling around exploring their environment or engaged in routine care. The remaining groups were observed conducting routines (diaper changing, toileting, and hand washing), playing outdoors, engaged in free play, having group story and singing time, eating lunch, and transitioning to nap. The school age children were not present today. Lunch for today consisted of chicken patty with bun, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and milk. According to the North Carolina Secretary of State website, your corporation Child Development Schools North Carolina, LLC is current and active. Your last fire drill was completed January 8, 2024. The most recent lockdown drill was conducted on November 11, 2023, and the last outdoor inspection was completed February 4, 2024. As this is a change of ownership a new building, fire and sanitation inspections must be completed by July 8, 2024. You provided me with a building inspection form during today’s visit. The form had items that had not been answered, therefore it was returned to you. You also stated the fire inspector had conducted an inspection, however documentation of the inspection on either the Division’s form nor the Johnston County form was available. I asked that you follow up with these inspectors to obtain the appropriate documentation. I also asked that you follow-up with the Environmental Health Specialist to ensure a sanitation inspection has been requested. Failure to obtain the approved inspections prior to July 8, 2024 may result in administrative action against your license. I monitored your classroom environments, outdoor playgrounds, staff and children's records and required center records. I used the North Carolina Child Care Requirements and Compliance Listing as basic monitoring tools during the visit. Your classrooms have a variety of developmentally appropriate learning materials and equipment and the activity centers are well arranged. The license was posted along with the NC Summary of the Law and safe arrival and departure procedures. The emergency medical care plan and emergency telephone numbers were also posted. Staff/child ratios were posted in each classroom. Activity plans and daily schedules were posted. No concerns with supervision were observed during the visit. Nine children’s records were reviewed today and were found to be in compliance. Sixteen staff files were also reviewed today. Using a checklist helps verify information on file and easily identifies missing information. The following violations of child care requirements were observed today: Violation Number Comment Rule 125 Daily records of arrival and departure times for children enrolled at the center were not maintained as children arrive and depart and/or were not made available for review. In Space #3 the time of arrival was documented for 9 of the 10 children present. In Space #6 the time of arrival was documented for 14 of the 16 children present. In Space #7 the time of arrival was documented for 22 of the 23 children present. 10A NCAC 09 .0302(d)(4) 415 A current schedule was not posted for each group of children for reference. A schedule was not available in Space #3. GS 110-91(12);.0508(a) 428 A current activity plan was not posted for each group of children for reference. The activity plans in Spaces #4, #5, and #6, were dated February 19 to February 23. The activity plan in Space #7 was not dated. GS 110-91(12); .0508(a) 528 Food substitution was not of comparable food value or recorded on the menu prior to the meal or snack being served. The food substitution served at lunch was not recorded on the menu prior to service. In addition, in Space #7 three children were served water as a substitute for milk at lunch. 10A NCAC 09 .0901(b) 830 A First Aid information sheet was not posted in a place for referral and/or the information sheet did not include all the required information. This information was not posted. .0802(h) 862 The EMC plan was not reviewed with all staff annually and whenever the plan was revised. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. 10A NCAC 09 .0802(a) 1032 Child care providers and uncompensated providers who are not substitute providers or volunteers, including the director did not have a medical report on file prior to employment that was signed by a health care professional and/ or the medical report was older than 12 months. The medical statement for one staff member was obtained after employment. A statement was not on file for a second staff member. 10A NCAC 09 .0701(a) 1033 On or before the first day of work, all staff, including the director and individuals who volunteer more than once per week did not provide results indicating that they were free of active TB and/or TB test or screening was older than 12 months. A negative TB test result was not on file for one staff member. .0701(a) 1035 Child care providers, including the director, uncompensated providers, substitute providers, and volunteers did not have the required Emergency Information Form on file on or before the first day of work, which included all the required information and/or the information on the form was not updated as changes occur and at least annually. Emergency information was not updated at least annually for two staff members. .0701(a) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. All topic areas were not reviewed with two staff members. .1101(a) 1067 Each new employee did not complete, within the first two weeks of employment, six clock hours of training in required topic areas. Two staff members received five hours of orientation in these topics. .1101(a)(b) 1232 Each employee's personnel file did not contain an annual staff evaluation and a staff development plan. A staff development plan was not on file for one staff member who had been employed more than one year. 10A NCAC 09 .0514(f) 1825 All staff did not review the center's EPR Plan during orientation and/or on an annual basis with the trained staff. Documentation of the review was not maintained on file. This information had not been reviewed with one staff member at least annually. .0607(f) 1874 The Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma policy was not reviewed with new staff prior to providing care with children and/or a signed acknowledgement with all the required information was not maintained in the staff person's file. This statement was not on file for three staff members before providing care for