Northwest Elementary Pre-K

10A NCAC 09 .3009 · Violation

Name of Operation: NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 74000758 Consultant: LESHAUNDA MCCOTTER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/10/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 12/10/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 223 Time In: 08:52 AM Time Out: 12:35 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in space #1, where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. C. Holloway, lead teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/1/20, earning 6 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced requirements and reduced ratios) and 1 quality point for the programmatic option of staff benefits package and infrastructure of parent involvement. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum, High Scope, as required for all four and five star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 1/16/25. The sanitation inspection was completed 5/22/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/9/25 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. I monitored all indoor and outdoor spaces. Upon arrival, the group was transitioning from the outdoor space to the indoor space. Children washed hands and gathered on the carpet in the front of the classroom. Children. The group recited their Bucket Filler Pledge and reviewed what they had learned about gingerbread. The teacher read “The Gingerbread Man”. The group then transitioned to a small group activity, where children worked in pairs to decorate a Gingerbread Man cutout using glue, yarn, and scrap paper. During free play, children engaged with learning materials in centers, including dramatic play materials, magnet tiles, cardboard blocks, and art materials. Teachers were observed engaging with children as they talking with the them, reading stories, assisted with learning materials, and assisting problem solving, referring them to the steps the problem solving skills previously taught. Lunch was observed during today’s visit and included chicken sandwiches, potato wedges, grapes, and milk. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance The current NC Pre-K staff are lead teacher, C. Holloway and teacher, K. Rodriguez. A selection of files were monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. The center uses the Teaching Strategies Gold instrument to document evidence of children's ongoing progress. The checkpoint assessments are conducted three times per year: at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. The first day of school was 9-3-25. The classroom operates from 7:15 am to 2:00 pm. Parent conferences are held three times per year. You stated that you use the Class DoJo app and children’s daily communication folders to communicate with parents any information about the child’s day and any reminders. The environment rating scale score received on 2/28/23 was 5.7 The following violations were observed during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Prior to working with NC Pre-K, school staff A. Morrison, did not complete a Criminal Background Check through DCDEE. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for A. Morrison. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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. Staff employed on 8/18/25 did have documentation of Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file for review. .1102(g) Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 12/24/25, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware, any information submitted by you is considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant PO Box 397 Grifton, NC 28530 LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical assistance: Criminal Background Check-Upon my arrival, I observed Authur Morrison, school staff, assisted in the classroom while they waited for the substitute to arrive. Mr. Morrison is not allowed to be onsite until a criminal background check is complete. It was reported that a school staff member was used in the classroom space to maintain staff/child ratio until a substitute with a valid qualification letter could arrive. Consider having additional school staff such as the administrative assistant, Encore teachers, and/or aides to obtain a qualification letter. This would allow them to sub in the classroom and maintain staff/child ratio. Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment - Caregivers/teachers are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Education is important in identifying manifestations of child maltreatment that can increase the likelihood of appropriate reports to child protection and law enforcement agencies. Preventing, recognizing, responding to, and reporting shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) is an important function of keeping children safe, protecting their healthy development, providing quality child care, and education families. Staff employed on 8/18/25 did have documentation of Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file for review. It was reported that the staff was reminded to complete the training but had not turned in the training certificate and was not on site to verify completion. Having staff complete the training during the orientation period can help you to better track completion and Pathways to the Stars On October 8, 2025, C. Lakhram, NC Pre-K Director, and I discussed the facility’s plan for completing a rated license assessment, using the new QRIS rules found in Section .3200 of the NC Child Care Rules. All information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents is posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. During today’s visit I gave an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules. Each of the following pathway options were discussed: Program Assessment Pathway, Classroom and Instructional Quality Pathway, and Accreditation and Head Start Pathway. You informed me that your facility will pursue Pathway #1: Program Assessment. -Self-Study- you have chosen to have an Outreach Assessment completed. You stated they gave you an assessment window at the beginning of 2026. -Educational Standards were reviewed, 50% of Lead Teaches and 50% of Other Educators, to determine the facility’s expected star level based on education currently available in WORKS. All staff’s education is not update in the WORKS Portal. Be sure that all classroom staff and administrators have updated their WORKS accounts by January 2026. - The Family and Community Engagement Standards were reviewed, the foundational practices and discussed how the program already meets these required practices. As you are striving to achieve five stars, you also identified four optional practices, one from each of the three categories plus a fourth one. We discussed how to collect and maintain documentation of the practices including pictures, flyers, newsletters, emails, etc. -Submit your Rated License Application by February 2026. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflects the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing and one-time lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Three-year Water Testing – Last completed on 12/27/24 Lead Paint Testing –Exempt Asbestos Testing –Exempt Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. North Carolina General Statute 14-208 requires sex offenders to register with the North Carolina Department of Justice. The law states that a sex offender shall not knowingly reside within 1,000 feet of the property on which any public or nonpublic school or child care center is located. This does not apply to child care centers that are located on or within 1,000 feet of property of an institution of higher education where the registrant is a student or is employed. All licensed child care centers must register to receive e-mail notification when a registered sex offender moves within a one-mile radius of the center. (§14-208.19) To register for the e-mail notification, go to http://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. If you have any questions, please contact your local sheriff's department. The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on child care issues, and assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 758-8885 or check out their website at mppfc.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant, 252-751-8634, LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 252-373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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. 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 74000758 Consultant: LESHAUNDA MCCOTTER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/10/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 12/10/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 223 Time In: 08:52 AM Time Out: 12:35 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in space #1, where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. C. Holloway, lead teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/1/20, earning 6 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced requirements and reduced ratios) and 1 quality point for the programmatic option of staff benefits package and infrastructure of parent involvement. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum, High Scope, as required for all four and five star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 1/16/25. The sanitation inspection was completed 5/22/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/9/25 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. I monitored all indoor and outdoor spaces. Upon arrival, the group was transitioning from the outdoor space to the indoor space. Children washed hands and gathered on the carpet in the front of the classroom. Children. The group recited their Bucket Filler Pledge and reviewed what they had learned about gingerbread. The teacher read “The Gingerbread Man”. The group then transitioned to a small group activity, where children worked in pairs to decorate a Gingerbread Man cutout using glue, yarn, and scrap paper. During free play, children engaged with learning materials in centers, including dramatic play materials, magnet tiles, cardboard blocks, and art materials. Teachers were observed engaging with children as they talking with the them, reading stories, assisted with learning materials, and assisting problem solving, referring them to the steps the problem solving skills previously taught. Lunch was observed during today’s visit and included chicken sandwiches, potato wedges, grapes, and milk. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance The current NC Pre-K staff are lead teacher, C. Holloway and teacher, K. Rodriguez. A selection of files were monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. The center uses the Teaching Strategies Gold instrument to document evidence of children's ongoing progress. The checkpoint assessments are conducted three times per year: at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. The first day of school was 9-3-25. The classroom operates from 7:15 am to 2:00 pm. Parent conferences are held three times per year. You stated that you use the Class DoJo app and children’s daily communication folders to communicate with parents any information about the child’s day and any reminders. The environment rating scale score received on 2/28/23 was 5.7 The following violations were observed during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Prior to working with NC Pre-K, school staff A. Morrison, did not complete a Criminal Background Check through DCDEE. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for A. Morrison. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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. Staff employed on 8/18/25 did have documentation of Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file for review. .1102(g) Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 12/24/25, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware, any information submitted by you is considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant PO Box 397 Grifton, NC 28530 LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical assistance: Criminal Background Check-Upon my arrival, I observed Authur Morrison, school staff, assisted in the classroom while they waited for the substitute to arrive. Mr. Morrison is not allowed to be onsite until a criminal background check is complete. It was reported that a school staff member was used in the classroom space to maintain staff/child ratio until a substitute with a valid qualification letter could arrive. Consider having additional school staff such as the administrative assistant, Encore teachers, and/or aides to obtain a qualification letter. This would allow them to sub in the classroom and maintain staff/child ratio. Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment - Caregivers/teachers are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Education is important in identifying manifestations of child maltreatment that can increase the likelihood of appropriate reports to child protection and law enforcement agencies. Preventing, recognizing, responding to, and reporting shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) is an important function of keeping children safe, protecting their healthy development, providing quality child care, and education families. Staff employed on 8/18/25 did have documentation of Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file for review. It was reported that the staff was reminded to complete the training but had not turned in the training certificate and was not on site to verify completion. Having staff complete the training during the orientation period can help you to better track completion and Pathways to the Stars On October 8, 2025, C. Lakhram, NC Pre-K Director, and I discussed the facility’s plan for completing a rated license assessment, using the new QRIS rules found in Section .3200 of the NC Child Care Rules. All information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents is posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. During today’s visit I gave an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules. Each of the following pathway options were discussed: Program Assessment Pathway, Classroom and Instructional Quality Pathway, and Accreditation and Head Start Pathway. You informed me that your facility will pursue Pathway #1: Program Assessment. -Self-Study- you have chosen to have an Outreach Assessment completed. You stated they gave you an assessment window at the beginning of 2026. -Educational Standards were reviewed, 50% of Lead Teaches and 50% of Other Educators, to determine the facility’s expected star level based on education currently available in WORKS. All staff’s education is not update in the WORKS Portal. Be sure that all classroom staff and administrators have updated their WORKS accounts by January 2026. - The Family and Community Engagement Standards were reviewed, the foundational practices and discussed how the program already meets these required practices. As you are striving to achieve five stars, you also identified four optional practices, one from each of the three categories plus a fourth one. We discussed how to collect and maintain documentation of the practices including pictures, flyers, newsletters, emails, etc. -Submit your Rated License Application by February 2026. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflects the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing and one-time lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Three-year Water Testing – Last completed on 12/27/24 Lead Paint Testing –Exempt Asbestos Testing –Exempt Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. North Carolina General Statute 14-208 requires sex offenders to register with the North Carolina Department of Justice. The law states that a sex offender shall not knowingly reside within 1,000 feet of the property on which any public or nonpublic school or child care center is located. This does not apply to child care centers that are located on or within 1,000 feet of property of an institution of higher education where the registrant is a student or is employed. All licensed child care centers must register to receive e-mail notification when a registered sex offender moves within a one-mile radius of the center. (§14-208.19) To register for the e-mail notification, go to http://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. If you have any questions, please contact your local sheriff's department. The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on child care issues, and assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 758-8885 or check out their website at mppfc.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant, 252-751-8634, LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 252-373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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: NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 74000758 Consultant: LESHAUNDA MCCOTTER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 12/10/2025 Number Present: 16 Completed Date: 12/10/2025 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 223 Time In: 08:52 AM Time Out: 12:35 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in space #1, where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. C. Holloway, lead teacher, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/1/20, earning 6 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced requirements and reduced ratios) and 1 quality point for the programmatic option of staff benefits package and infrastructure of parent involvement. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum, High Scope, as required for all four and five star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 1/16/25. The sanitation inspection was completed 5/22/25 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 9/9/25 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. I monitored all indoor and outdoor spaces. Upon arrival, the group was transitioning from the outdoor space to the indoor space. Children washed hands and gathered on the carpet in the front of the classroom. Children. The group recited their Bucket Filler Pledge and reviewed what they had learned about gingerbread. The teacher read “The Gingerbread Man”. The group then transitioned to a small group activity, where children worked in pairs to decorate a Gingerbread Man cutout using glue, yarn, and scrap paper. During free play, children engaged with learning materials in centers, including dramatic play materials, magnet tiles, cardboard blocks, and art materials. Teachers were observed engaging with children as they talking with the them, reading stories, assisted with learning materials, and assisting problem solving, referring them to the steps the problem solving skills previously taught. Lunch was observed during today’s visit and included chicken sandwiches, potato wedges, grapes, and milk. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance The current NC Pre-K staff are lead teacher, C. Holloway and teacher, K. Rodriguez. A selection of files were monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. The center uses the Teaching Strategies Gold instrument to document evidence of children's ongoing progress. The checkpoint assessments are conducted three times per year: at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. The first day of school was 9-3-25. The classroom operates from 7:15 am to 2:00 pm. Parent conferences are held three times per year. You stated that you use the Class DoJo app and children’s daily communication folders to communicate with parents any information about the child’s day and any reminders. The environment rating scale score received on 2/28/23 was 5.7 The following violations were observed during the visit. Violation Number Comment Rule 1041 Prior to employment a Criminal Background Check was not completed. Prior to working with NC Pre-K, school staff A. Morrison, did not complete a Criminal Background Check through DCDEE. G.S. 110-90.2(b) 1757 A valid qualification letter was not on file and available