Pitt County Head Start

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: PITT COUNTY HEAD START Facility ID: 74000902 Consultant: LESHAUNDA MCCOTTER Operation Type: Center Case Number: Visit Date: 10/13/2025 Number Present: 87 Completed Date: 10/13/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 283 Time In: 09:17 AM Time Out: 02:00 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s visit was to monitor your program for compliance with applicable child care requirements for a routine unannounced visit and to provide technical assistance on section .3200 of the child care rules. S. Crawford, Center Supervisor, and S. Brown, Deputy Director, assisted me with the visit. Your program currently operates with a five-star license, issued 10/28/21, earning 7 points in the education component, 6 points in the program standards component (meeting enhanced requirements) and 1 quality point for the programmatic option of staff benefits and infrastructure of parent involvement. The center's compliance history was reviewed with the operator. The program’s compliance history was ninety for percent four as of 10/10/15. The NC Secretary of State website was reviewed on 10/10/25 and Economic Improvement Council, Inc was listed as current- active. The license was posted, and the restrictions were in compliance. All indoor and outdoor areas were monitored. Children throughout the facility were participating in indoor and outdoor free play in activity areas, transitions, and personal care routines. Children engaged with free play with blocks, Legos, books, and art and dramatic play materials. Staff were observed moving about the spaces, interacting with the children through play and conversation. Fire and sanitation inspections remain current. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. A child enrolled in space #4, left the group at the bathrooms, outside of space #3, and ran to the front lobby. .1801(a)(1-5) 841 Medications including prescription and non-prescription items were not stored in a locked cabinet or other locked container. One (1) bottle of Benadryl was stored in the emergency bag, above five feet, in space #4. 15A NCAC 18A .2820(d) 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 10/27/25, 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 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 will be conducted. Mail or email the information to: LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant P.O. Box 397 Grifton, NC 28530 LeShaunda.McCotter@dhhs.nc.gov If you email the compliance letter, it must be sent from the email address registered with the 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: Medication Storage- Non-emergency medication must be in locked storage. Today, one bottle of Benadryl was stored in the emergency bag, above five feet in space #4. You spoke with staff and had them to move the medication during the visit. Having a visual reminder may be helpful for staff to remind them of how medications need to be stored. Consistent monitoring of medications will also help reduce the chances of medication being stored improperly. Supervision- Supervision is paramount to quality child care as it is basic to the safety of children and the prevention of injury while maintaining quality child care. Parents have a contract with the facility and its staff to supervise their children. The importance of supervision is not only to protect children from physical injury, but from harm that can occur from teasing/bullying/inappropriate topics discussed, or inappropriate behavior. Today a child enrolled in space #4, left the group that was in the bathroom, outside of space #2 and ran to the lobby. Staff in the lobby then returned to the group with the child and assisted with the transition. Today, we discussed the need for staff to communicate if they need assistance with the group and providing support with additional staff during transitions or other difficult moments. You shared staff have walkie-talkies to use and you are typically on the floor to provide support. We also talked about developing a plan for moments when you as an administrator cannot be on the floor to provide that direct support. Rated License Information- During the visit an overview of section .3200 of the child care rules was provided. Each of the following pathway options were discussed: Program Assessment Pathway, Classroom and Instructional Quality Pathway, and Accreditation and Head Start Pathway. You stated that you wish to pursue Pathway #3: Accreditation and Head Start Pathway. Complete the application and submit the applicable documents to me when you are ready to move forward. We discussed having the application submitted by November 14, 2025. Additional information: Challenging Behaviors- Today we discussed challenging behaviors that have been recently observed in the facility. Changes to the classroom schedules and routines my help children and staff feel less overwhelmed if the group was split in two. Additionally we discussed having support staff help in the classrooms during transitions, including personal care routines and moving between the indoor and outdoor spaces. Contact information for Chantel Sherman, Healthy Social Behavior Specialist, was provided during the visit. 