children. .0608(d)(1-4) 1899 Health and safety training topics were not included as part of on-going training within five years of completing the previous health and safety training topics. Two staff members had not completed Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment within the past five years. .1103(b) All violations must be corrected immediately. Please send me a compliance letter (written statement) describing how and when the above violations were corrected. The compliance letter must be received no later than March 13, 2024. The compliance letter may be sent to me via email, if you do not have access to email, please ensure that your compliance letter is mailed in a timely manner and that you allow for delays with the mail service. If your compliance letter is mailed, a handwritten signature must be included. Contact me if you have questions regarding correction of the violations documented during today’s visit. If you are unable to correct all violations within the specified timeframe, send a compliance letter regarding violations that were corrected and a specific plan to correct the remaining violations. We discussed that Space #1 on the floorplan is now being used as a lobby and office area rather than a classroom. We discussed that this space needs to be removed from the licensed space and capacity as it is no longer being used for children. This change will be reflected in the license issued at the end of the temporary time period. Technical Assistance and Consultation: We discussed that the fall zones for swings and installed equipment should be free of other equipment and play materials. Any sand boxes should be covered, and the covers should be monitored to ensure they remain in good condition. The surfacing at the end of slides and under swings should be redistributed so it remains an effective resilient surface of the required depth. We discussed that many of the violations documented today were in the staff records. I highly encouraged you to use the staff file checklist available under the provider documents section of the Division’s website to ensure staff files are complete and timeframes are met. I encouraged you to review the “Be a Smart Consumer of CPR and First Aid Training” resource in the training section of the DCDEE website to ensure all CPR and First Aid certifications are from approved sources, and that the specific courses are approved. RATED LICENSE: Today we discussed the two-component rated license process. I clarified that as a change of ownership you may choose to continue with the points awarded during the last rated license assessment. Under the previous ownership the facility earned 1 quality point for having a combined turnover rate of 20% or less. The facility earned four points in program for meeting enhanced ratios. The facility earned an average score of 4.73 across three environment rating scale assessments. The facility earned five points in education. The facility earned a total of 10 points which is a 4 star license. Your facility is in cohort 2. Your prep year will begin July 1, 2024 and continues through June 30, 2025. Your reassessment year is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. In your planning year, you may review resources available at www.ncrlap.org and contact your local Smart Start Partnership or CCR&R for assistance with preparing for the ERS assessment. This is an opportunity to focus on your Star Rated License and consider strategies to help maintain or increase your star rating. Review topics related to the Environment Rating Scales or other quality initiatives. I also reminded you that preparation year assessments are being offered by NCRLAP. If you are pleased with these scores, you may use them to apply for reassessment, or save them for your reassessment year. In order to ensure the education points are calculated correctly, please ensure that all staff have updated their information in the WORKS system. The Importance of Providing Quality Child Care Providing quality child care is essential for children. There is ample research demonstrating that high-quality child-care experiences have many benefits to children and society and that quality child care is linked to children’s improved school performance. 1. The Cost, Quality and Child Outcomes in Child Care Centers Study and a follow-up study done several years later found that quality child care is primarily related to higher staff/child ratios, administrators’ prior experience, wages, higher staff education levels and staff members’ continued participation in formal and specialized training. This study found that children attending higher quality centers scored better in math and language skills, had more positive interactions with peers, and had fewer behavior problems. 2. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study followed children from their preschool years through age 40 and found that high-quality preschool programs significantly increased children’s future contributions through increased intellectual and social development, school success, economic performance, and reduced commission of crimes in adulthood. One of the most quoted results of this study is that for every dollar invested in children’s early care and education there is a $17 return to society in terms of crime and education savings, increased taxes collected, and welfare savings. There are many other studies including the Abecedarian Project, the Arnett Caregiver Interaction Study, and the NC Rated License Assessment Project. What the research tells us, in a nutshell, is that high quality child care has a positive impact on children’s later school success. The key to quality experiences for children is interaction with and stimulation from educated, trained teachers. The neuroscience associated with brain research is complicated, but its lesson is simple: babies' brains develop at astonishing rates in the first few years after birth. Young children have a tremendous capacity to learn from the moment they are born, but optimal development hinges on the experiences provided for them by the adults who take care of them. A follow up visit may be conducted in the near future to verify compliance with violations documented during the visit. Please contact me at (910) 824-0123 or at becky.j.williams@dhhs.nc.gov if I can be of assistance. My mailing address is PO Box 2186, Clinton, NC 28329. 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