G.S. 110-91 · Violation

Name of Operation: The Giving Tree Montessori School Facility ID: 41002564 Consultant: MARY MCMILLAN Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 5/21/2026 Number Present: 2 Completed Date: 5/21/2026 Age: From 3 To 3 Total Minutes: 170 Time In: 11:25 AM Time Out: 02:15 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Temp Time Period Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced I conducted an unannounced visit today to monitor applicable child care requirements during a Temporary Time Period visit. The license was issued on 4/13/26-10/13/26. Today I met with Interim Director Georgia Marshall and teacher Jessah Magnusson. During today's visit 1 classroom was observed with 2 children present. The children were observed during teacher directed time and free play. In the classroom where children were, there was an open storage closet with purses, hazardous chemicals stored inside and there was a teacher's purse on the children's table. I also observed the outside play space as well. The following limited items were monitored today: Staff/Child Ratio, Supervision, approved space, hazardous storage, files, required trainings and required items posted. The last fire drill was recorded on 4/30/26 at 10:05am with 2 1/2 minutes evacuation time. Violation Number Comment Rule 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. In the classroom with children the storage closet was open where chemicals and purses were stored inside. .2820(b) 1045 New staff, who had contact with children, did not receive at least 16 hrs. orientation within first 6 weeks. There was 1 new staff member who was hired more than 6 weeks ago and her orientation was not completed. .1101(a) 1327 Accurate records were not maintained for all children. G.S. 110-91(9) We discussed the following items of consultation during today's visit: -QRIS Pathway information about pathway 1 and 2 differences and what the stars effect. A 1 star license is stating that you are meeting minimum DCDEE requirements and that you do not have to choose a pathway for a 1 star license. RATED LICENSE APPLICATION INFORMATION Once you have achieved a full six (6) months of operation, your program will be eligible for a Voluntary Enhanced Rated License. If you have met all requirements you can be awarded this Rated License at the end of the 6-month Temporary License Time Period. Please go to the NCRLAP website, www.ncrlap.org, to learn more about the third edition of the scale booklets and the Environmental Rating Scale Process, if you are interested in this pathway option. Ensure that all new staff member’s education information is current in the W.O.R.K.S. database. Each staff member must register in the WORKS system as soon as they are hired at this location. Education evaluations can take some time to process so beginning the process early will help to ensure we have the accurate information needed when it is time to complete the rated license assessment before the end of the temporary time period. -Age range on the license and what to do to request a change. -You were given an opportunity to ask any child care related questions: You had questions about summer camp and we discussed that the children enrolled and attending it, have to meet the same requirements as all other children enrolled. There is nothing different that changes for any programs that you operate in your licensed facility, no matter their names of the programs. You must always follow ALL licensing requirements at all times. -Emergency drills form was reviewed, and using the pull station at the facility for fire drills. We discussed the following items of technical assistance during today's visit: -All required items must be on file and present at all times for both staff and children. All questions must be addressed on the child's application. Please follow the children's file and staff file checklist and program file checklist that are provided for you on our DCDEE website under the providers documents and forms tab. -All hazardous items, including purses which may contain hazardous items, should be locked at all times unless they are being used. -Staff orientation is required to be completed within the first 2 and 6 weeks of hire, as listed on the orientation sheet. This should be scheduled and updated as it is completed. We discussed that if you wish to have children up to age 7 years of age at the summer camps, you will need to request an age range change, in writing. Reminders: When you receive your Child Care License from the State of NC, you are agreeing to comply at all times with the Law, Rules and Requirements pertaining to and governing Child Care in NC. It is your responsibility to read, learn, and maintain all Child Care Requirements that apply to your licensed facility. It is also your responsibility to ask Division staff questions for clarification of requirements you do not understand and to monitor your staff to ensure that all requirements are maintained at all times. -You must have at least a 75% or higher compliance history in order to apply for a star license and at the end of your Temporary Time period you must met the requirements to be at least a Three Star child care license in order to be eligible for DSS vouchers. 1) Please refer to the Staff and Training Worksheets to continue to keep all staff members current with their upcoming due dates for CPR/First Aid training, child maltreatment training, and health and safety training requirements. 2) Please refer to the What’s New Section of the DCDEE website for the new rules and other updates ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov Record keeping is one of the most time-consuming tasks associated with administering a child care program. It is an important part of licensure. Review staff and children's files often to ensure the program is maintaining accurate licensing records. Organization and completeness of records is important to ensure easy access to information in emergency situations. Making sure that you develop a record keeping system for staff and children’s records that promotes organization and efficiency. Administrative staff must allow time to review all necessary documentation prior to employment of staff and prior to enrolling children to ensure accuracy. ***Your violations must be corrected immediately and a compliance letter, stating how the violations have been corrected is required no later than 6/4/26. You can email me the compliance letter to mary.mcmillan@dhhs.nc.gov We reviewed what a compliance letter is and a sample will be emailed to you. If you have any questions, you can contact me at the above email or Licensing Supervisor, Kaye Adkins at kaye.adkins@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