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_41Y3hzA/viewform. Screen Time- Today, I observed children using tablets for educational activities in space #6. During that time the teacher documented the children’s screentime. Staff looked at the time and calculated the amount of time the child spent on the tablet. While screen time did not exceed 15 minutes during the observation, the time limit could be exceeded if the staff get distracted or engaged in other activities. Adding a digital or sand timer to that area can help better track screen time and allow children some autonomy in regulating their screen time. The facility now has a new Center Supervisor. Submit Preservice Requirements for Administrator of a Child Care Center and Legal Designee forms to me by October 24, 2025. For the latest information on child care rules and regulations, please visit the Division of Child Development and Early Education's website at https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/ At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me, LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant at 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: PITT COUNTY HEAD START Facility ID: 74000902 Consultant: LESHAUNDA MCCOTTER Operation Type: Center Case Number: 0325-406L Visit Date: 3/27/2025 Number Present: 13 Completed Date: 3/27/2025 Age: From 3 To 5 Total Minutes: 69 Time In: 12:20 PM Time Out: 01:29 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Center Type Of Visit: Complaint Visit Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s unannounced visit was to obtain information regarding alleged violations of child care requirements. The allegations are as follows: There are allegations of violations of child care requirements. Enrollment: Space #8, Staff T. Felton, I. Ellis Three children, three years of age enrolled; three children three years of age present Eight children, four years of age enrolled; five children, four years of age present Six children, five years of age enrolled; five children, five years of age present Children were seated at the table for lunch. One staff member sat with the children while the other staff passed out rolls. The teachers sat with the children, talking with then and encouraging them to eat their lunch. The group later transitioned to rest time. Children lay on their individual cots as soft music play. Staff were observed seated on opposite sides of the classroom, looking over the children as they rest. Today’s menu consisted of chicken nuggets, baked beans, applesauce, a roll and milk. Regarding the allegation of violations of child care requirements, I completed a classroom observation, interviewed the administrator and select staff, and reviewed video footage. There was an incident that occurred on March 6, 2025, where a child harmed three other children. The video showed three instances where staff were on their cell phones. Two children were throwing their blankets at one another. One staff walked over and took the blanket and picked up the cot, causing the child to roll off, onto the floor. The child then walked over and to the left side of the classroom, picked up a chair and dropped it on the head of another that was on their cot. The child then ran out of the classroom in the cafeteria area, the staff member closed the door behind the child and walked back into the classroom. The child was alone for twenty-seven seconds before being noticed by another staff member who walked the child back to class. Upon returning, the child picked up a table and walked over to a child resting on their cot and stepped on their head. At that time the teachers’ backs were to the children in the classroom. Based on the above information the allegation was confirmed. The following violations were observed. Violation Number Comment Rule 303 Children were not adequately supervised at all times. On March 6, 2025, staff were on their cell phones, positioned themselves with their back to the group of children, and a child left the classroom unattended. .1801(a)(1-5) 872 Appropriate discipline practices were not followed. On March 6, 2025, a former staff member picked up a cot occupied by a child, causing them to roll off onto the floor as a result of the child throwing their blanket at another child. .1803 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 April 10, 2025, 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 will be conducted. 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 registered with the 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 Supervision- Active supervision requires focused attention and intentional observation of children at all times. Teachers should also use their knowledge of each child’s development and abilities to anticipate what they will do, then get involved and redirect them when necessary. Transitions are times when heightened observations need to take place. Today, you shared the two staff present during the time of the incident are no longer employed at the facility. You also shared with me that you had a staff meeting on March 7, 2025 and March 14, 2025 where you discussed active supervision, safety of children, incident reports, and transitions. An agenda and sign-in sheet were provided to me during the visit. You stated that you completed observations in the classrooms and through the video cameras. During these observations you will take note of supervision, classroom schedule, and transitions. Discipline- The word discipline means to teach and guide. Discipline is not punishment. The discipline standard should reflect an approach that prevents behavior problems by supporting children in learning appropriate social skills and emotional responses. Those that work with young children should care for children without ever resorting to physical punishment or abusive language. When a child needs assistance, needs to express feelings, needs, and wants, the adult should help the child learn strategies for dealing with any situation. You stated you have contacted Chantel Sherman, Healthy Social Behavior Specialist. She came to the facility on March 24, 2025, and will continue to work with the staff and provide technical assistance. Continue to monitor your staff and review the facility’s discipline policy the child care rules section .1800. A violation was documented for failure to maintain compliance with supervision and discipline requirements. Violations of this nature directly impact the safety of the children while in your care. In addition, these types of violations have the greatest negative impact on your compliance history. A follow-up visit will be conducted in the near future to monitor compliance with child care requirements. Please be remined that confirmed complaints may result in the issuance of administrative actions. At the completion of the visit, this visit summary was printed, reviewed, and a copy was left with you. Contact me, LeShaunda McCotter, Child Care Consultant at 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