to review at the facility. A valid qualification letter was not on file for A. Morrison. G.S. 110-90.2(b) & (d) & .2703(e) 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. Staff employed on 8/18/25 did have documentation of Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file for review. .1102(g) Child care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented may impact the compliance history score. The violation(s) documented must be corrected immediately. On or before 12/24/25, I must receive a written, dated, and signed compliance letter that describes accurately and in detail, how and when the violations were corrected. Please be aware, any information submitted by you is considered legal documentation. If it is determined the information provided in the letter is not true, this may be considered falsification of information. If sufficient information is not received by the due date, a follow-up visit may be completed. Mail or email the information to: LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant PO Box 397 Grifton, NC 28530 LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address on file with DCDEE (this serves as your signature) and the following information must be included: name, position, facility name, and facility ID number. An example is: Jane Doe, Administrator AAA Child Care ID # 12345678 Technical assistance: Criminal Background Check-Upon my arrival, I observed Authur Morrison, school staff, assisted in the classroom while they waited for the substitute to arrive. Mr. Morrison is not allowed to be onsite until a criminal background check is complete. It was reported that a school staff member was used in the classroom space to maintain staff/child ratio until a substitute with a valid qualification letter could arrive. Consider having additional school staff such as the administrative assistant, Encore teachers, and/or aides to obtain a qualification letter. This would allow them to sub in the classroom and maintain staff/child ratio. Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment - Caregivers/teachers are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Education is important in identifying manifestations of child maltreatment that can increase the likelihood of appropriate reports to child protection and law enforcement agencies. Preventing, recognizing, responding to, and reporting shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) is an important function of keeping children safe, protecting their healthy development, providing quality child care, and education families. Staff employed on 8/18/25 did have documentation of Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment training on file for review. It was reported that the staff was reminded to complete the training but had not turned in the training certificate and was not on site to verify completion. Having staff complete the training during the orientation period can help you to better track completion and Pathways to the Stars On October 8, 2025, C. Lakhram, NC Pre-K Director, and I discussed the facility’s plan for completing a rated license assessment, using the new QRIS rules found in Section .3200 of the NC Child Care Rules. All information on the QRIS rated license assessments and documents is posted at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Licensing/Star-Rated-License/QRISModernization. During today’s visit I gave an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules. Each of the following pathway options were discussed: Program Assessment Pathway, Classroom and Instructional Quality Pathway, and Accreditation and Head Start Pathway. You informed me that your facility will pursue Pathway #1: Program Assessment. -Self-Study- you have chosen to have an Outreach Assessment completed. You stated they gave you an assessment window at the beginning of 2026. -Educational Standards were reviewed, 50% of Lead Teaches and 50% of Other Educators, to determine the facility’s expected star level based on education currently available in WORKS. All staff’s education is not update in the WORKS Portal. Be sure that all classroom staff and administrators have updated their WORKS accounts by January 2026. - The Family and Community Engagement Standards were reviewed, the foundational practices and discussed how the program already meets these required practices. As you are striving to achieve five stars, you also identified four optional practices, one from each of the three categories plus a fourth one. We discussed how to collect and maintain documentation of the practices including pictures, flyers, newsletters, emails, etc. -Submit your Rated License Application by February 2026. Additional Comments: Required Water, Lead Paint, and Asbestos Testing - The Clean Classrooms for Carolina Kids website reflects the following information about your center’s required three-year water testing and one-time lead paint testing, and asbestos testing: Three-year Water Testing – Last completed on 12/27/24 Lead Paint Testing –Exempt Asbestos Testing –Exempt Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules and environmental health rules in North Carolina, and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. North Carolina General Statute 14-208 requires sex offenders to register with the North Carolina Department of Justice. The law states that a sex offender shall not knowingly reside within 1,000 feet of the property on which any public or nonpublic school or child care center is located. This does not apply to child care centers that are located on or within 1,000 feet of property of an institution of higher education where the registrant is a student or is employed. All licensed child care centers must register to receive e-mail notification when a registered sex offender moves within a one-mile radius of the center. (§14-208.19) To register for the e-mail notification, go to http://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov. If you have any questions, please contact your local sheriff's department. The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on child care issues, and assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 758-8885 or check out their website at mppfc.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant, 252-751-8634, LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 252-373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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 .3009 · Violation

Name of Operation: NORTHWEST ELEMENTARY PRE-K Facility ID: 74000758 Consultant: LESHAUNDA MCCOTTER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 2/5/2024 Number Present: 32 Completed Date: 2/5/2024 Age: From 4 To 5 Total Minutes: 190 Time In: 08:50 AM Time Out: 12:00 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 your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for an annual compliance visit, including compliance with requirements located in Child Care Rule Section .3000 in spaces #1 and #2, where children participating in the NC Pre-K program are cared for. C. Rouse and R. Moore, lead teachers, assisted me with today’s visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 3/1/20, earning 6 points in the education component, 7 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced requirements and reduced ratios) and 1 quality point for the programmatic option of staff benefits package and infrastructure of parent involvement. Your program was also monitored for compliance with implementing an approved curriculum, High Scope, as required for all four and five star licensed facilities where four-year-old children are enrolled. The last annual compliance visit was conducted 2/20/23. The sanitation inspection was completed 12/12/23 with a “Superior” classification. The last fire inspection was conducted 3/1/23 and your facility was approved for daytime care only. I monitored all indoor and outdoor spaces. Upon arrival, children in space #1 were engaged in music and movement. The group later transitioned to whole group time, where they discussed Martin Luther King Jr. The group later transitioned to small group activities with number bingo, writing and letter identification. Children in space #2 participated indoor free play where they engaged with Legos, water play, blocks, and dramatic play materials. Proper hand washing techniques were observed. The outdoor space offers two stationary structures and tricycles to encourage gross motor play. Additional materials including bats, balls, and dramatic play and art materials are stored in classrooms and are taken outside during play. Lunch was observed during today’s visit and included mozzarella cheese sticks with marinara sauce, Siracha chicken with brown rice, green beans, banana, and milk. The NC Pre-K requirements in section .3000 of the child care rules were monitored for compliance. Staff-child ratios and maximum group sizes required in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .3009 were verified in compliance The current NC Pre-K staff are lead teachers, C. Rouse and R. Moore and teacher, J. Mondragon and L. Alexander. A selection of files were monitored for completed health assessments and developmental screenings. The center uses the Teaching Strategies Gold instrument to document evidence of children's ongoing progress. The checkpoint assessments are conducted three times per year: at the beginning, middle and end of the school year. The first day of school was 9-5-23. The classroom operates from 7:15 am to 2:00 pm. Parent conferences are held three times per year. You stated that you use the Class DoJo app and children’s daily communication folders to communicate with parents any information about the child’s day and any reminders. The environment rating scale score received on 2/28/23 was 5.7. The following violation was observed. 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. Nine canisters of disinfectant wipes were stored in an unlocked cabinet above five feet. .2820(b) Compliance Verification: The violation was corrected during today’s visit. No further action is required at this time. Storage of Hazardous Items- Please review child care rules regarding storage and accessibility of potentially hazardous items. Items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” with no other warnings must be stored at a minimum of five feet off the floor. Hazardous cleaning supplies, including those kept under pressure in an aerosol can, as well as medications must be kept in locked storage. The definition of locked storage requires that the lock be unlocked with some type of device such as a key or combination. Nine canisters of disinfectant wipes were stored in an unlocked cabinet, above five feet. Thank you for moving those to a locked closet during the visit. Today were reviewed Hazardous Items Storage. I suggested you review all cleaning supplies and other items labeled “Keep out of reach of children” are kept inaccessible while children are in care. Reminders: DCDEE WORKS Accounts- You currently have staff that need to have an education evaluation completed in order to process through the education component of the Rated License. Have T. Willis and L. Alexander to log into DCDEE WORKS using their NCID. Staff will then have to submit the applicable transcripts and certificates and request the the education be evaluated. Visit https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/DCDEE-WORKS for further information. Be knowledgeable of the child care laws and rules and environmental health rules; review them with your staff and assist them with understanding and implementing them to maintain compliance and keep children safe and healthy. The most recent versions of child care laws and rules (updated 7/1/23) and environmental health rules (updated 7/1/23) in North Carolina, the Items Number Listing (can be used as a detailed checklist of required items) and What’s New information are available on the DCDEE website, www.ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov. Check the designated facility email at least weekly to stay current with communication and email blasts from DCDEE. If your email is not the facility email, sign up for email blasts on the What’s New page for general information and communication from DCDEE. The Healthy Social Behaviors (HSB) Project supports teachers to promote healthy social-emotional development and reduce the expulsion rate among young children in licensed child care centers across North Carolina. The team is made up of specialists with early childhood education backgrounds who are passionate about empowering teachers to develop learning environments and teaching practices that promote prosocial skills in young children. To speak to a Behavior Support Advisor contact 1-888-600-1685 option 1 or to submit a question visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-4ADUCpoHc9MrxFvD15H12AwsNWbUtWEJRXW38q_41Y3 hzA/viewform. The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children is able to provide you with resources and information, training opportunities, technical assistance on child care issues, and assistance with the Environment Rating Scales. Their phone number is (252) 758-8885 or check out their website at mppfc.org. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me at LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant, 252-751-8634, LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov or Jennifer Linhardt, Licensing Supervisor, 252-373-4199, Jennifer.Linhardt@dhhs.nc.gov if you have questions. 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